So What is the Deal with Por Larrañaga?

[avenidaquinta]

Greetings All,

I'm a big fan of this marca and have been for many years (before they were discontinued the lonsdales were my everyday smoke).

On the one hand its really disappointing to see the line shrink to just the petite corona and the two machine-mades, but on the other hand the past few years have seen some amazing (in my opinion) Por Larrañaga RE's coming out (i.e. the Magnificos, Robustos especially). Anyone out there with any inside information know why Habanos S.A. has kept the line so miniscule (size wise) but keeps churning out a plethora of really great RE's year after year? Is there a chance that the line will expand at some point with some of the aforementioned RE's becoming part of regular production?

- Rudy -

P.S. This same question could be applied to the Ramon Allones line.

[Jimmy2]

I agree the two lines you have mentioned need more cigars in their regular line up i think down the road their will be more regular production in these lines.

We just have to wait and see the changes HSA is making not only the ones they are making now but what they have planned in the future.

I think over all they are doing a great job getting rid of cigars that dont sell them being good or not and replacing what mostly what world wide smokers want.We may not all agree but numbers sell and thats business as we know it and if we want them to survive they must make changes !! I for one will give them a chance not happy with all the changes they are doing but they know better than all of us !!

Ramon Allones Allones Superiores Corona Gorda from what i have heard will be regular production !!!! But only found at Casa del Habanos stores worldwide if it has the true RA flavor it was worth its wieght in gold if you ask me !!!

Hope this helped..

[habanohal]

IT seems like alot OF REs in the PL Marca are popping up. My theory is that the REs become more desirable with so few others in the lineup, which in turn brings in a higher price per box, which means higher profits.

SO in turn , keep the regular production too a few differant sizes. Just my $.02

[ARRV]

Greetings All,

I'm a big fan of this marca and have been for many years (before they were discontinued the lonsdales were my everyday smoke).

On the one hand its really disappointing to see the line shrink to just the petite corona and the two machine-mades, but on the other hand the past few years have seen some amazing (in my opinion) Por Larrañaga RE's coming out (i.e. the Magnificos, Robustos especially). Anyone out there with any inside information know why Habanos S.A. has kept the line so miniscule (size wise) but keeps churning out a plethora of really great RE's year after year? Is there a chance that the line will expand at some point with some of the aforementioned RE's becoming part of regular production?

- Rudy -

P.S. This same question could be applied to the Ramon Allones line.

Are they machine made or tripa corta - hencho e mano tho - the latter I think but I am happy to stgand corrected.

Personally, my favourite marca - panetela is a fine short smoke and the PCs are great. I guess if they were to diversify then it would be to larger ring guage but I am of the view that there are enough of them already in other marcas and there are the REs LEs etc - probably a hint as to the future marketing strategy of HSA - have some stock smaller ring guages and then roll our the larger ring guages in RE / LE mode and charge more

[ChanceSchmerr]

I will say I love the marca and the flavour profile it delivers. I also like all the PL REs i've tried so far, and the ONLY thing keeping me from picking up a box to this point was the much higher price point with them.

If Habanos really wants to revitalize the marca, they wouldn't set the price so high on these REs. But what do I know - people still buy them!

Anyone else stoked for the Dalias PL RE coming soon?

[Colt45]

Anyone else stoked for the Dalias PL RE coming soon?

If they are reasonably priced - yes I'm also hoping they will be packaged in solid boxes (i'd like them round).

[Tampa1257]

The Por Larrañaga Monte Carlo is no longer a machine made cigar. It has been "Totalmente a mano" for several years now.

As for other members believing that Habanos s.a. is making correct decisions concerning direction and market decisions, I for one do not believe they are making decisions with sales figures in mind. Due to the influences from the Spanish Altadis 50% holder of Habanos s.a., they have been totally responsible for the non-Cuban market decisions of "Bigger & Fatter" cigars, so when 50% of the Company decision makers believe what the non-Cuban market is doing is correct, then it becomes a difficult challenge to remember History. Thus giving way to those only familiar with the non-Cuban markets. Hopefully, cooler minds will come out of these fracas and remember that the Connaisseur Cuban smoker does NOT enjoy only having 50+ ring gauge cigars as a choice.

I believe that when many of the present Cuban cigar smokers Boycott all the new 50+ ring gauge cigars Habanos s.a. will begin to wonder WTF they have done wrong.

[Ethernut]

I'd just like to say that the PL MC's are some of my everyday faves... Yet to try PL PC need to pick up a cab soon..

[Bahnofstrasse]

I'd just like to say that the PL MC's are some of my everyday faves... Yet to try PL PC need to pick up a cab soon..

Agree...LOVE the PL MC... Great everyday marca at a great price.

Looking forward to trying the PL Valiosos RE Suisse.

[samb]

IT seems like alot OF REs in the PL Marca are popping up. My theory is that the REs become more desirable with so few others in the lineup, which in turn brings in a higher price per box, which means higher profits.

SO in turn , keep the regular production too a few differant sizes. Just my $.02

x2 Its all about the dollar.

[Van55]

I believe that when many of the present Cuban cigar smokers Boycott all the new 50+ ring gauge cigars Habanos s.a. will begin to wonder WTF they have done wrong.

Sad to say, I do not believe such a boycott will ever occur. Remember that the top selling Cuban cigars include the Jose L. Piedra band. Those of us who post so passionately about Cuban cigars, and especially the small gauge ones, represent a tiny minority of the worldwide market. Jaw breaker cigars are selling and making money for HSA.

[bassman]

PL? Ok, but I'm REALLY looking forward to that RA corona gorda.

[BobLobLaw]

If they are reasonably priced - yes I'm also hoping they will be packaged in solid boxes (i'd like them round).

x2 They are a PCC release so it should be a larger one which will hopefully make the price reasonable. I thought the RACF were pretty reasonable so hopefully the Dalias will be as well.

[Jimmy2]

I agree Van

Sometimes we forget we are a VERY small minority of the worldwide market of cigar smokers and i do think most of us know more over all about cigar knowledge wise than them but it dont matter we are out numbered.

While I am not a fan of big ring gauge cigars over 50 it's the majority of Cigars Smokers that like big ring gauge cigar today and if they made cigars based on what we want they would be out of a lot of money.

This is not to say they are right or we are but I think they are giving all of us a balanced choice of different gauge cigars to chose from overall today.

Well ones that sell at least and its unfortunate that some personal favorites are being discontinued for some here and about but they just dont sell.

And for me I will not Boycott any cigar they will put out as I have not even smoked one of the newer cigars and for me to do so would be a stupid.Hell people make these cigars for a living and its an art form from blending to rolling I would like to give them a chance and see what they put forward for us to enjoy.

Bigger ring gauge cigars have great flavor to just like small ones and some of both gauges have okay flavor so to say one size has more flavor than the other is just wrong.

Mag 50 ,Siglo 6 and Duke are just a few that have made a big splash with cigars smokers and most have to agree these are great cigars with tons of flavor.

I am sure their will be winners and losers with some of the newer gauge cigars big or small but hell its always been like that over the years.

For me what matters most is a cigar to just be blended and rolled perfect so I can enjoy the flavor it provides and no matter what size if they can do this than I am all for it.

[thechenman]

Well said Jimmy. While it is sad to see the old stand bys go away, I am still excited to see what Habanos will turn out in their place. Personally, I give all the new Habanos (outside of the regionals I can't get my hands on) a try. Some disappoint, others are okay, but there are still winners to be found. For me, the Mag 48 is a perfect example. Not my favorite vitola, but a damn fine cigar. If I had gone on shape/size alone, I would have missed one of my favorite cigars from 2009. It is a shame that some great cigars are going away this year and every year. I hate seeing the Punch RS 11, Punch RS 12 and Rafael Gonzalez Corona Extras disappear as they are my favorites in their respective marcas...but am still looking forward to trying out the new cigars for 2010.