Specialties Ideas.

[El Presidente]

We have been given the green light to explore the world of Specialties. "Explore" does not mean approved ...still it is progress.

I have been a little critical of HSA for designing product without consulting its core market. I don't particularly want to make the same mistake.

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.

Have a good play with this. We will take the most appealing ideas to a poll. Thank you for your input fella's!

[armedak]

How about a 50 cab packaging of Ramon Allones in corona gorda format.

[tigger]

1. Intro packs for a Marque or two. For instance, for Partagas, a short, a PSD 4, an 898v, a PSP 2, and a Lusitania all in one package. I think these would make a nice gift, and a good way to introduce new smokers to the brand. Call it Un Gusto de Partagas or some such.

2. RA Coronas or 898s, true to the original blends, in cabs.

Edited to add:

Well, Coronas in cabs. 898v in 898v packaging.

[El Presidente]

How about a 50 cab packaging of Ramon Allones in corona gorda format.

Thats a Regional Release and to be honest that is not what this process is about.

50 Corona Gorda....possible.

It would need a humidor. "Green"?

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

[anacostiakat]

Thats a Regional Release and to be honest that is not what this process is about.

50 Corona Gorda....possible.

It would need a humidor. "Green"?

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

Anything RA appeals to me. I would like to see the 898V fo sho!

Also something new from VR?

[jquest63]

Vegas Robainas - a unique Alejandro blend for each season, a full body powerhouse for the winter, a medium bodied corona for the spring, a light/medium for summer and corona gorda for fall. 25 each in a rustic humidor and call it Vegeros.

[workinonit50]

For a specialty item:

The Trinidat T's are in a kind of pyramid/triangular shape. So how about a Trinidad Pyramid shaped humidor with 20 piramides and 20 of a new vitola-petite piramides (46 x 130)??? piramides with pigtails hmmmm.

[jquest63]

Package by size: ex. 25 PC's - 5 Boli, 5 Por Lar, 5 Juan Lopez, 5 RG's and 5 Punch.

[jquest63]

Vegas Robainas - a unique Alejandro blend for each season, a full body powerhouse for the winter, a medium bodied corona for the spring, a light/medium for summer and corona gorda for fall. 25 each in a rustic humidor and call it Vegeros.

oops, forgot about 25 or 50 packaging.. Pack the summer and spring blends for 50 and the fall and winter blends for 50. I'd definitely buy that.

[Guest rob]

A "Vitola Seleccion" would be great.

Limited releases with a dedicated Vitola - The idea would be:

* choose 5 brands

* create ONE vitola not normally in those brands line up

* package them all together in a traditional packaging

For example - An 898 box with representations of this vitola and expressions by Bolivar, RA, Por Larr, VR and whoever else.

edit: oops... just wrote my response and then saw jquests post. Good idea jquest!

[jquest63]

Rob Ayala Blend: Work with Alejandro Robaina to formulate a Rob Ayala or FOH blend and packaged in a custom FOH box. Rustic cabinet style box, with the FOH logo hot branded on the box of 25 or 50.

[jquest63]

Package 25 or 50 FOH custom blend, Bolivar or Ramon Allones, with FOH cutter, FOH lighter and or FOH guayaberra.

[jquest63]

Coffee and Cigar Package: 25 morning blend Bolivar PC's to complement a cuban coffee blend included in the package.

[compitaveggie]

So this is just special packaging? No special blends? I just want to clear it up.

thanks this is going to be fun.

Jose

[compitaveggie]

I like the coffee and cigar package idea.

Jose

[jquest63]

Aged Cigar Package: Not already rolled, but extra aged leaf for a special FOH aged blend. Package in vintage box.

[compitaveggie]

This is from Nino's flying cigar blog. Is this what you mean except our own ideas and perhaps better. Some of them really sucked. Some of them were Regional editions so not these, but they have the monte. 4 travel humidor and the Robusto Cube.

http://www.flyingcigar.de/travel_cigars/20..._selections.php

http://www.flyingcigar.de/travel_cigars/20...ls_part_two.php

Jose

[pmw]

lanceros in a lance shaped jar/humidor/...

[jquest63]

This is from Nino's flying cigar blog. Is this what you mean except our own ideas and perhaps better. Some of them really sucked. Some of them were Regional editions so not these, but they have the monte. 4 travel humidor and the Robusto Cube.

Jose

[/qu

Nice Work! I love the Upmann leather travel humidor

[Justin01]

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

[Colt45]

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.

[SamuraiJack]

1. Something like "Classics", highlighting the classic vitolas of the recognizable brands. Lusi, R&J Churchill, Fundadores, Monte No 2.?. like 5 of each in a nice keepsake laquered box. Something for someone new to Habanos to get a taste of the old stand by's.

2. Limited Lancero Collection!!! Bolivar and SLR.

[tigger]

I'm not sure the time frame you're looking at here Rob, or who actually would be running the project, but the idea of a "Habanos Classicos" series, maybe one brand/vitola per year, of classic discontinued cigars has crossed my mind.

Things like RG Lonsdales, Partagas Coronas, RA Coronas/898s, SP Coronas, etc.

It would bring back some great smokes, but with a marketing angle to help sell them to folks who never tried them. "Old School" can be a good selling tool.

[kilroy]

I think a sampler pack of PCs or CGs would be nice. 25 cigars per box. 5 cigars, 5 marques... the only problem is that when you leave out the top 6 brands its hard to fill in space... there is no RA PC... or CG... or Boli CG.

Perhaps HSA should focus on making a more uniform number of cigars per brand and then they can get fancy.

[Huckins]

100 cajon of a vitola noted for long term aging