La Gloria, where have all your cigars gone?

[Ophidion]

Hello everyone

I just joined the forums the other day and posted my newbie intro thread so I figured it was time to start posting.

One thing I have noticed in the few years I have been smoking (specifically habanos) is the lack of La Gloria Cubanas on the market. Granted, my experience is limited to some online sources and the few LDHCs I have been in (Montreal, Gran Cayman). That being said, it seems as if there is a distinct lack of stock for all of the La Gloria line. The only ones I was ever able to buy were at the LHDC in montreal and they had less than a box of MdO2s. I have heard a lot of different things to explain the shortage ranging from "well, the Asia Pacific region got a lot of cigars this year but the rest of us were left wanting" and "Their numbers aren't so good for sales so they cut back production."

It all boils down to hearsay and rumor mongering. I felt that I may be able to get a legitimate response from here so that's why I posted this thread.

If the thread doesn't interest you, maybe this "legit BHK 56" will.

[cottierm]

Good question indeed to which, as you, I'd like to hear an 'expert' voice about.

Best,

Michel

[CaptainQuintero]

I'm not an expert by any means, but LGC is essentially a dead brand now with only RE/EL releases.

[cottierm]

Quite true but did they let it die because of a relatively lack of success or for other reasons? I've always thought that LGC had its own niche but I may be wrong here.

Best,

Michel

[Ophidion]

If its true, then its a shame. I was fortunate enough to get my hands on a few MDO2 when I was in Canada and much to my chagrin, I really liked them. Usually I go for the more full bodied sticks (Bolivar/Partagas etc) but its nice to have a departure from what I am used to and the LGC MdO2 really fit the bill in that regard.

I remain optimistic that I will be able to find SOME more in the future as I would really love to have at least a box around for when I am really in the mood for something different.

[cottierm]

Take a trip to Cuba! That would be your best option, I think.

Best,

Michel

[dB69]

I see this LGC issue as a breakthrough of the new HSA politics. HSA still produces #2 and #4, but not too much. Every batch they make will be quickly sold out to those who want them with nothing left to stock. Very understandable, because who would like to have a big stock of product which doesn't move. It's very good that the whole line is not totally deleted, it could be though. Also, when there's a big demand it is possible to raise the price. Who wouldn't do so? HSA is not a charity. Guess what happens next?

Do I like this personally? Well, not necessarily.

[laficion]

The problem is that La Gloria Cubana is not the only brand that has

almost nothing left in their regular production line.

[JSPEC]

At the end of the day HSA is a business and their goal is to make a product that produces profit. Many of the La Gloria line is discontinued and exactly what dB69 said if there is any that are produced they will be snatched up quickly. I agree wit dB69, well said sir!

[cottierm]

Unfortunately true! The Punch line comes in mind.

[warren516]

I kucky enough to pick up a couple of boxes of Tainos to add to my collection last fall - knowing they were discontinued. Very enjoyable smokes for me.

[El Presidente]

The key for HSA is how to make LGC into a commercially viable seller. It is not on their top priority list currently and they are leaving it up to the Distributors as a Regional option.

A line predominantly "Skinny" based was always going to be behind the 8 ball over the past 15 years. High cost packaging (relatively), low volume, low ROI (compared to others) and a 30% + decrease in sales accross all markets since 2008 has created a connundrum for the brand which was "Niche".

There have been some successes recently in the line. The LGC Jars were one of the most sought after ever. The Inmensos very well accepted as well.

The brand has some life. It is simply that Skinnes may not be part of it.

[tmac77]

For the the LGC line has been and remains one of my favorite marca's. The tainos, which I stocked up on significantly prior to their discontinuation, (stroke of dumb luck) and the Medaille D'or #1 are my favorites from the LGC line. Hopefully HSA will eventually see the error of their way's (when pigs learn to fly) and revitalize this storied line.

Tom

[CaptainQuintero]

I think the UK has to be one of the most LGC unfriendly places! We had the RE back in 08 but apart from that I can't find even a sniff of anything Most regions it seems are able to get at least a few boxes of the remaining reg production vitolas. We did only just get QDO at xmas, you know because the UK is a tiny cigar market, who needs to boost sales of a niche brand in a country which has zero history of smoking cigars

[Smallclub]

I think the UK has to be one of the most LGC unfriendly places!

For some reason, LGC as a marca is NOT imported in the UK. I'd be curious to know what are H&F's reasons for this situation.

I believe France and Asia are the "biggest" markets for LGC. I put the word biggest between quotes, because –according to MRN– the brand accounted for 0.2% of the export share of HSA in 2001.

[CanuckSARTech]

I see this LGC issue as a breakthrough of the new HSA politics. HSA still produces #2 and #4, but not too much. Every batch they make will be quickly sold out to those who want them with nothing left to stock. Very understandable, because who would like to have a big stock of product which doesn't move. It's very good that the whole line is not totally deleted, it could be though. Also, when there's a big demand it is possible to raise the price. Who wouldn't do so? HSA is not a charity. Guess what happens next?

Do I like this personally? Well, not necessarily.

This is very true. The price of LGC MdO No. 2 has gone up by about 25-35% in the last 12 months or so.

[Scdalak]

I can tell you where one box has gone.........Lost in the mail!!!

[Bartolomeo]

Love the LGC brand especially the Tainos but hard to find these days.....

[nick17]

I have had vary few LGC but miust say i love all of the ones that i have had a im hoping to get more of them possibly even a box or two in the vary near future

[Lotusguy]

For some reason, LGC as a marca is NOT imported in the UK. I'd be curious to know what are H&F's reasons for this situation.

I believe France and Asia are the "biggest" markets for LGC. I put the word biggest between quotes, because –according to MRN– the brand accounted for 0.2% of the export share of HSA in 2001.

But what about the Gloriosos RE?

[Smallclub]

But what about the Gloriosos RE?

Precisely, the Glorioso is a RE, a special order, a one shot.

[cottierm]

Thanks for the insider info Rob!

Best,

Michel

[Ophidion]

I'm glad this thread got so many replies, it's nice to see the wealth of information that is available on this site and I am quite satisfied with the reasoning behind the lack of lgc.

[CaptainQuintero]

For some reason, LGC as a marca is NOT imported in the UK. I'd be curious to know what are H&F's reasons for this situation.

I believe France and Asia are the "biggest" markets for LGC. I put the word biggest between quotes, because –according to MRN– the brand accounted for 0.2% of the export share of HSA in 2001.

I agree, such a strange situation, QDO until Christmas was the same. PL Montecarlos and Panetelas are also never imported. You would think the whole catalogue would be available in these economic times.

[isa]

Too bad that LGC is discontinued - will probably not get to taste any