Update from LCDH owner in Canada

[benfica_77]

Chatted on the phone with the owner of the LCDH in Windsor here in Canada. We had a great conversation and wanted to share the state of Cuban Cigars in Canada. Here are some interesting notes: 

• Havana House - the distribution entity here in Canada (at point was owned by PCC during the David Tang era) then was owned by private group and it seems that most of that ownership stake has now been sold back to Habanos S.A. 
• Inventory has been abysmal, he got 3 boxes of Monte 2 all year. There was only one mastercase of Monte 2's for the entire country all year to be split between lets call it 40 companies (Master case is 40 boxes, I believe). Some got none, some got 1, he only got 3 because he was the LCDH. Other staples are like this as well. 
• Havana House is pushing out the machine rolled product that isn't really what consumers are looking for 
• Less SKUs are being sent to Havana House as Cuba prepares for the Habanos Festival in Feb. so the inventory in Q1 of 2026 will be even worse
• The new Cuban regional Canada Du Nord will not have a proper box, it will be cardboard only sadly 
• Prices of Cohiba have gotten so high on the island they are comparative to prices in Canada which is nuts 
• LCDHs across the world have no choice to break their contract and sell NCs to survive including him 

Couple more points were said but wanting to abide by the forum rules I will keep those ones to myself. 

[Arabian]

"LCDH across the world have no choice to break their contract and sell NCs to survive including him"

LCDH Bahrain already has been selling NC cigars since 2023-2024 from what I remember. For a laugh, the owner is selling his NC private label cigars at the store next to the limited Cubans they have. I would say 50% NC and 50% Cubans. What's more interesting is that my local Habanos Specialist has MORE stock than the LCDH. Again what's the point of this franchise?

Personally speaking, my humidor is now %100 NC cigars (mostly Honduran Tobacco). Increasing prices/ degrading quality. I was scammed with the Bolivar New Gold Medal, Rafael Gonzalez Corona De Lonsdale, it seems like I'm no longer the targeted customer which is fine. My desire for Cubans and chasing them is very minimal. However, I would still purchase my favorite Cubans sticks (perhaps no more boxes) if I find them reasonably priced. 

[zacca]

23 hours ago, benfica_77 said:

• The new Cuban regional Canada Du Nord will not have a proper box will be cardboard only sadly 

What a slap in the face, why even bother with one if you’re going to half-ass the presentation? You’re skimping out on the fist thing the customer sees. S****y marketing right there and it tells the customer - hey be grateful we’re even thinking about you at all. 

[ElLoboLoco]

The Nanny State 1 - Canadian Cigar Smoker 0. Plain brown packaging will keep $80 cigars out of the children’s hands. (And everyone else.)

[zacca]

22 hours ago, ElLoboLoco said:

The Nanny State 1 - Canadian Cigar Smoker 0. Plain brown packaging will keep $80 cigars out of the children’s hands. (And everyone else.)

Oh is that the reason for it? I didn’t even think of that and just assumed HSA was mailing it in. 

[ElLoboLoco]

I think that’s the agenda of our governmental leaders. Some places have had more success or craziness (depending what side you’re on) than others making it unaffordable or less desirable. That is in reference to packaging and local taxes. I am guessing availability is the train wreck/luxury price model before taxes Habanos is on.

[BrightonCorgi]

There hasn't been a justification to renew an LCDH franchise fee for most locales in the world. This has been the case almost two decades, IMO. The moniker does very little to enhance the business.