New Havanas

[Jimmy2]

CHANGES SEEM TO BE continuous in Havana's world of fine cigars. Some of the hottest news I heard on the street while in Havana two weeks ago was about the closure of the Romeo y Julieta factory. Apparently, the old factory had become too dilapidated to be refurbished. Workers will move to a new factory being developed just outside of Havana. It's the third traditional factory in Havana to be closed — H. Upmann and La Corona were moved to newer facilities over the last two years.

In addition, many in the Cuban cigar business continue to speak about how the old El Rey del Mundo factory will be converted to a specialties factory, where all Cuba's limited-edition humidors will be produced. These special releases include the 200 H. Upmann Special Series replica of an ancient humidor that holds 50 Tacos Imperiales cigars that measure 6 5/8 inches long with a ring gauge of 49. There's also the 500 Trinidad Habanos Collection Humidor, which resembles a book, and has 20 Torre Iznagas measuring 6 11/16 inches by 52 ring. Both cigars should be out later this year.

Some people believe it's a shame that RyJ as well as the other two factories have been closed. They say that quality Cuban cigars should be made in traditional, age-old factories. But I think the opposite. Cuban cigars need to be made in the best environment possible, where workers will be happy and conscientious. And the new factories appear to be providing that atmosphere.

Miguel Barzaga, production deputy manager of H.Upmann factory told me: "You have to go forward and accept the new," he said. "You cannot stop and not let progress in! One needs to be up to date with the rest of the world. In the past, what was in fashion was the traditional way of doing things; nowadays, it doesn't work like tha... you need to let new technology in the door."

He also said that it is important to have a clean and healthy environment for his workers, so they could focus on making the best possible cigars. And the new factories, like his, provide this. "There's improvement not just in the working conditions for the workers but also improvement in the production process," he added.

Habanos didn't say whether the specialty factory at El Rey del Mundo would make regional cigars, which have been a great success after a couple of years. The concept is that a special limited-production cigar (about 1,000 boxes or more) is made for particular markets on a one-time basis. For example, this year six cigars new regional cigars will launch.

For the Asia-Pacific region, there will be a new Punch called the Super Robustos, measuring 6 1/8 by 50 ring, as well as a Ramón Allones Estupendos, a classic Churchill size at 7 inches by 47 ring.

Germany will have the Por Larrañaga Lonsdale (6 1/2 by 42) as well as the Bolivar Colosales (6 1/8 by 50).

For France, there's the Bolivar Libertador (6 1/2 by 54) and the Juan López Obús (5 1/2 by 52).

[El Presidente]

All true.

The R&J Factory closed in October last year. They say that they are training 100 rollers there currently but I saw no sign of it. The R&J Divan attached to the factory was all but a ghost town when I was there in March.

The refurbishment of the R&J factory is scheduled to take place later this year. Somehow....I wouldn't hold my breath.

The factory needed re-furbishment. It could no longer provide decent working conditions for people who more and more was expected of.

The ERDM Factory will also be producing regional relaeases. This special production unit was first touted in 2000 ;-)

[Havana Joe]

Interseting, thanks for the update guys.

[Ken Gargett]

» All true.

»

» The R&J Factory closed in October last year. They say that they are

» training 100 rollers there currently but I saw no sign of it. The R&J

» Divan attached to the factory was all but a ghost town when I was there in

» March.

i spoke to one of the r and j roillers who had been moved and he was certain that training was still taking place - he had mates involved. all bizarre timing when r and j was the focus of the festival this year. - for what they paid the 'lesser' fiennes brother to read a few lines at the opening night, they could have built three new factories - that bloke must have the greatest manager on the planet. what a con!

interesting news re the new cigars.

[cvm4]

Interesting information guys...Thanks! :-)

[SoCalSmoker]

So any news/update on the Asia/Pacific regional releases?

Looking forward to the RA Estupendo.

[El Presidente]

» So any news/update on the Asia/Pacific regional releases?

» Looking forward to the RA Estupendo.

I will have more information next week but no-one should get excited until the 3rd quarter of this year.

[skid11]

Great info guys............... It's good to have FOH members in the know ! :-)

[dogbreath]

Thanks for the inside info!

[Tave1225]

Good stuff. Thanks for the insight.

[Mel]

Nice report. Buildings do not make cigars people do so keep the rollers comfy and happy. Quality tobacco is the only other thing they need. I hate the whole regional release thing. I'd rather get all my sticks from Czars and that now seems impossible.:-(