TheMonk Posted October 13, 2015 Posted October 13, 2015 Some great smokes, others not so much... but it definitely adds some diversity and color to the regular range, and that's a good thing, IMO.
CaptainQuintero Posted October 13, 2015 Posted October 13, 2015 I think I echo others, some greats, some good, some meh and some awful. The walloping up in price over the last 2-3 years has made the risk/reward factor not acceptable for me. However, the greats: -LFDC short Robusto -PL small Robusto (Italy) -PL Lonsdale -RA Phoenician -PL Robusto (Asia pacific) -Punch Sabrosos Bad La Escepción Italy Bolivar Britannicas PL rdl All the QDO 1
AlohaStyle Posted October 13, 2015 Posted October 13, 2015 It's a smashing success for the industry (Cuba, distributors, retailers etc) and for the customers/investors who want something new all the time. It's a smashing failure for the customers' bank accounts. lol I personally like the RE program overall but I don't chase them just to have another RE and I don't like doubling the price just by adding a 2nd band in some cases. I like variety so I go after unique marcas that get good reviews or go after sizes I like from different marcas. 5th Avenue I think does a great job overall with their RE's. And someone at Phoenicia really likes Ramon Allones, but they are so good. I'm also a fan of a lot of the PL's as well as LGC's. Off the top of my head, I'd like to have a LGC Belicosos or Piramide or a Corona Gorda LGC/PL. Are you able to do a Trinidad RE? I don't recall seeing one... 1
MPS Posted October 13, 2015 Posted October 13, 2015 I would say its a success. It definitely keeps things interesting and garners interest for aficionados and smokers in their own regions. Its a chance to try something different or something discontinued and brought back and some regions are able to make some extremely unique and memorable releases. I think the UK has done the best job. Everyone clearly has their own tastes as someones trash is another's treasure. Regular production is still the best way to go but there's always a special release here or there to add to the fun. My favorites: 2005 Punch Superfinos Italy 2006 Por Larranaga Lonsdales Germany 2007 Por Larranaga Magnificos UK 2008 Punch Diademas Extra Italy 2008 La Gloria Cubana Gloriosos UK 2008 Punch Serie D'Oro No.1 UK 2009 La Gloria Cubana Deliciosos RE Cuba 2009 Bolivar Especiales No. 2 Germany 2010 La Flor de Cano Short Robusto UK 2010 Por Larranaga Regalias de Londres UK 2010 Ramon Allones Phoenecia 32 Lebanon 2012 Por Larranaga Legendarios Spain 2015 Ramon Allones 225th UK If I could make my own it would be: Por Larranaga Salomones II RE USA 3
dangolf18 Posted October 13, 2015 Posted October 13, 2015 My experience as a cigar smoker would be quite dreary and boring without the regional edicions. Can't imagine sticking to just the regular production vitolas for certain brands. Also it makes traveling more fun...I probably wouldn't do much shopping abroad if the regionals weren't there. 1
JohnS Posted October 13, 2015 Posted October 13, 2015 Are you able to do a Trinidad RE? I don't recall seeing one... It would be fantastic to have a Trinidad Regional Edition, but this marca comes under the 'Niche' brands along with San Cristobal and Cuaba and is therefore not included in the Regional Edition release program (along with the seven main global brands).
Notsocleaver Posted October 13, 2015 Posted October 13, 2015 The program is nice when it produces cigars that you would never see as regular releases, like the Sancho Panza Eslavos that just came out. The problem is that I think we are starting to see a few cases where a cigar that should become a regular release doesn't because its more lucrative to keep it regional. It seems to me that there have been enough Ramón Allones Petit Robustos variations to warrant a regular release, but that ain't gonna happen when you can sell them for $16 a pop with an extra band. You could probably make a case for a Bolivar Edmundo sized cigar too. I would be thrilled if the Regional program would just 'graduate' a few cigars into full production. 2
Laxman Posted October 13, 2015 Posted October 13, 2015 I love the regional editions. There are a lot of misses but some big hits. #1 and its no contest PL Magnificos 2) Dantes Conde 109 3) ERDM Vikingos 4) RA Phoenician/ LGC Glorioso 5) PL Regalias 6) La Esepcion 7) RA belicoso 05/10 8) Punch Diademas 9) PL Robusto 10) Juan Lopez Distinguidos Love all the mentioned above all bring a different size to great marcas. I am sure I am leaving out quite a few as there another 10 I really enjoy that I did not list. 1
Smallclub Posted October 13, 2015 Posted October 13, 2015 and I don't like doubling the price just by adding a 2nd band in some cases. The price of the Regionals, in their respective countries, is only slightly above that of cigars of a similar size. The price is "doubled" only for people who purchase them out of the distribution zone. The prices asked by certain grey market vendors and even some LCDHs are ridiculous.
Lant63 Posted October 14, 2015 Posted October 14, 2015 I love most I have tried: 1) ED 54 or 109 2) PL Legendario 3) Pl RDL 4) pl Robusto 5) Punch Platino 6) RA super Ramon what sucked ERDM choix de le epque What I want to see: LGC, VR, Edmundo Dante, PL especiales and Britanicas PL sublimes in 25 Also a Ramon Allones Lancero
Anth87 Posted October 14, 2015 Posted October 14, 2015 Never had a RE - am I missing out? Are they THAT good?
Lotusguy Posted October 14, 2015 Posted October 14, 2015 Never had a RE - am I missing out? Are they THAT good? Some most definitely are.
El Presidente Posted October 14, 2015 Author Posted October 14, 2015 The prices asked by certain grey market vendors and even some LCDHs are ridiculous. in fairness (and I have only supplied canadian regionals (part of PCC) outside of Asia Pacific Regionals) retailers don't pay much below retail price for regionals outside of their domain. There is no need for distributors to "do deals".
jp1979 Posted October 14, 2015 Posted October 14, 2015 I haven't been at this hobby too long but have really enjoyed the RE program, so far. I would say that my cabinet is over 50% RE. Also, I'm probably in minority but I seem to enjoy RA regionals more than regular production, and don't mind the Petit Robusto sizes, which most likely had more to do with my ADD than anything else.
Anth87 Posted October 14, 2015 Posted October 14, 2015 Ray once made an awesome statement about REs , cigar prices and relevance to enjoyment which absolutely nailed it, can't find it though lol
Al3xanderdelag Posted October 14, 2015 Posted October 14, 2015 -La Esepcion selectos finos -PL Encantos -SLR Pacificos -ERDM infantes
monkey66 Posted October 14, 2015 Posted October 14, 2015 I buy a lot more RE than EL. I would be sorry if they stopped the regional program but would not mind if they never produced another EL. 1
hjmclain22 Posted October 14, 2015 Posted October 14, 2015 What are the thoughts on the PL Sobrasalientes? I've never bought any RE's but I'm hoping to jump in soon.
GasGuy82 Posted October 15, 2015 Posted October 15, 2015 As I sat in front of my wineador tonight deciding what to smoke I noticed a fake Montecristo given to me by a friend who went to Mexico. I enjoyed a chuckle wondering if Habanos SA has enough of a sense of humor to release a Mexican RE, say a Sancho Panza in a glass top format. Now that would be a real kick.
sheppsea Posted October 15, 2015 Posted October 15, 2015 What are the thoughts on the PL Sobrasalientes? I've never bought any RE's but I'm hoping to jump in soon. I enjoyed the PL Sobrasalientes, I keep meaning to pick up a box 1
Lant63 Posted October 15, 2015 Posted October 15, 2015 I love the regional editions. There are a lot of misses but some big hits. #1 and its no contest PL Magnificos 2) Dantes Conde 109 3) ERDM Vikingos 4) RA Phoenician/ LGC Glorioso 5) PL Regalias 6) La Esepcion 7) RA belicoso 05/10 8) Punch Diademas 9) PL Robusto 10) Juan Lopez Distinguidos Love all the mentioned above all bring a different size to great marcas. I am sure I am leaving out quite a few as there another 10 I really enjoy that I did not list. Great list. I've been dying to try and track down the Juan Lopez Distinguidos, the bolivar version was mind blowing albeit I only smoked one.
JohnS Posted October 15, 2015 Posted October 15, 2015 Never had a RE - am I missing out? Are they THAT good? Some most definitely are. Well, the Asia Pacifico La Flor de Cano Grandiosos and Diplomatico Bushido I've had recently have been outstanding, that is for sure!
RickHendeson Posted October 18, 2015 Posted October 18, 2015 With the Regonal Release Program coming up to 10 years, how would you define it's contribution to the world of Cuban cigars......a success?...a pass?....a fail? Your favourite Regionals from the decade? Your worst Regionals from the decade? Keeping in mind that the the following Global Brands are excluded from the Regional Release Program (Cohiba/Upmann/Hoyo De Monterrey/Partagas/Montecristo/Romeo y Julieta).........from the brands remaining, if you could come up with a Regional......what would you put forward and bring to market Quoting Prez here b/c I'm hoping to get a definitive answer to the following question that has been bugging me a long time. Let me preface it by saying: I understand that vitola can affect taste. Set that aside. My question is, you see a lot of people, even FOG BOTL talking about the different "blends" of Regionals. Sometimes they will say things like, in order to make a Regional, Habanos will work with the distributor in question to make a blend to suit that region's particular taste. However, the Habanos SA website seems to say entirely the contrary. It says: "They are made from the standard tobaccos and blends for the brands in question with no special features." At some point I'd like a definitive answer: Is the blend in REs different from the regular production or not?
CaptainQuintero Posted October 18, 2015 Posted October 18, 2015 First rule of Cuban Cigar Club is never believe what hsa says, especially if its on their website! 2
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