GLA, PUB, UPM from 2008

[Preacher man]

Anyone had any experience with these box codes (GLA; PUB; UPM) from 2008 or know what factories they are from? 

[Bohn007]

I believe UPM is the Upmann Factory

[NSXCIGAR]

Smoked a lot of cigars in 07-09 and I don't recognize any of those codes. Apparently there was one box with the code of UPM put up for the 24:24 in 2008 or 2009. If records are kept, might be able to identify what that was.

The Jose Marti (Upmann) factory codes from 07-09 were USE and MOA. It isn't any of the Havana factory codes from that time. From 07-09 codes were El Laguito MEL/LBT; FPG (Partagas) TEB/LRE; La Corona EMA/OPM, FD (Pinar Del Rio) OUR. BM (RyJ) isn't clear but I've narrowed it down to these: SUA/AGU/GAS/URO/TBB/SOA

Most likely if those are codes at all, they're oddball provincial factories. Can you tell us on what cigars these codes appeared? My guess would be either JLP, Vegueros, Troya, Belinda or Guantanamera.

[Preacher man]

5 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

Smoked a lot of cigars in 07-09 and I don't recognize any of those codes. Apparently there was one box with the code of UPM put up for the 24:24 in 2008 or 2009. If records are kept, might be able to identify what that was.

The Jose Marti (Upmann) factory codes from 07-09 were USE and MOA. It isn't any of the Havana factory codes from that time. From 07-09 codes were El Laguito MEL/LBT; FPG (Partagas) TEB/LRE; La Corona EMA/OPM, FD (Pinar Del Rio) OUR. BM (RyJ) isn't clear but I've narrowed it down to these: SUA/AGU/GAS/URO/TBB/SOA

Most likely if those are codes at all, they're oddball provincial factories. Can you tell us on what cigars these codes appeared? My guess would be either JLP, Vegueros, Troya, Belinda or Guantanamera.

Montecristo Churchills Anejados Box 25. GLA FEB 08. 

[GasGuy82]

11 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

Smoked a lot of cigars in 07-09 and I don't recognize any of those codes. Apparently there was one box with the code of UPM put up for the 24:24 in 2008 or 2009. If records are kept, might be able to identify what that was.

The Jose Marti (Upmann) factory codes from 07-09 were USE and MOA. It isn't any of the Havana factory codes from that time. From 07-09 codes were El Laguito MEL/LBT; FPG (Partagas) TEB/LRE; La Corona EMA/OPM, FD (Pinar Del Rio) OUR. BM (RyJ) isn't clear but I've narrowed it down to these: SUA/AGU/GAS/URO/TBB/SOA

Most likely if those are codes at all, they're oddball provincial factories. Can you tell us on what cigars these codes appeared? My guess would be either JLP, Vegueros, Troya, Belinda or Guantanamera.

I thought Briones Montoto stopped rolling cigars in the early 2000's, like 2002?

[NSXCIGAR]

12 hours ago, Preacher man said:

Montecristo Churchills Anejados Box 25. GLA FEB 08. 

Ah, yes, that explains it. Fugazi program, fugazi code.  

Forgot to check the Anejados codes. Of course. Almost all the Anejados have wacky codes--GLA, PUB, PGT, AML, LSM, ALR, ARO. Some of the Hoyos do have previously known codes GSO, ROA and I see a OBE code for the Monte which was a prevalent one in 07-08.

6 hours ago, GasGuy82 said:

I thought Briones Montoto stopped rolling cigars in the early 2000's, like 2002?

As far as I understand BM at Belascoain 852 was still in operation through at least 09 and possibly 10. I know there's been some renovation dark periods among many factories, but all my sources point to it being in operation until at least 09. I could be wrong, so if someone else knows please comment.

[Preacher man]

14 minutes ago, NSXCIGAR said:

Ah, yes, that explains it. Fugazi program, fugazi code.  

Forgot to check the Anejados codes. Of course. Almost all the Anejados have wacky codes--GLA, PUB, PGT, AML, LSM, ALR, ARO. Some of the Hoyos do have previously known codes GSO, ROA and I see a OBE code for the Monte which was a prevalent one in 07-08.

Sorry, I'm pretty new to the game....are those all fake codes for the Anejados in 2008??

[NSXCIGAR]

14 minutes ago, Preacher man said:

Sorry, I'm pretty new to the game....are those all fake codes for the Anejados in 2008??

Not at all. A bit of an inside joke at FOH regarding the legitimacy of the program itself within Cuba. The codes are "real" and the Anejados program is an official HSA release. That's all I'll say about it... 

[earthson]

Had GLA RyJ Ex4s from 08 that were crazy - the wrappers were colorado Claro to Claro and were all red wine notes in place of the more-recent cherriness. The wood notes were more exotic, too.  I wish I still had a few of those around!