From the Hip: New Edicion Limitada Packaging

[Puros Y Vino]

I would prefer old school boxes.  The QdO is kinda cool as it reminds me of the ERDM Tainos box(the way the lid slides out).  The RA and Monte ones deviate from having flat surfaces on all sides. Makes things odd for Cigar Tetris in humidors.  Overall they look like NC boxes as they have to resort to "look at me" flashy designs to get noticed on the shelves.  For the NC world, where there are literally thousands of brands you're competing with, a flashy design makes sense.  CC's don't compete among themselves.  I would prefer old, classic designs.  I do appreciate the BHK boxes, the Linea 1935 and the new RyJ boxes are pretty nice too. But they're meant to be halo products for their respective marcas.  EL's could be considered halo's as well, but I'm so used to them coming in regular boxes.  But. If the cigars inside are worth having.  I'd probably care less about the package.  As far as fancy boxes go, things like the 898 and Sir Winnies boxes should be as far as they go IMO.

[Joeyjojo]

3 hours ago, bundwallah said:

I would prefer old school boxes.  The QdO is kinda cool as it reminds me of the ERDM Tainos box(the way the lid slides out).  The RA and Monte ones deviate from having flat surfaces on all sides. Makes things odd for Cigar Tetris in humidors.  Overall they look like NC boxes as they have to resort to "look at me" flashy designs to get noticed on the shelves.  For the NC world, where there are literally thousands of brands you're competing with, a flashy design makes sense.  CC's don't compete among themselves.  I would prefer old, classic designs.  I do appreciate the BHK boxes, the Linea 1935 and the new RyJ boxes are pretty nice too. But they're meant to be halo products for their respective marcas.  EL's could be considered halo's as well, but I'm so used to them coming in regular boxes.  But. If the cigars inside are worth having.  I'd probably care less about the package.  As far as fancy boxes go, things like the 898 and Sir Winnies boxes should be as far as they go IMO.

The NC comparison was my first thoughts as well.

A strange move considering the usual marketing for Cuban cigars is an evocation of timeless tradition.

For me it speaks to the market Altadis/Habana S.A are aiming at, mainly super rich cigar 'collectors' rather than everyday cigar 'smokers'. 

I would love to be proved wrong. Maybe these will be the greatest cigars Cuba have released in years. But at the prices they will sell for, I doubt i'll ever find out. 

 

 

[StogieSteve23]

17 hours ago, benfica_77 said:

I like the boxes. I don't like the insane prices 

Took the words right out of my mouth here.  

[Colt45]

I don't mind the packaging at all - fairly understated, a splash of color, simple, clean, a touch of elegance.

[TBird55]

Absolutely not...!!

[Sandman]

They look cheesy. Definitely not a fan of this. 

[DaBoot]

It’s like Christmas morning for kids.. Doesn’t matter How nice the gift wrap is, it’s  just about what’s inside the box!!!!

[NSXCIGAR]

21 hours ago, YOM'$ said:

To anyones knowledge, Are there any examples from the days of old where they fancied up Cuban boxes?   

Not like these. Packaging was never a significant part of cigar retail until the late 90s when NC producers began using it as a way to make their cigars more appealing than CCs. They couldn't do it with taste so they went with aesthetics.

Upgraded packaging for CCs began almost immediately after Altadis aquired their stake in HSA in 2000. They felt modernizing the Habanos selection was important. 

Although certainly not "modern" I think that many of the pre-Rev cajons and cabinets are extremely beautiful.

[NSXCIGAR]

I consider these boxes no different than jars. I like them but I don't want to pay for them. As such, I have never had a SC Torreon. 

At the premiums they've been charging for ELs the last few years they should give us the boxes at no markup. Least they could do for a $20-25 stick.

[Piligrim]

I prefer old boxes myself, but probably new type of the packaging is better for store's shelves. Some of the customers just would like them more. 

[Islandboy]

Provided quality is good in every way, I consider the contents of every box of cigars to be the ultimate art form in the room. Flashy, garish packaging just cheapens the overall experience IMHO. Not a fan.

[99call]

On 6/4/2020 at 2:12 AM, El Presidente said:

Are you a fan of the new Edicion Limitada Packaging .......Yes or No

For me a serious question need to be asked with regards to the breakdown of materials during long term ageing. 

The great thing about a classic bandless SLB was:

- No sticky oxidised gold foil bands

- No corroding hinges

- No cheap lacquer   etc etc

I'm not anti-change, but much like successful Japanese design,  it has to be functional and beautiful......these definitely fail the first, and arguably fail at the second. 

[jerrybrowne]

I prefer the old school packaging by a wide margin. Not a fan of the painted boxes....


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[CaptainQuintero]

  They look like they came from the Monte open school of thought.

  

 

[joeypots]

Not for me. Crikey, I put the boxes in a dark humidor for years.I know some of the art is worthwhile but in the end I care about the cigars.  I'm from the less is more school and I like simple cedar boxes like those that house the PSD4 and the Edmundo. And cabinets, of course.  I think Habanos should concentrate on the steak and leave the sizzle to those who don't have Cuban tobacco.

[BeerPimp]

I am a fan of the new packaging.

As an aside do they ever release cigars from the numbered humidors as regular boxes later?   If I had to guess I would say the answer is no.   I really wanted to try one/some of the Trinidad 50 Aniversario but I definitely don't have the coin to buy one of the humidors.

[djrey]

I’m a big fan of the traditional packaging. Very classic with all the timeless artwork. These are just plain cheesy to me. But to each his own! 

[Cigar Salute]

it's hard for me to determine how I feel about these particular boxes without seeing them in person and getting a general feel for their build quality.  I don't think they look bad, but I'd much rather see them continue to resurrect vintage artwork & bands & marcas rather than put out new flashy stuff like this.  

[Sorrowful]

I like the new packaging but its not the level of Behike or the Cohiba Spain RE packaging.  Overall, I'm willing to pay a bit extra to get a nice box that I can then re-use as decorations on a bookshelf or something.  Not a fan of trying to get it all to fit in the humidor though.

[westg]

They clearly need help with packaging and marketing . The yellow and green boxes look Bloody horrible. Initially to me they come across as cheap and nasty. Reading most comments it sounds as though the price has been bumped up .Yuck ! 

Tradition and aesthetics not at all . Creativity none. I am just stunned and amazed at how wrong they continue deliver with packaging 

Can't wait to try all three cigars though ?