2009 6 monthly review.

[El Presidente]

So we are 6 months into 2009 and I would love to have your thoughts as to "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" of the Habanos year to date.

Let me start.

"The Good"

The return of three cigar which I feared had gone to seed. I am talking about the H. Upmann Magnum46 (08), The Hoyo De Monterrey Epicure Number 2 (08) and the Bolivar Belicoso Fino (07/08)

They have been back to their decade best and each is both rich and reflective of their proud histories.

The change in the three cigar has given me great hope personally in Habanos s.a.'s commitment to excellence.

"The Bad"

Should it really be July and only now the LE's of 2009 being released? Can it be that hard to have one of the three LE releases to be April, another June/July and the final September?

It is a reminder of how amateurish the Cuban industry can be. Has anyone seen the new Bolivar Royal Corona or Punch Punch Tubos? How about the new Trinidad Robusto? If a racehorse I owned performed in such a manner I would shoot it.

The Ugly

Montecrito "Open" wins hands down. If it looks like a dog, tastes like a dog....it is a dog.

I know we will win few friends with our opinion on this cigar but the tradition amongst mates is that you call it as you see it. Given it is out in the market already the only suggestion we can make is to change the blend and give it a personality which is different to cardboard. Ths has been done before so it should pose little challenge.

For those that have not tried a Montecristo Open we will send a Sampler package to you of the "Eagle,Master and Junior" for $30 USD/ $55 AUD including delivery. Let us know your opinion, just e-mail [email protected].

Over to you. Sum up the first six months of 2009 from your perspective

[Ken Gargett]

For those that have not tried a Montecristo Open we will send a Sampler package to you of the "Eagle,Master and Junior" for $30 USD/ $55 AUD including delivery.

may i strongly suggest, and for this recommendation my commission is only 10% of any success in this endeavour or a good cigar, take your $30 or $55 and place it on any number on a roulette wheel.

1. you will be a happier person for not having smoked these worm ridden dog turds, even if you lose.

2. you have a one in 37 chance of being very happy indeed. the odds of you being very happy after smoking these (seriously, fakes on the street are better cigars - things that do not contain tobacco of any sort at all are better cigars than these) are squillions to one.

3. today is monday. do you need any other reason to avoid these?

still, it is your $30 or $55 but if i had every cent that madoff had swindled in the bank, i still wouldn't waste any of it on these.

[bassman]

The most interesting thin I've seen in the first half of 2009 is how few cigars with 2009 boxcodes are available. Usually I'm seeing ENE codes by Feb- MAR. Any thoughts?

[Van55]

The Open Eagle is getting some nice reviews at the site run by the glitzy "cigar magazine" published here in the USA. Each to his own.

For me, I am taking gargett's advice on this one.

[mkz]

1. you will be a happier person for not having smoked these worm ridden dog turds, even if you lose.

2. you have a one in 37 chance of being very happy indeed. the odds of you being very happy after smoking these (seriously, fakes on the street are better cigars - things that do not contain tobacco of any sort at all are better cigars than these) are squillions to one.

3. today is monday. do you need any other reason to avoid these?

This sounds like a cigar that will probably become "Cigar of the Year" according to CA-magazine.

Just wait and see...

[smk819]

I had my first of a box of HDM Epi#2. Box code is EPR Apr08. This cigar had a wonderful sweetness to it that lasted for the entire cigar. They were only 3 weeks off of the truck, but I couldn't restrain myself. I will let them rest for awhile longer before I give a fuller review. I agree that these fall into the "good" category.

[El Presidente]

I had my first of a box of HDM Epi#2. Box code is EPR Apr08. This cigar had a wonderful sweetness to it that lasted for the entire cigar. They were only 3 weeks off of the truck, but I couldn't restrain myself. I will let them rest for awhile longer before I give a fuller review. I agree that these fall into the "good" category.

You nailed it Stephen. Sweet rich tobacco. Gorgeous.

I should have mentioned the 08 Partagas Lusitania as another on a strong comeback trail.

As for the lack of 09's seen to date.....there is a lot of 08 stock sill in the warehouses of HSA.

[bassman]

Good news on the Lusis. Haven't bought any in years, but last week more out of curiousity than anything else got an 08 box of 10.