The triple band?

[dangolf18]

It appears that the triple band is becoming more of the norm on limited release smokes. I know many of us scoff at double banded cigars, but now it appears the triple band is here to stay. Any insight as to why Habanos is doing this? I don't think sales are hurting by any means....

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[NSXCIGAR]

25 years of NC marketing has shown people like shiny things and will pay more for them. HSA has been slowly coming to the party for the last 15 years.

Anyone remember this huge band improvement that turned this into a huge seller? The Excalibur band was considered quite fancy for the time (c. 1992).

 

 

[JR Kipling]

If they keep up this trend, they better invent a smokable band. Who knows, they may eventually charge for ad space on them.

Note: Tobacco giant Altadis owns 50% of HSA.

[JZBdano]

The feet need more protection.  These things go half way around the world twice.

[PlatypusMaximus]

If they keep up this trend, they better invent a smokable band. Who knows, they may eventually charge for ad space on them.




Note: Tobacco giant Altadis owns 50% of HSA.

Wait ... We're not supposed to smoke the band's??

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[JMacSr]

25 years of NC marketing has shown people like shiny things and will pay more for them. HSA has been slowly coming to the party for the last 15 years.

Anyone remember this huge band improvement that turned this into a huge seller? The Excalibur band was considered quite fancy for the time (c. 1992).

 





 

That was one of the first cigars I ever smoked. Around 1993. Guess it "jumped out" at me.

That being said I much appreciate the simplicity and hate to see HSA ramping up the goofy marketing.


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[Dmpotocek]

The feet need more protection.  These things go half way around the world twice.

Honestly a band around the foot wouldn't be the worst thing in the world- in strictly a functional capacity. By the time the cigars make it to me, they've logged some serious transit time and almost without fail I get 1 or 2 broken feet in a box. I've even been known to take some NC ribbon foot bands and put them on my damaged sticks to protect them.


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[dominattorney]

I agree that a band on the foot is not a bad idea, provided that not too much glue is used and it doesn't adhere to the wrapper. I hate the secondary band though and could easily do without it  

[canadianbeaver]

Band or ribbon? At least we do not seem to see cello wrap on them too.

I find cello wrap and ribbon foot, plus thin cedar on an OX like hiring a stripper. Might as well have played "Love Potion Number 9" while we were in San Francisco too.

[JohnS]

On the other hand, adding another band adds cost does it not? And it seems that there's a tiered pricing program with Habanos S.A with all new releases anyway in comparison to regular production (for example, H.Upmann Connoisseur A in price to the regular production H.Upmann.) So, I guess I'm not against the band as such, rather, I'd hate it being used as an excuse to raise prices.

 

 

 

 

[Dmpotocek]

I may have found a solution... Cue the dramatic music


Now who do I speak to at HSA to green light this idea?


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[Smallclub]

11 minutes ago, JohnS said:

 So, I guess I'm not against the band as such, rather, I'd hate it being used as an excuse to raise prices.

Exactly. I mean, during the 20th century Cuba have shipped billions of unbanded cigars in cabinets, by BOAT. And these cigars arrived in good shape as far as we know…

Supposedly "damaged feet" that should be protected are a false problem. They must reach a max of 0.1% of all the cigars I've ordered from different countries.

[JohnS]

1 minute ago, Smallclub said:

Exactly. I mean, during the 20th century Cuba have shipped billions of unbanded cigars in cabinets, by BOAT. And these cigars arrived in good shape as far as we know…

Supposedly "damaged feet" that should be protected are a false problem. They must reach a max of 0.1% of all the cigars I've ordered from different countries.

^^^^This. So true.

[Corylax18]

12 minutes ago, Smallclub said:

Exactly. I mean, during the 20th century Cuba have shipped billions of unbanded cigars in cabinets, by BOAT. And these cigars arrived in good shape as far as we know…

Supposedly "damaged feet" that should be protected are a false problem. They must reach a max of 0.1% of all the cigars I've ordered from different countries.

Was about to say the same thing. No bands, or atleast no footbands seemed to cut the mustard for 100+ years with less sophisticated transportation methods. It seems purely marketing for me. Another additional cost that adds nothing to the quality and enjoyment of the cigar. Great, exactly whats needed. 

[oliverdst]

I imagine how happy guys in the factory will be: more work, same money.

[strikethebox7]

If you are gonna charge a premium for triple banding might as  well protect the foot, yea its shinny ad on but hopefully its purposeful 

[canadianbeaver]

Come to think of it, I love a great Cuban band when we are smoking, like Ibrahim Ferrer. 

 

[cigaraholic]

You've got to do something to dress up all the wind tunnels coming out of Cuba these days, what's better than a 3 banded wind tunnel......

 

[Fuzz]

Forget the triple band. Just cover the entire cigar like the Cuaba Diademas!

[bnasse9900]

The extra bands don't bother me, as long as it isn't the direct reasoning for price increases. I imagine prices will continue to increase regardless of band number...

On the other side of the spectrum, are there any cigars that are currently shipped unbanded? I've always enjoyed Westvleteren's beer packaging (no label). It's as if it says "I've made it. Labels are for commoners."

[Corylax18]

29 minutes ago, bnasse9900 said:

The extra bands don't bother me, as long as it isn't the direct reasoning for price increases. I imagine prices will continue to increase regardless of band number...

On the other side of the spectrum, are there any cigars that are currently shipped unbanded? I've always enjoyed Westvleteren's beer packaging (no label). It's as if it says "I've made it. Labels are for commoners."

Not anymore. They started banding everything in 2002 to help prevent counterfeiting. 

[1LegLance]

Oh how I remember the late 90's when I would get down to the last of a cab of something, toss them in my desktop and then promptly forget what it was.

So much fun digging out a stick and trying to figure out my taste alone what it was.

Punch RS, SLR's, Epi's and so many great unbanded sticks in cabs.

[NSXCIGAR]

3 hours ago, Dmpotocek said:

Now who do I speak to at HSA to green light this idea?

Way too good of an idea to get the green light at HSA... 

[MahDooRow]

Bands shmands.  I don't need no stinking bands.

[mrretrohale]

They can band up as much as they want just keep the cigars coming with consistently good quality. Heck they can even put it in cello.