Cohiba 50 Aniversario Humidor To Start at $220,000

[gweilgi]

34 minutes ago, NSXCIGAR said:

I believe I see your point here. I suppose an analogy would be the same reason VW doesn't take the resources and materials being used for Lamborghinis and apply them toward Jettas--a car that more people buy, most people like, represents their bread-and-butter client, and is practical. I do get that. 

That analogy points to another potential motive: the halo effect.  Volkswagen's investment in super-rarified hypercars such as the Bugatti or the Audi helps to upgrade the image of their more practical and affordable offerings.  People covet the BMW M3 for the supreme driving machine that it is ... so when it's time to choose the company car, they plump for the 316 diesel because it's the closest they can come, and it shares the same "genes".  Surely it would not be too far-fetched to assume that reporting of super-rare and ultra-expensive Cohiba humidors could have the same effect further down the range?

 

34 minutes ago, NSXCIGAR said:

And the reasoning is the same. Partially profit, and partially prestige/image. I'm sure HSA makes a pretty penny on these "collectibles", including LEs and REs. The margins are certainly higher. The more "special" a release is, the greater their margin, no doubt. I doubt it costs more than $5-10K to commission an Elie Bleu humidor and stick 50 mediocre large RG cigars in it that will sell for $200k. Easy money.

In the case of cigars, as with luxury/exotic cars, their is an inherent collectibility and extrinsic value. Every one of those Cohiba 40th could have been rolled with donkey poop. It would still command a fortune. Just like Ferrari and Lotus made utter crap for decades, yet the cars were still sought after, expensive and collectible. 

For the hyper-wealthy, price and the associated bragging rights may be their own reward .... if only as an extreme example of conspicuous consumption.  Some of them compete to see who can own the biggest yacht.  Others buy Picassos so they can declare "look at me, I can afford to spend $100,000,000 on a square metre of wall covering."  

Either way, I pity such folk.  To me, what matters is the enjoyment, the experience.  Would I have a better time at the Nuremberg Ring in a million-dollar Bugatti rather than a cheap-as-chips Caterham?  Would I enjoy a painting more if it cost me a hundred million rather than $100?  Is a day at the beach better because it is on my very own Caribbean island rather than down at Bondi?  Some of the best smoking memories of my life have been with mass-produced Villigers, a cheap bottle of wine and the company of good friends ... it did not require a Behike and a bottle of Petrus.  If a price tag becomes the defining requirement, then I reckon that's a very sad sign of an ultimately impoverished life.  

Just my tuppence....

 

34 minutes ago, NSXCIGAR said:

So even though I, like you, could nuke the entire special release approach right down to the LEs and REs and be thrilled with nothing but high-quality regular production for the rest of my life, I can't really criticize HSA or any outfit for this approach. And BTW, if I won the lottery, I would very much enjoy trying to accumulate anything and everything Cuba ever produced. I would be flying all over the world accumulating cigars and buying at auctions. There could be worse hobbies, and the fact that almost nothing Cuban ever depreciates, it's not really a bad use of money.

As long as you don't lose the enjoyment you get out of regular production smokes...

[Akela3rd]

Well said. The halo effect is definitely a part of it all - Cohiba is HSAs flagship bling brand (most expensive regular production, intrinsically linked to modern Cuban history through Castro, and becoming rarer allegedly through distribution rates) and therefore has been given the full $220k treatment. This not only reflects on the perception of the brand, but to a lesser extent, CCs (and even NCs) as luxury items. Only last night my Mrs asked me where my cigar (Monte) came from and when I said Cuba she replied with a sarcastic "Ooh, get you! ".

Yes, they are perceived as a luxury. Yes, they are simply a cigar too. These Cohibas at the end of the day are simply cigars but also embedded in a whole cornucopia of art, mythology, marketing, avarice and (let's not forget) fun. This thread has had a good run and we've enjoyed putting our twopenneth in - it's been fun, enjoyable, engaging, something which would not have happened if the 50th anniversary humidor was a packing crate, dressed up nicely with some angled and slotted drawers added. That, in itself, has value.

The question now is - who's going to be the first to spark one of these up and how will it effect the perceived value of the humidor? If the cigars are that good, could one missing - IE smoked and tested and declared magical - actually increase the value of the remaining 49 or will it be an incomplete set? Only those with the deepest pockets will know.

[PigFish]

I think after reading some of the last few posts, my point has been conveyed. There is little more than I can ask for.

Rest assured gentlemen, I am not against profit! I am for sticking up for my end of the market. My end of the market is not, nor will it ever be $5000 cigars! I am not at all against 'soaking' speculators (as that is what these people are) who buy this stuff. If you are not going to eventually smoke a cigar, you are collecting it, or speculating on it. There can be no other reason. In my humble mind, this is a waste of fine tobacco! Tobacco is not to be worshiped, but utilized. (MHO only)

Have no doubt in your mind that while I am almost always critical of Tabacuba, I have not once attacked them on this thread for 'soaking the speculator.' I would too if I were them! I am supporting my interests.

Where I have criticized them, here somewhat and in the past, is the move from traditional 'perfected and true' cigars to that of new and untested, dressed up for the collector cigars. It is not a one part process, but a two part process. One part, making the special cigars, is not for me, but I could care less about it. The second part is the winnowing out of the many of the best cigars ever to come from Cuba. Not best perhaps a in the eyes of the collector and speculator, but in the eye of one smoker. As I said, I don't blame them for making editions for collectors as it makes money, but can you not spare some tobacco for the Partagas SdC, or the RA Coronas? Rollback and control inventory, I get it, but decimate the Diplomatico line... for what, more 60 ring cigars???

You don't need to over-produce them and make them by the billions, just enough for me to buy a handful of boxes a year. You see, I want to smoke them and own enough to make me though harder times. I don't care if they go up in value!!! I don't want them to be rare! I just want to smoke some, give some away and promote smoking and your brand as I have done for decades.

My writings and my cigar activism, my generosity has brought quite a few people to the table for Tabacuba. I am a true grassroots supporter. Tabacuba, do you want to abandon me and the many like me for the EL program? The program I detest (from a consumer perspective) and run down on every occasion. Is there not enough room for all of us in a well managed company?

I leave you all with that!

Cheers! -Piggy

[oliverdst]

I´ve just talked to Mr PigFish and he is organizing a FoH Cohiba Humidor split!!!!

$5000 each quote and in the end the humidor will be raffled!

Just to the 50 first who send him a message: http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/profile/79-pigfish/

You are welcome

[PigFish]

15 minutes ago, oliverdst said:

I´ve just talked to Mr PigFish and he is organizing a FoH Cohiba Humidor split!!!!

$5000 each quote and in the end the humidor will be raffled!

Just to the 50 first who send him a message: http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/profile/79-pigfish/

You are welcome

... being on the International Olympic committee, I have decided to direct free parking for Olympics to your neighborhood! Your home will also be indicated on the web information page as a relief station... -Piggy

 

PS: No problem, you're welcome!!!