Stock Quality Overview

[El Presidente]

We (Greg and I) had a couple of good days in the warehouse. It is certainly easier to get through the volume of boxes when you have an exacting extra set of eyes/hands. Greg has had some good training having overseen some 40,000 boxes over the past couple of years. 

It is no secret that wrapper quality has fallen off a cliff.  I think you will hear the same from any vendor/distributor in the world. If they say different then simply they are being less than honest. 

Let's put it in perspective. 

There are few "wow" boxes. A "wow" mastercase is almost non existent.  The top end of quality has retreated to a mid level. Troubling thing is that much of the mid level quality has fallen back to "eek". 

Here is an example. This is now my best box of trini Reyes (24) and that encompases over a case. 

Outside of the Monte 2 in 10's I couldn't find any quality Monte 2 in 25's. None above a PE level. I know there are plenty of you who have reached out to me looking for quality Monte 2 in 25's. The reality is that I just don't have them. Monte 4 is the same problem.. I cried when I looked at the Monte 5.  

D4's are struggling. VR Unicos look like they were wrapped in binders. Let's forget about trinidad unless looking at Vigia. R&J Wides are in the main appalling. I saw my worst boxes of Partagas E2 ever. 

Cohiba Siglo line is holding up well in terms of quality. CORO same. Boli RC and PC holding the line. 

Saw a few boxes of Winstons and Behike but they were scouts from what will hopefully be a larger shipment later in the month. 

Nothing in terms of Monte Especial, Lancero, Esplendido, Coronas Especiales. At least nothing in 25's.  There were no 898's and there is no need to mention that there are no Dieux, Prince, SLRDC, Punch DC.  We have been told that there are no BBF incoming for another month unless in dress box 25's. 

If you were a new CEO of HSA you would ask at the next board meeting...."how in hell did you  get to this point"

For all the gloom Greg and I managed to pick some cracking cigars. It just took us three times as long to do so. 

I suspect this "special period" will continue through to about this time next year. God I hope not but unless the powers that be have held back some quality tobacco then the situation is likely to get worse before it gets any better. 

 As they say ......it is always darkest before the dawn.   

I will give you a heads up when I start seeing some rays of light 

[SignalJoe]

Hate the forecast, but appreciate the honesty.  

[Jimmy_jack]

Sad to hear. Considering my weak buying power now I'm not to upset.


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[Jimmy_jack]

@elpresidente do you check the full/packing? I've noticed some underfilled lately. I know you addressed this previously but I was wondering how it's looking now.


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[SticksAndSticks]

Out of curiosity does the general decline in quality across the board mean that there will simply be less PSP grade sales, or is PSP the top X% of what is currently available? Thanks as always, its fantastic having folks with keen eyes looking out for us during these times.

[luvdunhill]

I assume everything you are looking through at this point is stamped 2017?

What about RyJ Ex4 and Cazadores, how are they holding up?

[foursite12]

Second the experience, and concern, with low weight.  Bad wrappers happen. A pattern of underfills is the product of intent.

[83Nation]

Knowing absolutely nothing about HSA operations, is it possible given the recent harvest shortcomings, that the premium quality is staying in Cuba for domestic sellers, and the rest is what is being shipped overseas?


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[PigFish]

A couple of items. First, kudos to our host for his honest evaluation. He is not a guy telling you that mold is plume!

For those newer to the interest. Wrapper appearance may be important to many of you, but empirically, when you have smoked thousands of CCs, you will understand that the appearance of the wrapper is only skin deep. It has no correlation to the 'quality of the taste' of the cigar.

As previously noted, I am more concerned with the packing. Cuban cigars appear to me to be terribly under-filled these days. That is the major concern (MHO).

Here is an anecdote one might find amusing. The best actual quality, appearance and packing, in a cigar I bought last year came in a box of Fonseca! -LOL That is the Cuban cigar for you!

-the Pig

[canadianbeaver]

This factor is why we have to purchase expensive stuff from a trusted source, and read reviews from other sources for flavours etc too. 

Another source that fascinates me is when guys sell their stuff a lot. Sure, to make some lunch dough, but if a cigar or two is missing, maybe they did not like 'em?

CB

[jrusso14]

Less than ideal but appreciate the honesty and work you guys put in.

[PigFish]

I am with you Beav... I have never been a big trader or secondary, tertiary market shopper. People sell stuff for money at times, divorces, job losses etc., but a lot of this stuff has been sized up by the previous owner as substandard (at least in some cases) and they want to be rid of it.

I would prefer to take my chances with virgin boxes unless I know the seller really well.

-tP

[TheLiquidGator]

17 minutes ago, PigFish said:

I have never had a go at a "virgin box" and at my age that ship has most certainly sailed off into the sunset.

 

[mwaller]

Prez -

How are those Sir Winstons looking? I've seen pictures of some really calico boxes recently...

 

[canadianbeaver]

Ok I have to clarify an item so I am not telling a fib! Recently I bought a whole bunch of cigars by hand rollers in Cuba and I did not know one of the rollers or the seller. This was a not here.

But turned out just great.

 

[iannai169]

I'm glad I stocked up quite a bit this year. Got some great stuff. Have to be selective with my purchases for the next few months. At least the Prez is honest with us. Thanks

[kuma]

ROB,

LIKE YOU SAID "IT WILL GET WORSE BEFORE IT GETS BETTER" BUT LETS US PRAY TO THE CIGAR GODS

THAT "WORSE"  AND THAT THIS IS THE "BOTTOM" AND HOPEFULLY FROM HERE THE CUBAN CIGAR INDUSTRY CAN

ONLY GO UP FROM HERE!  i CAN'T SEE IT GETTING ANY WORSE BUT I DON'T HAVE AS

MANY CIGAR SMOKING YEARS UNDER MY BELT AS SOME FOH MEMBERS AND YOURSELF HAVE.  I WAS VERY LUCKY TO COME INTO

SMOKING CC'S CIGARS AROUND 2010 JUST WHEN HABANOS WHERE STARTING TO HIT THIER STRIDE FROM 2010 THRU 2014 AND 1/2 OF 1ST

PART OF 2015.   LONG FOR THE DAYS WHEN EVERY OTHER BOX POSTED ON 24:24 WERE PSP'S.  NEVER HAD SEEN ANY PE'S

BREAK INTO THE 24:24 / LFTH LINEUP DURING THE TIME OF "WINE AND ROSES".  i THOUGHT THAT WAS THE NORM

AND THE PSP HEAVEN WOULD GO ON FOR EVER!  LEARNING, LEARNING AND LEARNING!

 

 

[KFBR392]

Thanks for the update.  

[TBird55]

With the state of cuban cigars,  it makes me appreciate the businesses model the "Prez" has developed. Providing good quality, when quality is difficult to find. Being straight up and down when discussing what's available. It's so nice to know that when you place an order, you never have to worry about what you will receive. 

[garbandz]

this is exactly I went deep on '13s and '14s.

reports of poor crops and obvious shortages of certain sticks were my warning bell to stock up.

Hopefully I have what I need to ride out the slump.

[El Presidente]

7 hours ago, mwaller said:

Prez -

How are those Sir Winstons looking? I've seen pictures of some really calico boxes recently...

 

some stellar boxes, some good and some average ones. I haven't seen more than a few boxes which could be considered poor. 

certainly not to the same wrapper standard of previous batches. 

[maxcjs0101]

Thank you Rob for providing us information like these. It's always good to know the current stock quality.

[LLC]

Rob I'll be interested in your thoughts on the taste and flavors of some of the cigars where wrappers are pale and not what we typically look for. I had one of the people I know in Havana who is very involved in many aspects of the cigar industry tell me that although cigars from the past few years looked much better the flavors of current year are as good or better. Of course this person has vested interest and may just be saying that but I know you'll tell it like it is.


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[RijkdeGooier]

Rob thanks for being such an honest gentleman.

Your observations are in line with what was generally to be expected after the less than ideal harvests from the last years. 

I suppose going forward you just have to smoke a cigar from each box to give us an honest appraisal. 

 

[Fugu]

11 hours ago, kuma said:

THAT "WORSE"  AND THAT THIS IS THE "BOTTOM" AND HOPEFULLY FROM HERE THE CUBAN CIGAR INDUSTRY CAN

ONLY GO UP FROM HERE!  i CAN'T SEE IT GETTING ANY WORSE

There have continually been ups and downs, downs and ups in the Cuban cigar industry (and not only since 1959). No need to panic. Buy when quality is up - take a break (or very carefully select / have selected for you) when qualities are low. It's really as easy as that.