Custom LCDH Rolls Sampler

[rxavier1979]

After hearing very interesting things from various people about custom house rolls at different LCDH locations in Cuba, I thought it might be an amazing opportunity to release a custom lcdh rolls sampler on an FOH 24:24 one of these days. Would def be something I would love to see. And then you know which you prefer so you can go to the roller him/herself on your next visit and order a box for yourself!!! 

Would aomething like this even be possible?

[strikethebox7]

Sounds like an awesome idea! One I would very much be interested in. From what I have read customs are often unique and very flavorful with a spectacular roll. Unfortunately I would imagine quantity's are very limited to actual LCDH's and not widely available in the market. Hopefully Rob or someone else can weigh in, think it would be a great opportunity for those of us that have yet to travel to any of the house's. Even a 5'r sampler would be great, one stick from each of the well know rollers.


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[Corylax18]

It would be near impossible to make this work, and they would end up being pretty pricey if it did. Each person can only bring so many unbanded cigars out of Cuba, without a factura. (75 I believe, to prevent exactly what you are describing) enforcement is lax, but it would require a group of people to get enough off the island to spread the overhead costs.  Then there is the issue of bringing them back into your country of origin to package and ship them. If undeclared, or declared for personal use it would technically be illegal to resell them. If declared as merchandise, for resale, then Taxes, Tariffs, etc. will double the end price of the cigars(or more depending on the country) Add in the cost for shipping, time for everybody involved, etc. and a $6 "Monsdale" is pushing $20 or more.  

Rob did get some custom roles ordered a few years ago that he sold here on the site, but it was a very limited run. They didn't end up doing it again. I can't speak to the exact reason(s), but there were most likely many.

[strikethebox7]

^Thanks for the explanation, I figured this would be a pipe dream filled with a lot of variables, still a great idea though

[JohnInCleveland]

It wouldn't be difficult to do, the difficult part would be scaling up.  For example, I could easily do a split between, say, 5 people.  I'd get the cigars, add a nominal fee to cover expenses and shipping, and voila, custom split.  

 

It's a bang up idea, what you need is a dedicated mule going to Cuba who wants to organize it.  

[Corylax18]

22 minutes ago, JohnInCleveland said:

It wouldn't be difficult to do, the difficult part would be scaling up.  For example, I could easily do a split between, say, 5 people.  I'd get the cigars, add a nominal fee to cover expenses and shipping, and voila, custom split.  

 

It's a bang up idea, what you need is a dedicated mule going to Cuba who wants to organize it.  

Exactly. Between what Cuba does to prevent this type of thing happening, and what most countries do to prevent any and all tobacco from being consumed its very tough to commercialize. Grabbing 3 or 4 bundles, and splitting them between a few guys is certainly doable though.

[El Presidente]

5 hours ago, Corylax18 said:

Rob did get some custom roles ordered a few years ago that he sold here on the site, but it was a very limited run. They didn't end up doing it again. I can't speak to the exact reason(s), but there were most likely many.

After the arrest of Manuel Garcia (VP Habanos), the world of shipping quantity of custom cigars out of Cuba tightened up. Unless I can bring in 2000 at a time it really makes it unfeasible. 

[gweilgi]

Two thoughts on this:

firstly, I have had custom rolls before, and IMHO they really do have to be smoked fresh off the table for the real experience.  YMMV, of course....

Secondly, I did chat to the owner of a LCDH about this once, and he told me that Cuba will consider doing a limited custom run for select customers if they were to order several thousand boxes.  This would potentially be a brilliant project, but the initial cost outlay would probably be prohibitive for all but the biggest merchants.  Of course, if I win the lotto tomorrow, all bets are off...

[canadianbeaver]

Don't mean to interrupt, but if a cigar is hand rolled, a couple of thousand boxes and exported, that could be any cigar out of Cuba.

No longer really the custom boutique item of a roller?

CB

[BrightonCorgi]

12 hours ago, gweilgi said:

Two thoughts on this:

firstly, I have had custom rolls before, and IMHO they really do have to be smoked fresh off the table for the real experience.  YMMV, of course....

Secondly, I did chat to the owner of a LCDH about this once, and he told me that Cuba will consider doing a limited custom run for select customers if they were to order several thousand boxes. 

There have been B&M specific Habanos before that are unique& exclusive to the store.

[Fugu]

10 hours ago, canadianbeaver said:

Don't mean to interrupt, but if a cigar is hand rolled, a couple of thousand boxes and exported, that could be any cigar out of Cuba.

Spot on CB. That's what they call the regional program.

And those already are sometimes hard to get moved by the importers, let alone a single B&M or Casa.

[Fugu]

9 hours ago, BrightonCorgi said:

There have been B&M specific Habanos before that are unique& exclusive to the store.

Mind to expand on this, Corgi - where and when? Not heard of such so far - apart from the likes of the old Dunhill comissioned exclusives or rare exceptions such as the Wolters Salomones. The trading structure today won't usually allow a single shop to import anything directly. It all has to go through the exclusive importers. - Usually....

[MrGlass]

13 minutes ago, Fugu said:

Mind to expand on this, Corgi - where and when? Not heard of such so far - apart from the likes of the old Dunhill comissioned exclusives or rare exceptions such as the Wolters Salomones. 

What about the Ramon Allones Hunters & Frankau Aniversario 225?

[Fugu]

H&F is an importer not a Casa or B&M.

[canadianbeaver]

49 minutes ago, Fugu said:

H&F is an importer not a Casa or B&M.

And H&F, in my humble opinion, is exploited as a selling feature that is not really worth extra $.

Cuban cigars sold online should have the cajones of the code on the bottom of the box that adds value. The reputation of the retailer is why you are purchasing there, not elsewhere.

Marking the price higher for H&F, as opposed to some other kind, is unjust.

 

 

[gweilgi]

3 hours ago, canadianbeaver said:

And H&F, in my humble opinion, is exploited as a selling feature that is not really worth extra $.

Cuban cigars sold online should have the cajones of the code on the bottom of the box that adds value. The reputation of the retailer is why you are purchasing there, not elsewhere.

Marking the price higher for H&F, as opposed to some other kind, is unjust.

 

 

Yes and no.

Yes, we should be buying factory codes and retailers rather than wholesale importers because that is what really matters (or should), and because it is the retailer who ultimately is responsible for the quality of the product he offers to his loyal customers.  

But no, we also need to take importers into account because they are not all the same.  Things may be different in other parts of the world, of course, but in my experience, buying the same cigar in different European countries distributed by different importers will very much show clear differences in quality.  For instance, I do prefer H&F over 5th Avenue quite simply because for whatever reason they tend to offer me better grade cigars.  And boxes of the same cigar with the same factory codes will reliably be of a higher quality when purchased in Switzerland (again, strictly in my experience and opinion), a circumstance I do put down to superior quality control and handling by the importer.  

As always, just my tuppence and YMMV...

[BrightonCorgi]

14 hours ago, Fugu said:

Mind to expand on this, Corgi - where and when? Not heard of such so far - apart from the likes of the old Dunhill comissioned exclusives or rare exceptions such as the Wolters Salomones. The trading structure today won't usually allow a single shop to import anything directly. It all has to go through the exclusive importers. - Usually....

First one that comes to mind is Portmann's.  They sells a Habanos rolled robusto that reminded me of Robusto T in flavor rolled at Upmann Factory.  I am sure there are others...

 

[Fugu]

2 hours ago, BrightonCorgi said:

First one that comes to mind is Portmann's.  They sells a Habanos rolled robusto that reminded me of Robusto T in flavor rolled at Upmann Factory.  I am sure there are others...

Oh yes, forgot about the famous Portmann jar!

[Corylax18]

One of the royal families from the middle east has also had special runs produced. I cant remember if it was the UAE or maybe Qatar. I dont know much about those customs, but I have seen a few guys talking about them on the forum. They looked beautiful. Smooth, shiny, peanut butter colored wrappers. 

[MaxG]

The one I saw discussed on here not too long ago was Saudi Arabia, "KSA" on the band.

- MG

 

[strikethebox7]

Still would love to see a review on one of those unobtainable KSA's, just to live vicariously, sounds so intriguing


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[Corylax18]

4 hours ago, MaxG said:

The one I saw discussed on here not too long ago was Saudi Arabia, "KSA" on the band.

- MG

 

Yup, those were the ones. Green and white band, similar to the old RA bands if im not mistaken. 

[BrightonCorgi]

Are KSA branded cigars sold in B&M's in the Kingdom?

[Corylax18]

22 minutes ago, BrightonCorgi said:

Are KSA branded cigars sold in B&M's in the Kingdom?

Not to my knowledge. Similar to the origins of Cohiba I think the family gives some out to diplomats, respected guests, etc. The Saudi Royal family is massive, literally thousands of people. It would be interesting to know which prince had these commisioned, or maybe they ran it through Al Saud Inc?

[BrightonCorgi]

Is there any history on the Cohiba's that the Hussein's were often pictured smoking?  They looked like a longer Lancero.