Thoughts from Deep Throat in Havana

[El Presidente]

I recently requested his thoughts on the French Release of the RA Belicoso. I wasn't thrilled with the concept and raised some questions some of which he could answer and others that he simply gave his thoughts and opinion.

I was surprised to see that but let me explain something.

The exclusivity contract in UK for RA Belicoso was extended to 2 years. Now it has expired so France ask for that very popular size to have the exclusivity for 1 year, to be named Especial de Allones even though is a Campana size commercially known as Belicoso

1 No different blends. My opinion is that a RA Belicoso should taste the same no matter whose or where they are addressed to.

2 Heard nothing about a different box presentation. Could be. Not sure but I don’t think we can afford right now a different presentation even though is aimed to a different market. With the French, you never know. As far as I know it is a Cabinet presentation, comprising 10 and 25 cigarss each.

3 Numbering the boxes following the UK numerations should certainly be a mistake. I consider it that way. Another numbering is the right thing to do. And far more easy to track them all.

Not so familiar with the price policy at these regional releases but I can assure you that we try to avoid further complications like the one you wisely raised. Taxes are very high in the UK and both countries are facing quite challenges with the enforcement of antismoking bans. Since many years back my Co is trying to level up prices in different markets I have witnessed that but it’s a hard task and we have to give more thought to it. Not easy at all.

One doubt: Do you think those who have the money, will fly out to a Paris civette to get the same product just for a few pounds less? Nope. Even when they ran out of RA belicosos? Think about it

Keep you posted if further issues may happen

[tigger]

» With the French, you never know.

Kidding aside, thanks Rob for the insights.

[Colt45]

Thanks for sharing this. I'm not sure I like the sound of leveling up prices.....

[El Presidente]

» Thanks for sharing this. I'm not sure I like the sound of leveling

» up prices.....

Nothing more than is done by Rolex ;-)

[shrink]

C'est malheureux. J'espérais que le RA Belicoso serait distribué dans le monde entier.

[Mel39]

» C'est malheureux. J'espérais que le RA Belicoso serait distribué dans le

» monde entier.

Je suis désolé mais je ne comprends pas de français:-D

[Claudius]

» 2 Heard nothing about a different box presentation. Could be. Not sure but

» I don’t think we can afford right now a different presentation even though

» is aimed to a different market. With the French, you never know. As far as

» I know it is a Cabinet presentation, comprising 10 and 25 cigarss each.

WTF. Nobody see the contradiction here?

[El Presidente]

» WTF. Nobody see the contradiction here?

Shrink and Mel now type in French and you English :-D

[El Presidente]

» » 2 Heard nothing about a different box presentation. Could be. Not sure

» but

» » I don’t think we can afford right now a different presentation even

» though

» » is aimed to a different market. With the French, you never know. As far

» as

» » I know it is a Cabinet presentation, comprising 10 and 25 cigarss each.

»

»

» WTF. Nobody see the contradiction here?

If a cab presentation then it is different ;-)

I understood that they were looking at a 10 box SLB release at the time. This conversation was late last year. I suspect he mixed up his thoughts. From memory they are being released in 10's and 25's.

I thought it was interesting that he associated "we" to Altadis (French Distributor) I will remind him when I catch up

[Claudius]

» Shrink and Mel now type in French and you English :-D

Wie bitte? ;-)

Funny how shrink's French is perfect and Mel's contains a mistake, considering the relative distances separating these 2 gentlemen from the "Grande Nation" (lol at Grande Nation").

[Colt45]

» Nothing more than is done by Rolex ;-)

Then I'll have to go with something else. Would you by any chance be able to recommend

a Swiss mechanical?

[wp2]

Great info, thanks Rob.

A great smoke, IMVHO.

[Stalebread]

OK. Here we go. I suspect this question(s) will brand me as the FOH poster boy for ignorance. However . . .

Were the boxes of the UK RA Belicoso numbered?

Each box actually had a number somewhere?

How were they numbered? Written on an inside sheet? On a little plaque inside the lid? Stamped on the bottom?

Does the number indicate part of series, that is, 499/500? Or just the number of the box -- 499?

How many boxes are/were there?

See? Told ya.

[Claudius]

» OK. Here we go. I suspect this question(s) will brand me as the FOH poster

» boy for ignorance. However . . .

»

» Were the boxes of the UK RA Belicoso numbered?

No.

[Stalebread]

» » OK. Here we go. I suspect this question(s) will brand me as the FOH

» poster

» » boy for ignorance. However . . .

» »

» » Were the boxes of the UK RA Belicoso numbered?

»

» No.

Ah. Then I don't feel quite so dumb. I didn't think they were numbered. I did not understand the third point in the response Rob got from Cuba. Actually, I still don't.

"3 Numbering the boxes following the UK numerations should certainly be a mistake. I consider it that way. Another numbering is the right thing to do. And far more easy to track them all."

[Claudius]

» Ah. Then I don't feel quite so dumb. I didn't think they were numbered.

» I did not understand the third point in the response Rob got from Cuba.

» Actually, I still don't.

»

» "3 Numbering the boxes following the UK numerations should certainly be a

» mistake. I consider it that way. Another numbering is the right thing to

» do. And far more easy to track them all."

Yes, that doesnt make any sense whatsoever. Like the "unchanged" presentation when they are coming out with 10 and 25 ct SLBs and the UK release is SBNs. Actually, I think the guy talks a lot of BS. Like the English not flying to Paris to buy cigars. They take a ferry to go buy BEER in French supermarkets FFS :-D

[El Presidente]

The problem with taking snapshots of convertsations is that you do not get top see the context of dicussion.

The numbering was raised by me in a previous discussion. I wanted to know whether Re -Releases of regionals would be numbered from 1 or continued from say 2000. I linked the issue with the RA Beli.

In relation to UK buyers flying to Paris to buy.....their can be a naivity to HSA. They still don't believe a lot of Cuban cigarts are sold on the internet.

[strayvector]

» The problem with taking snapshots of convertsations is that you do not get

» top see the context of dicussion.

»

» The numbering was raised by me in a previous discussion. I wanted to know

» whether Re -Releases of regionals would be numbered from 1 or continued

» from say 2000. I linked the issue with the RA Beli.

»

» In relation to UK buyers flying to Paris to buy.....their can be a naivity

» to HSA. They still don't believe a lot of Cuban cigarts are sold on the

» internet.

However, it is my understanding that the French has banned the transport of tobacco by mail. So, unless you have friends willing to send them to you, you'll need to visit. Anyways, the Brits already cross the channel just to source their cheap wine so why not for cigars too?

[Claudius]

» However, it is my understanding that the French has banned the transport

» of tobacco by mail. So, unless you have friends willing to send them to

» you, you'll need to visit.

Correct. France has a retail sales monopoly. Tobacco products must be sold over the counter.

» Anyways, the Brits already cross the channel

» just to source their cheap wine so why not for cigars too?

They cross the channel to buy wine and beer in France, yes. They also fly to Gibraltar, which in case of the RABs would be more interesting anyway.

[Claudius]

» The problem with taking snapshots of convertsations is that you do not get

» top see the context of dicussion.

»

» The numbering was raised by me in a previous discussion. I wanted to know

» whether Re -Releases of regionals would be numbered from 1 or continued

» from say 2000. I linked the issue with the RA Beli.

Oh, I see.... (nice job defending your Cuban source ;-))

» In relation to UK buyers flying to Paris to buy.....their can be a naivity

» to HSA. They still don't believe a lot of Cuban cigarts are sold on the internet.

Really? They're probably not that familiar with living in the free world... if all cigar websites were shut down for a month, they'd believe it for sure :-D

[Fatcigar]

» The exclusivity contract in UK for RA Belicoso was extended to 2 years.

» Now it has expired so France ask for that very popular size to have the

» exclusivity for 1 year, to be named Especial de Allones even though is a

» Campana size commercially known as Belicoso

»

Hey, it is a free world but of course, it doesn't look too original :-D

Decision is probably pure commercial...like selling liquors !

Other than double bands (RE band), no difference. Brits RA Beli has no second RE band.

» One doubt: Do you think those who have the money, will fly out to a Paris

» civette to get the same product just for a few pounds less? Nope. Even

» when they ran out of RA belicosos? Think about it

Absolutely, people will buy if they like the smoke. They probably based this decision on existing stat on travellers, their cigar purchases and sales of RA Beli now. Soon you will see sales on Brits RA Beli...& 2 years later, French PL Magnificos appear, so save money & don't buy now....so funny :-D

...unless you are Canada and US embargo works in your favor...that is a whole different story :crying: hehehehehe...

[Trevor2118]

» .............and the (2005) UK release (RA Belicoso) is (in) SBNs.

Can someone confirm this? I recall buying a single cigar in Ireland and I was sure it came from a dress box!

But I was drinking a lot of Guinness at the time...;-)

[Claudius]

» » .............and the (2005) UK release (RA Belicoso) is (in) SBNs.

»

»

» Can someone confirm this? I recall buying a single cigar in Ireland and I

» was sure it came from a dress box!

Sorry, I got my abbreviations wrong. SPB (semi plain box, dress box), not SBN.

[Stalebread]

I was under the impression that is was London that has become a suburb of Paris. Now you're telling me it may be the other way around?