Back on deck and an update + questions request

[El Presidente]

We knocked over 700 kilometers in the Landrover as we trekked the beach and bushland of Noosa and it's national parks, Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo, the fine restaurants and home of Czar House in the city of Brisbane and the beaches of the Gold Coast from Runaway Bay to Cooloongatta. Jose of Habanos s.a along the way met, shared meals, wine and conversed with many fine cigar lovers who are now firm friends. He also leaves with a firm understanding of the Aussie and FOH ethos.

At the airport a few hours ago I quizzed him with 5 questions of which he replied in his finest Spanish accent"

Q "Jose...what are the two rules of FOH?"

A Rule juan...No Tossors and no waaankers"

Rule two...refer rule jaun"

Q " Jose....I have a doubt about something being done on time?

A "She... will be right .......maaate"

Q "What is Australian for straight ahead?"

A "...follow your nose"

Q "When you have not very much you have?"

A "Five eiiiighths of **** all"

Q "How do you greet anyone from the Prime Minister of Australia to Fidel Castro to your mother in law"

A G'Day Maaate!

I was very proud. My Cuban friend had graduated and was ready to return to Havana. Dressed in his Akubra Hat, Jag streamline sunglasses and dark tan...he looked like the Antonio Banderas version of Crocodile Dundee

Seriously, Jose is part of the new breed at Habanos s.a: Intelligent, analytical, passionate and commited. His love of Cuba and Cuban puros emanates from every pore of his being. What he found in FOH was a brotherhood sharing that passion in their day to day lives.

Over the best part of a week we have talked for hours and hours. Over the coming days I will discuss what I can discuss. Obviously there are certain things that are commercially sensitive.

The discussion paper was submitted on Monday at Czar House on the rocking chairs with some particularly fine Juan Lopez Seleccion No 2 and a bottle of wine. It was discussed, dwelled and expanded upon many times over that week.

It is without doubt that the central issue raised of concern amongst cigar lovers of loss of diversity and continuous emphasis towards larger gauge cigars by HSA took him by surprise.

I don't blame him. The reality as discussed was that every EL series is even now backordered. Every big gauge cigar has been an immense financial success. However he understood completely the importance of delving deeper into the thoughts of the true habanos lover. In a world where cigar advertising will one day be completely banned, there is the commencement of recognition of the importance of communities such as ours to discuss and educate.

The report will be taken back to HSA and submitted for discussion within HSA marketing (both short term and long term marketing divisions). I know that both recommendations excited him and particularly the Habanos Heritage Release. This is not to say that the thin gauge proposal was not welcomed...it was indeed because it is the first thin gauge proposal he can recall ever seeing.

Now we wait and agitate. The HSA game is a slow one. But we now at least have our toenail in the door. Let's see where it goes.

I would like to thank you all for your contribution. It was indeed a FOH team effort.

If you have any specific questions about any issue please ask them on a new thread (new thread for each question) and I will answer them tomorrow.

[genevapics]

Sounds like it went very well. Like you said, "It will take time." Interesting that he had never seen a thin cigar proposal before. I especially like the fact that he knows his Aussie lingo. Job well done, Rob.

[n2advnture]

VERY cool Rob! Thanks for the update!

~Mark

[ironman]

Thanks for the update, sounds a great time was had by all!!!!

[12stones]

» Thanks for the update, sounds a great time was had by all!!!!

Sounds like some good stuff went down. Thanks for the update.

[Ginseng]

Well done, mate!

Wilkey

[TR]

Thanks for the update Rob!