Regional Releases


Recommended Posts

I personally don't buy into the RE program.. I guess they are unique in the sense that the second band and vitolas are sold exclusively in one particular country. However, there is nothing really special about them... With that being said if i travel to Italy and want a souvenir box then sure I may pick some up, but for the most part, I don`t typically touch them...

Now I do understand, that changing a cigars Vitola will in turn have a subtle effect on the cigars flavor profile, but it just seems like more of a marketing tactic then anything.... IMO

"Regional Editions are only distributed in certain parts of the world, usually they are made in the less well-known of the 27 habanos brands, which have particular associations with different countries. While they are made from the standard tobaccos and blends for the brands in question with no special features, they are produced in sizes not normally associated with those brands and are presented in numbered boxes" - Habanos S.A

With this being said, I know they are popular, and the program works so I`d like to know how do you truly feel about Regional Releases?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I personally don't buy into the RE program.. I guess they are unique in the sense that the second band and vitolas are sold exclusively in one particular country. However, there is nothing really special about them... With that being said if i travel to Italy and want a souvenir box then sure I may pick some up, but for the most part, I don`t typically touch them...

Now I do understand, that changing a cigars Vitola will in turn have a subtle effect on the cigars flavor profile, but it just seems like more of a marketing tactic then anything.... IMO

"Regional Editions are only distributed in certain parts of the world, usually they are made in the less well-known of the 27 habanos brands, which have particular associations with different countries. While they are made from the standard tobaccos and blends for the brands in question with no special features, they are produced in sizes not normally associated with those brands and are presented in numbered boxes" - Habanos S.A

With this being said, I know they are popular, and the program works so I`d like to know how do you truly feel about Regional Releases?

Agree 100%

But they're pretty!!! laugh.png

And agree 100%.....:).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I live in Europe and with the help of a few phone calls, PMs on forums, etc., I'm able to get all the europeans REs at the exact price they're sold in their respective countries. But, even If I could afford it, I would never do that.

I purchase only those that bring something creative in their brand, and are reasonably priced.

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The blending issues isn't so straight forward, eg the PL releases pretty much all taste different to each other and from the standard regular protection. Some are similar.

I treat them as cigars, if they are good and the price is good then I'll buy them, if they are not then I don't. I know I would have missed out on some fantastic cigars if I blanket banned them.

The EL program, that's a different issue as to me they have a certain flavour profile thatis common in them all that I'm not hugely keen on.

The regionals can be very good and stand up on their own merits. Not all obviously.

Just my opinion but you'd be doing yourself a disservice if you went forward thinking that all RE cigars are only different because of vitola.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I purchase only those that bring something creative in their brand, and are reasonably priced.

ABSOLUTELY.

I for one really like the RE program. Although I would never spend over a certain amount per cigar so many are excluded from my grasp. I'm fine with that. Plenty of great regular production at a fraction of the cost.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree for the most part - I haven't found much difference between Reg Production and RE's from marcas that I like so for those lines i stick to regular production.

On the other hand I do not enjoy regular production Bolivar's but I haven't found a regional edition that I don't love. For Bolivar I only buy RE

and I definitely don't hate the second band, especially when you manage to find some from a country other than my own

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The blending issues isn't so straight forward, eg the PL releases pretty much all taste different to each other and from the standard regular protection. Some are similar.

I treat them as cigars, if they are good and the price is good then I'll buy them, if they are not then I don't. I know I would have missed out on some fantastic cigars if I blanket banned them.

The EL program, that's a different issue as to me they have a certain flavour profile thatis common in them all that I'm not hugely keen on.

The regionals can be very good and stand up on their own merits. Not all obviously.

Just my opinion but you'd be doing yourself a disservice if you went forward thinking that all RE cigars are only different because of vitola.

In reality, that's all they are... A different Vitola of the same blend nothing more....

As I stated above, flavor profiles do changed based on adding / removing tobacco. However, all the RE's I've had are not much different from their standard line, at least not enough that I'd start buying them... I do own a couple boxes of ERDM Infantes, but they were purchased because I took a trip to Cuba and wanted a souvenir to take home. Like I said, its just my opionon. You don't have to agree, I just find for the most part, they are a waste of money.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If they have been well reviewed and seem to fit my palate then I would pull the trigger. The only Regional that I would buy if the price was not outrageous would be RA Belicoso Germany 2010. I know there are around, but I've seen them exceptionally expensive.

I just wanted some of these as I am first generation German in the USA and the RA Belicosos have been regarded highly.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Regionals are used to enhance the prestige of the local importer of cuban cigars to that particular region,for most part , the local importer subsidies the production cost. Ramon Allones was among the first Brands to introduce the regionals,e.g ,phoenicio, eshmoun, macedonian, for lebanon and the mediterrenean in general .Some loved them,others neutral,but Marketing plays a big part in that program.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I own only one box of RE, and that is the La Escepcion Selectos Finos from Italy. It is a long and skinny, which are hard to come by these days so I snapped it up. Otherwise I really don't get into the EL or RE thing, though I would love to get my hands on a box of Bolivar Especiales No. 2 from Germany.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In reality, that's all they are... A different Vitola of the same blend nothing more....

As I stated above, flavor profiles do changed based on adding / removing tobacco. However, all the RE's I've had are not much different from their standard line, at least not enough that I'd start buying them... I do own a couple boxes of ERDM Infantes, but they were purchased because I took a trip to Cuba and wanted a souvenir to take home. Like I said, its just my opionon. You don't have to agree, I just find for the most part, they are a waste of money.

This opinion is wrong as far as I know. Many regions have to work within the marcas general theme, but do have leaway with the blend up to a point. Creating a sweet, chocolatey Bolivar is not something that can work, but creating a Bolivar with more pronounced hits of tea or citrus or leather would be fine.

I know there are many regionals that have incredibly rich flavours (within marca ranges) but much more so than many regular production cigars. A Bolivar Simones from Canada, while very similar in vitola to the RC, tastes much richer and far more elegant than any RC I have ever had. The vitola change did not produce that much different flavours. Clearly the blend for the Simones and the blend for the RC are not the same.

Just one example.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I own only one box of RE, and that is the La Escepcion Selectos Finos from Italy. It is a long and skinny, which are hard to come by these days so I snapped it up. Otherwise I really don't get into the EL or RE thing, though I would love to get my hands on a box of Bolivar Especiales No. 2 from Germany.

Food for thoughts; if all REs are but same blends rolled into different vitolas, are the La Escepcion REs true to the blend of the discontinued marca they belong to?

Any more experienced Habanos smokers out there who remember how they where and whether they see similarities?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Food for thoughts; if all REs are but same blends rolled into different vitolas, are the La Escepcion REs true to the blend of the discontinued marca they belong to?

Any more experienced Habanos smokers out there who remember how they where and whether they see similarities?

While the blend may be similar, the tobacco is most assuredly not. I would like to hear thoughts on this as well, but I suspect only strength is the same, while flavours are not.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

This opinion is wrong as far as I know. Many regions have to work within the marcas general theme, but do have leaway with the blend up to a point. Creating a sweet, chocolatey Bolivar is not something that can work, but creating a Bolivar with more pronounced hits of tea or citrus or leather would be fine.

I know there are many regionals that have incredibly rich flavours (within marca ranges) but much more so than many regular production cigars. A Bolivar Simones from Canada, while very similar in vitola to the RC, tastes much richer and far more elegant than any RC I have ever had. The vitola change did not produce that much different flavours. Clearly the blend for the Simones and the blend for the RC are not the same.

Just one example.

"Regional Editions are only distributed in certain parts of the world, usually they are made in the less well-known of the 27 Habanos brands, which have particular associations with different countries. While they are made from the standard tobaccos and blends for the brands in question with no special features, they are produced in sizes not normally associated with those brands and are presented in numbered boxes" - Habanos S.A

Taken directly from Habanos S.A, published in their world of habanos book, and on their website...

You can argue all you want, and you are entitled to your "opinion". However, here are the facts, whether you like it or not Habanos S.A wouldn't falsify this information...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"Regional Editions are only distributed in certain parts of the world, usually they are made in the less well-known of the 27 Habanos brands, which have particular associations with different countries. While they are made from the standard tobaccos and blends for the brands in question with no special features, they are produced in sizes not normally associated with those brands and are presented in numbered boxes" - Habanos S.A

Taken directly from Habanos S.A, published in their world of habanos book, and on their website...

You can argue all you want, and you are entitled to your "opinion". However, here are the facts, whether you like it or not Habanos S.A wouldn't falsify this information...

I wouldn't be surprized if I learned that HSA was not disclosing each and every detail, including exceptions. While such blanket statement could be true, unmentioned details could exist...
Link to comment
Share on other sites

"Regional Editions are only distributed in certain parts of the world, usually they are made in the less well-known of the 27 Habanos brands, which have particular associations with different countries. While they are made from the standard tobaccos and blends for the brands in question with no special features, they are produced in sizes not normally associated with those brands and are presented in numbered boxes" - Habanos S.A

Taken directly from Habanos S.A, published in their world of habanos book, and on their website...

You can argue all you want, and you are entitled to your "opinion". However, here are the facts, whether you like it or not Habanos S.A wouldn't falsify this information...

I have spoken to some importers from canada, Israel and a few others and they have told me that they have a say (sometimes less, sometimes more) in how they want the cigars blended. The "blends" have to stay true to the marca, but there is wiggle room. It was years ago, but thats what I remember. Frank, Rob, Andy, Leo, etc... anybody out there know of this?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have spoken to some importers from canada, Israel and a few others and they have told me that they have a say (sometimes less, sometimes more) in how they want the cigars blended. The "blends" have to stay true to the marca, but there is wiggle room. It was years ago, but thats what I remember. Frank, Rob, Andy, Leo, etc... anybody out there know of this?

Then tell me, who gets to decide what blend goes into these cigars? I guarantee Havana House has absolutely NOTHING to do with the process....The cigars are produced in the Cuban factory by their "master blender" and then shipped / released to that country.. An importer has no say in the blends created? they are a middle man... They don't work with a country to develop a cigar...That's up the master blender at the factory! Here in Canada, we have 2 or 3 importers of Cuban tobacco that sell to our shops... Havana house being the largest, whom I have a very close relationship with given that I work in the industry.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Taken directly from Habanos S.A, published in their world of habanos book, and on their website...

You can argue all you want, and you are entitled to your "opinion". However, here are the facts, whether you like it or not Habanos S.A wouldn't falsify this information...

There are 2 or 3 people in this industry that I trust much more than HSA.

As a matter of fact, the french Bolivar Libertadore was a completely different Bolivar, the PL Magnificos was a different PL, obviously made from much better material than usual, and there are others examples…

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Then tell me, who gets to decide what blend goes into these cigars? I guarantee Havana House has absolutely NOTHING to do with the process....The cigars are produced in the Cuban factory by their "master blender" and then shipped / released to that country.. An importer has no say in the blends created? they are a middle man... They don't work with a country to develop a cigar...That's up the master blender at the factory! Here in Canada, we have 2 or 3 importers of Cuban tobacco that sell to our shops... Havana house being the largest, whom I have a very close relationship with given that I work in the industry.

You can ask our host Rob... If I remember correctly, he has posted about how PCC has a say in their regional blend. And some of the fellas here would definitely know about the Vegas Robaina Canada RE as they attended a release party in Havana... did Havana House have any say in the blending?

And to answer the thread question, I personally like variety so I buy RE's for marcas I like and that offer different sizes that you normally can't get from the regular production. I could care less about the collecting aspect, I'm a smoker. I also rarely buy expensive ones, they have to be closer in line with regular production. I always think... would I rather have this box, or another box of CoRo's. lol

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

Community Software by Invision Power Services, Inc.