LCDH releases for LCDH only?

[El Presidente]

There is a little bit of official correspondence running around that la Casa De Habanos releases from now on will only be made available to la Casa De Habanos stores. Sale outside of LCDH stores will be "banned".

On the one hand, I naturally will be disappointed if this comes into play/enforced. There have been some great LCDH releases (Upmann Royal Robusto/Ramon Allones Superiores etc).

On the other hand, we all (well most of us) enjoy popping in to a La Casa De Habanos when we can and sitting in those deep leather chairs while enjoying a cigar and a glass of rum or cup of good coffee. It is no secret that the majority of LCDH break even at best. A LCDH needs a minimum floor area, minimum standard, generally in high rent locations, quality staff. none of it comes cheap and they have to pay a license fee for the privilege.

Anyway, just a heads up. I am not sure how much longer you will see LCDH releases through FOH. I would pick up those Upmann Royal Robusto while on sale

[oliverdst]

It's odd that LCdH relaeases can be found outside the Casas themselves (shouldn't they be "La Casa" cigars??) but of course for most of us it is useful.

What I can see in the medium term is another Habanos price rise... but this is no new news for us (btw I received an e-mail about German tax rise... if it is really true German market price will go to the moon...).

[Rushman]

I've got a few of the recent Upmann and RA releases resting comfortably.

I personally like these releases. Then again I typically like the regionals but not the EL's.

I can see why they want to enforce it but it will be difficult.

---

I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=19.390018,-81.404446

[Overproof]

I would have though a ban like this would kind of kill sales. A number of the online LCDH stores anyway.

[El Presidente]

I would have though a ban like this would kind of kill sales. A number of the online LCDH stores anyway.

I have no doubt they will be widely available. Let's face it .....LCDH stores are linked to both online operators and distributors...and those two are not mutually exclusive

[SokaKiel]

Yes, you're right. Cuba has had an upgrade and is now classed as a developed country by Germany customs.

The import duty is up from originally 9,1 to 26,1%!!! That's an increase of 17%.

Not sure if it's ok to post this link, here you see the price increase: http://www.cigarworld.de/blog/?p=973

According to the german importer 5th Avenue they only increased the prices by 4% in average. But that only works if you include unavailable cigars like Punch SS1, Trinidad Robusto T and the like into the list. I would say the real price increase is more like 8% across the board...

It might take a year until the new prices will come into affect, old stock will be sold at old prices as they've been taxed already.

Time to stock up, or better just keep filling the OLH...

[lexvero]

I would have loved to stock up but having a bit of a problem with a 100% full humidor. I'm in the process of buying a large cabinet !

[SteveGriff]

Of course the natural progression is for FOH to open a LCDH themselves. Hey it will be break-even or lose a little money, but that would mean we will still have our Royal Robustos.

What do you think Rob?

[Peacock]

I have not tried enough variety in the world of CC's to pick a favorite. Therefore, in the spirit of gifting, I would like a box that I have never tried before, and be blown away with how great they are!

[Peacock]

I have not tried enough variety in the world of CC's to pick a favorite. Therefore, in the spirit of gifting, I would like a box that I have never tried before, and be blown away with how great they are!

oopps...wrong topic.

[Smallclub]

Of course the natural progression is for FOH to open a LCDH themselves.

As I understand it, you don't "open" a LCDH. You open a shop that must meet a number of specifications, then you ask to be franchised, etc.

[Diamondog]

Any word on the Bolivar Libertadores LCDH release?

[zmancbr]

Seems like a sure way to shoot themselves in the foot unless they are available online from many LCDHs. One of the largest cigar markets, the US, would have little to no access to any LCDH unless in a foreign country. Why shut yourself out of that market?

I could see them implementing these changes, and then most if not all of the LCDH releases will become readily available anyway due to the grey market vendors. Several of the stores won't be able to move the stock fast enough with all the special LCDH releases, so they will pawn them off on the secondary market.

[Ryan]

I can understand Habanos wanting to reward LCDH owners for paying the franchise fee with cigars that only they can sell.

I'm surprised they haven't stopped this before unless the LCDH releases simply aren't selling well enough through the Casas only.

The Royal Robusto, for example, is consistently a great cigar, very popular, yet there are always loads of them out there.

How many would there be if only LCDHs could sell them? Same goes, if nor more so as they were not as popular, for the 3 San Cristobal Casa releases. The only Casa release I know of that seems to have sold out relatively quickly was the Noella jar.

Maybe in future they plan on fewer quantities of those releases.

[Ryan]

Any word on the Bolivar Libertadores LCDH release?

Available in Cuba, haven't heard price yet but I'll know by the end of the week.

[CaptainQuintero]

I always did wonder why people forked out for a LCDH franchise; it only seems to increase your overheads while all your competitors can provide the exact same offerings but at a lower price.

[Diamondog]

Available in Cuba, haven't heard price yet but I'll know by the end of the week.

Ya, I'm going end of December and plan and grabbing those and more infantes...

[Blakes]

They should give LCDH's even better perk's so it's worth becoming part of the franchise.

Allowing them to order runs from the back catalogue would be nice.

[rckymtn22]

Maybe the LCDH releases should be exclusive for the first 2 years, if not selling well then distributed out. The surplus stock would be sitting in the distributor's warehouse so should be easy to move after that date. Of course this doesn't work well if it is a dud.

[CaptainQuintero]

Allowing them to order runs from the back catalogue would be nice.

That would be excellent!

[Stevieboy]

Any word on the Bolivar Libertadores LCDH release?

I picked up a box in Berlin mid-October. They'd only just arrived the day before along with the new Upmann Connnysieuieiuer A. I've still not cracked into the Bolis but I've had a couple of the Upmann and they are most excellent dude!

Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 4