Reserva & Gran Reserva: worth their price?

[Lunettesman]

Hi the community,

Hope everyone is having an excellent week. For some reasons, I come across a few Reserva and Gran Reserva recently. Reputable swiss vendor and I don't doubt of the authenticity of the sticks. My questions are regarding the price and the actual pleasure you get out of these. I know both price and pleasure are things we live differently. But in short, were the Gran Reserva and Reserva that you ve smoked worth the price? If yes (or if no), which stick was it?

Thank you for sharing. I d like to buy some of these exclusive edition but a bit worry on what i d get for such a high price.

[Corylax18]

In the end, its up to you. No two people have the same view of the value proposition or the same palette. I have been lucky enough to try both the Lusitania Grand Reserva and the CORO Reserva. Both were excellent cigars, but both cost you 10x or more of their Regular production equivalent. Was either cigar 10x better than a quality, well aged regular production version? No, not even close. The math doesn't make sense for me, but it does for some.  

[Lunettesman]

6 minutes ago, Corylax18 said:

In the end, its up to you. Nobody has the same the same view of the value proposition or the same palette. I have been lucky enough to try both the Lusitania Grand Reserva and the CORO Reserva. Both were excellent cigars, but both cost you 10x or more of their Regular production equivalent. Was either cigar 10x better than a quality, well aged regular production version? No, not even close. The math doesn't make sense for me, but it does for some.  

Well buddy thank you for the answer. It s what I suspect too. Are they really like 10 times better?!?! I doubt. 

 

I love the Lustitania and I definitely buy the GR version, more because it's like a mistic cigar for me. 

 

And the CoRo Reserva is a stick I ve been proposed to buy and I'm still debating I think. Not sure. For the price I can get a 10er of something I really like. 

[Puros Y Vino]

Hey there.  I've had the chance smoke a few GR's.  Here's my take.

• CGR. Definitely far better than the best Siglo VI's I've ever had.  If reasonably priced(probably not) worth at least sampling once.
• MGR.  Probably the best Monte 2 I ever had. With that said, I'm not a fan of Monte 2's so take that with a grain of salt. I wouldnt go for more.  Beware. Lots of convincing fakes of this one out there.
• PGR.  Was hoping this would be as epic as CGR, but it was not. My 5YO Lusi's smoked better.
• RyJWCGR.  Just had one earlier this week.  Not worth the price of admission IMO.  A regular 2-3 YO WC outperforms it.

That's my round up.  YMMV as palates vary.  The CGR was something else though.  I've had some great Sig VI's. They don't touch the CGR.

[rcarlson]

I view it like wine.  A first growth bordeaux is for a very special occasion, even if having it is the special occasion in and of itself.  In other words, I don't view R/GR as a higher quality replacement.    

And with that said, I have only owned one bottle of first growth bordeaux, and it was a gift from a client.  Glad I had the chance to experience it.  Haven't felt decadent enough to look to acquire another for myself since, but may some day.         

[SigmundChurchill]

When it comes to luxury goods, there is the law of diminishing returns.  

This applies to most things, whether we are talking about cigars, wines, cars, homes, etc.  As the luxury product moves up the exclusivity (and  price) ladder, you get less and less bang for your buck.  Big difference between a $10 and $20 cigar, less difference between a $20 and $30 cigar, and even less difference between a $30 and $40 cigar.  Same $10 increments, lower returns for each $10 as the product becomes more expensive.  Eventually, tiny differences cost big bucks, because people with enough money that it doesn’t matter to them how much they spend, are willing to pay a lot more for those tiny differences.  So, no, a cigar that costs 10X more, is never going to be 10X better.

That said, the Reservas and Gran Reservas are really good.  Some of the best cigars made, in my opinion.  To me, they are worth the price, without having to pay a premium.  It wasn’t that long ago, that you never had to pay a premium on newly released cigars, but unfortunately those days are over.  If I have to pay a premium In order to get them, I usually dont find them to be worth it.  But it depends on which cigar, and how much of a premium.

 

[canadianbeaver]

We have smoked several of the various GR’s and they have blown our minds with delight. We have bought two at a time of various ones or traded for them so we can smoke them on occasions that we feel deserve a special smoke. Like a Friday night after a particularly hard work week, or a birthday.

Cohiba 1966’s were in this league too. Mind blowing rating as well.

Several years ago it may have been a Behike, but those are just all flash and cash to us now. Pass.

If it is, let’s say today, and want the special one that is not a GR but maybe whoop whoop? I would sit around a table with you guys and smoke 2011 RA Extras. Been my fave since they came out. And now they are Aged. Like me. Lololol.

CB
 

[Lunettesman]

Thank you guys for sharing your knowledge. It's a pleasure to read your reviews. Fortunately, I'll have to pay a premium but not an extra premium. Looking forward for more of your experiences and expertise!  

[tigger]

Coming to you from the "answers that are no help at all bin."  ?

I think I get a little too hung up on utility and diminishing returns. In that vein, I haven't purchased any R or GR cigars.

But I find myself in possession of 4 boxes of Punch 8-9-8, which cost almost twice as much per cigar than Partagas 8-9-8s do. I rationalize that as "voting with my wallet," in the hope that HSA will keep a few Dalia-sized cigars around. But it's still a rationalization.

On the very rare occasions that I've spent GR level money, it has been on vintage cigars containing tobacco varieties that are no longer grown.

In the be all and end all, if it's worth it to you, it's worth it.

[Chibearsv]

BEWARE: The fake box of SW GR that I got as a gift for Christmas had no flavor whatsoever.  Very weird set of circumstances because the lacquer box, hardware, cloth bag all looked legit.  I knew they were fakes mostly because the person that gave them to me said he spent around $200.  I dissected one before giving one a try and it was all long filer.  A few puffs of zero flavor and I put it out, never to try again.  If you're going to buy, inspect them carefully because the packaging I got looked legit as hell.  The only tells (beside price) were that the stamp number (although legitimate) came up as RYJ tubos, the bands weren't put on perfectly, and the wrappers just weren't as nice as every SW I've ever had.

[Eric05]

There is always going to be a view on what you should spend and if you will enjoy. I can not argue with the fact that yes, GR and Reserva sticks are higher priced, mainly because of flippers. At a certain point Pres had up RYJGR for a very good price. 

I have a couple boxes, of GR and Reserva. Is it worth it, maybe yes maybe no. I had to have the double corona Hoyo GR for my collection so I purchased them. Is it worth it, probably not a cab of 50 from 2013 is probably just as good. 

At one point I had Monte GR before I sold them. I smoked 1 with my brother for Father's day and till this day that might have been the best cigar I have ever had. 

The idea of purchasing these sticks is because you hope Habanos is doing the right thing by putting out a far superior stick then a regular production stick. But just with anything, anything can happen. If it tickles your fancy purchase it

[Tstew75]

Only good for long term investments sake, IMO

[RijkdeGooier]

Smoked most of the GR’s some R’s. 
 

Mostly a fair cut above the rest. Not lineair in pricing. 
 

 

[cigcars]

             *I was able to acquire a sampler 3 pack of the Montecristo No.2 Gran Reservas from a reputable dealer some years ago. Mild and salty to the taste. Was not really thrown over for this item, although I HAD to try them to see how I liked them. The regular production Montecristo No.2's delivered far, far more satisfaction for me than the Gran Reservas did.

[PigFish]

Cigars are a 'food group.' There are not special hot-dogs for special occasions! JMHO...

Life is too short to smoke bad cigars. Are the cigars that you normally smoke not good enough? Change up, buy something better.

One of two things are a play with me and you can be the judge of my prejudices yourself. I do believe I can view a cigar without bias. Yes, I delight in a reasonably priced cigar that tastes great. I can also see paying a bit more for cigars that are better, consistently and objectively. I will pay more for Monte Especial, knowing that it is the box that drives the cost, as well as just marketing position, because I know that time after time, they will deliver more consistently than other cigars, deliver a better smoking experience than some other cigars. The cost for the tobacco itself is more. However I am not really judging the cost of the tobacco, but the value of the quality time and experience while smoking. The smoking experience.

These special cigars don't really prove to me to be any better than regular production cigars. Maybe my few samples have just been not been real good samples. That speaks to them then, as they relate to me and my smoking experiences. It means that I should not buy them.

I love to play craps. But it costs me money because I am just not a luck gambler. The time that I enjoy playing the game, is not worth what it costs me to play. If I won.... well that would be a different story. The difference between winning and losing is the calculus. If you enjoy these cigars and can afford them to fill your smoking experiences, by all mean buy them.

The calculus then, of 'winning with them,' or losing with them is the question, at least for me. They just don't fit my smoking calculus!

Happy smoking. Cheers! -Piggy

[Wailbait]

The above Comment from Pigfish reminds me of what I termed my Purchase Quality Conundrum.  I personally love the intersection of quality and value.  I drink Bombay Dry or Beefeater gin for my martinis in general.  The other day I decided to splurge and buy some fancy gin that I had heard good things about.  Upon getting home, I called my friend and told him that any way you slice it, I lose.  Either it’s not that great and I’m bummed because I blew $35 on a 750, more than 3x what I am used to spending.  Or it’s the best thing ever and now suddenly my other gin, while 66% cheaper feels “inferior.”  

[Fugu]

On 1/24/2020 at 8:02 PM, Lunettesman said:

Fortunately, I'll have to pay a premium but not an extra premium.

At least make sure you are getting the real deal.

My humble advice - and in particular if you are new to the game (as it seems, not sure) - just skip secondary market offerings: Too costly, too risky for someone who's not firm in identifying falsifications. The next new GR / R is always just a few steps around the corner. If you want the experience go for those at release pricing (dear enough already). And only buy from reputable first market sources. You might also have a lookout for the Habanos Collection Series (book-humi releases), if that is what tickles your fancy.

[havanaclub]

The above Comment from Pigfish reminds me of what I termed my Purchase Quality Conundrum.  I personally love the intersection of quality and value.  I drink Bombay Dry or Beefeater gin for my martinis in general.  The other day I decided to splurge and buy some fancy gin that I had heard good things about.  Upon getting home, I called my friend and told him that any way you slice it, I lose.  Either it’s not that great and I’m bummed because I blew $35 on a 750, more than 3x what I am used to spending.  Or it’s the best thing ever and now suddenly my other gin, while 66% cheaper feels “inferior.”  

Wait, Bombay gin where you are from is 11.50??


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[rcarlson]

4 hours ago, Yellot00tr said:

I usually do the same with liquor. Whenever I complete a project, I pick up a crazy expensive bottle to celebrate with. We’ve gone thru Louis XIII, Richard Hennessy, L’or De Jean Martell, Hardy Noces Rosebud and a few other really nice bottles. 

Must know.  Louis XIII.  All that?  

[Wailbait]

3 hours ago, havanaclub said:

Wait, Bombay gin where you are from is 11.50??


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Not by the bottle, but when there are sales, A 1.75L bottle of Bombay Dry (dont love the Sapphire) is $19.95, which is actually less than $10 for a 750.  Truth be told, I keep a Fords gin bottle that I refill for this purpose.  Very comfortable to pour from.  
 

Crazier than that, I have seen 1.75 bottles of Evan Williams black for $17.  This means that there is a perfectly fine 43% bourbon available for sub $9 per 750.  I do love fancy bourbon, but that’s tough to argue with.  

[Derboesekoenig]

2 hours ago, Wailbait said:

Not by the bottle, but when there are sales, A 1.75L bottle of Bombay Dry (dont love the Sapphire) is $19.95, which is actually less than $10 for a 750.  Truth be told, I keep a Fords gin bottle that I refill for this purpose.  Very comfortable to pour from.  
 

Crazier than that, I have seen 1.75 bottles of Evan Williams black for $17.  This means that there is a perfectly fine 43% bourbon available for sub $9 per 750.  I do love fancy bourbon, but that’s tough to argue with.  

Oooo I don't know if I can go that cheap. The cheapest decent bourbon for me is Evan Williams single barrel. 22.99 for me. Excellent for the price. Any cheaper and they tend to be solely used for mixers

[Wailbait]

7 hours ago, Derboesekoenig said:

Oooo I don't know if I can go that cheap. The cheapest decent bourbon for me is Evan Williams single barrel. 22.99 for me. Excellent for the price. Any cheaper and they tend to be solely used for mixers

Totally agree.  I think I drink more Manhattan variants these days than straight bourbon.  But I’m certainly on your team with the EWSB!  I’ve had a few single barrel expressions of Elijah Craig that are simply fantastic bangs for the buck too.

[BrightonCorgi]

If you can buy them without making or breaking you; why not?  Sit on the 5-10 years and you'll have a line of buyers if you didn't see the value in them.

[El Hoze]

I have smoked, I believe, at least one of every Reserva/Gran Reserva released. Always found them generally impressive. In fact, the most disappointing one I have had has been the Cohiba Robusto (though I have only had one so I can’t give an informed opinion on them) which likely carries a bit more hype that average. 

[Corylax18]

28 minutes ago, El Hoze said:

In fact, the most disappointing one I have had has been the Cohiba Robusto (though I have only had one so I can’t give an informed opinion on them) which likely carries a bit more hype that average. 

I think you can give an informed opinion on them. A dud is a dud, even more so (not less) when you're paying $100 or $150 for a single stick. At that cost, every single stick should be a perfect 10, in every measurable category, otherwise, whats the point of such an elevated price? 

NC producers can bang out a box of 25 identical sticks for $3 or $4 a stick. If I'm paying $1,000 or $1,500 for 10 sticks, perfection isn't an unreasonable request.