Blakes

The Upmann and Monte half coronas have proved popular. Extending those into the brands in question would provide an affordable introduction to those who aren't familiar with the marca.

The new QDO bands are awful. The only new bands that look any good and feel 'Cuban' are from the Italian RE's - La Escepcion and the Flor de Cano Casanova. Everything else looks like a bad NC rip off. Edit: The RA bands on the Extra and Swiss Perfecto are spot on too.

In this context Christmas was cruel to me - though it did not seem it at the time! Start weight as of 11th Jan - 91.9 kg

They sure seem overpriced without the second band!!

The odd numbers.

Assuming the EU is still around in 2025!

$ 700 / 600 / 500 or double.

Could the appearance of easily assessable auction groups such as on Facebook around this time be playing some part in this? Rather than waiting to get a idea of the release, from a smoking perspective before buying and especially buying in bulk. People now see these releases as an investment first and buy as much as they can... and if they turn out to be good cigars that's a bonus.

I agree with this. The cost the LE/RE programme has had and continues to have on decent regular production cigars, imo makes them all complete failures in terms of quality cigars, though for making money clearly they're all winners. The emphasis has switched, They were a company that specialised in making cigars and are now a company that specialises in making money by way of cigars.

I certainly am a grumbler. I'm not a fan of NC's either but what I have noticed over the last couple of years is the increasing ease of getting hold of Cuban custom rolls, good quality custom rolls for that matter. And available in any size you like, (Corona, Lonsdale, Daliah, Skinnies etc..) These are the cigars that have been taking up a larger percentage of space up in my stocks in recent years. To me it seems HSA are inadvertently creating an underground 'competitor' all be it tiny. If circumstances change in Cuba, how long before small private marcas return to the market?

Done. Wishing Carole and her husband all the best.

I think Fassbender is ideal to take over from Craig and add some...

You know it's all messed up when a $15 Siglo VI is now the cheap cigar in the equation!!!

I have 1 humidor with HCM's and keep meaning to switch the others which currently have HF. Like someone mentioned mine have turned a brown/yellow colour and smell awful.