Reflections on 2009 Habanos

[El Presidente]

We have seen plenty of 09 stock come through over the past 5 months to get an indication of how they stack up to 06/07/08.

There was plenty of trepidation earlier in the year within the industry about the quality of 09 wrappers. The first shipments from 09 did little to placate fears. The 08 wrapper crop (to be used in 09) was below par due to various factors. Filler was not a problem albeit we will not see that years filler until 10/11.

The glut in world Habanos supplies has mean't that the main 09 cigars we have seen to date have been the fast movers. D4's, Monte 2, Monte 4, some Cohiba Robusto etc.

Initial production boxes of Jan/feb were all over the place in terms of wrapper quality. The taste of the cigars was roughly on par with the previous three years but the visual amenity was to some extent lacking. However the second quarter 09 saw a remarkable turnaround. All in all superior wrappers (in general) to the previous three years.

With Habanos scaling back production by close to 1/2 since March, it appears that they have had the opportunity to cherry pick better wrapper from an overall poor year. This can be clearly seen in Cohiba Robusto, Cohiba VI and Monte 2's which have been consistently of a high standard. D4's are another but not to the same consistency.

keep an eye out for third and fourth quarter 09 production. I have a feeling it will be a blockbuster in terms of overall quality. I will keep the board informed as they come in and take photo's of exceptional mastercases.

09 is certainly a cloud with a silver lining. The toughest year habanos has seen for a decade has led to perhaps the finest year.

[Colt45]

While I personally feel that flavor is paramount, I admit that I love what a great wrapper brings to the senses. While I don't like to hear

that they have to cut production, I do like the thought of being able to now pick and choose the best of the best wrapper tobacco -

reminds me of great wine producers in lean seasons.

I do hope that overall quality continues to increase, and that it becomes mantra, the holy grail - the bottom line. Thanks for the update.

[bunburyist]

50% cut in production...wow. If it means quality not quantity, happy days

[mkz]

Great reading! Thanks prez!

[Stalebread]

. . . . The toughest year habanos has seen for a decade has led to perhaps the finest year.

Thanks for the insight, Rob.

Kinda hard to get my head around the idea that their toughest year has led to their best cigars.

[Chaki]

To continue on the wine analogy, in Chateauneuf-du-Pape or the Rhône area in general, the more the vines have to fight and dig deep to find water, the more delicious the wine is thanks to the concentration of fruit in the grapes. Selection does have its benefits

[thechenman]

Thanks Prez...valuable knowledge. I too hope that at cut in production will lead to better quality.

[anacostiakat]

I have some from FEB09.

[samb]

Quality over quantity is a good thing. The downside I think will be an increase in price.

[reigndrop]

Thanks Prez...valuable knowledge. I too hope that at cut in production will lead to better quality.

... While still keeping prices where they are.

[aavkk]

Rob can you comment on the employee morale inside the factories? They must not be very happy with the food shortage and layoffs, etc. I would imagine as proud a people the cubans are this would effect quality control.

[frenchkiwi]

thanks rob - this is the type of info you can't get anywhere else - very interesting

[PointSource]

That's very interesting information......thank you. I'm curious about the 10 ct boxes of PSD4, Monte 2, Lusitania...etc.

[habone]

El Pres....u are the Master of all cases!

[Tampa1257]

Still have not received a box of regular production with 09 codes thus far, looking forward to testing your findings Rob. Certainly you have the opportunity to view Mastercases of product as it arrives, so your opinion is of great value.

[bassman]

So far the most memorable thing about 09 production was finding bands on a box of 09 RyJ Cazadores.