

neal875
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Everything posted by neal875
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Punch RS12 vs Punch Petit Corona
neal875 replied to soltino's topic in Cigars Discussion Forum "the water hole"
Touche, Ken. If ever there was a story of 'night' and 'day' comparisons, this one is it. The RS12 with 3 years on it is truly a superb and very refined cigar. There really is no comparison. The loss of the RS12 is one I really do get upset about. I wish more people had tried them--perhaps they would still be with us. -
Smithy and I in the warehouse Wednesday.
neal875 replied to El Presidente's topic in Cigars Discussion Forum "the water hole"
Rob: I hope you got my wish list last night? -
The ARA code was for the J Cano factory and this code was used from 2000-2003. Your box is a 2000--I have the same stamp and, while not quite as smudged as yours, it is the same in the end.
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I have a cab of '08s but they are too young to know--the jury is out. The early '07 cab I have is just awful. Flavor profile is just nothing like those of earlier years--in fact, it is just plain unpleasant. I will give them all some more time as this cigar really needs serious aging BUT, I am not overly hopeful.
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Paratagas Series Du Conniosuer No 3 - TEB OCT 07
neal875 replied to asmith's topic in Hot Box Picture Forum
Smithy: Are you sure about this price? It is a $62.00 premium over the regular Czar price. More than 30%. -
Punch Petit Corona Del Punch - EMA MAR 08
neal875 replied to asmith's topic in Hot Box Picture Forum
I would debate both of those points--but agreed that it is a very good cigar on the whole. -
COhiba sublimes or sublimes extra
neal875 replied to ericC's topic in Cigars Discussion Forum "the water hole"
Yes, in fact there are still quite a few. -
Let's talk about watches...
neal875 replied to El Presidente's topic in Cigars Discussion Forum "the water hole"
A man after my heart. I have an IWC Portuguese and love the watch. They are a truly fantastic company with a unique philosophy on watch design and manufacture. And that VC Malte is one of my favorites--don't own one but have had an eye on it for some time. What metal is it? -
What is your one and only Fav CC cigar ?
neal875 replied to Jimmy2's topic in Cigars Discussion Forum "the water hole"
I have no '09s at this point (I guess I smoke the slower selling stuff) but as for '08, it is the SLR Regio in cabinet and Punch RS #12. Both are way young but the cabs I have feature great aroma and are full of that brash flavor that matures and settles down so well. -
What should be my next box I pick up?
neal875 replied to acidmase's topic in Cigars Discussion Forum "the water hole"
The Dukes. They'll disappear and the others will still be around in abundant supply. Oh, and most importantly, they are really good cigars. Really good. -
Fair enough. I just wish you had a better one to smoke as these are a joy. Ken: How old is your oldest SS 2? And do you like the SS 1 to the same degree?
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I'm still trying to figure this review out. The defining moment here was when Rob called Ken out on his dwarfism. It was a funny remark but SO true. I understand that Ken finds a small smoke diabolical--heck, I dislike the monster smokes like a Sublime and a Super Robusto. We all have our faves. At its best, the RS 12 is a tremendous Petit Corona. The '08s in particular are filled with a great richness- even at barely two years of age. However, ALL Punch cigars need age and most need a lot of age before you get what you paid for. My cab of SS #2 is just opening into something special and they're from '98. The RS 12 is in this category too--it needs as much age as it can get. It's a bummer --I really hate delayed gratification--but I liken Punch cigars to a Chateau Lafite or a Chateau Margaux. We aren't drinking and loving the '04s but we're treasuring the 64s and 71s, etc. In any case, I have some EMA February '08 RS 12s and they are a great vintage of a great cigar. I hope those of you who like this vitola will try them before they are gone forever.
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Someone give me a baseball bat
neal875 replied to First Lady's topic in Cigars Discussion Forum "the water hole"
Ah, yes. When did Australia get as completely wacked-out as we became years ago? Is nowhere safe any more? -
They really don't compare in any way other than the name on the box. But very few cigars can be compared to the Cazadore. The Cazadore is rich. It's strong. It's leathery and earthy--but , more than anything else, it is a powerful smoke and a real 'old school' Havana. Great and one-of-a-kind if you like a lot of flavor. And I mean a lot of flavor. Try a single first if possible. They aren't for everyone. The Ex 3 is medium bodied and rich but in no way does it have the sheer drama of the Cazadore. Aging is crucial as they tend to be a bit light and confused when young but really open up to a medium flavored and characteristically R&J woody taste that is both delicious and highly underrated (or just overlooked). This is one of those cigars that most people never try when they think about a Corona Gorda--but they really should. Very enjoyable without a lot more to say. It is one of my favorites and I always try and find them a bit aged if at all possible. Again, try a single or two first if you can.
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Cigars that are getting the cut..
neal875 replied to Jimmy2's topic in Cigars Discussion Forum "the water hole"
I think that this is a solid business proposition that could result in the cancellation of a couple of the deletions. If goodwill is in play, that is. This suggestion was made early on in this dialog and makes nothing but sense for items like the Connies and the two Punch lines. I think these are the most likely to be saved because they are part of popular and successful brands that Habanos is not contemplating eliminating. The same is less likely for the Diplomatico and RG brands which seems to be getting less and less support overall. Rob: I was wondering if you know through your many connections around the world if there are any similar organized efforts of this kind from other dealers, distributors or industry press? I've looked as best I can but cannot find any. -
Cigars that are getting the cut..
neal875 replied to Jimmy2's topic in Cigars Discussion Forum "the water hole"
Completely correct. It's all about the soil and the BUSINESS. -
Successful corporations are not usually in the business of supporting their more niche and slow-moving product lines. In good economic times, those products tend to hang in because the profitability of the overall brand is strong. However, in times like these, cutting the dogs is part of an economic survival plan. The costs of manufacturing, packaging, distribution and promotion are the same for a winner as a loser. So, what is the business argument for keeping the losers? What company executive will recommend keeping a portfolio of dust collectors just because a tiny cadre of people like them? I wouldn't and neither would anyone else on this forum who owns or manages a business. In addition, efficient companies are always looking to cut the number of SKUs they manufacture as it is extremely inefficient not to do so. Besides, dealers don't like sitting on inventory that doesn't move either. So from a cash-flow standpoint, it benefits nobody to support the slackers. And at the end of the day--Habanos is a business like any other.--trying to satisfy the needs of a majority of their customer base while remaining as profitable as they can. Believe two things for sure: Habanos will not be cutting any of the cigars that the market is buying in volume. And , second, they will continue to cut those that the market is largely overlooking. We should put our list together now of the 2011 deletion possibilities and vote against that eventuality by buying those on that list that we love and do so with with great gusto. I think we could come up with a pretty good list of these cigars right now--it might be a good exercise to do so too. I think that will be a new thread.
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I concur. Looks great on the coffee table next to C A. Remember, man does not live by bread alone.
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I'm sorry that you will be losing a favorite smoke of yours. I went through that last year with the SS 1, Bonitas and Immensa-- so I get it. I'm not sure that I see homogenization of the brands going on here as you indicate. Instead, I think they are letting the market dictate what they should continue to manufacture. That is not a bad marketing decision, it is the only correct marketing decision for them to pursue. All companies support their winners and cut their losers if they want to remain profitable. Promoting flagship lines is the essence of what the marketing department is in the building to do. The road is filled with the bodies of brands that tried to tell the majority of consumers that they were wrong. I don't have one single stick in my humidor over 50 ring gauge--most are under 46-- but I am not in the majority and I am getting whacked by the times we live in. If you were the head of marketing at Habanos, you would be doing your job superbly by creating a $100 Siglo VI that not only produces great margins but generates tremendous public relations and editorial ink and furthers the brand mythology as a whole. A product like this is pure brand gold. You can only be a hero by green lighting this one. In fact, they'll write books about what a genius you were in a decade or two from now. But none of this momentum is created by a Diplomatico anything. At one time maybe--but not now. Punch Churchills and RG anything will be in stock for years and we all know why. It's time for change and the market has said that this is where that change should take place. But, as I said earlier, I think we can save the Connies and I think we should focus on doing so. That would truly be fantastic.
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I'm sorry that you will be losing a favorite smoke of yours. I went through that last year with the SS 1, Bonitas and Immensa-- so I get it. I'm not sure that I see homogenization of the brands going on here as you indicate. Instead, I think they are letting the market dictate what they should continue to manufacture. That is not a bad marketing decision, it is the only correct marketing decision for them to pursue. All companies support their winners and cut their losers if they want to remain profitable. Promoting flagship lines is the essence of what the marketing department is in the building to do. The road is filled with the bodies of brands that tried to tell the majority of consumers that they were wrong. I don't have one single stick in my humidor over 50 ring gauge--most are under 46-- but I am not in the majority and I am getting whacked by the times we live in. If you were the head of marketing at Habanos, you would be doing your job superbly by creating a $100 Siglo VI that not only produces great margins but generates tremendous public relations and editorial ink and furthers the brand mythology as a whole. A product like this is pure brand gold. You can only be a hero by green lighting this one. In fact, they'll write books about what a genius you were in a decade or two from now. But none of this momentum is created by a Diplomatico anything. At one time maybe--but not now. Punch Churchills and RG anything will be in stock for years and we all know why. It's time for change and the market has said that this is where that change should take place. But, as I said earlier, I think we can save the Connies and I think we should focus on doing so. That would truly be fantastic.
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Exactly. Show me the money.
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This last point is where I would like to begin. I have worked for some very large companies each of which has canceled some iconic and slow-moving product on more than one occasion. Every time we announced a discontinuation, we were barraged by emails and letters from loyal customers who implored us to reconsider in order to preserve their brand loyalty. While we were often moved by these letters, we almost never reconsidered. Because virtually none of the letters ever made an effective business or brand statement that had any legs. And, by the time a product made it to our 'canceled' list, a lot of research, analysis, meeting time and other due diligence had been performed and performed again--it was just too little, to late. It is never an easy decision. But, at the end of the day, it's just business. Show me the money. For us to have any real chance of success: my advice here is to cut down the scope of the petition and make a far more compelling business argument than I am seeing in this thread up to this point. Let me be specific. I wonder how many of the people who are now evangelists for the Diplomatico 4 and 5 have bought more than three boxes in the past 12 months. Not many, I am sure. The same is probably true for the LGCs, QDs and Punch Churchills. And, remember, this is a site of real aficionados and not a typical cross-section of the Habanos customer base. Those folks probably never tried any of these. Besides, in tough times-- when things have to be reevaluated to preserve the greater good-- one can make the argument that there are already Monte 4s and 5s and Cohiba 1s and 2s and so on--in other words, no shortage of PCs or TPCs in the lineup. So who needs the slow-moving Dip 4 and 5?. That is how a business will look at it in times like these and it's why I believe that these two cigars as well as the RS 11 and 12 are gone, sadly. This last one really hurts me as it is a personal favorite. However, by being more focused and respectful of the business argument, we do have a better chance for saving the Connaisseur Series. As a complete series, they are one-of-a-kind, universally praised and, quite obviously when you look at the pricing compared to a Dip or an RG, a high-margin product that benefits from the premium and popular nature of the Partagas DNA vs. a Dip or RG. A good, if not great, business point -of-view that is worth trying. What's more, two out of the three vitolas in the Series no longer exist anywhere else in the Habanos portfolio. And with the cancellation of the Grande Espana, all three of the Connaisseurs will become unique. Hence, the historic or 'brand' argument. As a 'compromise' position, it would be far more likely to see this as a relatively easy 'give back' to us. The line just has far more horsepower for possible preservation than most others on this list of goners. It is still a long-shot but one that makes far more sense and shows far more understanding that they are running a business and a brand.