NSXCIGAR Posted July 31, 2020 Posted July 31, 2020 I don't know, but I would have loved to have bought it new and smoked them! I would speculate that this was a fairly high-end, relatively expensive release. One of the many pre-Rev mysteries. Big brands like LE had all sorts of unusual and interesting releases and formats.
Popular Post ATGroom Posted July 31, 2020 Popular Post Posted July 31, 2020 Hoyo de Monterrey (which were made in the same factory and share a lot of sizes with La Escepcion) had a Humidor No.1 up until the 1980s. Conservas vitola (44 x 145), available both machine and hand made in a high end cabinet box of 50. My best guess is that there was probably a Hoyo Humidor No.2 and a La Escepcion Humidor 1 and 2 that existed for a short time in the 50s. Pure speculation, but maybe this is supposed to be a refill pack for your fancy box? 5
99call Posted July 31, 2020 Posted July 31, 2020 22 minutes ago, ATGroom said: Hoyo de Monterrey (which were made in the same factory and share a lot of sizes with La Escepcion) had a Humidor No.1 up until the 1980s. Conservas vitola (44 x 145), available both machine and hand made in a high end cabinet box of 50. My best guess is that there was probably a Hoyo Humidor No.2 and a La Escepcion Humidor 1 and 2 that existed for a short time in the 50s. Pure speculation, but maybe this is supposed to be a refill pack for your fancy box? No not a refill box. The slide lid is simply the outer delivery/storage box for the lacquered main humidor 2
Popular Post 99call Posted July 31, 2020 Popular Post Posted July 31, 2020 I'm not 100% sure if it was the last time this style of delivery system was used i.e the outer slide lid. But the last time i've seen it used is the box I have of the 1997 Cohiba Divan limited cabinet of 150 humidors. 5 4
99call Posted July 31, 2020 Posted July 31, 2020 7 minutes ago, El Presidente said: Well done A question to you Rob, I contacted Simon Lam (asking him about the Cohiba Divan Humidor), and he said the release that was 25 count Partagas churchill sized cigar, and was sold at the time for HK10,000 back in 1997. I just wondered if your memory stretches back that far, and if you ever recall seeing these cigars around at the time?
El Presidente Posted July 31, 2020 Author Posted July 31, 2020 2 hours ago, 99call said: A question to you Rob, I contacted Simon Lam (asking him about the Cohiba Divan Humidor), and he said the release that was 25 count Partagas churchill sized cigar, and was sold at the time for HK10,000 back in 1997. I just wondered if your memory stretches back that far, and if you ever recall seeing these cigars around at the time? Back then I was a parallel importer going head to head with the evil empire (PCC) in Oz. The only reason they would have sent me the above was if it was filled with dynamite and a timer. We went toe to toe until 2002 when we entered into a truce and a supply agreement. 2 1 1
NSXCIGAR Posted August 1, 2020 Posted August 1, 2020 On 7/31/2020 at 12:05 AM, 99call said: I'm not 100% sure if it was the last time this style of delivery system was used i.e the outer slide lid. But the last time i've seen it used is the box I have of the 1997 Cohiba Divan limited cabinet of 150 humidors. It does look to me like that's what it was--the container for the entire "Humidor No. 2." I would imagine it certainly could have been as high end as the Hoyo Humidor No. 1 @ATGroom shows and probably quite consistent with that since LE and Hoyo were essentially sister brands. I continue to be blown away by the variety of pre-Rev releases. There was some pretty cool stuff around back then.
99call Posted August 1, 2020 Posted August 1, 2020 11 hours ago, El Presidente said: Back then I was a parallel importer going head to head with the evil empire (PCC) in Oz. The only reason they would have sent me the above was if it was filled with dynamite and a timer. We went toe to toe until 2002 when we entered into a truce and a supply agreement. Very interesting Rob, Do you think next time in London you might do Nick Hammonds podcast? it would be great to hear about the cigar wars of the 1990s HA! i'm sure the yarn you've got to offer is very colourful
ATGroom Posted August 2, 2020 Posted August 2, 2020 Based on the seal, I'd put the dimensions of the outer box somewhere around 220mm x 180mm x 80mm. Factoring in a reasonably thick box and a bit of room inside, the internal dimensions of the inner box would be something like 200mm x 150mm x 60mm. Very, very speculative obviously, but assuming 50 count like the Humidor No.1 then the cigar would be perhaps 38 x 148 or something in that region. 1
99call Posted August 2, 2020 Posted August 2, 2020 5 hours ago, ATGroom said: cigar would be perhaps 38 x 148 or something in that region. My intrigue around this 1997 Cohiba Divan release is to see if a picture existed of these cigars? or if they were specially banded? I've never seen them turn up anywhere. Also the phrase 'Handout Humidor' seems a bit odd, if they actually has a price tag of HK$ 10,000
ATGroom Posted August 3, 2020 Posted August 3, 2020 16 hours ago, 99call said: My intrigue around this 1997 Cohiba Divan release is to see if a picture existed of these cigars? or if they were specially banded? I've never seen them turn up anywhere. Also the phrase 'Handout Humidor' seems a bit odd, if they actually has a price tag of HK$ 10,000 I'll reach out to some Hong Kong guys... shouldn't be too hard to find a pic of the cigars as I am pretty sure I have seen this before in HK. I think you may be miss-reading "handover" as "handout" - it's referring to the 1997 handover of Hong Kong from the British back to China.
El Presidente Posted August 3, 2020 Author Posted August 3, 2020 On 8/1/2020 at 5:45 PM, 99call said: Very interesting Rob, Do you think next time in London you might do Nick Hammonds podcast? it would be great to hear about the cigar wars of the 1990s HA! i'm sure the yarn you've got to offer is very colourful It would be great to catch up with Nick again! They were interesting days indeed
Popular Post ATGroom Posted August 3, 2020 Popular Post Posted August 3, 2020 Courtesy James Wu - I have a lot of his other exotic cigar images here: https://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/image/exoticgallery Band design is the same as the logo on the inside lid if you want a clearer view. Private commission by PCC from Partagas factory in 1996. Reportedly has a unique blend (not Partagas). Mild to medium. 3 2
99call Posted August 3, 2020 Posted August 3, 2020 Thanks for this Alex, Really interesting to see the band design, and how they have almost illustrated the communist star as like a gifted flower. It of course all makes sense now for the timing, and the handing over of Hong Kong. Of course hugely topical now as, it seems like Chinese government are completing the handover (under force) no if's, not buts. I wonder how many of these humidors are in the hands of collectors, whom will now be leaving HK or sanctuary abroad.
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