Canadian RE's

[PartagasIV]

Nice pickup, the Gorditos are extremely good!

[mk05]

u and your gorditos

[canadianbeaver]

u and your gorditos

LOL

[ramon_cojones]

The same tobacco as what? I smoke many Robaina, as it is one of my favorite marca, and these differ immensely!

It pleases me that you don't smoke them.

I just bought another box of the B2, and according to you they are just a BBF rolled with bigger leaves?

They are variations of blends and sizes, and I know anyone who enjoys the regional program as much as I will agree.

Marketing is very important in this world (just look at our hosts brilliant sales tactics) and this program is a success inspite of the haters.

I am a regional *****, and I very much enjoy it.

Please try not to misinterpret my words, the tobacco for REs doesn't cost anymore than tobacco for regular production. It's great that you enjoy them, I'm happy for you. The tobacco in those cigars are no more special than regular production tobacco no matter what you may believe from the marketing department at hsa or from the additional bands. That's why the phrases in your post put a smile on my face.

[helix]

Please try not to misinterpret my words, the tobacco for REs doesn't cost anymore than tobacco for regular production. It's great that you enjoy them, I'm happy for you. The tobacco in those cigars are no more special than regular production tobacco no matter what you may believe from the marketing department at hsa or from the additional bands. That's why the phrases in your post put a smile on my face.

DING DING DING you got it that's a wrap!

[oliverdst]

I hope some day I will smoke RA Gorditos and VR Aniversario.

[TheKosherStogie]

The RA Gordito and VA anniversary and 09 Canada Regional are awesome sticks and definitely stand out to me. They don't seem like the same tabacco or just a unique size like the discussion above.

[Diamondog]

The RA Gordito and VA anniversary and 09 Canada Regional are awesome sticks and definitely stand out to me. They don't seem like the same tabacco or just a unique size like the discussion above.

Both of those are standouts and far from "standard"....the discussion goes deeper than RE's being the same standard tobacco....there are many different factors that create the value in different cigars, its not just about there only being enough leaf to roll 10,000 cigars of a particular blend, although that is also 1 aspect of many that can create value in a cigar....and like anything else in life people don't see value in some aspects and do in others....

[alloy]

I understand what everybody is saying about LE's. But I am confused about the same tobacco being used for standard production and LE's. So the Monte Edmundo has the same tobacco as the Monte 520? Even though my pallete leaves a lot to be desired, I have tasted both and even though slightly similiar, there is a taste difference.

Wait, so they use different blends to get the different tastes. Is that correct?

[maverickdrinker]

ELs tobacco has been put aside and aged before rolling them into cigars. The wrapper selection leans towards darker leaf (higher up on the tobacco plant)

Regular production doesn't have a stated age before being rolled as far as I am aware of.

In terms of REs, the blend can be tweaked by the distributor. H&F actively try different blends before approving a RE for their country.

There is also situations like the RA Eshouns which are rolled from tobacco that was originally used for the RA Phoenicias. The distributor had tobacco held back from the original bales and aged them for a few more years before being rolled into the Eshnouns.

Not sure if the statement of regular tobacco used for the REs is the same as regular production. It will be one of my questions when I head to Havana this year. Would be good to know.

[maverickdrinker]

I understand what everybody is saying about LE's. But I am confused about the same tobacco being used for standard production and LE's. So the Monte Edmundo has the same tobacco as the Monte 520? Even though my pallete leaves a lot to be desired, I have tasted both and even though slightly similiar, there is a taste difference.

Wait, so they use different blends to get the different tastes. Is that correct?

The Monte Edmundo is not the same tobacco as the Monte 520, in terms of wrapper and aging of the tobacco however, the Monte 520 is blended to have the same flavour characteristics as regular production.

Hope this helps

[Puros Y Vino]

For my tastes. There is something different about the tobacco in the RE's vs regular production. Mind you, I can only say this for Ramon Allones. I don't chase many RE's other than the RA's and La Escepcion, which has no regular counterpart to compare for a few decades now. In comparison to RASS, RAG & RASCC (basically all that's left in the lineup) The Ramon Allones RE's taste far superior to their regular production counterparts. The richness of flavours I get out of an RACF, Gordito, Unicos, Super Ramones, Gladiators, etc completely overtake the regular sticks. I enjoy RASS quite often but they don't perform as well. The last regular RA's that were equal in taste performance was the 898. I don't know why Habanos would do this with their tobacco stocks but I really taste a difference in this marca when it comes to RE and Regular production sticks.

[canadianbeaver]

Perhaps this might help

http://www.cigaraficionado.com/webfeatures/show/id/15887/print/Y

Habanos acknowledges that the program has become a logistical nightmare. Each cigar requires a different band and a different box, and since it is often a different size for a particular brand, it requires a new blend to keep the taste within that brand's normal flavor parameters. "We are trying to keep to the standard sizes and boxes," says López. She adds that each new cigar requires a new blending process. In all, it takes nearly a year from the approval for a new Regional Edition until it is ready to be shipped to the marketplace.

[Colt45]

Regular production doesn't have a stated age before being rolled as far as I am aware of.

For what it's worth, back around 2006, they began aging filler tobacco - ligero three years, seco two, and volado one. I believe wrappers are generally aged for a year.

[maverickdrinker]

Thanks for posting that Colt. My understanding is that his may have changed, in a good way, due to bumper crops and production currently in the warehouse. It might explain why the recent production (2012 and 2013 in particular) have been smoking well ROTT.

The aging of the tobacco and the aging of finished cigars in the warehouse may have added to the 'readiness' of smoking sooner rather than later.

Will try to find out more when I am in Havana.

[Colt45]

The aging of the tobacco and the aging of finished cigars in the warehouse may have added to the 'readiness' of smoking sooner rather than later.

We've had discussions regarding how earlier accessibility might affect maturation and longevity, if it does at all. I guess there's no concrete way to tell, but it can make for interesting discussion.

I'll be interested to know if they have changed how long the tobacco is aged prior to roliing.

[bassman]

RA898s have developed a mythology of their own. I've had very legit boxes from 01 & 02. The 02s were top notch, but the 01s nothing special at all.- IMHO

[ramon_cojones]

In addition what years of rascc have you smoked? Far more flavor and power than say bolivars (rass, rascc).

The RA ERs I've smoked were no more rich if even as rich than my standard production, maybe you haven't had enough examples and are going off a few random sticks. I do enjoy all of them though but not worth the price from a value standpoint.

[ramon_cojones]

I don't feel the need to compensate.

And boy you sure showed me give yourself a pat on the head.

[Puros Y Vino]

Easy there boys. Keep it civil.

[ramon_cojones]

Thanks for cleaning that up frank. Granted I've smoked a ton of ra regionals over the years, I will gather some more data for you once I get my hands on the super ramons. I still stand my position though.

[CanuckSARTech]

Aside from the back and forth on here....

Regarding the Boli Simones....

The '07 production was for 50-cabs. The '08 boxes was simple leftover from '07 production. Exact same blend, with some cigars being rolled into the new year, and with Havana House deciding to re-package some of their overstock of 50-cabs into 25-cabs in an effort to move stock. But, all the same blend, same cigars. Any slight variances would just be attributed to normal variances in a production run. And that's from personal experience, LCDH retail sources, and Havana House information, as well as has been discussed online many times in the past I believe.

Hope this helps.

And regarding Rob's original post to start off this thread....

Go deep on the VR XV Anniv.'s, boys. Go very, VERY deep. Very enjoyable cigar that will turn into a true classic in time, I'm wagering.

[mk05]

Regarding the Boli Simones....

The '07 production was for 50-cabs. The '08 boxes was simple leftover from '07 production. Exact same blend, with some cigars being rolled into the new year, and with Havana House deciding to re-package some of their overstock of 50-cabs into 25-cabs in an effort to move stock. But, all the same blend, same cigars. Any slight variances would just be attributed to normal variances in a production run. And that's from personal experience, LCDH retail sources, and Havana House information, as well as has been discussed online many times in the past I believe.

This is what I was originally alluding to and what Mr Ginger clarified.

Up to you to believe marketing info.

[almudawi]

Go deep on the VR XV Anniv.'s, boys. Go very, VERY deep. Very enjoyable cigar that will turn into a true classic in time, I'm wagering.

I agree! I have already managed to pick 2 boxes planning to add 2 more from Robs stock and maybe pick a box of Super Ramons while at it

[alloy]

The Monte Edmundo is not the same tobacco as the Monte 520, in terms of wrapper and aging of the tobacco however, the Monte 520 is blended to have the same flavour characteristics as regular production.

Hope this helps

Thank Art!