Expensive Cigars and EL\'s....worth the extra money??

[dragon]

Do you feel that the Edicion Limitadas and premium priced marques such as Cohiba or Trinidad are necessarily worth the premium? For example, is a Cohiba Robusto worth twice the price of an SD4 or a RASS, is the taste twice as good, is the tobacco used twice as good, etc? How about something like a Cohiba Sublime or other premium priced EL, are they worth 3-4 times the price of a Mag46 or a Partagas P2 or Monte No. 4 to you?

While Cohibas and Trinidads and most EL's are certainly superb cigars in my opinion, I'm not sure I really enjoy a Sublime 4 times more than a good RASS for example.

While I understand that Cohiba and Trinidad are made using only the cream of the crop of the harvests, are they truly worth the extra price to you??

[GoatLocker]

» are they truly worth the extra price to you??

No. I get sucked in like the next guy for EL's, but as often as not, I don't like them any more than a regular production cigar. The extra money could be spent on a nice box of vintage smokes. Of course buying vintage smokes can also be hit or miss!

[habanohal]

» » are they truly worth the extra price to you??

»

» No. I get sucked in like the next guy for EL's, but as often as not, I

» don't like them any more than a regular production cigar. The extra money

» could be spent on a nice box of vintage smokes. Of course buying vintage

» smokes can also be hit or miss!

That is true. I think most of the ELs' are %90 hype for the reason we all buy them. Definately for the overprice that is charged I myself mostly prferr to get 2 boxes of reg production cigars that are far superior to the ELs

[Tampa1257]

In my humble opinion, the EL's are a Marketing Ploy that is backfiring badly on Habanos S.A. They are all EXTREMELY overpriced, and NOW, Habanos S.A is bringing back several of the early ELs this year. WHY? It certainly totally destroys all the value of the original release EL. Not only is Habanos S.A. re-launching several of the ELs, but also reducing the average number of annual ELs coming out in the Market (They are also reducing the Box Count from 25 to 10 on one of them this year) Ever wonder WHY they did that? Box Price! They were trying to get the box price of the ELs to compete with the average cost of a 25 count box of a regular production, thus hoping that the end use consumer could justify the expendature for a 10 ct box of Montes.

If the consumer is so stupid enough to buy a box of ELs, then in my opinion, the very same consumer is also stupid enough not to care a tinkers damn about any of the regular production cigars coming out of Cuba. Spending stupid money on the ELs is going to have a cause and effect upon regular production Habanos. The consumer that is stupid enough to spend rediculas money on a cigar that is no where near the quality and craftmanship and construction of the regular production (currently), they as a company, Habanos S.A. is going to reduce the line items of the regular production items to gear up and produce more profitable ELs. I fear that the regular production items are going to long term suffer reduced quality because the construction and dedicate leaf normally used in them will be re-directed toward the higher priced and thusly more profitable EL.

It would not be too bad if the damn cigars were worth it, but everyone running out and spending stupid money on the ELs is screwing the average Cuban Cigar smoker.

Buy regular production Habanos and support the market with your spending $$$. As a massive group, we have clout becase of the money we spend on our cigars. Let you wallet speak loudly and clearly. Don't be spending stupid money on a cigar that really has a market value of about 1/2 of what is being charged. Exercise your right to be heard by exercising how you spend your $$$. Buy smart and buy regular production and forget about wasting your $$$ if you pay stupid $$$ on an ELs.

Does anyone else besides me remembering that an original release box of PSD3 ELs were no more expensive than a regular production Partagas? (It was also the last time I bought any ELs)

[Spud2]

» While I understand that Cohiba and Trinidad are made using only the cream

» of the crop of the harvests, are they truly worth the extra price to

» you??

Cohibas and Trinidads are very consistant and worth a little more IMO. For the price of a Cohiba Sublime or some of the other EL's you can find alot better smokes at cheaper rates,. Even when paying a premium for aged stock its cheaper than most EL's.

[Freefallguy]

I may buy CoRos and Trini Reyes, but I’m with Tampa, the EL's are simply too much dinero for me!

[strayvector]

Smoke what you like and like what you smoke. Some certainly feel that the ELs are worth the extra money and can afford to buy these on regular basis and that's who these are marketed for. If you start thinking about the price of a cigar when you're smoking it, more often than not, you lose some enjoyment. Most will agree that eating is more important than smoking a good cigar and when you light up a Siglo VI and start thinking that you could have a paid for a good meal out with that cigar, you lose some enjoyment from it. Of course on the other hand, there are those that enjoy that feeling. To know that they have arrived at a stage of their life where they can enjoy the finer things in life and not have to worry about the next car payment.

When I order cigars, it depends a few factors as to what I order. Budget, taste, an current mood. Sometime I can afford more and other times not. When I can afford more, I order vitolas like the Trinidad RE and LEs, other times, I order the RASCC or even JL Piedras. With me, once a cigar goes in my humidor, it no longer has monetary value. This way, when I smoke it, I don't think about the expense to taste ratio, I only think about enjoying the cigar.

[dipteran]

For a while they were relatively inexpensive--I bought Party Pyramides, PSD3s and RyJ Hermosos #2s for not a lot more than regular vitolas, and these cigars, while still young, have lots of promise. Now, however, the price has skyrocketed and I have the STRONG suspicion that tobacco blend that were once used in regular vitolas are now reserved for the ELs. In that sense, buying ELs is a bad move since a. in my experience they are not worth the extra money and b. it encourages the downgrading of quality of regular-production vitolas. At current prices, they are not worth it to me, and I think that paying those prices is ultimately bad for the regular Habano smoker.

[jay8354]

I think I have to agree with strayvector. You may not agree with the prices of the premium cigars. There are many quality cigars that are cheaper.

But this is a marketing of the brands and people love premium brands.

It is like why people buy certain brands for luxury cars. Is it really better? Some people think it is, so don't. For the price you need to pay, you can get several more common cars.

It is a personal thing and what your budget is.

Ultimately it is about the quality of the product.

[Colt45]

They're worth it to those who enjoy, and can afford them.

If you like them buy them, if not , don't. Personally, I don't

think they're worth it, and probably wouldn't buy the ELs I've

tried at half the price. Certainly there are those who buy them

for the "image factor", or think they're getting the best of the

best, when in reality, it's probably not the case. I also don't think

the Cohibas or Trinidads I've tried are worth the premium they

command. Good cigars - yes, worth the price - to me - no.

But things are what they are, and cost what they cost. Is a

Ferrari F430 worth 4 or 5 times the price of a Corvette?

If the people at Habanos s.a. were to allow the quality of the

regular lines to suffer due to EL production, I would imagine they'd

learn a hard lesson down the line.

[Chicago]

» Do you feel that the Edicion Limitadas and premium priced marques such as

» Cohiba or Trinidad are necessarily worth the premium? For example, is a

» Cohiba Robusto worth twice the price of an SD4 or a RASS, is the taste

» twice as good, is the tobacco used twice as good, etc? How about

» something like a Cohiba Sublime or other premium priced EL, are they

» worth 3-4 times the price of a Mag46 or a Partagas P2 or Monte No. 4 to

» you?

»

» While Cohibas and Trinidads and most EL's are certainly superb cigars in

» my opinion, I'm not sure I really enjoy a Sublime 4 times more than a good

» RASS for example.

»

» While I understand that Cohiba and Trinidad are made using only the cream

» of the crop of the harvests, are they truly worth the extra price to

» you??

Except for the 2001 series of EDLT, I have not had that much experience with limited edition:-) . There was a point when I thought Cohiba was worth the extra bucks. This was when construction problems plagued the CC industry.

Now that quality has improved greatly, I see no reason to purchase premium cigars like Cohiba and the various EDLT series. Although I do keep a stash of Trinidads for that special occassion.

That being said, I know plenty of people who prefer the Cohiba profile.

I do not, however believe they or Trinidad are twice as good and warrant twice the price. As I said, I cannot speak for EDLT but they seem awefully pricey.

[GoatLocker]

» Smoke what you like and like what you smoke. Some certainly feel that the

» ELs are worth the extra money and can afford to buy these on regular basis

» and that's who these are marketed for.

That's what it all comes down to. These are being marketed to people who can afford them. For the most part that's not me. Of course that doesn't always stop me... I'm always hoping THIS EL will live up to the hype. Once in a while, it does.

[1f1fan]

Personally I do not feel Cohiba or Trinidad are worth the extra money beacuse they don't really suit my tastes. If they were my favorite then I would say hell yeah they are worth every penny....but I prefer Partagas/Bolivar/Monte over Cohiba and Trinidad.

The EL's are priced too high, but the PSD 3 I had last weekend was outstanding and I hope the Monte D's turn out to be good 4-5 years down the road. I'm not a huge Upmann fan, or a fan of huge ring cigars so the Mag 50 does not appeal to me at all. The thing with cuban cigars, the EL's especially, need age to really shine.

So as for the question...woth the extra money....if you like them, then yes they are. I lean to good regular production smokes 90% of the time and "supplement" my regular rotatoin with EL's.

I do think the EL's are a marketing ploy, but if you really like the Marca and vitola of a certain EL on the market why pass it up...go for it.

[joerose]

The EL marketing definately taps into the person who always wants the next best or new thing, whatever that may be. I think it also appeals to those who are looking for the 'holy grail' cigar, the one that blows the doors off all others he or she has previously smoked. there are only two ELs that even dare to approach that status at this point in time (mind you this is my subjective opinion only) the Monte Robusto from 01 and the Cohiba DC. Most of the others can be hit or miss and for the price, there are many, many regular production smokes that are wonderful. I do remember when the ELs were priced, in Havana, not much more than regular production RyJ Robustos for $105 US, Cohiba Pyramids for $215. No more.

[harwellplant]

i agree with what has been said, with the qualification that i usually do not purchase many el's. to me, other than the cohiba dc el, there wasn't much out early that just totally turned my head away from other great, regular production.

[Curmudgeon]

I have lots of Cohibas, but no ELs. I guess that implies where I stand on the original question. ;-)

[PigFish]

I am not big on most of the high ticket items. Like Curmy (above) I do like Cohibas but I would rather smoke a Lanceros, CE, or S-3 than the ‘big bore bigger buck’ series.

I have taken a lot of fire on my opinions regarding EL’s Tampa1257 (above) has surmised my opinion pretty well in his post. I don’t think that they are worth the money. Nor do I wish to speculate on future value or wait until they are ‘prime’ for smoking.

I am happy to smoke any “good” cigar and hold nothing against any good cigar even a MM one. I do however hold a high expectation for an expensive cigar like Cohiba and EL’s. Cohibas consistently deliver, the EL’s consistently disappoint.

As I type this I am puffing away at an original release Hoyo P EL. There is a reason that I have given many of these away, not that they are a bad cigar! I could be spending this time typing and enjoying a Lonsdale at half the price and enjoying it just as much. -Piggy

[Elric]

I'll buy ELs when They are:

1. worth the $$

2. A brand and vitols that I cannot resist.

Partagas D3, Cohiba DC, Monte DC.

I have Monte D but that is about it.

Cohiba, Trini, Upmann SW, to name just a few, all blow away most of the ELs. Why bother with the additional expenditure?

[Tampa1257]

» I'll buy ELs when They are:

» 1. worth the $$

I'll agree with this statement. The issue is that for many, there is a false impression that the ELs are a premium made cigar, Sorry, but I call Bull ****! The ELs are directly marketed IMHO toward those that have that false since of extra value sinply because they are Branded ELs. They tobacco used and the construction of the cigars at least to me is no more premium than a Upmann Monarch, or a BBF or a Cohiba. The impression due to a name in quality and therefore priced for market at a significant premium is the marketing ploy, resulting in profits far beyond the received value of the cigar.

Let me be very CLEAR about this, I am quite able to afford a premium priced cigar if the Value is there. If I wanted to spend the money for ELs, I would have a cabinet full of them, the issue is that I do not believe that they provide the assumed value and derived satisfaction that they portrait them to have.

I enjoy Cohiba and Trinidad marcas. These are higher priced than many of the other premium priced marcas on the market. I may wish they were less expensive, but I continue to buy them because they provide a smoking experience that gives me the enjoyment and value of smoking them.

I am not a newbie looking for peer acceptance simply because I smoke ELs, and thereby present to others that I can smoke the newest and lastest thing coming out of Cuba.

This hobby, this passionate passtime we all share is about the enjoiyment we derive from smoking cigars. The ELs are a fad, they will one day be gone and people looking back asking themselves why did I spend that kind of money when the cigars realy are not that good, made with the same tobacco that other marcas are.

This is my opinion, and yes, I know that I am a little out spoken about it, but give me a Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.1,2 or 3 any friggen time before an EL. Give me a Unicos, or a BBF or a RASS, hell give me a Mag 46 before any of those ELs. The regular production cigars are the bread and butter of the majority of the Cuban Cigar Smokers, Why? Because they are better made and WORTH the price. I stated earlier about the failings of Habanos S.A. in regards to reducing the number of ELs this year, then on top of that re-releaseing a couple of the original ELs just tells the Educated Consumer that the writing is on the wall, the ELs are very soon to be a cigar that is history from being made. Why, NOT WORTH the price, because the Value is not there.

Habanos S.A. is going to come out with Regional Releases of hard to find, unique vitolas that will take the place of the ELs, and the new "fad" will begin, all the while the regular production Habanos will be smoked and enjoyed because the value is truly with them.

I know that several of you out there think that I am bitter because I can't afford ELs, and that is absolutely false! I am bitter because IMHO, the majority of those that spend their money on ELs do so because they think that by doing so, they are more elite than those that do not. Ego, and passion mixed together for presteige

[tmos]

Chuck, you're not just crabby the Bucs lost, are you??

[Tampa1257]

» Chuck, you're not just crabby the Bucs lost, are you??

LMMFAO!!!!!

[Tampa1257]

Actually, somebody needs to tell Habanos S.A. that we, the passionate Habanos Smoker is tired of fad's and simply want a well constructed cigar to smoke. Consistant flavors, each and every time we pick up a cigar to smoke. We want Value, we want taste, we want complexity, we want acceptable draws, we want to enjoy our cigars. We don't give a tinkers damn about if the cigar is an EL or a regular production, but make the cigars consistantly and price them fairly. Jacking the consumer around with a EL and priced Far Beyond reasonable acceptability is bringing the masses of passionate cuban cigar smokers together and we demand that they deliver a quality product. I have said this before, but Habanos S.A. needs to hear that the vast majority of smokers is telling them that they have gone too far, and it is time to grab hold of the rains and get ahold of the marketing arm before it goes totally out of control and hurts and damages the day in and day out Cuban Cigar Smokers. There are choices out there, and one can look at the European market that is growing, where? From NCs that are taking hold of shelf space and selling in a competitive market. NCs, are slowly gaining market share and they are delivering consistant quality and edging Habanos off the shelf because the retailer wants to have "turn on the shelf", meaning that for the retailer, if the NC sells quicker than a Habano, he is going to provide his customer with the items that provide him with those profits and return on investment. Damn Economics and Accounting 101 basics here folks. Someone needs to tell Habanos S.A. to pull their head out of the rectum and listen to those that buy and smoke cigars.

Thus ending this current rant.

[El Presidente]

Tampa.

You hit it on the head...if unintentionally.

The retailer needs a bait to draw in purchasers and entice a higher spend per stick. Voila..the Habanos EL series.

Something new every 3-4 months, keeps the retailer happy because instore stick buyers are not bothered by higher than average prices in order to try am EL stick. The number one question a retailer is asked by a customer? "What's new?"

The Habanos EL series has been immensely successfull in keeping NC's off the shelves in both Europe and Asia. Don't believe me? Then ask a European or Asian retailer how many Padron, Cuesta Rey, Greycliffe, Puros Indios, OPUS or Ashton they sell? In the majority of cases, in wet cigars, Cubans account for 90% of sales, Davidoff 5% and 5% the rest. Each of the above brands has been launched internationally.

Here is my beef with the EL.

1. It should be something special. It should have a unique charachteristic which is being celebrated. Too many El's to date have been hum ho.

2. Regional releases should be scrapped and they should be chanelled through the LE series.

3. Dark wrappers should be dropped or offered as an option.

4. Boxes should be numbered.

5. Celebration and release of some smaller gauge LE.

6. More smaller packaging. 10's are great and not budget busters.

Ideally, The Habanos blurb on an LE should be like this:

Welcome to the Por Larranaga Magnum LE. This famous vitola was discontinued in 1977 and was charachterised by it's rich, sweet and powerful presence. Our master blender, Enrique Brinones, has recreated this great cigar by Blending____________________________

____________________________ from the plantations of ________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________

The filler, wrapper and binder has been aged for 3 years by ________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________

20,000 cigars have been rolled and each one of the 2000 boxes are individually numbered.

Enjoy

[Elric]

» This is my opinion, and yes, I know that I am a little out spoken about

» it, but give me a Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No.1,2 or 3 any friggen

» time before an EL.

Amen to that!

The Serie du Conn is absolutely underrated. Awesome cigars!

[Colt45]

» ........... is tired of fad's and simply want a well constructed cigar

» to smoke. Consistant flavors, each and every time we pick up a cigar to

» smoke. We want Value, we want taste, we want complexity, we want

» acceptable draws, we want to enjoy our cigars. We don't give a tinkers

» damn about if the cigar is an EL or a regular production, but make the

» cigars consistantly and price them fairly.

The above , to me, hits the crux of the matter. Especially, in my opinion, as

how most NCs (that I smoke, anyway) easily meet and usually exceed the

quality of most Cubans.

And Tampa, for what it's worth, in my initial reply to this post,

afford=are willing to pay.