Discontinued Cigars 2011

[jedipastor]

I think this all stems from HSA's wrong thinking about two key issues:

1) If they delete a few cigars that afficionados like, it's no big deal, people will just buy other Habanos. They don't care what they make money on, and being Communist they see things in a finite way ... there are x number of buyers, who purchase x number of cigars from us. IF this is true, it makes sense for them to dump a bunch of marcas because that will be cheaper for them. Just kill the Trinidad Robusto Extra, because people will buy the Cohiba Sig VI instead (or another).

--I think HSA is underestimating how much STOCK many of us have at home, and how GOOD many of the NC cigars are these days. The BCE and Trini Rob T are unique and I buy them because I like them. I won't transfer that to another Habano ... if I wanted another Habano, I'd already be buying it.

2) They think you want to buy more LEs and REs, so they are freeing up manufacturing resources to make those. All of you who buy REs and LE's, I blame you, lol (just kidding, but not really)

[goalie204]

Open letter to all the idiots running this organization (?)

Dear douchebags,

F U Habanos . Your all idiots.

Have a lovely day with your donkey c*ck cigars. I'm going to start smoking drugs thanks to you.

With love,

-Shlomo

If only you had spelled "You're" properly at the same time as calling someone else idiots.

[goalie204]

2) They think you want to buy more LEs and REs, so they are freeing up manufacturing resources to make those. All of you who buy REs and LE's, I blame you, lol (just kidding, but not really)

For Regional Edition Cigars, do you think they're trying to appeal to the actual regions, or do you think it's just marketing hype? There have been more and more of them every year since they started it. Also how is the tobacco for these RE's chosen?

Number of Regional Editions by year:

2005 - 4

2006 - 6

2007 - 8

2008 - 16

2009 - 24

2010 - 20

2011 - 23

But the LE's have had 3 every year since 2005, and before that 4 or 5 from 2000 - 2004 - so are they something special, or just more hype in smaller volumes?

What do you guys think? and do you think it really has anything to do with the discontinuation of some fantastic cigars that we all love?

[riazp]

For Regional Edition Cigars, do you think they're trying to appeal to the actual regions, or do you think it's just marketing hype? There have been more and more of them every year since they started it. Also how is the tobacco for these RE's chosen?

Number of Regional Editions by year:

2005 - 4

2006 - 6

2007 - 8

2008 - 16

2009 - 24

2010 - 20

2011 - 23

But the LE's have had 3 every year since 2005, and before that 4 or 5 from 2000 - 2004 - so are they something special, or just more hype in smaller volumes?

What do you guys think? and do you think it really has anything to do with the discontinuation of some fantastic cigars that we all love?

RE's are totally out of whack, there are way too many, too many regions, multiple re's per region, And 95% of them not being anything really speacial. The only RE I've enjoyed so far is the VR Petit Robaina Canada RE...(i wish that was a reg production cigar tbh).

As for the LE's don't get me started. Most of them need a few years to come into their own. OF the 2010 LE's, the only one that I see of having any potential is the Monte GE. The Trini petit rob t, as Rob reviewed, is total and utter CRAP, and the PSDE, this coming from a Partagas Fanboy, Was nothing more thatn a longer PSD4...actually no, the PSD4 had better construction than the PSDE.

Habanos needs to get their heads out of their A$$, Cut back the RE's to maybe 5-10, 1 or 2 Per Continent, Make LE's something worthy of the title, and maybe listen to their customer base, the loyal habanos smoker to takes time out of their day to go on forums like this to share their passion, and not just sales from duty free, where probably most of their sales come from the occasional smoker who buy them for their novelty.

Riaz

[Colt45]

As to REs, a good part of that falls on the regional distributors who have them produced. Regardless, why would HSA stop producing something

they can make less of and charge more for? How often have we heard people waiting for the ELs and REs to come out. Behikes.

Also, it's my understanding that there is plenty of tobacco sitting in storage, and rollers have been laid off, so I don't think there is a

shortage of raw materials preventing them from heeping these cut cigars in production.

They're a business, in business to make money. I wonder what the gents at Imperial think about some of this.....

[Guest rob]

Prez, you know these guys who run the run the ship... you voice our protests (including your own).... what responses do they give you? I understand that the standard answer is that it's all about the commercial profitability of the products - do you read anything more devious and underhanded in their responses?

If it's simply and honestly just economics at play... well, it's bound to happen to a lot more of our favorites very soon I suspect. Some marques and vitolas which will attract much more attention than those already condemned to death.

[dicko]

disgusting. I am only buying rg 46 and below from now on. in fact, i have done so for over a year now. thank god petit coronas are so popular

RIP cigars on the list

[Ghabanos]

Sux... I literally just fell I love with the robusto t.

delicious even when young, pure smoothness

great size

great construction

great burn

great flavors...great floral sensation in the opening...

[bassman]

Not at all a Punch fan, but noticed the more they cut of the regular line, the more Punch REs are made. There ARE a lot of good REs out there. For my taste mostly RA. The original 05 Eminencias, Phoenicios & German Belis are superb. Then we have the Edmundo Dantes- another superb cigar

[jedipastor]

So is there a final word on the Trini Rob T? I can't believe that cigar wouldn't be a good earner for HSA. Maybe they're moving to 10-count boxes?

If the Trini Rob T is really gone, then they just killed my two favorite Habanos (that and the BCE).

[CBL]

Just remembered something from 2009 when I was in Cuba with a friend. We went to, what has become my favorite LCDH, Condo Villaneuva and the staff was very welcoming in opening sealed boxes and letting us try and check EVERY cigar we wanted. The 2009 EL's had just come out (August 09) and we wanted to try them, so they broke open some new boxes. I wanted to try the SDC line and the opened 2 new boxes for me. Nothing was off limit! Until we saw a box of Trinidad Robusto T that we really wanted to try. The request was answered with a stern NO! The Robusto T was only available for those that bought entire boxes. It was almost like they were uncertain about whether or not they'd ever sell a single of these if they'd open a box. I guess HSA never had real high hopes for these. Sadly they didn't realize how great these would turn out to be

[PigFish]

I have to admit every year when this list comes out I get closer and closer to Piggy's POV.

Centralized planning at its best amigos!

This company, run by those who would not know the free market if it climbed up into their assholes and sparked, reflects everything there is to loath about centralized planning and allowing government to run anything. This is not market driven! I have preached this for years and most of you argued with me. This is the communist model, build one car, one apartment, one shoe in black and one olive drab uniform for all the ants to wear. You my friends are the ants, and these fine fellows are simply telling you that you don't know what you like unless they tell you. There is no difference in mindset here from those who want to put the ******* stickers on the cigar boxes. It is one mindset. One mind to lead the clueless masses. You and I are considered to be amongst the clueless.

You know what I like. The fact the expatriate Cubans are taking second class materials (as Cuban grown tobacco is the best in the world still) and running these dumb ***** into the ground with it, slowly but surely.

This is another simple micro experiment of why free market forces trump centralized planning in government and in the parastatist companies.

You know, if you simply put a cigar enthusiast in charge of this company it would succeed. It is that simple. That simple to everyone except the central planner who was awarded a position because he is a party member and not the best businessman/woman.

You guys who all wanted different packaging. Welcome different packaging. Kiss the 50 cab away. They will spend 100 times the cost of the cigar for a neat little shiny box that holds 10 cigars and sell them to you for what you used to get 50 for...

H SA, we make great cigar boxes!!! I want to vomit...

-Piggy

[riazp]

Piggy, when I first saw your Sig, I was like huh? now, after spending a lot of time on this forum, your sig is making more and more sense by the day, and after the last rash of deletions, the 2009-2010 El's and RE's i've had, you sig makes perfect sense

[Colt45]

Centralized planning at its best amigos!

Raymundo, I pretty much agree, in principle, with much or all of your points. But I will say that globally, there are many publicly traded companies

who for whatever reasons they might have, are more interested in appeasing shareholders (making money) than in maintaining and growing a

stable business catering to those who wish to acquire their products.

That said, at this point, there is little question in my mind that HSA (whoever they are) are perhaps completely blind but maybe even moreso,

cunning. They take away certain cigars, sizes, etc, and then in some way shape or form produce something similar as some sort of special

release, charging more for the privilege. It's right there in front of us, yet we still line up (not to say they are not good cigars, but I hope you

guys get my point).

They are not doing anybody any favors.

Your point about producing great boxes is spot on - except that to me, even that is arguable

[headstand]

A sad day in the world of Cuban Cigars as Habanos SA announces which cigars will be discontinued, Rob is not happy.

The BCE???

That's just nuts. Crazy nuts.

[Wicky]

Centralized planning at its best amigos!

This is the communist model, build one car, one apartment, one shoe in black and one olive drab uniform for all the ants to wear. You my friends are the ants, and these fine fellows are simply telling you that you don't know what you like unless they tell you. There is no difference in mindset here from those who want to put the ******* stickers on the cigar boxes. It is one mindset. One mind to lead the clueless masses. You and I are considered to be amongst the clueless.

-Piggy

Sounds an awful ******* lot like here to me Ray.

[bstarrs]

Well I guess I'll have to ****** up a few more boxes of LGC Tainos before they are all gone. It also seems as though they are on a mission to eradicate 50 cabs, which pretty much shows the lack of dedication they have to collectors and hobbyists.

[aes8]

It seems to me that all the rage should not be directed at the 2012 deletions but at all the consummate deletions of quality, regular production cigars starting since 2002. Some all-time classics have been axed in the last 10 years.

Personally there isn't anything on this years list that I can't live without. I realize that is factor of personal tastes but is anybody really going to order a Master Case of Fonseca No. 1 or RyJ Coronas?

As a long term collector I'm more upset with the packing deletions but this really shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that the 50ct cab are going away. I also wouldn't expect to see some brands, such as Dips, ERDM, JL, SLR, QdO to survive too much longer either.

I'd like to hear from the Moderators and other long distinguisheduisted members on how they handled the deletions of past years. Did you guys stock up on your favorites as they were eliminated or did you pursue new releases to replace what was no longer available?

[jedipastor]

It seems to me that all the rage should not be directed at the 2012 deletions but at all the consummate deletions of quality, regular production cigars starting since 2002. Some all-time classics have been axed in the last 10 years.

...

I'd like to hear from the Moderators and other long distinguisheduisted members on how they handled the deletions of past years. Did you guys stock up on your favorites as they were eliminated or did you pursue new releases to replace what was no longer available?

Don't do it, man! That's why they keep deleting cigars! They assume (I think mistakenly) that we will simply replace the deleted cigars with something else from their lineup, and if that happens, they STILL get their money and get away with executing some of the world's finest cigars (thereby cost-cutting by streamlining production). But if we respond with our wallets, perhaps they'll eventually start to get the picture.

[77stoneblues]

I found it rather amusing that several of these cigars were featured in the latest edition of CA magazine. The BCE (93, HdM Churchill (92), and VR Familiar (89).

[jedipastor]

I found it rather amusing that several of these cigars were featured in the latest edition of CA magazine. The BCE (93, HdM Churchill (92), and VR Familiar (89).

Really? That's awesome! I hope the BCE makes it into the Top 5 and CA calls HSA out as being idiots.

[mkz]

CA calls HSA out as being idiots.

Well it takes one to know one!

[dicko]

So is there a final word on the Trini Rob T? I can't believe that cigar wouldn't be a good earner for HSA. Maybe they're moving to 10-count boxes?

If the Trini Rob T is really gone, then they just killed my two favorite Habanos (that and the BCE).

damn, sorry to hear that.

i just bought a box of bolivar CE's. i would do the same for trinni T's (ive had 2 singles, both in top 10-20 cigars ive ever had) but goddamn they are expensive!! that might be half the reason they sell so bad

[jedipastor]

damn, sorry to hear that.

i just bought a box of bolivar CE's. i would do the same for trinni T's (ive had 2 singles, both in top 10-20 cigars ive ever had) but goddamn they are expensive!! that might be half the reason they sell so bad

Yea, I thought the price point might be the main thing too. But then someone reminded me how much LEs and REs cost ... well, it's priced at just under the Robusto Extra, still $2/stick too high imvho, but not insanely high. And even if someone bought a box in the first couple months after they came out, those boxes would be ... what, 2 years old? That's not really enough time to know for sure if it will be a truly great cigar or not. But fresh ... well, let's just say it's my favorite fresh Habano, and one of only 3 that I even care for with less than 2-years of age.

I really hope there is a loophole here. I haven't purchaed a box because of the price, but have planned to. If they're really done for good, I'll try to get some and just think of them as an LE, only good.

Then again, right now I'm smoking an awesome My Father and it makes me feel good about sending my money to Nicaragua instead.

[dB69]

You can join my personal boycott against all overpriced LE/RE/Behikes and like. If we all do that... Well maybe nothing happens.

I'm with you, but I will also add ring sizes over 47 to the boycott-list. Well, right after I have bought a box of RASSes.

Deleted Bolivars make me angry. I am sorry but I'm not sad about deleting those thick Trinis. (Now everyone wants to kill me... )