The Poor Mans Behike?
 

Pete Johnson, the owner of Havana Cellars and the Tatuaje cigar brand, is starting a new company, and Cigar Insider has all the details on its flagship brand.

Called L’Atelier Imports, the new company will be headquartered in Miami, rather than Los Angeles, where Havana Cellars is based. The company plans to debut a flagship brand, also called L'Atelier, that will be rolled at My Father Cigars from all-Nicaraguan filler and binder and wrapped in Ecuadoran leaf.



The brand will be medium to full bodied, according to Johnson, and the sizes are a take on the Cohiba Behike BHK trio launched by Cuba in 2010. There will be a LAT52 (4 3/4 inches by 52 ring), LAT54 (5 5/8 by 54), and a LAT56 (6 1/2 by 56), virtually identical to the trio of sizes in the Behike line, right down to the pigtail caps. L’Atelier will sell for $8.50 to $10 and will come in boxes of 15, and boxed samplers of nine cigars with three of each size. The line will debut in August at the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers trade show in Orlando, Florida.

http://www.cigaraficionado.com/webfe.../show/id/16562

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

Those sure don't look like Behikes :lr

Ugly looking cigars. Just the coloration....

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

:banger:dr:tu Thanks For The Info! I'm In!

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

Tat ho!

Depending on pricing I might pick up a few :r

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

Me too!!

Yes we are!!! :tu

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

I would buy 3 or 4 of the smallest one.

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

I don't smoke anything I can't pronounce.

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

I will give them a try.

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

sounds good!

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

What a joke. When will he stop ripping the Cubans off?

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

Count me in for 20 boxes of each. I love any cigar whose packaging is a direct rip off of Cuban cigars!!!

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

Read his comments on the subject, instant hilarity. I got a good laugh.

Especially when he claimed the BHK 54 size idea was a rip off of his Cabaiguan Guapos size. Yeah I bet that was their idea when making the BHK 54 :rolleyes:

That certainly justifies how much you've stolen as well.

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

You'll enjoy most of Pete's cigars then:r

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

Yeah I read it, pretty sad. Pete can do what he wishes I guess, people eat it up....

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

I mean taste is taste, I understand people are going to smoke what they like. But Pete should have A LOT more class and decency. Do your own thing, don't just steal your way to the top. He's like the Dane Cook of the cigar world :lr (there is kind of a resemblance isn't there?)

What really got my attention was when I saw that "Tatuaje 2012 LE Book" a few months back. CLEARLY ripped off, and not from the "Cubans of old". Then I saw this and I was pretty much speechless. He refers to current Cubans being sub-par yet he has no problem copying all the new packaging. I don't think anyone would be too upset if he stole the OLD OLD school packaging as a homage once or twice. Like a retro glass jar or those old tree branch style packaging. Hell that's already been done a few times, or something similar.

But don't slam the newer CC's and then copy all of their packaging. Why would you even do that if you claim they are so inferior to Nicaraguan tobacco?

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

Pete Johnson, the owner of Havana Cellars and the Tatuaje cigar brand, is starting a new company, and Cigar Insider has all the details on its flagship brand.

Called L’Atelier Imports, the new company will be headquartered in Miami, rather than Los Angeles, where Havana Cellars is based. The company plans to debut a flagship brand, also called L'Atelier, that will be rolled at My Father Cigars from all-Nicaraguan filler and binder and wrapped in Ecuadoran leaf.



The brand will be medium to full bodied, according to Johnson, and the sizes are a take on the Cohiba Behike BHK trio launched by Cuba in 2010. There will be a LAT52 (4 3/4 inches by 52 ring), LAT54 (5 5/8 by 54), and a LAT56 (6 1/2 by 56), virtually identical to the trio of sizes in the Behike line, right down to the pigtail caps. L’Atelier will sell for $8.50 to $10 and will come in boxes of 15, and boxed samplers of nine cigars with three of each size. The line will debut in August at the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers trade show in Orlando, Florida.

http://www.cigaraficionado.com/webfe.../show/id/16562
thanks for the info gaw! :)

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

If they smoke good and taste good I'll buy them. I don't see the need to attach feelings over people I don't know or objects.

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

interesting bro, i dont even think the real thing is all that though. hope those are better. i mean, dont get me wrong, im sure the behikes will be good sooner or later

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

He does it just to piss you off, Bill.


It's a big conspiracy.

I'm serious, we cooked it up a few years ago down in Nicaragua over a couple bottles of La Flor de Cana 18.

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

:lr

This made me laugh hysterically. Probably the funniest thing I've read in a bit. Well done.

But no way someone buys more of that stuff after you've had one bottle :D

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

I can't believe that I agree with PT. Nic cigars are better than CC's all day everyday.

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

So what is wrong with capitalism and free enterprise?:sh I don't smoke a lot of PJ's stuff, but, he has the right to do what he wants with his company, doesn't he?
I'll give his new line a try when they are released.:tu

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

I am always cranked off when I see anyone even tilt towards Cuba with their marketing, or use it as a reference point
for comparison. These guys are in a death struggle everyday with havana, and from what I can tell, Habanos goes out
of their way to be innovative within themselves. Granted, EVERYTHING THEY OWN, they STOLE, but since then they
have tried to stay above the fray and just focus on trying to maintain their image as the best in the world. They have
failed mightily at every turn in my opinion, their reaction to the boom was not only embarrassing, it was nearly
catastrophic. But they still keep innovating and trying to shake the money tree. EVERY OTHER MAKER outside of Cuba
uses them for ideas to steal, an anchor for all their legitimacy in the history of their companies or in the DNA of their
master blenders and torcedores. It's almost disgusting, and I try to stay away from their products as much as possible.
But again, Havana DID steal EVERYTHING. But they did not continue to steal unabashedly.
I can tolerate Fuente because no one can say they don't also do it their way, and are wildly successful because of it.
The Padrons live off the cuban mystique, but they also innovate on their own and are a dominant force because they
refuse to pander to trends. They MAKE trends. It seems like all the boutiques will steal whatever they can to try and
just get the scraps left behind by the other 2. I like a Nic cigar, but I don't like the PJ stuff, or the Drew Estates Stuff,
or the Pepin stuff or the AJ stuff......Some of the cigars make the most they can out of the tobacco, but 80% of it is all the
same to me.

By the way OP, "poor man's Behike" is a little off base....These cigars will be money or nothing. They won't be cheap.

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

It's not an issue with Capitalism at all. The issue, at least for me, is the marketing and packaging he chooses to deliver his product.

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

I really think he's serious. Seriously.

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

I for one am excited. He makes a great product and is a master at marketing his product. And I tend to agree with Dunkel. NC's blow the doors off CC's. Let the debate continue.

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

You clearly don't like Nicaraguan tobacco as much as you claim as you basically just eliminated the best in the biz in Nicaragua. Everyone you just listed are some of the only ones doing anything worthwhile with the tobacco and is the reason why when it comes to boutiques they are the top dogs.
Is it a rip off? Yes, but I am sure if you talk to Pete there is probably some kind of joke behind it. I always laugh at how many people love to hate on his stuff and the man himself, many without even trying his stuff or ever meeting him. I can almost guarantee if you spend a little time talking to him in person your opinion would more than likely change. Just when it comes to tobacco the guy is a wealth of knowledge and probably has forgotten more than I myself would ever know. I personally will pick up a few to try. I will never rule out a stick due to marketing gimmicks. Hell if that were the case I would have never smoked a good amount of sticks I enjoy everyday. Sh*t if it weren't for marketing gimmicks I would be out of a job! Call me biased but I would take any of the brands OLS mentioned above over most Cubans anyway. I actually just had this conversation two nights ago about this topic. I said "If someone had a Tatuaje, Liga and a Monte 2 in their hand and offered me to take one for free, the Monte would be my last choice." Not that it isn't a good smoke but I personally prefer Nic. tobacco and I also know I have a 50/50 chance that the Monte will be plugged.:2
Things could be worse. Has anyone seen Casa De Montecristos claims on their copy of the Behike. They're claiming theirs even tastes the same.
http://www.topqualitycigars.com/ Should still be on the homepage but if it moves after landing on the page search for B56.

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

If his crap is so great, how come he has to rip off the Cubans for his marketing and packaging? Why does he have to imitate such an inferior product??? He does this because his sh*t can't stand on its own. He needs the hype in order to draw attention to his product.

Oh, BTW... I think your wife is a dog. It's only a coincidence that I make my wife dress the same and wear the same makeup.

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

I'm pretty sure I read a while back that all his cigars are based off his favorite Cuban sizes. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery:sh

I probably will not smoke these as I smoke almost all cc but the price doesn't seem that bad (8.50-10 bucks). Smoke what you like it doesn't matter who rolls it or where it is from.

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

Is it just me, or has anybody else noticed that whenever a thread is started about Pete Johnson and his lines of cigars, it turns into a slugfest? :gary

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

ive met pete. i like the guy. hes a smart person who has love for nicaraguan tobacco and a love for cuban styling. im not so sure its a "rip off" as much as attempting to fit the style of cuba.
i respect what he does with tobacco. i respect his passion.
im not a fan of his cigars save for a few.

there are a ton of Tatuaje fans out there and clearly they are not on this forum, but i still fiind it a bit surprising that some here seem to have so much hate for him.
you dont like his stuff, dont buy it. plain and simple.

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

Companies do this all the time with competing products. Many people when asked about cigars first think of Cuba. That makes Cuba a target.

Instead of looking at this as a bad thing you could choose to look at it as "Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery"...

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

He makes a great product? That's debatable, but goes back to smoke what you like, a subjective type of thing. Master of marketing? I don't think so, he steals everything he puts out from Cuba.. boxes, bands, ect.

NC's blow the doors off CC's? That's subjective also, smoke what you like. However, I will smoke what I like too, and I prefer not to smoke nasty, harsh, one dimensional spice bombs that most NC's are. I prefer the opposite:D

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

No one here is showing any hate towards Pete himself. The issues are related to how the brand is marketed and packaged.

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

how original pete... why dont you come up with some of your own creativity (ohwait!)

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

sure looks like hate to me.
i understand not liking the cigars he puts out but saying he steals everything is clearly overboard. the monster series comes to mind with little hesitation.

just about every brand ever has taken ideas from Cuban packaging. why pick on pete?

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

Whereas I'd counter that Pete Johnson's products are probably talked about more often on this messageboard than all the other NC sticks combined. If there are cigar messageboards out there with a higher concentration of fanbois, kindly let me know so that I may avoid them like the plague.

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

I don't think you understand the difference between criticizing his BRAND and actually hating on HIM. There has been no one show any hate towards Pete himself at all. In fact, there has been zero hate at all. And is it fair to say the Monster Series is an outlier in the whole stolen packaging debate:r I'm off to smoke a FACE:r:r

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

It would be interesting to hear if Pete started the company separate to protect his other interests from lawsuit or infringement claims coming from Habanos SA on this line.

It's all a copy cat business in a lot of ways, I am glad to hear he is not going to be copying the same pricing scheme with these :)

I'll give them a try, I am about 50/50 on Pete's different cigars but I am always up for trying a new cigar at least once.

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

Smoke what you like, like what you smoke, judge not lest ye be judged.

I prefer Cubans.

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

What ever happened to imitation is the most sincere form of flattery?

Also he is a business man and whatever he is doing is working. Not only do we buy his cigars we have discussion like the one above that do nothing from spread the word for new products and lead to more cigars being bought. I think he is a brilliant.

:2

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

Although I've only tried a few of his sticks, I've liked every one and try to always to keep them on hand. If his "copying" of things Cuban is what inspired him to make cigars in thinner ring gauges and smaller formats, then GOOD; Many other makers seem to be copying each other in the jumbo ring gauge race, and I'm not an adherent of the "Bigger is Better" philosophy.

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

Yeah the company is brilliant for stealing product and packaging formats from Cuba;) I think people would think of it differently if say two USA corps., CAT and Deere, were in a similar situation. Let's say Deere decides to steal Cat's colors, truck and tractor designs, ect. Would this not be ethically wrong and most certainly result in major litigation for lost profits?? That's just how I look at it I guess. And yeah I know it's Cuba, but it still doesn't make it right for someone here to steal their ideas and make money off it.

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

That sounds more like General Cigar and Altadis with their Partagas, Montecristo, Punch, RyJ and every other marque name, band and box art duplicated.

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

Neo, You are right, I do seem out of touch on the current scene using Nicaraguan tobacco.
My first taste of it was a Padron, and I think they blend it about as well as it can be blended.
Once the LFD super Ligero bombs came out 10-12 years ago, and everyone had to blend cigars
so strong and manly, the Nicaraguan cigars I have seen evolve from that impetus have
not been to my liking. I DO like Nicaraguan tobacco, but I do not like seeing it blended
with so much emphasis on power. I do not think you can do both power and flavor and
do it in good balance. Lots of companies claim to be doing just that, but not from where
I smoke. Cuban cigars, with all their faults, are the best tasting cigars on earth.

No wonder PJ rips them off so unabashedly.

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

As much as I would like to agree with you on this, Cuba HAS no ideas. Everything they have,
they stole from people that they frightened so bad that they had to flee for their lives.
They DO have Cohiba.

YES, Behike is a Cuban innovation on a Cuban brand without claim from any competing original brand-
holder, but 90% of everything else they do every day is based on a lie. (All your brands are belong to us.)

This might sound odd coming from me who JUST said cuban cigars are the best, and I HATE WITH
WHITE HOT PASSION the current cigars from the supposed actual current owners of the original
brands, to whom which legal title to the original brands and trademarked iconography passed to.
TO ME they all taste like clones, each as mediocre as the next. There is someone here who screams
when I say it everytime, but I still believe it.

But I also still criticize PJ for his blatant intellectual property theft, although indeed imitation is the
sincerest form of flattery. So in the end, it's all just gang warfare, like congress. Polarization
based on firm belief and intransigence. Sure makes for a great thread blow-up, don't it?

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

And no one has to ask if you're talking about NC or CC Tats.

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

I agree wholeheartedly. I'm just not a big fan of the current 6x60 craze. I prefer petite coronas and lanceros (when I have the time).

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

Thank you.

Re: The Poor Mans Behike?
 

Last time I chime in here but wasn't the ring size of the Behikes something that they made to fill in a void so they can cash in on a segment that they were missing out on that the NC manufacturers created and the demand grew at an amazingly fast pace here in the U.S.? These larger ring sizes are out of the norm for Cuban marcas so it does work both ways but I do realize that in this discussion it's apples and oranges as Pete is replicating the the exact size and shape and giving each a similar name to the Behike. Just kind of pointing it out as it was brought up a couple times how the NC market is always ripping off the Cuban marcas.
OLS, you should give some of the brands you mentioned a try as most of their lines are not all about just delivering power without any other substance. Yes, they offer a large amount of fuller bodied smokes but most are not busting at the seams with power. I honestly see that segment/demand starting to fade a little bit in the NC market. Guys are looking for more substance than just a powerhouse lately Pepin(Pete, same boat), JD and AJ offer some great smokes/blends that offer great flavor and complexity.