International question on REs

[canadianbeaver]

Really... Oh what a bummer then. We have all fallen for it pretty good and spent a lot of time, $ and energy enjoying the RE's.

[Smallclub]

Really... Oh what a bummer then. We have all fallen for it pretty good and spent a lot of time, $ and energy enjoying the RE's.

Lisa, I'm not saying the REs are not interesting and worth collecting and smoking…

Most french REs are actually VERY good cigar, but again they don't reflect a choice or a request from french smokers, nor a policy different from the original RE program, ie: current production vitolas that are not already available in that brand.

[cottierm]

CQFD then.

Best,

Michel

[cottierm]

I doubt that it has any significance at all. Its just marketing and nothing more.

Do we all agree on that? I do.

Best,

Michel

[Blnguy]

I doubt that it has any significance at all. Its just marketing and nothing more.

This said, I would like to add that some of the RE's are if course good smokes.

[Puros Y Vino]

Agreed. And let me add, people are incredibly gullible.

Mexican RE for literary connotations.??? what a joke…

Gullible? Are you serious? We're speculating on the nature behind these RE's since HSA often works with no rhyme or reason. If you can't offer up anything constructive or at least understand the context of the comment then refrain from commenting. Improve your reading comprehension before you comment.

[Smallclub]

Improve your reading comprehension before you comment.

…errr… improve your comprehension of the market before you post…

"Gullible" was probably too much. Let say "naive".

[cottierm]

I think that we can all agree on that. But I was more interested in the concept which seems pretty empty.

Best,

Michel

[Puros Y Vino]

…errr… improve your comprehension of the market before you post…

"Gullible" was probably too much. Let say "naive".

OK OK I blame my tablet for that travesty of a sentence. Gullible or naive are not acceptable. Attack the argument not the poster. And like I said. You obviously did not get the gist of the idea. So, you tell me hotshot. Why does HSA push a brand into Mexico that has a trademark issue? Why don't they say "screw it. Give 'em a Juan Lopez RE". For some reason they insist on pushing in that brand. So, either the Mexican market has "romantic" feelings for the "Count of Monte Cristo" and it's main character "Edmundo Dantes" or HSA is just plain ignorant. The spirit of the thread was to try and understand the motivations for RE introductions. It's open to conjecture and in some cases revealed some factual evidence, such as the polling of customers. And to call people gullible or naive is just plain ignorant. And to do so in two separate posts suggests a lack of maturity on your part. Wise up. Don't troll.

[cottierm]

Frank, of course you are right but you have also to understand that Smallclub lives in France and may be a French national. 'We' tend to be more 'hands on' or more direct on our replies which may cause some troubles with English-speaking readers. There is no bad blood here.

Now to return to the point, and after having horsed around for a bit, can we say that the RE concept is purely a marketing one and that the country attached to each RE does simply represent an economic market without any specific cultural aspects? That is what Smallclub and I think but again we may be wrong in some cases (you mentioned some specific German RE as 'throwbacks' for instance). It is also interesting that in Canada some people (professionals and amateurs) are consulted while in others the decision is purely 'technocratic'.

Best,

Michel

[Puros Y Vino]

Frank, of course you are right but you have also to understand that Smallclub lives in France and may be a French national. 'We' tend to be more 'hands on' or more direct on our replies which may cause some troubles with English-speaking readers. There is no bad blood here.

French National or not, this forum has some unwritten customs. Such as "play the ball, not the player". My background is Italian and I can be very "direct" as well but I choose not to. His command of the English language seems fine to me. Certainly far better than my command of French. There's no bad blood on my part. I won't resort to bashing him in return but I will voice my displeasure when I deem it necessary. Smallclub. Engarde!!!! (we need a sword wielding smiley, so a whip will have to do) I'm sure he's a good guy in person. My issue is that we engaged in a discussion and I found his comments to be troll like. By all means make a counter arguement, but don't call me "gullible" or "naive". That's not cool.

[maverickdrinker]

Let's call a spade a spade. The RE program is designed to make money. It appeals to the select few people that are cigar crazy and not the masses. If you ask joe average on the street what a Regional Edicion is, they would look at you like a doe in headlights.

It is targets to individuals who are cigar aficionados that have the capital and want to try new things outside regular production. The limited nature of the cigar only drives the fury.

Look at the ED 109s or sublimes. They were sold out within weeks due to the reputation of the quality of the cigars.

No one likes paying more for a cigar however, as the sales figures show, there are more than enough people willing to pay. Let's face it. HSA is a business and every successful business will do things to maximize thier proft margin.

The only way this would change is when consumers stop buying the product. So far, even though many are unhappy with the pricing, many still buy.

Once you take the subjectivity out, it is a great business strategy for HSA. Look at their reported earnings in the past few years. Creating exclusivity either through a regional release or discontinuing a line will drive up sales. Economics 101.

I, for one, will selectively buy regionals. I am also comfortable with the fact that the chances of me recovering my money if I don't like them are high as I can always sell them off and they retain (in some cases increase) their value. I like trying new things and accept that there will be a premium to play in this field.

Look at the prices of the millenium jars, 2001 cohiba piramides, monte DCs etc. All have gone up in value. If I was smart, I would sell them at the current premiums at auction and run with the money. Unfortunately, I like to smoke them. The LGC Cuba regional jar could be purchased at the $200.00 CUC level in Cuba (give or take) and now goes for over $1000 US.

This is pure supply and demand. No one is obligated to buy them. Any good business will look to maximize profits. Plain and simple.

[Blnguy]

I am german and I smoke cigars regularly for 15 years now, but have occasionally smoked before.

I doubt, that someone clearly can remember how cigars tasted 20 or more years before. There maybe some conviction, that cuban cigars where generally better many years before.

This is, where the RE marketing comes in. HSA and the importers advertise the cigars as especially traditional blended, what goes well with the public.

I think we dont have in Germany a cigar culture like in other countries, thats why I am convinced, that something like a national taste in a market niche simply doesnt exist in Germany but is only constructed.

Nothing wrong with that, its good marketing and there are some really nice RE Alemaña cigars.

People tend to buy things considered special or rare for a price.

[Puros Y Vino]

To your point Art, of course this is a marketing ploy by HSA to make more money. What we're trying to understand is what forces "shape" each country's RE's. You uncovered a statistical approach via polling of customers. Other distributors seem to call the shots directly and asks HSA to tailor make something. Like Asia Pacific looking for cigar blends that have good aging potential. And some distributors want cigars that pair well with their favourite book. I think the program helps "reward" their distributors around the world with something special and "exclusive" for their market. I myself like it. I've had some really good RE's. And like Art said, if over time you don't like the cigars anymore, they make great trade bait due to their "relative" scarcity.

@ BInguy, I haven't been to Germany but it seems that there is a rich cigar culture there. Every time I pickup a copy of Cigar Cult there seems to be at 3-5 new cigar lounges opening up there. Here in Canada our cigar culture is a bit more underground due to anti-smoking bylaws. Enjoy what you have there with a nice RE.

[canadianbeaver]

Just found LGC's here in Brussels,RE's that were not in Amsterdam. The brand is in short supply as it is. I bought 2 . As a collector, this was a real thrill. This to me is what the RE program is about.

Pic to follow in my travel thread...

[Lotusguy]

Food for thought:

1)There are still LOTS of RE boxes available from 2007 onwards, even extremely highly rated ones like the Boli Esp. #2 German RE from 2009. Only some REs were sold out quickly (Flor De Cano Short Robusto UK RE or RA Piramides German RE come to mind).

1a) The recent price increase from certain vendors was not applied to their RE stock.

2) Starting with 2012, each distributor is only allowed one RE per year, if that.

My conclusion from these two points is that the RE program as a marketing gimmick is not THAT successful and has gotten out of hand in the last few years. HSA is in the process of making them more rare again so they actually sell out.

[Lotusguy]

Just found LGC's here in Brussels,RE's that were not in Amsterdam. The brand is in short supply as it is. I bought 2 . As a collector, this was a real thrill. This to me is what the RE program is about.

Pic to follow in my travel thread...

Lisa, if you could pick me up two of those LGC Belux I would be forever grateful!

[CaptainQuintero]

That LGC is very tasty, better than the UK version from 08

[Smallclub]

Attack the argument not the poster.

I didn't attack YOU; you're not the epicenter of this thread. And I didn't realize that "naive" could be SO insulting – it is not in french which is my first and main language (and my first name is Frank ah ah!)

Why does HSA push a brand into Mexico that has a trademark issue? … For some reason they insist on pushing in that brand. So, either the Mexican market has "romantic" feelings for the "Count of Monte Cristo" and it's main character "Edmundo Dantes" or HSA is just plain ignorant.

Why? Simply because in many countries Montecristo is the ONLY reference known by the general public when it comes to cuban cigars; they choosed a name that is related to Montecristo to anyone slightly educated who has never heard of Upmann or Partagas…

… Don't troll.

That's a good one. I started to post on cigar forums in english language in 2004 then please…

[Blnguy]

English is not my native language. Is "gullible" or "naive" really so insulting? If so, I would like to avoid these words. Would it be possible to use these words to describe a person, who falls for advertisement?

[CaptainQuintero]

English is not my native language. Is "gullible" or "naive" really so insulting? If so, I would like to avoid these words. Would it be possible to use these words to describe a person, who falls for advertisement?

They could be described with those words IMO, they would probably be quite tame words compared to what they could be called

On the note of second language members on FoH. Big kudos to those who do speak English as a second language because you can never tell. This is actually the first time that anyone has mentioned it while I've been here, it's never even crossed my mind before

[mk05]

I've been consulted on the last few CDN releases via a survey...So far, the marcas/vitolas that I have picked have been produced.

Sooooooo what you're saying is, that I should just tell you want I want for my RE/LE, and it will happen? If so, please make me a traditionally French blended QdO RE. A Laguito #2 size would be nice. Or an Antarctica RE, vacuum sealed can of RyJ Cazadores blend Henry Clays with the gold bands. K? Thanksss

[canadianbeaver]

Wow I used up my puny internet quota here at Hotel Bloom in Brussels and could not get online for 24 hours and I come back to this?

And I thought ladies were catty!

I am only here for a couple of hours in the morning, Claus so I do not think I will be back at a Belgian cigar shop again. But you are welcome to one of my Belux LGC's. Or, I will be checking out the RE's in France next and shall report.

I know some of you think this is a marketing thing but I can think of no better way to celebrate a visit to each of these incredible cities than these special edition cigars. And when I compare the prices to CDN, I can only giggle with delight.

Lisa

[Zigatoh]

And I thought ladies were catty!

Miaow is all I can say!

Honestly I think it is a marketing gimmick, but like you, as someone who likes collecting, and smoking, different cigars, I do love the REs... It combines with travel especially well for me. On top of which, if you favour one or two brands, what harm having a few different releases from those brands to try once in a while?