Recent LCDH releases

[Cigarsmoker81]

Cuba released a lot of LCDH cigars ( Juan Lopez/glorias/aliados and recently El Rey del Mundo), most of them are expensive. While Habanos claim Edition Limitadas are aged for a minimum of 2 years, there is nothing said about why these cigars should demand a higher premium. I’ve tried all of the recent releases except El Rey del Mundo and they’re all good to great. Why the price premium ? Other than the obvious LCDH release and a nice looking box? Is there something special about the tobacco they use ? 

[MagicalBikeRide]

Fancy packaging as a far as I know. 

[NSXCIGAR]

You're mostly paying for the packaging although they seem to be putting a fair amount of effort into the luxury box LCDH and HS releases. The JL SE, Glorias and Aliados are very good cigars. Worth $40-50? Not sure about that. 

[Tunkat92]

Have not had the glorias yet, but the Aliados and JL SE are very good and ready to smoke. I did not find them special though and definitely not worth the price of admission to me. 

[Lt4-396]

Not worth the price. Essentially paying for the box, additional label and the status as a "Special Release".

Don't get me wrong the boxes are gorgeous but I do not buy cigars to collect boxes, empty or filled. I am interested in the cigars themselves, because of that I will stick with the regular production. I'll take two JL#1s or #2s over one JL LCDH every time.

I read a theory during the first wave of increases that little by little Cuba will release new cigars while discontinuing older releases. This brings the opportunity of new smokers and "collectors" into the market but the more likely reason is to get rid of a $20 (previously $10) Robusto and by using an extra few dollars in materials charge triple or more for essentially the same or similar cigar.

[SonGoku]

I haven't tried any of them but I suspect the high price has to do with the packaging & special release naming. Both something I really dislike but hey it's probably good for earnings. And the consumers apparently want this.