Rumours From Havana

[El Presidente]

Rumour is that the buyer of Imperials 50% share of HSA will be announced end of September. 

The InterTabac Dortmund fair  (20th to c 22nd SEP) could be very interesting this year 

[CaptainQuintero]

Chances of Man City owner's dipping their toes in? Fair odds I'd reckon, the shirt sponsorship deals would be interesting. That sky blue with Cohiba yellow, black and white checkers!

[TBird55]

Best guess? 

[El Presidente]

1 minute ago, CaptainQuintero said:

Chances of Man City owner's dipping their toes in? Fair odds I'd reckon, the shirt sponsorship deals would be interesting. That sky blue with Cohiba yellow, black and white checkers!

 

I can tell you that the final bidders do indeed include privateer groups from all parts of the globe. 

 

[kalibratecuba]

Please not China.

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[stogieluver]

Would someone please enlighten the unwashed?  

[El Presidente]

On 8/28/2019 at 10:17 AM, stogieluver said:

Would someone please enlighten the unwashed?  

Imperial are offloading their cigar portfolio including their 50% share in HSA

The Cubans will have a new partner. 

[argrovesjd]

Hypothetically....What if Cuba nationalizes that 50%?


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[El Presidente]

On 8/28/2019 at 10:24 AM, argrovesjd said:

Hypothetically....What if Cuba nationalizes that 50%?


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Cuban cigars would likely be banned in the rest of the world. 

[El Presidente]

1 minute ago, argrovesjd said:

Hypothetically....What if Cuba nationalizes that 50%?


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Assuming compensation wasn't paid, Cuban cigars would likely be banned in the rest of the world. 

They need a partner as they are dead set motherless broke. 

 

[El Presidente]

Let's resurrect this one. 

Consistent rumours of a structure change at the top end of Habanos.  

Now mind you, these rumours have been around for 18 months. Still, the drums are beating louder over the past 6 months.

Good time to bring this thread back. If you have any "intel" post it up. Keep in mind, so far, global "intel" over the past 2 years has been woefully wrong 

[LizardGizmo]

4 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Let's resurrect this one. 
Consistent rumours of a structure change at the top end of Habanos.  
Now mind you, these rumours have been around for 18 months. Still, the drums are beating louder over the past 6 months.
Good time to bring this thread back. If you have any "intel" post it up. Keep in mind, so far, global "intel" over the past 2 years has been woefully wrong 

I heard from someone I very much trust in Havana that another sale is coming, apparently to a group led by Qataris.

With that being said, I am skeptical.

[El Presidente]

4 hours ago, LizardGizmo said:

I heard from someone I very much trust in Havana that another sale is coming, apparently to a group led by Qataris.

With that being said, I am skeptical.

That is indeed a strong rumour. I can't quite piece together the reasoning why if sold, it  wouldn't be to another Asian conglomerate. Still, if it is to go outside of Asia, the Middle East makes sense. 

[Marco_011t556]

4 hours ago, LizardGizmo said:

I heard from someone I very much trust in Havana that another sale is coming, apparently to a group led by Qataris.

With that being said, I am skeptical.

Same heard here…consortium from Middle East bought from the Chinese consortium. Not LV indeed.

[Cigar Surgeon]

I've heard the share that is up for grabs is the Altadis portion.  

[chasy]

It’s Cuba.Ai and they are raising a hefty growth round from PIF.

[JohnnyO]

Recently Habanos SA is training rollers with the promise of 34K to 38K Cuban pesos monthly ($100). A salary that was unheard of in the past. They are also training rollers at "El Combinado", a jail that houses Cubans that have been sentenced to 20+ years. It houses some of Havana's most vicious criminals. La Corona rollers/teachers/management are supervising the roll. Profit margins going through the roof. John

[JohnS]

No rumours, but I have facts dating from the establishment of the modern post-Revolution Cuba from the early sixties. Pretty much everyone who wants to go into business with the Cuban Government gets enticed by a beautiful deal/pay-off. They end up wanting to cut their losses and bail out. 

No surprises if we hear confirmed that the current Hong Kong consortium want out of their current deal with Habanos S.A.

[benfica_77]

15 minutes ago, JohnS said:

No rumours, but I have facts dating from the establishment of the modern post-Revolution Cuba from the early sixties. Pretty much everyone who wants to go into business with the Cuban Government gets enticed by a beautiful deal/pay-off. They end up wanting to cut their losses and bail out. 

No surprises if we hear confirmed that the current Hong Kong consortium want out of their current deal with Habanos S.A.

Agreed John this seems to be the cycle....

[JohnnyO]

17 hours ago, JohnS said:

No rumours, but I have facts dating from the establishment of the modern post-Revolution Cuba from the early sixties. Pretty much everyone who wants to go into business with the Cuban Government gets enticed by a beautiful deal/pay-off. They end up wanting to cut their losses and bail out. 

No surprises if we hear confirmed that the current Hong Kong consortium want out of their current deal with Habanos S.A.

John, they schtup everybody. John

[Fuzz]

I have heard rumours that Ken may be running for President again. 

[ha_banos]

On 6/11/2025 at 10:21 AM, JohnS said:

No rumours, but I have facts dating from the establishment of the modern post-Revolution Cuba from the early sixties. Pretty much everyone who wants to go into business with the Cuban Government gets enticed by a beautiful deal/pay-off. They end up wanting to cut their losses and bail out. 

No surprises if we hear confirmed that the current Hong Kong consortium want out of their current deal with Habanos S.A.

But they know this. Perhaps the Qataris aren't that bothered. A couple billion to get into the fun. Why should KSA have all the exclusive cigars!?

9 hours ago, Fuzz said:

I have heard rumours that Ken may be running for President again. 

Ken Hemingway. 

Bring back the good old days.

[sbsbsb1]

On 6/11/2025 at 7:47 AM, JohnnyO said:

Recently Habanos SA is training rollers with the promise of 34K to 38K Cuban pesos monthly ($100). A salary that was unheard of in the past. They are also training rollers at "El Combinado", a jail that houses Cubans that have been sentenced to 20+ years. It houses some of Havana's most vicious criminals. La Corona rollers/teachers/management are supervising the roll. Profit margins going through the roof. John

Is this true or a joke?  If any chance of truth, it's the most concerning rumor I've heard. Not sure I want to be paying ultra-premium prices for prison rolls?

[JohnnyO]

No joke bubba. They are training them for 9 months and they say the quality is quite good. My info comes from a roller who was offered a job there to teach class. They pick you up at your home, drive you out to El Combinado del Este which is south of Playas del Este. Its a 9-5 thing and then they drive you back home. My friend did not want to do it as the murderers row aspect of it was a deal killer. John 

[Puros Y Vino]

31 minutes ago, sbsbsb1 said:

Is this true or a joke?  If any chance of truth, it's the most concerning rumor I've heard.  Not sure I want to be paying ultra-premium prices for prison rolls?

I'd be wary of the ones that get smuggled out.  😬