Create Your Own New Cuban Marca

[Skyfall]

I'm sure many have given this thought, I know I have. Nino is pretty much halfway there already with his awesome custom bands.

I figured this would be a fun discussion.

If you could create your own new Cuban Cigar Marca:

1) What would you name it?

2) What would the band look like? (Upload your own art, or just describe)

3) What would be the flavor profile?

4) What sizes would you offer and the names, if any, would you give to the sizes?

My Marca:

La Costa Dulce "The Sweet Coast"

Small production, known for extremely high quality construction and consistency.

Band - very understated and classy clean white band with deep royal blue and emerald green accents. I'm horrible at computer art, so I'm just going to describe. The center of the band would have an elongated oval, inside the oval in an arch pattern at the top would read "La Costa Dulce"

In a reverse arch on the bottom of the oval would have roman numerals of the year founded. In the center of the band would be a classy yet attractive beach lagoon scene of sugary white sands, lush cliffs, palm trees and the most addicting Caribbean blue water you can imagine. The sides of the band would have the cigar name plainly written in cursive in deep royal blue.

Flavor Profile: Med/full - Full flavor. My marca would be known for its consistency and balance all while maintaining a profile of creamy, sugary, taffy sweetness of shortbread cookies and dark chocolate with a hint of some floral tones. Thick creamy, viscous , chewy smoke.

My factory would have the highest quality technology and amenities for the employees. On site cafeteria serving free lunches and an onsite, state of the art day care and school for children of employees. All employees will be included in a profit sharing based pension plan.

The better the cigars are the more we'll sell for a logical premium

The more we sell the more revenue is made

The more revenue that is made, more gets contributed to each employee's pension plan

The more cigars and material that are "lost, stolen, or traded on black market" comes out of the revenues.

The more loss that is subtracted from profits, is a decreased amount contributed to the pension plan.

= provides positive motivation, incentive and accountability!

Every year, famous humidor makers and artists would be commissioned to make a limited number of VIP humidors. Each humidor would be a work of art in of itself, and would consist of 50 cigars of each vitola with commemorative bands. Some of these humidors will be given away as gifts and the rest auctioned off with the proceeds going towards a factory employee profit sharing pension plan and numerous charities.

Sizes:

Petite Corona - called the " El Soldado" - The Soldier

Robusto - "El Santo" - The Saint

Long Panetela- "El Pilar" The Pillar

Corona Extra - "El Caballero" The Knight

Churchill - "El Comandante" The Commander

Figurado/Torpedo - "La Zorra" - The Vixen

Perfecto - "El Vaquero" - The Cowboy

What would yours be?????

[Ginseng]

This sounds like a fun exercise. Will give it a swing tomorrow.

Wilkey

[polarbear]

I'm sure many have given this thought, I know I have. Nino is pretty much halfway there already with his awesome custom bands.

I figured this would be a fun discussion.

If you could create your own new Cuban Cigar Marca:

1) What would you name it?

2) What would the band look like? (Upload your own art, or just describe)

3) What would be the flavor profile?

4) What sizes would you offer and the names, if any, would you give to the sizes?

My Marca:

La Costa Dulce Cigars "The Sweet Coast"

Small production, known for extremely high quality construction and consistency.

Band - very understated and classy clean white band with deep royal blue and emerald green accents. I'm horrible at computer art, so I'm just going to describe. The center of the band would have an elongated oval, inside the oval in an arch pattern at the top would read "La Costa Dulce"

In a reverse arch on the bottom of the oval would have roman numerals of the year founded. In the center of the band would be a classy yet attractive beach lagoon scene of sugary white sands, lush cliffs, palm trees and the most addicting Caribbean blue water you can imagine. The sides of the band would have the cigar name plainly written in cursive in deep royal blue.

Flavor Profile: My marca would be known for its consistency and balance all while maintaining a profile of creamy, sugary, taffy sweetness of shortbread cookies and dark chocolate with a hint of some floral tones. Thick creamy, chewy smoke.

Sizes:

Petite Corona - called the " El Soldado" - The Soldier

Robusto - "El Santo" - The Saint

Long Panetela- "El Pilar" The Pillar

Corona Extra - "El Caballero" The Knight

Churchill - "El Comandante" The Commander

Figurado/Torpedo - "La Zorra" - The Vixen

Perfecto - "El Vaquero" - The Cowboy

What would yours be?????

Great idea.

My Marca- Dia Del Fuego- Day of the Fire

It would be a small batch type company with emphasis on solid and dependable construction and consistant flavours

Medium- Full Bodied with at least one Mild-Medium smoke aimed at "morning smokers"

Profile- Sweet creamy coffee and baking spice, a little dried fruit and chocolate for some sizes. A prority would be thick, chewy smoke.

Band- Thick-ish band (similar to the Cohiba band in size). Gloss black with a textured silver strip on the top and bottom (similar to the RE Bands) with full bright red text displaying the name of the name of the Marca. On the underside of the band would be the words disfruta mejor con compañía- best enjoyed with company printed in black on a white background

Sizes-

la pirámide (The Pyramid) - Standard Cuban Number 2

el duque (The Duke) - A 55x5 Wide Chuchill

la norma (The Standard) - A Corona sized cigar

la catedral (The Cathedral) - A Churchill

el único (The Unique)- Lancero

la mañana (The Morning)- A Half Corona

All would be presented in 10 count SLB's with the Lanceros, Half Coronas and Coronas also avaliable in 50 Cabs

Every year, a new limited edition "Test Blend and Size" would be released in limited numbers. This line would be called- el profeta (The Prophet)

[Natedog]

Marca: Las Coronas Puro " The Pure Crowns"

Band: Gold band / Red Crown with jewels of assorted colors the crown would be something like this below.

At the Bottom Part of the crown in black font cursive would be " Las Coronas Puro"

Flavor: This would be a full bodied med strength cigar with delicious flavors transitioning from begining to end. The flavor profile would be very,very mild pepper/cayene spice layered around creamy hazelnut coffee, chocolate cake, burnt graham cracker with a citrusy/cumin flavor that would pop up unexpectedly through out the smoke.

Aroma: The aroma would be an explosion of floral, teas and vanilla

Smoke: The smoke would be thick, creamy, oily and lucious and it would be abundant.

Construction: Would be impecible. perfect draw perfect burn everytime.

Since I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist I would not offer may sizes. prob just three in order to focus on the quality. All tabacco would be aged a minimum of 5 yrs before being brought into production.

1) Robusto " La Corona Chica"

2) Lancero " La Corona"

3) Churchill " La Corona Grande"

[Ryan]

La Flor de Ryan.

I would buy/lease 20 hectares in San Luis.

Plonk vegueros on it who know what they're doing. There must be a few second sons on farms in Pinar del rio looking for work.

Getting seeds right might be an issue but this is fantasy anyway.

All tobacco used would be from that farm, wrapper, binder and filler. Aged and boxed locally too. A single finca cigar.

Cabs of 25 and 50. Vitolas No. 1-7.

In years of good harvests, produce a vintage, like port and have special packaging and possibly sizes for it. No more than 2 or 3 vintages per decade.

Put in an airstrip, co-op shop, health clinic and school.

As for bands, I probably wouldn't have any.

Later blend a pure pot still Cuban rum to pair with them.

[laficion]

I would call the cigar,"GY49" and there would be only one size, a Corona Gorda.The taste would be of leather ,barnyard licorice,and some floral with some Honey. Every now and then, a Edision Limitadas of a year very limited. And the band would be a Green domination with a hyped "GY49" on It only on the E.L.'s

[canadianbeaver]

Cuban seed, grown in Canadian mountains. Rare, wolverine strength.

2 vitolas: robusto, double corona.

Flavor profile: hints of pine, coffee and maple, followed by whiffs of pine, coffee and maple. Finishes with Rye whiskey and tones of back bacon.

91

[LordAnubis]

Cuban seed, grown in Canadin mountains. Rare, wolverine strength.

2 vitolas: robusto, double corona.

Flavor profile: hints of pine, coffee and maple, followed by whiffs of pine, coffee and maple. Finishes with Rye whiskey and tones of back bacon.

91

Ahahah, will there be a Halal version ??

[Duxnutz]

Cuban seed, grown in Canadian mountains. Rare, wolverine strength.

2 vitolas: robusto, double corona.

Flavor profile: hints of pine, coffee and maple, followed by whiffs of pine, coffee and maple. Finishes with Rye whiskey and tones of back bacon.

91

One thing I loved living in Canada for a bit (Winnipeg) was your lovely lasses and their fondness for rye whisky! Amaaaazing.

[Blakes]

La Flor de Ryan.

I would buy/lease 20 hectares in San Luis.

Plonk vegueros on it who know what they're doing. There must be a few second sons on farms in Pinar del rio looking for work.

Getting seeds right might be an issue but this is fantasy anyway.

All tobacco used would be from that farm, wrapper, binder and filler. Aged and boxed locally too. A single finca cigar.

Cabs of 25 and 50. Vitolas No. 1-7.

In years of good harvests, produce a vintage, like port and have special packaging and possibly sizes for it. No more than 2 or 3 vintages per decade.

Put in an airstrip, co-op shop, health clinic and school.

As for bands, I probably wouldn't have any.

Later blend a pure pot still Cuban rum to pair with them.

This.

How Cuba should be doing it.

Simplicity of vitola names, no fancy bands let the cigars do the talking!

[mk05]

La Flor de Ryan.

I would buy/lease 20 hectares in San Luis.

Plonk vegueros on it who know what they're doing. There must be a few second sons on farms in Pinar del rio looking for work.

Getting seeds right might be an issue but this is fantasy anyway.

All tobacco used would be from that farm, wrapper, binder and filler. Aged and boxed locally too. A single finca cigar.

Cabs of 25 and 50. Vitolas No. 1-7.

In years of good harvests, produce a vintage, like port and have special packaging and possibly sizes for it. No more than 2 or 3 vintages per decade.

Put in an airstrip, co-op shop, health clinic and school.

As for bands, I probably wouldn't have any.

Later blend a pure pot still Cuban rum to pair with them.

Sounds like someone likes the Hector Luis and VR farmies!

[Orion21]

Hoja del Cielo (Heaven's Leaf)

I would have four cigars rolled for my line: sublime, lonsdale, lancero and petit corona. The primary flavors of my blend would be sugarcane sweetness and heavy cream. Mouth coating viscous mouth fulls of creamy sweet smoke. The secondary flavors would be espresso, cedar and white pepper. I am basically describing a book cigar, but with more OOMPH! Each cigar would be slightly different in profile as described below:

Sublime: this cigar would be blended to be a nice long, relaxing smoke. A good 2+ hours of stare into Heavens and contemplate the meaning of life type of cigar smoking. Very high quality volado and seco, complimented by just enough ligero to provide great body.

Lonsdale: this cigar would require just a bit more attention because the blend would be spicier. Think of a great 898 and then kick up the sweetness and creaminess to remind you of a stellar BHK 52. When you don't want to spend 2+ hours on a sublime the lonsdale would provide 1.5 hours of slightly in your face puffing.

Lancero: get your best glass of scotch or bourbon ready because this cigar is meant to be complimented by a great booze. If the sublime and lonsdale had kids the lancero woulds be the hell on wheels third child. This cigar would be blended to have the same base profile of sugarcane sweetness and heavy cream, but the secondary flavors would take you on a roller coaster ride from start to finish.

Petit Corona: There is nothing that I appreciate more than a perfect cigar to accompany a cup or two of coffee or a big latte in the morning. My petit corona would be the ideal coffee time cigar. The sweetness and cream of the base blend would provide a great foundation to enhance the secondary flavors of cedar and pepper in this cigar. I would love this to smoke very much like an aged PSP quality Monte Petit Edmundo, but with the smaller ring gauge.

[Skyfall]

Hoja del Cielo (Heaven's Leaf)

I would have four cigars rolled for my line: sublime, lonsdale, lancero and petit corona. The primary flavors of my blend would be sugarcane sweetness and heavy cream. Mouth coating viscous mouth fulls of creamy sweet smoke. The secondary flavors would be espresso, cedar and white pepper. I am basically describing a book cigar, but with more OOMPH! Each cigar would be slightly different in profile as described below:

Sublime: this cigar would be blended to be a nice long, relaxing smoke. A good 2+ hours of stare into Heavens and contemplate the meaning of life type of cigar smoking. Very high quality volado and seco, complimented by just enough ligero to provide great body.

Lonsdale: this cigar would require just a bit more attention because the blend would be spicier. Think of a great 898 and then kick up the sweetness and creaminess to remind you of a stellar BHK 52. When you don't want to spend 2+ hours on a sublime the lonsdale would provide 1.5 hours of slightly in your face puffing.

Lancero: get your best glass of scotch or bourbon ready because this cigar is meant to be complimented by a great booze. If the sublime and lonsdale had kids the lancero woulds be the hell on wheels third child. This cigar would be blended to have the same base profile of sugarcane sweetness and heavy cream, but the secondary flavors would take you on a roller coaster ride from start to finish.

Petit Corona: There is nothing that I appreciate more than a perfect cigar to accompany a cup or two of coffee or a big latte in the morning. My petit corona would be the ideal coffee time cigar. The sweetness and cream of the base blend would provide a great foundation to enhance the secondary flavors of cedar and pepper in this cigar. I would love this to smoke very much like an aged PSP quality Monte Petit Edmundo, but with the smaller ring gauge.

[Puros Y Vino]

Great thread.

1) What would you name it?

Protectores De La Hoja (Protectors of the Leaf)

2) What would the band look like? (Upload your own art, or just describe)

Will upload some artwork later.

3) What would be the flavor profile?

Medium, bold. Some hints of spice, sweetness and some nice rich, bold notes. Ideally, I'd like them to have the blends that are used in the RA regionals. Major taste notes: honey, cayenne, leather, sourdough, earth.

4) What sizes would you offer and the names, if any, would you give to the sizes?

I'd keep the portfolio small.

La Lanza (The Spear)

A special vitola. A "Lancero Extra" (38RG * 9.5 inches) Something special and unique. This would be the flagship of the line. It's body will tend to be on the bolder, spicier side.

La Espiga (The Spike)

A Petit Pyramid. This will be the "smallest" cigar in the line blended towards mild/medium bodied.

El Murcielago (The Bat)

A "Flying Pig" vitola. RG 52 - 54 (Head to Foot) 6.5 inches in length. This blend will be the most balanced. Giving the smoker the breadth of range in the blends used for the other lines.

La Espada (The Sword)

A Figurado vitola. RG 42 (At it's widest). Length 5 inches. A medium bodied smoke.

[Ryan]

Sounds like someone likes the Hector Luis and VR farmies!

Of course I like them. They're hard to get.

I honestly can't tell you if that's the main reason I like them. They tend to have a more 'straightforward' flavor than the likes of a Royal Robusto, for example.

However, I do think that the first verifiably produced, official cigar from a single finca for at least 50 years, for want of a less clumsy description, would sell. From a marketing point of view.

From a production and construction point of view, there would be more control. 20 hectares in Pinar Del Rio can provide dozens of microclimates. Then there's fermentation..

[Skyfall]

I'm glad some of you think this is a fun thread and are taking part.

Let the creative juices flow! You are only limited to your imagination........

[mk05]

Of course I like them. They're hard to get.

I honestly can't tell you if that's the main reason I like them. They tend to have a more 'straightforward' flavor than the likes of a Royal Robusto, for example.

However, I do think that the first verifiably produced, official cigar from a single finca for at least 50 years, for want of a less clumsy description, would sell. From a marketing point of view.

From a production and construction point of view, there would be more control. 20 hectares in Pinar Del Rio can provide dozens of microclimates. Then there's fermentation..

Don't I know it. Have to sell a kidney to get a few. T_T

I think we've fantasized about this previously, single finca and also single roller (masrer roller) selections.

[canadianbeaver]

Looking forward to your post, Frank. Love the names!! If I could smoke a BAT right now, I would!

[PigFish]

Truly inspiring thread my friend!

Frankly, I could do this all day long!

My brand: única vida

The line would consist of traditional Cuban vitolas as seen in the Diplomatico brand 1-7.

There would be no blend limitations. Each vintage year would stand on its own merits. There will be no myth of cigar consistency beyond that of an excellent smoking experience each time one is smoked.

The única vida #6 and #7 cigars would be wrapped in colorado claro wrappers. The cigar line would known generally for it light color and thin delicate, wrappers. The exception would be the #2. Every school kid knows what #2 is… so there should be no reason to change it from it darker ‘familiar’ shade!!!

These would be connoisseur cigars. No bands would be required and they would come in cabs of 50.

The concept of the cigar line would be rooted in the celebration of life and the shared life forces of the growers, producers and the rollers. An appreciation of the art, care and craftsmanship, in the traditions of cigar craft would be at the core of the brand. We each have only one life and each cigar is rolled with a similar intent. As we are individuals, so is each cigar.

The cigars will be built around that concept of the sharing of life. Each cigar should then represent a proud moment to all that have contributed to it. There will be no sorting of random cigars. Accountability, personal responsibility and personal pride will be a part of each cigar and each rolling team. The members of the team will have their individual slogan or moniker and a packing slip depicting that will also bear the stamps of the individuals of the team that handled the cigar and the packaging. They will receive a profit from the cigars they produce!

An internet site will be established for the owners of full boxes to register their boxes and submit feedback on the cigars inside. Poor performing teams will be broken up or let go! The best will acquire status and prominence!

The sales model will be based on performance and pride of production and therefore pride of ownership. They will be marketed fairly and priced accordingly.

Cheers! –the Pig

[Skyfall]

Truly inspiring thread my friend!

Frankly, I could do this all day long!

My brand: única vida

The line would consist of traditional Cuban vitolas as seen in the Diplomatico brand 1-7.

There would be no blend limitations. Each vintage year would stand on its own merits. There will be no myth of cigar consistency beyond that of an excellent smoking experience each time one is smoked.

The única vida #6 and #7 cigars would be wrapped in colorado claro wrappers. The cigar line would known generally for it light color and thin delicate, wrappers. The exception would be the #2. Every school kid knows what #2 is… so there should be no reason to change it from it darker ‘familiar’ shade!!!

These would be connoisseur cigars. No bands would be required and they would come in cabs of 50.

The concept of the cigar line would be rooted in the celebration of life and the shared life forces of the growers, producers and the rollers. An appreciation of the art, care and craftsmanship, in the traditions of cigar craft would be at the core of the brand. We each have only one life and each cigar is rolled with a similar intent. As we are individuals, so is each cigar.

The cigars will be built around that concept of the sharing of life. Each cigar should then represent a proud moment to all that have contributed to it. There will be no sorting of random cigars. Accountability, personal responsibility and personal pride will be a part of each cigar and each rolling team. The members of the team will have their individual slogan or moniker and a packing slip depicting that will also bear the stamps of the individuals of the team that handled the cigar and the packaging. They will receive a profit from the cigars they produce!

An internet site will be established for the owners of full boxes to register their boxes and submit feedback on the cigars inside. Poor performing teams will be broken up or let go! The best will acquire status and prominence!

The sales model will be based on performance and pride of production and therefore pride of ownership. They will be marketed fairly and priced accordingly.

Cheers! –the Pig

Awesome Ray!!!!!

[Skyfall]

Everyone was getting much more detailed than my original response, so I went and updated mine!

[Nino]

Skyfall,

great topic you started and interesting input you receive on the subject.

Look forward to read more of plans and visions for new marcas.

I don't believe I'd start my own marca in Cuba and I don't think we will see a private marca in the foreseeable future there, even though we'd like to.

I'd support a few good friends that have the abilities to pull it off, which is why I believe this thread is valuable in showing new ideas and concepts.

As for my anillas - I like them, they are a respectful salute to Cuba and its cigar tradition so I will be happy to share these cigars with good friends in Havana later this month.

[polarbear]

Skyfall,

great topic you started and interesting input you receive on the subject.

Look forward to read more of plans and visions for new marcas.

I don't believe I'd start my own marca in Cuba and I don't think we will see a private marca in the foreseeable future there, even though we'd like to.

I'd support a few good friends that have the abilities to pull it off, which is why I believe this thread is valuable in showing new ideas and concepts.

As for my anillas - I like them, they are a respectful salute to Cuba and its cigar tradition so I will be happy to share these cigars with good friends in Havana later this month.

Love your bands Nino

Very Classy and refined

[Skyfall]

Skyfall,

great topic you started and interesting input you receive on the subject.

Look forward to read more of plans and visions for new marcas.

I don't believe I'd start my own marca in Cuba and I don't think we will see a private marca in the foreseeable future there, even though we'd like to.

I'd support a few good friends that have the abilities to pull it off, which is why I believe this thread is valuable in showing new ideas and concepts.

As for my anillas - I like them, they are a respectful salute to Cuba and its cigar tradition so I will be happy to share these cigars with good friends in Havana later this month.

Once again, love the bands Nino.

Since our imaginations are powering this thread, here's how I see it going down:

A young billionaire Energy Tycoon convinces the Cuban Government to allow him to have his own private Cuban Marca, outside of the HSA monopoly, said Tycoon retains complete control over sales and decisions involving his own Marca. In return the savvy Tycoon offers to aid, supply and consult in the development and logistics of a streamlined green energy mission for the entire country involving, but not limited to: Wind, Solar and Hydro energy solutions. For their gratitude, they, of course, will allow this Tycoon to operate his cigar business as he pleases with the sanctity and protection of the government.

Now I just need to start my Green Energy Company so I can get a head start of becoming a Tycoon..........

[polarbear]

Personally, If i was a young billionare i'd just offer to buy 30% of the company (15% coming from HSA and 15% of Altadis) and become a 30% owner of HSA

Then, insert myself onto a HSA board and design a new marca to be manufactured by HSA

I'm not a businessman so i'm not sure if this is even possible, but it seems like an easier way of creating a Marca than trying to muscle in on HSA's turf. If you cant beat em, join em