Off to Havana...Member Questions for HSA?

[Trevor2118]

I think everyone has trouble in obtaining the Regional Editions, and I think ever one would like to sample them.

In view of the release? of the assorted Replica of the X Festival Box - Selection of 10 cigars (possible 20,000 boxes) question is:-

How about they do a sampler of each years RE's.....if they don't fly off the shelfs, nothing will.

PS: I understand that a very limited edition special 2007 Regional Release sampler was produced and gifted to distributors.

So they can do it, just need to do it in quanity.

[cigarros]

How about they do a sampler of each years RE's.....if they don't fly off the shelfs, nothing will.

+1))

[Mr Peales]

I would like to know why they cut certain cigars from production? Couldn't they simply produce fewer of them? For example why did they eliminate the Partagas Corona and not more Coronas from some of the 'local' (less popular) brands?

It would also be nice to have a consistently strong cigar produced on a semi-frequent basis for long term aging. Could they make something in each of the 'global' brands that defines the brand from the old-school? A Retro Habanos Series that is not paraded as a limited edition. -P

[Habanos2000]

Van beat me to it. Great question and I wonder if you will get a truthful answer.

Ditto that for me. I've heard and read about the hurricanes effect on cigar production in the future and was wondering if I should stock up now?

[Havanaaddict]

tell 'em that i said to.......

bring back ramone allones 8-9-8's

bring back punch ninfas

bring back LFDC coronas

bring back por larannaga lolas en cedros

bring back fonseca invictos

bring back punch SS#2's

bring back the la escepcion marca

(any of my fellow FOH'ers can copy and paste this list to add anything i may have forgot. lol)

Add Ramone Allones Coronas "How can anyone not like a cigar that we call RAC'S"

[Van55]

Have they considered reproducing the "Flying Pig" as a regional edition? If not, why the hell not?

[Bill Hayes]

Partagas Corona and make em' oily like a xmas pudding squashed into a forest floor.

[PigFish]

For the record I am one of those guys who wants to bring back smaller ring cigars but already knows the answer.

I would like to know why the marketing arm of Cubatabaco is not more serious about lobbing heads of state and spending some time and money to work against the cigars smokers’ worst enemy… political correctness.

There are plenty of politicians out there who enjoy a fine cigar. I would like to see the diplomatic cigar reborn and a box of cigars once more prominently displayed on more politicians’ desks worldwide. I have little faith in politicians but I do know a good cigar when I see one. I am hoping that good taste may trump bad judgement!!!

[habanohal]

Liked to know, whats the deal with ther 10 ct boxes of ELs for ridiculous amounts of money? I can see $280- $350 for a 25 ct box, but not for 10 cigars. I put in perspective....like Cuaba Salamones approximately $120, So why are Partagas Salamones in the $250 range?

[Miami101]

Hi

Prez

Questions: New relases, bands that will no longer be around?

Is there any chance you might do a blend for FOH?

[ARRV]

I would love to know about the Nicuargara part of the trip - work or play? Would love to know more about tobacco production there as it seems to only have blossomed in the past year or so.

[El Presidente]

I would love to know about the Nicuargara part of the trip - work or play? Would love to know more about tobacco production there as it seems to only have blossomed in the past year or so.

Very much play

I will be back in Nicaragua/Ecuador/DR/ next year for a proper tobacco expose. This year is just to catch up with a good mate and perhaps to visit a well known cigar maker.

Nicaragua has been growing cigar tobacco from the 70's if my memory is correct. It hasn't been easy with Govt changes (Sandanista's) and all have had to start again from time to time.

I will take plenty of photos

[hoyopr]

What, if anything, is being done to continue improvement in quality of cigar construction?

I still find overall construction quality hit or miss. I understand that draw testing equipment

is being used, but is there an overall plan for improvement? Increased, more stringent roller

training, etc? (I understand that salaries play a role here).

Has there ever been thoughts of changing the way leaves are bunched, or is the current method

considered the "best" way? Is the current traditional method considered to impart some of the unique

flavor characteristics to the Cuban cigar?

One small example of construction variance is the divot - it seems some cigars have them while many

do not. is this roller choice or roller experience?

Thanks.

And to what extent are cigars being frozen to deal with the threat of beetle eggs, I think HSA says all product is being done but I haven't heard any first hand reports of people seeing these facilities that are anywhere near capable of the volume of production?

[DocRKS]

I love the idea of being able to procure a Sampler of the REs..........

[tapewormboy]

Perhaps you could get confirmation that the Montecristo Petit Edmundo is just a shortened Edmundo? Someone on a different forum posted pictures of a factory worker cutting Edmundos down to size.

[Mr. Japan]

Rob please ask the right perople if the new variety Capero no.1( introduced in 2006) is been really a mess after the fermentation of the leaves. H.R. used to say that this was the best variety for Capas in the last 15 yeras, but rumors are that things went really bad after fermentation.

And I would like to know wich are the variety's of Tobacco that are used in Nicaragua, name , characteristic etc.etc.

[Trevor2118]

Perhaps you could get confirmation that the Montecristo Petit Edmundo is just a shortened Edmundo? Someone on a different forum posted pictures of a factory worker cutting Edmundos down to size.

Cutting Edmundos down to size?.....I don't think that they are that silly

[Ginseng]

Some wonderful points, gents. I'm particularly curious about any processing advancements they might have made and the effects on consistency and quality. On that latter point, I'd also like to know a little about their quality systems. I'm guessing they don't have a Six Sigma blackbelt on staff but I'd like to understand their approach to establishing quality measures and insuring compliance. I know, rather mundane stuff compared to the love of the leaf, but so very important to maximizing return on investment and insuring customer satisfaction. And, after all, bad systems lead to the bitching we all do on occasion when we get freakish looking, poorly filled, or green looking cigars.

On the smoker side, I'll leave others to carry the thin gauge banner. I'm quite happy smoking coronas, cervantes, and dalies along with the coronas gordas which I love. I would love to see the introduction of the equivalent of "single vega" cigars, rolled with highly distinctive tobacco and blends. I don't suppose the fellow whose Habanos habit consists of picking up a few loose sticks from the LCDH after work will care much, but it seems like there are some who would love to have a more intimate, unfiltered experience with Cuban tobacco. This is the "something different" that I think would turn nascent Habanophiles into full-blown specimens better than $75 dollars worth of fancy box on $25 worth of cigars or $20 regionals.

I would also like some insight into how HSA perceive the kinds of smokers out here. What sort of categories do they form? What assumptions do they make about what we like and how we can be tempted...and put off. In a word, do they know the various "us's" on the other side of the counter?

Wilkey

[mkz]

Rob, if possible: some news on the rumored Habanos Nordic regional release? To be or not to be?

[tapewormboy]

Cutting Edmundos down to size?.....I don't think that they are that silly

I didn't think so either until I saw the pics. That's Cuba?

[anacostiakat]

tell 'em that i said to.......

bring back ramone allones 8-9-8's

bring back punch ninfas

bring back punch SS#2's

(any of my fellow FOH'ers can copy and paste this list to add anything i may have forgot. lol)

I would agree with this. Also, I know this will never happen but cut back on the high priced LE's and put more effort into the lines! I have lost my thirst for the LE's as they just do not hold up in general for the cost.

[mkz]

I didn't think so either until I saw the pics. That's Cuba?

Where can I find these pictures?

[tapewormboy]

Where can I find these pictures?

The guy took the post down. Not sure why.

[SmokinAl]

Here's a simple one for you Rob.

How come they take the time to market an Anniversary humidor supposedly to commemorate the prestige or quality of the brand and then build a PIECE OF **** humidor to stick the cigars in?

To keep guys like me in a job. Silly bloody question. Viva La Crap!

[Fatcigar]

Some wonderful points, gents. I would also like some insight into how HSA perceive the kinds of smokers out here. What sort of categories do they form? What assumptions do they make about what we like and how we can be tempted...and put off. In a word, do they know the various "us's" on the other side of the counter.

* it is believed that 90% of customers are of regular weekly cigar smokers versus 10% (may be less) for true collectors (same as in any other products), plus since worldwide smoking bans have enacted, HSA will forgo thiner & longer vitola for fatter & shorter vitola !!! Indeed a sad thing !

* it is also a new shareholder's tendency to reap big revenue & profit after they (Imperial) just paid a hefty price for the business ! But, if they seek good advices from H&F (British allied), there may still be hopes....hehehe !

* btw, a box of rare-vintage 'Flying Pigs' was sold to a private person in Hong Kong for USD65,000 last month !! Sadly said, HSA doesn't care about such 'heritage' cigars because the money does not go into their pocket!

* since the recent 3 hurricanes have damaged only some of the storage facilities and not the crops because they were not yet planted, slight minor issues may arise for the production of 2011.