What is on the "Danger" list for deletion.

[El Presidente]

I was on the phone to Havana late last week and was having a great discussion. I turned the conversation to what is on the "hit" list for this year. The answer was broad and a general rule.

"Anything from 2007 that is still on the shelves now at retailers and distributors world wide is in trouble"

"Anything from 2006 that is still on the shelves should call a priest"

"It is not an emotional decision and if a new release is not accepted by the market it will show in time and suffer the same fate."

That rule will give you guys an idea of what is teetering on the abyss. On a positive note if market trends change they are open for cigars to come back. It was pointed out that there is nothing stopping a regional release long or short skinny..... however no one likes to risk or lose their money.

So I looked at my Boli GM stock. It was 07.

My Diplomatico Number 2 until recently ....07

Have a think of 06/07 stock which is readily available around the world.

Make a list

[Rogers72]

Sadly, I would imagine that there are tons of Sancho Panza Molinos and Belicosos still hanging around from 06. Not that I can really complain. I love them both but there's just so much else out there that is more consistent that I don't buy as much of either as I would like to.

[khomeinist]

Lol. So delete the entire Diplo marca? How about trying to figure out new ways to market the line before it was down to one vitola? I don't like the model that retailers are supposed to handle the bulk of marketing. Diplomaticos should never have been introduced as a second-tier Monte. The blend characteristics stand up on their own. Give the line a damn robusto for the punters!

I guess Diplo...like a lot of my favorite marcas (Quai, ERDM, LGC) is on life support. Shame.

[El Presidente]

I don't like the model that retailers are supposed to handle the bulk of marketing.

Each country/set of markets has specific tobacco advertising laws. Promotion is part of their license obligation. It would be nigh impossible for Head office to handle detailed micro regional marketing from Havana or Madrid.

Some distributors such as H&F do the marketing very well. Others barely at all.

I have been calling for a Diplomatico Robusto as a RR for some time. The question needs to be asked is would it be as successful as the two current laggards in the Robusto lineup (SLR Regio/ERDMCS/). Neither set the world on fire in retail sale. Would a Dip Robusto do more than ERDM CX? I suspect it would do about the same globally which is not really enough for a new release.

[khomeinist]

I have been calling for a Diplomatico Robusto as a RR for some time. The question needs to be asked is would it be as successful as the two current laggards in the Robusto lineup (SLR Regio/ERDMCS/). Neither set the world on fire in retail sale. Would a Dip Robusto do more than ERDM CX? I suspect it would do about the same globally which is not really enough for a new release.

I hear you. Just pissin into the wind mate.....LOL. I would love a Diplo release like the RA Superiores or something. Too bad about ERDM CS..... great with several years of rest.

[bassman]

I'd suggest making a Diplo Robusto as a RE. Limited run & the collectors as well as Diplo fans would buy it. Less risk for HSA than cranking out a large run of regular production that would sit on shelves.

Also, do folks still buy RyJ EX#4s? Personally never liked that one, but for a major brand, that's a cigar I rarely see mentioned these days.

[Omskakas]

Last june I bought Diplo 4's from April 09, a month later I ordered second box and it was October 09.

And it was deleted?

But 06 and earlier stock? How about almost all LGC and Sancho Panzas?

[jacksfull]

Last june I bought Diplo 4's from April 09, a month later I ordered second box and it was October 09.

And it was deleted?

But 06 and earlier stock? How about almost all LGC and Sancho Panzas?

Similar experience for me on the Diplo 4's. But with some other items I've bought very fresh boxes only to get more of the same shortly thereafter that had 2 or 3 years of age on them.

I think they need to be careful about reading false signals if some distributors are using "First-In, Last-Out" inventory control (whether intentional or not). It seems more likely for that to happen with high-volume items, so I assume they'll take that into consideration.

[cigcars]

*I hope Quay D'Orsay's not next on the chopping block. You can't find Gran Coronas anymore

[compitaveggie]

Diplomaticos Robusto

I love Diplomaticos and I love the Robusto size.

El Presidente-

have been calling for a Diplomatico Robusto as a RR for some time.

Hey Prez I think a Diplo Robusto is awesome hopefully you can convince them to put up the money and make them.

Jose

[mazolaman]

I'm still puzzled as to how most on here seem to have bought and keep a few DIP 4's,yet they were deleted.

I have to admit I'd be gutted if they brought out yet another robusto,having done away with a great cigar like the 4.

I like the ERDMCS,as mentioned above,with abit of time in the humidor.

It does seem obvious that some of the extensive R+J line will go,as the whole brand has been poor for a while...shame.

[Frinkiac7]

I love the ERDM CS, they'd be mad to cut it, having already pared back the line so much.

[PigFish]

Lol. So delete the entire Diplo marca? How about trying to figure out new ways to market the line before it was down to one vitola? I don't like the model that retailers are supposed to handle the bulk of marketing. Diplomaticos should never have been introduced as a second-tier Monte. The blend characteristics stand up on their own. Give the line a damn robusto for the punters!

I guess Diplo...like a lot of my favorite marcas (Quai, ERDM, LGC) is on life support. Shame.

... at each others throats on one thread, in total agreement on another!

I say run with the image that Diplo is a second rate Monte and price them down 20%. Let the damn fools buy the Monte and I will buy a better cigar at 20% less. Marketing at its best and it does not require a box modeled for the cover of Esquire. It works and they can save their precious Monte line for the distinguished palate and sell tobacco to cheap bastards like me in the mean time.

I will take a Diplo over a Monte anytime, anywhere!

H SA Meeting:

We have cigars still on the shelves Sir.

Yes it is a grave situation!

Should we blow them out?

No, that would compete with our gray market operations to fund the government.

Sorry Sir!

I think we should cancel them. And perhaps make a new robusto or another larger than life cigar.

Great idea Sir.

Lets order in pork instead of chicken today!

Great idea Sir.

Meeting closed... Mojito time!

Great idea Sir.

What is your name again boy? I can see you are goin' places here at H SA!

Yes Sir!

-Piggy

[jedipastor]

Wow, time to start stocking up on Dips, I guess ... of course I was planning to do that anyway. Wonderful cigars.

If they canned the Dip 2 I might try to fund a private coup, lol.

The problem with the Boli GM is NOT THE CIGAR, it's the price point. I do love the 10-count box, though.

[khomeinist]

... at each others throats on one thread, in total agreement on another!

Lol. Am not at your throat mate.

I think that a lot of creativity is lacking in terms of the global marketing for these brands. When I think of 'Diplomaticos'..... just the word and the carriage imagery on the boxes..... a certain degree of intrigue enters my mind..... why not sell that?

An intriguing brand for those looking for something 'under the radar'?

If Dos Equis beer can re-brand itself to great success without changing the product at all..... why not some of these HSA brands? I just don't get it. I understand the idea that regional distributors need to carry out the bulk of marketing.... but couldn't SOME branding and strategic emphasis be carried out globally.... ya know instead of 60 ring gauge Behikes, Serie D #6.73s, and Mag 66s? Not that those are bad ideas necessarily but why not extend some of this marketing prowess to the under-appreciated marcas?

Anyway. My monthly rant to save ERDM, LGC, and the like.....

[El Presidente]

If Dos Equis beer can re-brand itself to great success without changing the product at all..... why not some of these HSA brands? I just don't get it. Anyway. My monthly rant to save ERDM, LGC, and the like.....

The reality is Tobacco Advertising is now banned in almost every key Habanos Cigar market. You can no longer run a grass roots campaign to boost a product. It is one of the key reasons that the Non Cubans that have made an impact outside the US are the ones that made a concerted effort 15 years ago. If they started today it would be nigh impossible.

The only way I could see it being done is to discount 50% off (say) Diplomatico's to bricks and mortar retailers (those remaining and they are dying in droves). They then have an incentive to stock the product (which most haven't in a decade) and make great margin by pushing them.

[Matt Day]

what a bout a dipo le thougth that might raise intrest in diplos as it would give the marca greater expose ?

[bassman]

what a bout a dipo le thougth that might raise intrest in diplos as it would give the marca greater expose ?

Well, why not? They did a Cuaba LE do why not a Diplo too. And FWIW, the Diplo #2 is my least favorite of the brand. Never had an impressive one. Love the 3, 4 & 5. Haven't had enough (only 2 that I recall) of the #1s to comment.

[cigaraholic]

Tell me the box of 07 PL Montecarlos you just sent me doesn't count............please.

[El Presidente]

Tell me the box of 07 PL Montecarlos you just sent me doesn't count............please.

In the words of the Robot from Lost in Space

"Danger Will Robinson...Danger!"

[PigFish]

The reality is Tobacco Advertising is now banned in almost every key Habanos Cigar market. You can no longer run a grass roots campaign to boost a product. It is one of the key reasons that the Non Cubans that have made an impact outside the US are the ones that made a concerted effort 15 years ago. If they started today it would be nigh impossible.

The only way I could see it being done is to discount 50% off (say) Diplomatico's to bricks and mortar retailers (those remaining and they are dying in droves). They then have an incentive to stock the product (which most haven't in a decade) and make great margin by pushing them.

You got it Rob! Different strokes for different folks. If I though Batguanomaras were the hot tasting cigars I would buy them regardless of the packaging. Okay there are people that don't like Diplomaticos, so therefore they don't demand the same price per size of the Monte. This is the real reason that H SA et al wants them gone. They just don't fit the one size only mould that H SA is pushing today. This is the reason that I say that H SA does not understand the cigar market. One size (brand) does not fit all. Wake up H SA... we are not selling GAZ-Volgas here!

50% off some nice cigars will move some tobacco. We don't need shiny boxes or extra bands. Give the consumer a break and move some stock. Simple marketing works every time! -Piggy

[BobLobLaw]

Seems like all the LGC stuff available is from 2002. Then again, I am looking at #1 and #3 which were discontinued last year so maybe that was the reason why.

It's a tough time to be a smoker right now as more and more places are banning smoking. Cigars get lumped in with the cigarettes which is really unfair.

On one hand I would be against deletions. On the other, with limited opportunities to smoke (partially due to the smoke bans) as well as limited funds there are so many boxes that come to mind for purchase before Diplo #2, Sancho Panzos, Quay D'orsay etc . . . So its hard for me to really be opposed when I am not helping sales.

I do think HSA would be better served not to completely eliminate any marcas entirely. Leaves a small amount of reg production for people to be familiar with and then opens the door for RE and LE. Por Larranaga and Ramon Allones come to mind as successful marcas with only a few vitolas.

For example, cigars I almost never hear about include Partagas Presidentes, the aforementioned RyJ #4, and most of the Cuaba line.

[frenchkiwi]

Interesting. I haven't been able to find an 07 box for over a year and not seen 06s in yonks. Even my bolivar GMs from a year ago are '09s.

Except maybe e.l.s, those Ingenios seemed to be around forever.

Still the odd 2000-2002 boxes around but i don't think they count in this - do they prez? (not too many people trust boxes from the leftovers of that era of overproduction unless they can see the contents first!).

In a related question, how many of these cigars do they only make once in a blue moon? E.g. LGC Tainos (or am i confusing with ERDM Tainos).