Casa Fuente

[montecristo#2]

Originally Posted by onlyonerm

Does Fuente justify the prices they charge here because they consider the place a bar? They are supposed to discourage gauging, but I can get OpusX cheaper in Hartford, CT then a store that they own part of. I don't get it.

Probably because everything is more expensive in vegas. They have upgraded the caesars palace mall and a lot of the smaller shops have gone out of business only to be replaced with more fancy jewelry or clothing stores. My guess is they have to increase the prices to cover rent and it is a "destination" in vegas as oppose to just a cigar shop.

However, the prices are pretty high for some of the stuff and they seemed to have an incredible inventory when I was there last. For cigars that are extremely hard to find elsewhere and that are suppose to be sold at MSRP, this kind of goes against the practice of discouraging gauging, IMO. With that said, if it wasn't for casa fuente, I would never see most of those cigars and I did have the opportunity to try an anejo #49 (one damn good smoke, yes 25 bucks is more than I will pay now, but my local B&M was selling #55s for 38 dollars which is far worse).

[RedBaron]

I was in Vegas beginning of July. Casa Funete is a cool place, mainly cause it is located right next to the Playboy store. Casa Fuente smoke is ok, nothing to blow your socks off. Waitresses are hot. Its just so difficult to get excited about an over-priced domestic cigar, I'm sorry. For one forbidden X you can have a box of Fonseca Kadets.

[Beagle Boy]

I just got back from there, did a group buy for some local BOTL, picked up a GOF and various Casa for myself.

Besides the rent at the forum shops, part of the profit is going to the CF charity (didn’t think to ask how much I could write off on my taxes )

[niterider56]

Buy one or two smoke and enjoy the ambiance (boobies) of the shop, but definately take your own smokes because I don't think there is any place on the strip that has decent priced smokes. Off the strip is a little cheaper but not much. Any time I go I take my own.

[Lance]

save your cash. The cigars go for 3X what they should be sold for.

If you want to try something different, get the Casa Fuente. I had one the other night, and it was fantastic....not $16 fantastic, but....you get the point.

Forbidden X's also arent always a different blend from a regular opus X, at least thats what I gather from moki. It is just a moniker for what is not a regular production size pus .

[PUFFNMO]

Thanks jungle dwellers, some very astute and helpful advice was given here.

Montecristo- thanks for the Bertolini info, I will definitely try it. I LOVE fresh pasta...

I'm surprised at the $25 for Anjeo's, I have seen some in local B&M's for less - way less.

[zonedar]

I'd also like to say thanks. The missus and I are off to sin central over Labor Day. I'll certainly stop by CF while she's shopping, but I'll bring my own sticks except maybe to try a Casa Fuente.

-Steve

[Poriggity]

Ive only been to casa one time, and it was great. Didn't get to stay there very long though. I only grabbed to of the casa fuente house sticks in the corona size, looked longingly at the girls ass that let me into the humidor, then had to get back to reality with my wife and in laws waiting outside for me. LOL.... I am going back in October, for my 1 year anniversary, with my wife, and plan to spend a little time in there this time, smoking and drinking.. Im thinking I will pick up a GOF or an anejo..
Scott

[PUFFNMO]

Expensive cigars and girls w/ great assets, no wonder my wife is lukewarm about the place...

[montecristo#2]

Originally Posted by PUFFNMO

Thanks jungle dwellers, some very astute and helpful advice was given here.

Montecristo- thanks for the Bertolini info, I will definitely try it. I LOVE fresh pasta...

I'm surprised at the $25 for Anjeo's, I have seen some in local B&M's for less - way less.

Yep, I am pretty sure they were 25+ at casa fuente. The anejo #49's are pretty solid sticks size wise, so I figured what the hell. Either spend it and smoke a nice long stogie or lose it at the crap table - it was also my first anejo.

The wife and I eat at bertolini's pretty much every time we are in vegas. I am pretty sure the fettucini noodles are fresh, but you might want to ask to make sure, either way they are pretty damn good.

Hope you have a good time, if you like sports books, I recommend checking out the one at MGM, they have remodeled it and it is pretty sweet, over 50 flat screen TVs and plenty of seating. Sit back, watch a game and enjoy a nice cigar - sounds like heaven to me.

[Poriggity]

Don't feel bad, my wife is the same way.. I told her last night that I wanted to visit a couple places in vegas, and she immediately said "Lemme guess, CIGAR SHOPS!!!" And then rolled her eyes.. I AM stopping at casa!
Scott

[Tmtmtl666]

If you want to go off the strip, you can always go to The Tobbacco Leaf (longashes2u.com) they are right down the street from me.

Another place that my brother said is really good is The Tinder Box on Ft. Apache and Sahara. I will be stopping there tomorrow after work to check it out. I checked out Casa Fuente once and haven't been back since. They are high, but they are catering to tourists.

Regards,
John

[moki]

Originally Posted by opusxox

Casa Fuente is way too expensive to stock up on rare Fuentes. I would buy a couple of Casa Fuente sticks for $18 and call it a day. The forbidden X can run as high as $225 each. Enjoy the ambiance, buy smokes elsewhere.

I agree. Unless you've hit it big on the tables and have money to burn, the various rarities are too expensive: Forbidden X cigars @ Casa Fuente

Instead, I'd pick up some Casa Fuente cigars. The prices are actually fairly reasonable for a Las Vegas Strip premium smoke, and you can't get them anywhere else.

[moki]

Originally Posted by onlyonerm

Does Fuente justify the prices they charge here because they consider the place a bar? They are supposed to discourage gauging, but I can get OpusX cheaper in Hartford, CT then a store that they own part of. I don't get it.

Fuente doesn't justify it at all. Fuente doesn't own Casa Fuente, it's a partnership between Robbie Levin and the Frey brothers. Please read this for more information:

http://www.smokeshopmag.com/0805/cover.htm

To further emphasize the Fuentes' position on the store's purpose, the Fuente family opted not to be financial partners in the venture. The store is a straightforward licensing deal, structured as a partnership between the Freys and Levin, who pay an annual royalty fee directly to The Cigar Family Charitable Foundation.

The Fuentes gain nothing more out of this venture than donations towards their philanthropic pursuits, a tribute to their family's heritage, and a presence to increase brand awareness - which they are confident will directly translate into sales for all Fuente retailers.

[onlyonerm]

Originally Posted by moki

Fuente doesn't justify it at all. Fuente doesn't own Casa Fuente, it's a partnership between Robbie Levin and the Frey brothers. Please read this for more information:

http://www.smokeshopmag.com/0805/cover.htm

To further emphasize the Fuentes' position on the store's purpose, the Fuente family opted not to be financial partners in the venture. The store is a straightforward licensing deal, structured as a partnership between the Freys and Levin, who pay an annual royalty fee directly to The Cigar Family Charitable Foundation.

The Fuentes gain nothing more out of this venture than donations towards their philanthropic pursuits, a tribute to their family's heritage, and a presence to increase brand awareness - which they are confident will directly translate into sales for all Fuente retailers.

Thanks for the information. Great article and helps me understand the relationship better, but it still seams that the Fuente Family is justifying the high prices because of the relationship, where it is my understanding that if they found other accounts selling the product for similar prices it would be frowned upon. With that said I have already bought Casa Fuente cigars and will be in Vegas in October and I am sure I will support Casa Fuente some more. I have never been to good at putting my money where mouth is when it comes to resisting cigars.