Specialties Ideas.

[Colt45]

As an aside, while I've nothing against "specialty" items, I'm not the biggest fan - they're not personally appealing - I'm no collector.

The fancy humidors, etc - I'm not sure what I'd even do with something like that.

But even with a more "basic" specialty - I can't imagine giving a second look if they'd be priced as specialty items. To be the ass, I'd

much rather the effort be put into making sure every cigar in my next box draws properly and tastes great.

(and yes, I do realize what this is about - not trying to be a downer)

P.S. Curious to know how these have been selling:

[BolivarSmoker]

I have always thought thata RA with the same dimensions as the Petit Edmundo would be nice (52 ring gauge). Cabs of 25 and/or 50. Those black and gold "Edicion Limitada" bands would look petty sharp on them too.

[cadillacdoc]

The Torcedor Collection, A box of 10-25 cigars rolled by a single torcedor with tobaccos selected personally by that torcedor, simple packaging, bands with facsimiles of autographs, numbered boxes, etc.... eg: Jose Cueto Salomones, Rodolfo Toboada Pyramides Grande, Yolanda Medina Robusto Extra, Reynaldo Gonzalez Canonazo, Hamlet Flying Pigs, etc... did I mention that I get a box of each gratis for the idea.

[SethG]

I think Habanos is doing well in terms of their current offerings. The flying cigar pictures, travel kit etc... the prices are a bit high but Cuba's working with what they have.

Maybe I could brainstorm something off the beat a bit:

1) Go into the collectors bins and bring back some of the pre-embargo brands that are flat out gone and attempt to get the blends correct. Small runs and just totally out there cigars.

2) I think anything that fits with the old designs could be a great throw-back. Ceramic and glass jars, coffins, treehouse humidors things like that. Glass Tubos for valuable cigars.

3) The QC issue seems to be reverberating around here, how about bringing back some of the 70's 80's sticks in a special case with the old labels, a second band and basically double checking on the Quality Control.

In general, what can we suggest that GAVD etc.. aren't already designing?

[shrink]

What about a "Ramon Allones" Seleccion including of RAG, RASS, RA-898 V, Corona Gorda, Short Club Corona. 50 cigars...10 of each.

I think you're on the right track here, but why limit it to Ramon Allones? I'd like to see something similar to the 2002-03 Cohiba Reserva for a number of marques, with each box including a selection of the marque's most popular vitolas. It would provide a high quality "sampler" to introduce people to some of the less well-known marques. I think that a box of 50 would be prohibitively expensive; boxes of 24 or 30 would be better.

[Fatcigar]

We have been given the green light to explore the world of Specialties.

So put on your thinking caps. i need two ideas from you.

2. An idea incorporating 25 or 50 cigars which are new but NOT from Cohiba, Montecristo, Upmann, Partagas, Romeo y Julieta, Hoyo De Monterrey. This is not about a regional releases but a limited release of maybe 1000 specially packages items.

Hi Prez, since the #2 idea's limited release is 1000 units, this places itself between Limited Edition Humidor Series (250-500units), Replica Antique Series (150-350units) and the Reserva Series (5000 units), thus more importantly, its price point consideration. Hence, let's do away with the fancy handcrafted packaging or humidors, the focus should be on the uniqueness of the cigars themselves!

This picture of Fox Selection No.119 (100 cajon) came from 'Ryan' on ICC from JJ Fox-Dublin warehouse. i found the packaging simple & beautiful and if placed inside with 'rare & vintage' vitolas, it should have wide appeal to cigar aficionados!

As for the cigar brand selection, may suggest Punch Nectares No.2 (46x143), not only of its discontiuned statue, smaller vitola will limit cost & allow construction of cabinet a easier task. All in all, a win-win proposition. Of course, the net retail price will not be too outrageous!

[Tampa1257]

I like the simplistic packageing that FatCigar suggests, just not the cigars.

I would go with either a Por Larranaga Dalia or a Diplomaticos Dalia or even a Ramon Allones Dalia but the size has mass apeal to those that enjoy both large and small ring Habanos at 43x170.

[tigger]

Rob, this deviates from the parameters you've set out, and may be too derivative of what Wolters did in '04, but what about Sancho Panza Dorados?

It might create some marketing buzz, and bring a bit of lustre to a troubled marque at the same time.

Edited to add:

I'm not sure how representative of your core market I am, but I'm not willing to pay a meaningful premium for packaging (a couple of extra bucks for foil, fine. Many extra bucks for a humidor I don't need just to get the cigars, not so much.). I am, however, willing to pay commensurately for interesting, well-made and blended vitolas in flavor/body profiles I enjoy.

[Stalebread]

1. An idea using existing cigars.

2. An idea incorporating 25 or 50 cigars which are new but NOT from Cohiba, Montecristo, Upmann, Partagas, Romeo y Julieta, Hoyo De Monterrey. This is not about a regional releases but a limited release of maybe 1000 specially packages items.

1. FOH tubes in boxes of five or ten. Marque maybe Ramon Allones, Por Larranaga ?

2. What? No one has mentioned the Flying Pig? Seems like this could be a prime opportunity to use this shape in an appropriate marque and packaging.

Why in counts of 25 or 50? Is that a prerequisite from those who turned on the green light? Or is it a FOH imposed parameter? Why not 3-4-3 boxes? Or something like a 10-count SBN but in two layers of five? (I recognize I'm in the distinct minority on this one but I enjoy the benefits of ten-count boxes and I'm willing to pay somewhat more per piece price for what I gain in the way of variety and storage considerations.)

[thurmanmunson]

I like tigger's idea of Intro Packs to differant margue's. (as a side note ,if HSA wants to make it real "special", they can throw some leaf and a "Hamlet: How To Roll Your Own" in the box, I'm sure some member's here would roll them in their own "image". Ken can put some "Punky Brewster" pants on his, Smithy can put a nice blouse on his, greenpimp and Trevor can roll their's to look like poker sharks......etc...etc

2. I like the idea of vitolas you woundn't nomally see in different margue's.

Like cabs of PL, Diplo, RA, Dalias, or how about Parejos.

A cab of Boli Carlotas would be nice, real nice.

[Punch Joe]

My thoughts probably can't really be considered specialties, but.....

I wouldn't mind seeing cigars that are normally available only in dress boxes as 25s, available as SLB or 8-9-8. More specifically,

I'd love to see the Bolivar Coronas Gigantes in 8-9-8 packaging.

My second thought is a reusable cigar case based on the reproduction tins, but my idea would have these cases lined with scalloped cedar

"channels" which would cradle each cigar separately. Each case would be hinged in the center, and could be made from various metals or

other materials as long as kept slim to fit in a pocket.

Thinking four or five petit coronas, three or four corona gordas, x amount of carlotas, each case and cedar insert sized appropriately.

LIKE THIS. Colt 45?

[laficion]

Or like this old style of packaging used in the 30's & 50's

I HOPE THE ATTACHMENT WORKS

box.bmp

[Jimmy2]

Bring back a discontinued cigar every year on a large scale !! with fair pricing for the everyday cigar smoker as they are the ones that keep the cigar market afloat... Just make it simple not fancy lets be real cigars are ment for smoking and nothing else...

[Huckins]

Fatcigar has nailed the packaging. Let's now vote on the cigar and get this project moving!!

[Huckins]

we shall call it "Czar's Selection No. 1"

[Colt45]

LIKE THIS. Colt 45?

Very much like that José! I was thinking it would hinge on the long side - open like a book, and to have the interior be of cedar.

This is something I'd probably be willing to pay a bit extra for, especially if it could be made of something like pewter, or even

a nice one in silver. Branding or logo would be less important for me personally, but I wouldn't mind such a case bearing the

Corazón de Cuba standard

Thanks again for the pic!

[Ryan]

I like Fatcigar's idea on the packaging, it really is an impessive box in the flesh. The cedar in the sides and doors must be 15mm thick.

The cigars in there are Por Larranaga Fox Seleccion No 119, petit corona sized. Fox's address in Dublin since the late 1800s is 119 Grafton street, I never confirmed with the manager that this is where the name came from but it would seem like too much of a coincidence to be otherwise.

As for a new special release, stick 50 RA 898s and 50 RA Coronas in one of those and it would have me saving my pennies. The problem I would have would be if I could ever break into it..

[Colt45]

The problem I would have would be if I could ever break into it..

Not to be a smarty-pants, but what would be the point in acquiring such a box? I do realize we have collectors as members, but

for me personally, as already stated, it's hopefully not where RA would be going with this.......

[Ryan]

Not to be a smarty-pants, but what would be the point in acquiring such a box? I do realize we have collectors as members, but

for me personally, as already stated, it's hopefully not where RA would be going with this.......

I know what you're saying but I'd smoke them alright. That packaging would simply prevent me from breaking into them too quickly. With four bundles like that, you could smoke two and still have two intact.

Besides with any limited run of 1000 or so, it's going to be collectors buying a large amount of them anyway.

I just think that happens to be a very nice box. There was a time when that style was very common, I don't think there have been many since the revolution.

[Colt45]

I know what you're saying but I'd smoke them alright. That packaging would simply prevent me from breaking into them too quickly. With four bundles like that, you could smoke two and still have two intact.

Besides with any limited run of 1000 or so, it's going to be collectors buying a large amount of them anyway.

I just think that happens to be a very nice box. There was a time when that style was very common, I don't think there have been many since the revolution.

I agree on all points, and I prefer this type of packaging to let's say, the Bolivar Armonias. My problem would be with storing the chest

[anacostiakat]

I agree on all points, and I prefer this type of packaging to let's say, the Bolivar Armonias. My problem would be with storing the chest

True. I agree. It would take up a lot of space.

Sheesh, I have enough trouble breaking into cabs.

[neal875]

Ultimately, these do have to be a sales hit. Otherwise, we can come up with some esoterica that looks great on paper but that few will really want to buy and enjoy. So for Rob's first challenge:

1. From the newly created CLASSICS SERIES: A 50 cabinet of Montecristo #2. But these cannot be 50 cigars off the rolling table that they just throw in a cab. They have to be PSP quality in a cab of 50 specially banded sticks. That would be a tough one to resist.

2. This is really a packaging issue. People love great packaging--especially if it has something new inside. I know we have people on this forum who don't subscribe to this but, while they are wonderful people and probably very successful, don't hire any of them to run your marketing departments. If you look at Fat Cigar's post, my God, I would take a second on the house for that cabinet. It has immediate value and value that is created before you sample the cigar--which is how the sale goes down 98% of the time. People buy with their eyes.

So, having said all that, a 25 cab or box of Bolivar Cristales or a 50 cab of Punch Super Seleccion #3 (perhaps a corona gorda). Obviously these are things I would like to see that have a lineage and help further the connection with the history of the brands. Plus, it would be really cool to be one of the few to ever own either of them.

[hoyopr]

So put on your thinking caps. i need two ideas from you.

1. An idea using existing cigars.

2. An idea incorporating 25 or 50 cigars which are new but NOT from Cohiba, Montecristo, Upmann, Partagas, Romeo y Julieta, Hoyo De Monterrey. This is not about a regional releases but a limited release of maybe 1000 specially packages items.

1. Trinidad and various other marcas offer 12's and 10 boxes, I think expanding this smaller boxes (not cardboard) could open more buyers to various cigars they've wanted to try without having to order singles and with out haveing to commit to a full box/cab.

2. I think the suggestion of vitola packs of 50 or 25 with 5 of each selected marca is a great idea. You could easily do 50's of pc & minutos, 25's of robusto, churchills, corona gordas ect. Punch, Diplomatico, JL, Boli, VR, RA...

[El Presidente]

Thanks for some fantastic ideas fella's :rotfl:

The process has begun and we are looking to mid/late 2010 for the first release. The timeframe precludes anything too mindblowing for 2010 but we will be working simultaneously for the following years in order to maintain a 1-2 product rollout per year.

Keep in mind that any given release will not keep everyone happy (concept, seleccion, price, etc) but over time it should create some very interesting works.

[Kangaroo495]

A cool humidor and packaging for Sancho Panza to spark some interest in one of Cuba's oldest brand. mabey something that would educate people on their heritage. I think this would be fantastic move to revitalize a brand that has been on the chopping block and I would hate to see this Marque go from a nostalgic point of view.

Justin

Agree. Let's do something with Sancho Panza. First thing's first - the blend and roll must all be in line with the SP Belicosos which we see in Prez's Premium Select Program.

Second, you need something Don Quixote-themed. Either a humidor or some tubos. Unfortunately Sancho Panza was a bit of a fool. So let's make a new blend/vitola called the Sancho Panza Don Quixote (DQ). Recommended vitola would be DC or Dalia, with a new and improved Sancho Panza DQ band.

Anyone read Don Quixote? I personally could get through the whole thing...

"The cultural legacy of Don Quixote is one of the richest and most varied of any work of fiction ever produced. It stands in a unique position between medieval chivalric romance and the modern novel"

Surely something can be done with that...