Why not FOH Customs Rolls?

[shrink]

Reading the thread about the mareva rolled by Yasmel Rodriguez has got me thinking, "Why not FOH Custom Rolls?".

Prez, you must have given this some thought before. With your connections in Cuba, couldn't you have a roller like Yasmel blend up a special FOH vitola?

If they were good, you sure wouldn't have much trouble selling 'em.

[Evo03]

That's a damn good idea.

[yossie]

I'm also interested in such cigars after reading rob's reviews:hungry:

[Jimmy2]

I think it would be a great idea but I think they could not roll a lot because they have a regular job and the demand for them to keep up would be to much for them.

Also the availability of the tobacco on a larger scale for customs is not there.

Omit they don't come by to often the custom rolled sticks and when available they disappear rather quickly.

But it would be nice if Rob could do on a smaller scale maybe like a 2 custom rolled cigar of the month by different rollers out of the island.

Sometimes the same roller but different size cigars each month to mix it up and make it different.

I think maybe Rob can do this on a smaller scale as the rollers can keep up than.

Yes I can see it now FoH Custom Cigar Club of the month.

How about it Rob?:-D

[Colt45]

I would think that Maximus could commission a run of cigars (a la Tang), but I assume it would

be on his nickel, and would require a strong member commitment.

[Jimmy2]

Colt i think they mean the custom rolled cigars like from the events and from the factories when in Cuba.

Tangs are a differant level and a cigar like that could be produced for Rob but again like you said it would come with a big $$$$$ tag.

For the most part I think most here are talking about the event cigars where the blend is very simple unlike the Tangs and special vendor releases.

I kind of like the custom event cigars as they have a different flavor from regular production not meaning always better but a change in pace as far as flavor.

[Colt45]

» Colt i think they mean the custom rolled cigars like from the events and

» from the factories when in Cuba.

I know what you mean Jimmy, and I agree that smaller runs offering a couple of cigars every month

or every other month or so would be easier to digest. But there are a number of avenues that something

like this could take.

And since we're spending Rob's money, how about Partagas SdC sweet spice, Bolivar supple leather,

RA raisin fruit, with a dab of Montecristo coffee. In either carlota, corona gorda, or parejos format

(no problem with an 898V or churchill either) :-)

[Jimmy2]

[Don Candido]

» » Colt i think they mean the custom rolled cigars like from the events and

» » from the factories when in Cuba.

»

» I know what you mean Jimmy, and I agree that smaller runs offering a

» couple of cigars every month

» or every other month or so would be easier to digest. But there are a

» number of avenues that something

» like this could take.

» And since we're spending Rob's money, how about Partagas SdC sweet spice,

» Bolivar supple leather,

» RA raisin fruit, with a dab of Montecristo coffee. In either carlota,

» corona gorda, or parejos format

» (no problem with an 898V or churchill either) :-)

From what little I have learned in my recent research on custom cigars, I would guess there are a few problems coming out with your own "custom havana" cigar line. The big problem would seem to be Cuba is a communist country. I am not sure it is legit to grow and roll cigars for sale without it going through Habanos.

Sure, small amounts of cigars make it out here and there, many of which are done through legitmately through HSA, but it is rare to find someone selling a real supply of quality custom rolled cigars.

When HSA sends tobacco and a roller to sit in an HSA authorized retailer to roll cigars, custom cigars are blended, rolled and sold at those retailers to customers with full approval of HSA, as I understand it, but this would not allow for a quantity to be created that could be marketed. I believe HSA sends the tobacco directly to the retailers, which allows them to control how much and what quality gets out for these events.

I have been told rollers and others involved in "side activities" inside Cuba could end up in a fair amount of trouble if they are caught doing business.

It makes sense to me on a larger scale; if Habanos or CubaTobacco are not going to allow companies not majority owned by the Cuban Gov't (Dunhill/Davidoff) to sell cuban cigars, I doubt they are going to be too thrilled about "roller X's" custom cigars hitting the market either.

This is just a guess, but I think I might be correct.

[Colt45]

I think we are all talking about HSA sanctioned, legitimate Habanos - be it small batch with an on site roller,

or a larger run produced in Havana. In either scenario, I assume Rob would have some say as to the

final blend.

I may be mistaken, but I think I recall Rob once mentioning the thought of commissioning a

PL Carlota, which is not necessarily a true custom roll, but interesting nonetheless.

[Sandman]

I would love for this to happen. Count me in!:-P

[El Presidente]

I think the fact that no-one I know in the industry retails commercial quantities of Custom rolls, answers the question.

The situation is fluid. There has been much talk of a HSA sanctioned and controlled 12 man roller operation rolling custom orders. I have heard this over the past 5 years and I haven't seen or heard any evidence of it coming into action.

I can certainly have 10,000 custom rolleds a year produced in Havana. Lets call them Hamlet "Dalia Delicios del Diablo'"

$20 per cigar for the richest most delectable SOB. Sold in special count of 15 and collectors cabs of 50.

Yep....I would be Knocked down in the rush.

However:

1. I place my Cuban connection at risk. What they are doing is illegal without approval of HSA and such approval is hard to come by. No risk to me...I sleep well on my property and swim in my pool. Yet My rollers sacrifice their jobs and maybe a little jail time.

2. We may call them Hamlets.....but Hamlet won't be rolling 10,000 cigars. Hamlet may roll 1000 cigars but the other 9000 will be rolled by"associates". I don't like the way this is done. I believe it is a bare faced lie. The consumer will swallow the line regardless.

3. Blend control is nigh impossible with large run customs using one or two rollers. Smaller runs are not an issue but you need a larger team rolling them to ensure that you can meet order size efficiently utilising the same bales and preferrably rolled under the same conditions.

4. We could export leaf and have them rolled here o elsewhere in South America. Cuban wrapper can not be exported. I have yet to tste a Cuban leaf cigar (filler) rolled outside of Cuba using a non cuban wrapper which tasted half decent.

Until the above can be solved to my satisfaction I won't go down the track.

Yet I am getting closer ;-)

[Claudius]

» There has been much talk of a HSA sanctioned and

» controlled 12 man roller operation rolling custom orders. I have heard

» this over the past 5 years and I haven't seen or heard any evidence of it coming into action.

HSA have exported commissioned cigars in the past, though. Why can't they do it now? Why do they need a special team? Couldn't they just dedicate a few rollers at a given factory to the task? What about the people at Laguito who roll the cigars for diplomatic use and for the King of Spain etc.? Let's have some of his Laguitos, no need to change the blend, I'd take them as they are. With a Czar band, of course :-D

[El Presidente]

» HSA have exported commissioned cigars in the past, though. Why can't they

» do it now? Why do they need a special team? Couldn't they just dedicate a

» few rollers at a given factory to the task? What about the people at

»

They do Claudius and they will do special runs for Kings, Princes etc.

They have also in the past supported commissioned cigars "Tang Monarchs" along with others. The new Regional Release concept as far as Habanos is concerned is where special commissioned cigars should be restricted.

I was thinking more of dealers dealing outside the HSA fold. Dealing directly with rollers....or in most cases the rollers "manager". I am sure you know what I mean.

[Jimmy2]

The Prez looks good Colt.:-D

[Claudius]

» They do Claudius and they will do special runs for Kings, Princes etc.

»

» They have also in the past supported commissioned cigars "Tang Monarchs"

» along with others. The new Regional Release concept as far as Habanos is

» concerned is where special commissioned cigars should be restricted.

This ER program is probably your best shot at getting a specific cigar, from HSA and without any issues. What happened to the idea of a PL Carlota btw?

» I was thinking more of dealers dealing outside the HSA fold. Dealing

» directly with rollers....or in most cases the rollers "manager". I am sure

» you know what I mean.

Oh yes, that's likely to end up in tears for all the reasons you mentioned in your initial message.

[n2advnture]

» » HSA have exported commissioned cigars in the past, though. Why can't

» they

» » do it now? Why do they need a special team? Couldn't they just

» dedicate a

» » few rollers at a given factory to the task? What about the people at

» »

»

» They do Claudius and they will do special runs for Kings, Princes etc.

»

What about Czars? :-P

I'm in for FOH custom rolls!

~Mark

[Colt45]

» The Prez looks good Colt.:-D

Yeah Jimmy, you know the party's on when the tie is worn as a headband

[shrink]

Maybe the term "Custom Rolls" was misleading. Perhaps what I was suggesting would be more appropriately described as a "Commissioned" line of cigars, similar to what Chris Wolters did with the Bolivar Gold Medals a few years ago.

It would, of course, be approved and manufactured in Cuba under the auspices of Habanos, S.A. I can't conceive of doing anything that would place Czar's relationship with Habanos at risk.

And I wouldn't expect them all to be rolled by one torcedor. If that's what you want, there are backdoor connections for these rolls, but in small quantities.

No, I think that what we're talking about here is a special blend, or several special blends, in specific vitolas, to be marketed exclusively through Czar. I think that it could initiate yet another successful 'niche' market for Habanos, similar to what we now have with the Regional Editions. Targeted at a limited number of knowledgeable consumers, with smaller production runs and higher prices.

What blend, you ask? Well, I think that is becoming ever more clearly defined, as Rob experiments with various wrapper and filler combinations. I think that there is also a niche market for vitolas that have been discontinued, but have taken on something of a 'cult' status, i.e. RA 898V; Upmann Super Coronas; Punch SS#2.

[Miami101]

Sounds good to me....I'm up for a preorder on a box.

[Colt45]

» They do Claudius and they will do special runs for Kings, Princes etc.

And Queens (pic courtesy of another member)

» I was thinking more of dealers dealing outside the HSA fold. Dealing

» directly with rollers....or in most cases the rollers "manager". I am sure

» you know what I mean.

Not something I'd expect here.......... :-)

[Mel39]

I'd like some of those that burst forth from the Librarian's tightly buttoned blouse.