Yikes! What is going on with those RGs!!

[godpheonix]

ok so what the hell is going on with the FAT ring gauges? i mean has anyone seen how many of the new release are more than 52rg? its like 90%!! to me personally, that's really bad, since i mostly smoke 50rg and under and prefer 46rg as it just  seems like the perfect size and it usually draws well. so how are you taking this RG  FAT trend and whats your preference in RG?  

[Ethernut]

So many conversations about this over the last couple years. The consensus here is generally one of lament. The consensus for HSA is one of, I'm sure, "Give 'em what they want." The market is demanding large ring gauges and there's no stopping it right now.. It's my understanding that the largest portion of the Cigar smoking populous are not connoisseurs. Here in the States, most cigar folks will look at you funny if you hand them a corona. 

Welcome to the new normal..

[IronW]

It's an unfortunate truth that the larger RG is becoming all too normal. I personally prefer to stay in the 42 to 50 RG area, they seem to smoke great and have a good flavor profile vs other vitolas. 

 

BRING BACK RG IN THE 40S!

[laficion]

Hi all,

A large RG Is mainly In the American market and has become all too common In the U.S.A. . It"s not a European thing.

It"s a sad thing that Habanos S.A. Is looking to please the American market with big RG cigars.

It's too bad, that on this subject, Habanos  S.A. Is a follower and not a leader.

Guy

[oliverdst]

Rafael Gonzales

[Philc2001]

Put me in the group that prefers small ring (38-46). I don't mind the occasional robusto at 50, but I grew up on a steady diet of coronas, petit coronas, corona gordas, lonsdales and even enjoyed lanceros.

The shift to the larger gauges seems to be driven by competition between manufacturers to differentiate their products, rather than consumers confirming their preference. I have several non-cc smoking friends, and nearly all of them prefer 50 or less, but they tend to run out and buy anything new, especially if it gets rave reviews. Slap a 95 rating on a dog rocket and people will buy it. Let's face it, it keeps tobacco growers in business, growing more and more tobacco even if the market is not actually growing.

[SCgarman]

1 hour ago, laficion said:

Hi all,

A large RG Is mainly In the American market and has become all to common In the U.S.A. . It"s not a European thing.

It"s a sad thing that Habanos S.A. Is looking to please the American market with big RG cigars.

It's too bad, that on this subject, Habanos  S.A. Is a follower and not a leader.

Guy

The almighty dollar $$$ rules. They are going to make what sells, and Cuban cigars have a big market share despite not legally being sold here on American soil.

[Colt45]

If I recall correctly, the large gauges have been big sellers in the Middle Eastern and Asian Markets for years - and really, where are most of these cigars sold overall? Who buys all the Behikes and whatnots?

While producers who sell cigars in the U.S. have been going "thinner" over the past years, Havana continues to go fatter. And to be honest, parejos of 54+ have always been a novelty - at least for me.

[Dave001]

yea this is a topic that's discussed quite a bit everywhere I light up as well, I know I said this in another post but 90% of my cigars are RG 44 and under my favorite RG is 33 and 38 used to be 28 anyone remember the monte no 7? what a fantastic stick that was

but unfortunately its all about profits and everyone including grandma wants 52+ ill pass

[cigaraholic]

HSA is saving me a lot of $$$ with the donkey dicks...

[Profmd]

Definitely in the minority, but don't mind them at all.

always have tended to like larger RG cigars, as well as DC size also.

Dont know why, just have always seemed to enjoy them more.

[El Presidente]

Just now, Profmd said:

Definitely in the minority, but don't mind them at all.

always have tended to like larger RG cigars, as well as DC size also.

Dont know why, just have always seemed to enjoy them more.

You are not in the minority.......if you were, they wouldn't be making them 

Guy, you can throw in the Middle East and much of the Asian market as Colt said. 

[Sean3]

Anything over 52 ring gauge can make my jaw creek and pop, so I avoid anything larger...I do make an exception for the Upmann Mag 56 LE, that's just too damn good to pass!

[Mattb82]

I'm another fan of larger ring gauges. Almost all robusto in my humi and I don't mind the larger LEs at all 

[Baldy]

I too I'm not a fan of any RG over 52. 

However so long as people keep selling their first born, gladly give their right nut, donate an arm and mortgage the house for a box of large RG, over priced, double banded exclusive bragging power, it's going to get worse and worse.  We cigars smokers like to complain but do little.  In Canada, every cigar smoker complains about the restrictive smoking laws but will do nothing to change it.  The Canadian government, like HSA, knows this.

[Smallclub]

5 minutes ago, Hutch said:

Twelve Regionals for France, and only one (1) was <50RG.

Exact, but I can tell you that the french cigar "community" (there are many "cigar clubs" here) has NEVER been consulted regarding the choice of vitola/marca for the french REs.

The decision is taken in all discretion at the importer/distributor (Altadis for Quai d'O + PL, Coprova for other marcas).

[Mattb82]

20 minutes ago, Baldy said:

I too I'm not a fan of any RG over 52. 

However so long as people keep selling their first born, gladly give their right nut, donate an arm and mortgage the house for a box of large RG, over priced, double banded exclusive bragging power, it's going to get worse and worse.  We cigars smokers like to complain but do little.  In Canada, every cigar smoker complains about the restrictive smoking laws but will do nothing to change it.  The Canadian government, like HSA, knows this.

So because I like large ring cigars I'm doing this for bragging rights? Or taking another mortgage on my house? I can afford everything I buy thanks and still have both my nuts. Maybe people buy them because they like them just as you may like a smaller RG, to each their own.  Side note I'm a solo cigar smoker as none of my friends like them so there isn't anyone to "brag" to. 

[shlomo]

2 hours ago, Mattb82 said:

So because I like large ring cigars I'm doing this for bragging rights? Or taking another mortgage on my house? I can afford everything I buy thanks and still have both my nuts. Maybe people buy them because they like them just as you may like a smaller RG, to each their own.  Side note I'm a solo cigar smoker as none of my friends like them so there isn't anyone to "brag" to. 

Time for some new friends. 

[Mattb82]

100%. Cigar Lounge here was good but they frown on bringing CC in now

3 minutes ago, shlomo said:

Time for some new friends. 

 

[JohnS]

My feelings about this issue is summed up in my current signature (yes, I love those classic 42 ring gauge cigars), however, it's prompted me to think about my inventory today.

My current Home Humidor 52 rg and up inventory - 27.4%

My current On-line Humidor 52 rg and up inventory - 26.9%

Uncanny how close the numbers are, yet, I didn't plan that way at all!

[Bohn007]

5 hours ago, Mattb82 said:

100%. Cigar Lounge here was good but they frown on bringing CC in now

 

You always have a friend in Chicago Matt! Drop in anytime. 

[Mattb82]

2 hours ago, Bohn007 said:

You always have a friend in Chicago Matt! Drop in anytime. 

Thanks brother 

[SCgarman]

14 hours ago, Baldy said:

I too I'm not a fan of any RG over 52. 

However so long as people keep selling their first born, gladly give their right nut, donate an arm and mortgage the house for a box of large RG, over priced, double banded exclusive bragging power, it's going to get worse and worse.  We cigars smokers like to complain but do little.  In Canada, every cigar smoker complains about the restrictive smoking laws but will do nothing to change it.  The Canadian government, like HSA, knows this.

You neighbors in Canada need something similar to the Cigar Rights of America that we have here in the US.  Certainly there are folks with means and politicians that are advocates for cigars? Or no?

[cigcars]

    * From the very beginning of when I became an aficionado of the Leaf, I'd be schooled by the various tobacconists about these ring gauge actions: it seemed that the larger and fatter the ring gauge on quite a few of these smokes - the more airy and light in flavor they were - practically NO taste or strength at all. The tobacconists would advise me that in actuality - this was just a ruse to make the public think they were getting more for their buck, when in reality the darn things would be deliberately underfilled with tobacco.  I have found this to be this to be the case even with some Regional releases. I'd acquired a fat corona gorda size Regional Por Larranaga for the UK market, and I might as well have been puckering my lips and just sucking in open atmosphere for all the tobacco quality there - and yes, this was from a legitimate vendor. The smaller petites and so on are generally nicely packed tight with enough leaf to be a very satisfying smoke for its short durability in time. But I've always been a lonsdale and torpedo shaped preferrer of the leaf. 

[Cep]

20 hours ago, Baldy said:

I too I'm not a fan of any RG over 52. 

However so long as people keep selling their first born, gladly give their right nut, donate an arm and mortgage the house for a box of large RG, over priced, double banded exclusive bragging power, it's going to get worse and worse.  We cigars smokers like to complain but do little.  In Canada, every cigar smoker complains about the restrictive smoking laws but will do nothing to change it.  The Canadian government, like HSA, knows this.

What do you suggest we do to change it?   

Fact of life these days, aint nothin gonna change.