A Diplomaticos Excelencia RE rant

[JoeyW]

Just saw a guy selling them 300$ usd a box +shipping ... fricking bs if you ask me

[JohnInCleveland]

Got a box each time I went, I more got them for the commemoration of the event that the cigar itself. That isn't to say I don't look forward to trying them, they look great. Being able to get a box code that was actually made during my first trip will give me a really cool way to remember my maiden voyage in a few years.

I'm not 10% the cigar wiz of most of the people on here, but in my limited experience, it isn't necessary to chase regional releases to get incredible cigars.

For the most part, the scarcity is more the allure than the quality. I had an economics teacher in high school who insisted that supply has absolutely no impact on demand. He was pretty wise, but on that specific issue, I beg to differ. The perceived rarity makes them highly sought after. Whether they justify the hefty second-hand markup is in the eye of the beholder...

[nav4040]

  On 4/5/2016 at 1:49 AM, JoeyW said:

Just saw a guy selling them 300$ usd a box +shipping ... fricking bs if you ask me

and I see LCDH shops in Europe asking 300€ for them too....

[GavLew79]

People have put it far more eloquently than me but...i bought in the UK for £175. To put it in perspective, that's the same price as a box of 10 Monte 2.

Did I have £10k to spend on a holiday to Cuba? No.

Am I glad the retailer bought some? Yes. Otherwise I'd never have got hold of them.

[Diamondog]

No issue picking these up in some volume in Havana last week. I had even forgot to have a look and when i remembered I happened to be in a cigar shop and sure enough, no issue. Really nice cigar...completely impressed and much better than the Infantes IMO.

[SUMAIL]

  On 3/18/2016 at 8:42 PM, oliverdst said:

I HAVE A SEALED BOX TO SELL!!!!

US$1.000,00 + SHIPPING

IF YOU CAN´T AFFORD IT DON´T CRY, GO TO CUBA AND BUY IT BY YOURSELF!!!!!!

[Guest photorob]

I made 3 separate visits to shops in Havana last week...maybe I would have had an easier time if I visited more, but upon asking the staff the answers I received were:

1) "No, (laughter + smile)".

2) "No, sold out, (annoyed look)".

3) "Yes, but not for you"...He then confessed that they had 2 boxes on hold for someone staying at the hotel (this was Nacional LCDH). We spoke for a while about cigars, he seemed like he really wanted to help me out and was stuck between a rock and a hard place. This was my last day in Havana, at this point I was already certain and ok with the fact that I'd return home without them. I mentioned that I had been shopping for a few days and that I appreciated his time and honesty regarding what was in stock. He then goes and has a word with the ladies behind the desk, comes back with a huge smile on his face, reaches into a small wooden humidor hidden behind a bunch of boxes and hands me a box that I could purchase...and I am extremely grateful.

My box serial # is in the 4000s/7000 so they definitely aren't gone yet, but it's very obvious they are being careful of who they are selling them to.

Alternatively, a friend of mine was in Veradero 2 months ago and was able to secure 3 boxes for he and a friend without issue. Bizarre.

[zeedubbya]

Awesome BOTL and I just met up on Wednesday for quick lunch and he made my day by presenting me with this box.  Could he have flipped them for triple or quadruple what he paid, yes.  Did he make my week by making a trade for some other very rare sticks, yes.  I'm extremely thankful I was able to get this box.   Wonderful looking cigars, and an even better gesture.