You're put in charge of RyJ...

[maverickdrinker]

Uhm, actually I LIKE the Cedros 1 and 2; and the Exhibition No. 3 is a GREAT alternative to the unfortunately worsening Belicosos that I used to enjoy. Actually, I'd like to see the Celestiales Finos return. And - does anybody remember their Prince of Wales? L-o-o-o-o-n-g forgotten or discontinued, but it used to be in the same select category as the Sir Winston and Ramon Allones Gigantes, no?

Prince of Wales......excellent cigar....

[ramon_cojones]

It seems to be trendy to trash RyJ as a marca, but you guys forget that Partagas has exactly the same problem…

agree, lusitania and p2 don't do the line justice and should be reblended

luckily the d4, shorts, 898s, p1s and presidentes deliver with some age

[LGC]

Yes. Partagas has a bunch of crap in their lineup as well. I really don't care what brand I buy from these days. I just buy the vitolas that still possess a halfway decent blend, and ring gauge. The labels that come on cigars don't account for too much these days... if you are trying make comparisons with older productions and blends.

[spirit]

Seriously, RyJ should be the equal of Cohiba in terms of quality, it's the only marca that non-smokers can consistently name when I ask (including Cohiba) and this brand power is being utterly wasted

Difficult to argue with much of your suggestion CQ...

The sentence I've quoted is incredibly accurate in my view, particularly the last part...

[finecigar]

I would only keep Churchill, cazadores, and Mille fluers. So many useless smokes in their lineup I feel like, as well as in Cohiba, Montecristo, and a few partagas

[baragh]

Just trying to understand, why is there so much support for canning most of the line? I mean one of the things I bemoan is the ever increasing homogeneity of the habanos line. I can understand if there are redundant vitolas which could be merged, or the tobacco used elsewhere.

If theres a whole lot of cigars not being produced properly, or with construction issues then obviously that's something to be looked at, but I would hesitate to jump the gun and give the chop? Eg: sport largos, I can't really think of many CC's being produced in that size (which I love), I'm just surprised that having less choice seems to be the main approach for some?

[CanuckSARTech]

What do you do? Clearly the marca has been suffering for a decade now with shocking consistency issues, how would you bring it back to it's former glory?

Personally:

Keep and don't touch the cazadorez

Keep the wide Churchill

Keep the short Churchill but sort out consistency issues

Keep the regular Churchill but perform in depth analysis and review of the blend and production process, this cigar should be in the top 5 coming out of Cuba, a flagship of Havanas

Keep the cedros #3

Keep the PC

Bring back the tres petit corona

Release the Duke as regular or LCDH production

Scrap everything else; the rest has been made si badly for so long that no one will touch seriously, the dour new releases are just bloating the already heaving marca that is struggling to compete, concentrate on getting the above list supplied with decent tobacco regularly and sort out QC

Bring back the single gold band for the Churchill

Bring back the silver coloured screw top tubes

Seriously, RyJ should be the equal of Cohiba in terms of quality, it's the only marca that non-smokers can consistently name when I ask (including Cohiba) and this brand power is being utterly wasted

I would agree with every single point that you put here, except for two small variations.

Firstly, the "Wide Churchill". I hate it. I think it is a scourge on the Churchill name and legacy in cigars. However, it is a sales coup d'etat, so it's hard to argue too much for killing it. Also, many would likely argue for the Mille Fleur to stay as well - I believe it has a decent enough numbers base.

And secondly, while I agree with you that RyJ should strive for Cohiba-like quality (whatever THAT is! ), I'd pose that RyJ is with both Cohiba and MONTECRISTO in marcas that non-smokers can consistently name.

However, you've got a well thought out plan on all the above. As much as I love my Romeo No. 2 tubos, and Coronitas en Cedro, this is definitely a brand that needs a good overall.

I vote for you as next H S.A. minion-in-charge!!!!

[CanuckSARTech]

agree, lusitania and p2 don't do the line justice and should be reblended...

Many would care to disagree. Quality issues, sure, but that's everywhere. But they definitely do the marca justice - you just have to get quality stock.

[CaptainQuintero]

I do like the millie fleur too but the TPC just blows it away, it's (was) just a fantastic cigar, like all the named TPC (Partagas, punch etc) to be honest. It's pure mellow coffee with oodles of fruit and nougat, I challenge anyone who likes the cheapie RyJ to smoke one and not love them!

[mk05]

I like most RyJ for what it is. Each one delivers something a bit different. I'm not going to love everything you know?

[Smallclub]

Eg: sport largos, I can't really think of many CC's being produced in that size (which I love), I'm just surprised that having less choice seems to be the main approach for some?

Agreed on both points. And, the Sport Largos, along with the Mille Fleur, has a huge following in France (respectively at the 4th and 2nd rank of best sellers in 2012)

As a matter of fact, RyJ is still a leading marca in western Europe.

I have to agree that the churchill, the belicoso and the Exhibicion No.4 have lost most qualities that made their former glory, but I can't see how limiting the choice among their cheaper brothers (Sport Largos, MF, Coronitas/cedro, No.1, 2 ,3 A/T, etc.) would be a solution…

[Smallclub]

I do like the millie fleur too but the TPC just blows it away, i

They don't play in the same category. The MF is a former MM cigar and is still an entry-level cigar. All the TPC were premium cigars.

[CaptainQuintero]

Agreed on both points. And, the Sport Largos, along with the Mille Fleur, has a huge following in France (respectively at the 4th and 2nd rank of best sellers in 2012)

As a matter of fact, RyJ is still a leading marca in western Europe.

I have to agree that the churchill, the belicoso and the Exhibicion No.4 have lost most qualities that made their former glory, but I can't see how limiting the choice among their cheaper brothers (Sport Largos, MF, Coronitas/cedro, No.1, 2 ,3 A/T, etc.) would be a solution…

I'm more grasping for straws at this point Frank! I'm figuring that RyJ only has access to a certain amount of decent tobacco and it's spread out along the catalogue, if they could concentrate on a few offering and get them right it might bring some customers back to the premium side of them.

I had a '69 romeo #1 today and it just blew me away, 95 point cigar easy, I'd love to see that type of quality come back to the marca

[Puros Y Vino]

I'd cut the portfolio to shreds. Way too much product.

Must haves:

• RyJ Churchill. It's their flagship. They need to give it more attention. Improve the blend and quality. I've had too many plugged ones.The rest of the "Churchill" lineup waters down the brand IMO. The "Churchill took on it's name from Sir Winston's preference in vitola size. Why mess with it? The Wide, Short and the Petit should either be renamed or axed. The Wide is a keeper given the market's acceptance larger RG Cubans. The same goes with the Petit. Many smoker are adopting shorter smokes. Especially for those in the cooler climates. The Short should be put against the Exhibition No 4. Keep one of the other. They're too close in terms of vitola.
  
• Cazadores. These are so underrated. There's so much to love about them. The cigars are tasty, the foil packaging is a great throwback too.
  
• The Cedros 1 - 3. Very iconic and unique to the brand.
  
• Petit Coronas. IMO a "first Cuban" for many people. Next to the Monte 4. It holds some good memories. Still a tasty cigar.
  

Get rid of:

Belicoso's / Belvederes / Coronitas en Cedro / Mille Fleurs / Petit Julietas / Regalias De Londres / Romeo Tubo's (stick to one perhaps?) / Sports Lagos / Exhibicion No 3 & 4 (let the 4 and SC fight it out for survival).

A few new things.

• An RyJ Lancero. Keep this vitola alive by making one for this famous brand.
  
• Bring back the Celestiales Finos. Give it a blend similar to the Short Churchill.
  

Last thoughts.

As much as I'd love to bring back the Duke, the WC is pretty close to it in vitola size. Plus, I'm not sure they can recapture the same blend which made the Duke special.

As I'm getting rid of most of the Churchill lines, I'd make a few special humidors stocked with the range as a "Final goodbye".

Now everything I've written above was done with my heart. If I had actual sales numbers associated with each vitola I'd most likely take a different approach.

[Smallclub]

• Petit Coronas. IMO a "first Cuban" for many people. Next to the Monte 4. It holds some good memories. Still a tasty cigar.
  

… euh… where? No one smokes it here. The No.2 A/T, the Mille Fleur and the Coronita en Cedro are WAY more popular…

[Puros Y Vino]

… euh… where? No one smokes it here. The No.2 A/T, the Mille Fleur and the Coronita en Cedro are WAY more popular…

My unscientific observations in my part of the world.

[mk05]

I don't know how I feel about the belicosos being cut. It's an interesting cigar.

Those PoWs are a dream! A dream!

[CaptainQuintero]

I don't know how I feel about the belicosos being cut. It's an interesting cigar.

Those PoWs are a dream! A dream!

Rumour has it that smoking one of those caused Castro's second stroke

[finecigar]

Bundwallah- I think a RyJ Lancero and Celestiales Finos would also be a great idea! RyJ long and skinny there really isn't much or that... Also a perfecto would be nice

[CaptainQuintero]

The CF is something I love the idea of too, apparently the blend changed on that in 95 too, before it was apparently more towards the coffee end of the RyJ spectrum while after the blend change it went right to the herbal side and sales dropped. I've tried the post 95 blend and it was not pleasant, I can understand why!

When the short churchill is on the blend is amazing imo, and the cazadorez blend is spot on, ditto with the PC. There is a very solid platform in terms of blend to build from, just needs the will to do it I guess. Maybe if the EL this year knocks it out of the park?

[baragh]

I'm more grasping for straws at this point Frank! I'm figuring that RyJ only has access to a certain amount of decent tobacco and it's spread out along the catalogue, if they could concentrate on a few offering and get them right it might bring some customers back to the premium side of them.

I had a '69 romeo #1 today and it just blew me away, 95 point cigar easy, I'd love to see that type of quality come back to the marca

My guess is if they cut some lines that they make money from, and focus the best tobacco on a select number of lines, the prices on those few would go up accordingly. Then you'd just have same process that's happening in the regular production lines of other marcas (eg Diplomatico, ERDM, RG et al) just to come up with new super primo EL/RE's.

[LGC]

70's and 80's RyJ CFs are at the top of my list. Completely forgot. Don't think they could replicate the old blend... even after chopping off the fat. The mid to late 90's sample I've tried haven't come close.

[Lotusguy]

I just picked up a 50 cab of Exhibition #4 to do my share

[mazolaman]

I guess there are some stinkers out there.

But I repeat, I have smoked some really excellent RYJ in recent years.

Some Short Churchills, Cazadores, Churchills, and Regalias de Londres, all with that burnished Wrapper that we look for, all well made and tasty.

Also smoked some great, aged cedros.

On the poor side, those Julietta were awful, and I've had some bland 4 and belicosos.

I think we as a community sometimes jump on a negative bandwagon.

[winelover]

I'd cut the portfolio to shreds. Way too much product.

Must haves:

• RyJ Churchill. It's their flagship. They need to give it more attention. Improve the blend and quality. I've had too many plugged ones.The rest of the "Churchill" lineup waters down the brand IMO. The "Churchill took on it's name from Sir Winston's preference in vitola size. Why mess with it? The Wide, Short and the Petit should either be renamed or axed. The Wide is a keeper given the market's acceptance larger RG Cubans. The same goes with the Petit. Many smoker are adopting shorter smokes. Especially for those in the cooler climates. The Short should be put against the Exhibition No 4. Keep one of the other. They're too close in terms of vitola.
  
• Cazadores. These are so underrated. There's so much to love about them. The cigars are tasty, the foil packaging is a great throwback too.
  
• The Cedros 1 - 3. Very iconic and unique to the brand.
  
• Petit Coronas. IMO a "first Cuban" for many people. Next to the Monte 4. It holds some good memories. Still a tasty cigar.
  

Get rid of:

Belicoso's / Belvederes / Coronitas en Cedro / Mille Fleurs / Petit Julietas / Regalias De Londres / Romeo Tubo's (stick to one perhaps?) / Sports Lagos / Exhibicion No 3 & 4 (let the 4 and SC fight it out for survival).

A few new things.

• An RyJ Lancero. Keep this vitola alive by making one for this famous brand.
  
• Bring back the Celestiales Finos. Give it a blend similar to the Short Churchill.
  

Last thoughts.

As much as I'd love to bring back the Duke, the WC is pretty close to it in vitola size. Plus, I'm not sure they can recapture the same blend which made the Duke special.

As I'm getting rid of most of the Churchill lines, I'd make a few special humidors stocked with the range as a "Final goodbye".

Now everything I've written above was done with my heart. If I had actual sales numbers associated with each vitola I'd most likely take a different approach.

You have my vote for RyJ CEO. particularly agree re churchills and great idea with the lancero.