The Cult of the Big Cigar is in Full Swing

[maverickdrinker]

I had an interesting conversation with Maquie Fernandes, the Vice President at Habanos SA. I asked him what would it take to bring back a marca like the RA 898? He said an order of 25,000 sticks of a particular marca and vitola.

He also said that all marcas/vitolas that are discontinued are only 'sleeping', waiting for the right time to be awakened again. Was a positive sign that we could see long and skinnies again.

He seemed open to have a conversation next time I am in Havana.

[LGC]

I had an interesting conversation with Maquie Fernandes, the Vice President at Habanos SA. I asked him what would it take to bring back a marca like the RA 898? He said an order of 25,000 sticks of a particular marca and vitola.

He also said that all marcas/vitolas that are discontinued are only 'sleeping', waiting for the right time to be awakened again. Was a positive sign that we could see long and skinnies again.

He seemed open to have a conversation next time I am in Havana.

My concern would be that the "re-awakened" cigars might carry heftier price tags due to "limited" production or fancier packaging.

[CaptainQuintero]

Not to mention people would moan and complain because they don't taste the same because the examples they have smoked recently have 10+ years of age on them etc

Sometimes I think HSA et al just get fed up of the bitching and think they are damned if they do and damned if they don't, so just pump out what sells in China as those guys don't moan they just buy big!

[Smallclub]

I had an interesting conversation with Maquie Fernandes,

Maique is his family name. Jorge Fernandez Maique. He was at the head of Coprova, importer for France, for years, during which the French smokers seem to have been the last of his concerns… Coprova doesn't even has a website…

[Rushman]

I'm fighting this cult of the big cigar by lighting a monte 3 following the Siglo II I'm nubbing now

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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=20.630357,-87.069756

[Smallclub]

He also said that all marcas/vitolas that are discontinued are only 'sleeping', waiting for the right time to be awakened again. Was a positive sign that we could see long and skinnies again.

I don't buy it. I remember an interview of Mr Maique in a french cigar magazine, a few years ago, where he discussed the possibility to discontinue the Fundadores and the Lanceros…

[mk05]

People on this very board go all googely-eyed over the 55RG Monte 520.... 'nough said.

Hey hey hey! There's nothing wrong with the M520. Classic I tell ya! Classic! Liked it from the festival, like it still now, it will be a gem. I can't repeat this enough, some blends just need a big ring gauge, and there's nothing wrong with that.

As for discontinued marcas Frank, I assume that Cubatabaco has deemed a line unprofitable and discontinued them, knowing that at some point, a private investor will come in to take over the brand under Cuba oversight, much like Swiss leasing of land/property. It's a win/win for them, think of H Upmann. Cubatabaco puts in no equity stake in the venture, probably get a slice as a state owned enterprise lease, state owned labor, then HSA distributes. Even if the enterprise fails, as it did for Cubatabaco, the state still made cream off the top all along the while.

[Lotusguy]

Hey hey hey! There's nothing wrong with the M520. Classic I tell ya! Classic! Liked it from the festival, like it still now, it will be a gem. I can't repeat this enough, some blends just need a big ring gauge, and there's nothing wrong with that.

I bought one to give it a fair shot - will report on the forum once I get around to smoking it. It just feels uncomfortably big, though...

[BehikeLover2]

thats what she said

[LGC]

I bought one to give it a fair shot - will report on the forum once I get around to smoking it. It just feels uncomfortably big, though...

If you would just learn to relax, the whole experience will be a lot more enjoyable

[Lotusguy]

I knew I was leaving the door wide open for these interpretations of my comment

[AussieCanuck]

Quick question seeing we were briefly talking about custom rolled cigars ...... What sort of prices are we talking ? I've only ever had one which was gifted to me at the Conde Villanueva a couple of years ago. It was a bit of a behemoth and a bit on the wet side so I gave it a few months and it was truly one if the most enjoyable cigars I've had. I'm now headed back to Cuba next month and considering using up a fair bit of my cigar allowance on customs. Any ideas/suggestions ?

[mk05]

get some colossos and relobas.

[sblevit]

As long as Cuba still makes Monty Especials I will be happy.

[ksblazer]

I believe it. When I look around at the cigar lounge I go to. Majority of the guys are smoking fat RG cigars. When they open the humidor up and are asked wich one they want. I hear all the time. The biggest one you got.

I'll be happeir when the trend go's towards smaller RG's. But that said smoke what you like.

[CanuckSARTech]

A good lancero can be life changing. One of my favorite memories of Havana is seeing Conor have his epiphany moment, smoking a Cohiba lancero. You could see the emotion come to fruition as the light bulb came on. He spent the remainder of the trip trying to find good long and skinnies.

LOL. Unfortunately for him, the rest of us all had his cigars gobbled up!!!!

As much as it was definitely a trip where the Super Robustos, and Elephant's Foot, and Donkey 890's, etc., of the giant cigar world were on full display, it was still a trip of lovely finds for those who looked.

I found amazing, and aged (yes, I know that points to something), LGC MdO's, QdO Panetelas, lanceros, aged Siglo V's, Monsdales in full swing, etc., etc. The only thing I forgot to follow up on was dalias (oh well - next trip.... )

Like it or not, the custom rollers were just catering to the market as it's being set by the largest consumer bases in the world - the push seems to be definitely on in both the U.S. and China for gargantuan smokes. Doesn't seem like this will pass anytime soon.

But, it just means that many other great "normal"-sized smoked will remain relatively untouched and ready for those that look and want for them. We just have to keep fingers crossed about deletions and the like.

[in0gravity]

Well here is my take on this:

50 is the new 42 :

Petit Robusto = Minuto

Robusto = Mareva

Gordito = Corona

Dobles = Corona Grandes

Magnum 50 = Cervantes (well not exately the same size but you get the picture )

And then, maybe, you can add that the Duke Format is the new Corona Gorda

regards

Lars

[stargazer14]

"50 is the new 42". I like that. But, I have to throw my 2cents in and say 95% of the cigars I smoke daily are no bigger than 48.

Big cigars are for an occasion where I will have 2 hours to smoke and my undivided attention to the cigar.

I don't care what the guys around me think when I smoke a much thinner cigar than them. But I do know some of them wouldnt smoke anything less than a 52 in public. Gotta give that impression of being a man. I curse my own country for their want of huge smokes, leaving it hard for me to find a lonsdale, and bringing the demise to my smaller smokes I love so much.

Photograph by Michael Redmond Photography

[bassman]

I do enjoy double coronas on a long drive- 49 ring. That's fat enough for me. Mostly I smoke 42s of varied length. Thinnest cigar I buy is Cohiba CE.