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Posted

Hello all,

Is it true that the Bolivar Gold Medal has been discontinued? Apparently the production of these have stopped end of 2010 due to lack of interest.

Also the San Cristobal de la Habana Mercaderes, Muralla and Oficios are rumored to be discontinued as well for the same reasons. No shock here. But the Gold Medal? Wasn't it brought back in 2004 as a La Casa del Habano exclusive?

If true, another skinny bits the dust.

regards

Lars

Posted

That would be a shame, ive only just tried these the last few months and found them to have a nice choc note different from other bolivars, almonst like an LE. As you mention, long skinny as well, feels great in the hand.

Posted

I haven't heard plans to delete the Gold Medal. According to Trevor's page, no deletions are planned for 2011.

I don't know how these are selling, but I would imagine not too badly. They are affordable and only contain 10 cigars, plus the gold foil make them a popular item for CC novice and gift givers. Personally, I really liked the first box I received and have another one aging.

Posted

Interesting history on the Bolivar Gold Medal that I suspect has been reported here before.

The originals were reputed to be among the strongest, earthiest Cuban cigars made. Discontinued in the lat 1980's or early 1990's (depending on whom you believe) allegedly due to Cuba being unable to obtain the gold foil for the packaging.

A limited edition of 1000 boxes was commissioned by the LCDH distributor for Germany and released in early 2005 in two separate batches (bearing dates of DEC 04 and FEB 05). The retail price on these was about $180 per box at first, but quickly demand drove that up to over $200 per box. I was lucky to get a few of these boxes and those that I have smoked have been exceptional.

BGM's were released as regular production cigars in about 2006 -- maybe 2007 -- much to the chagrin of those of us who thought our German boxes were special and worth a premium price. The initial asking price for the regular production re-release was about $120 per box. There wasn't much demand, and special prices could be found as low as $75.00 per box. I have smoked just a couple of these. My initial impression was that they were very consistent with the German edition. Boxes purchased with later dates haven't measured up, though they are still good cigars for my taste.

Posted
Interesting history on the Bolivar Gold Medal that I suspect has been reported here before.

Hi Van,

Very interesting information.

Was there any physical difference in the packaging that can identify which cigar is which?

Trevor.

Posted

I got a few from a LSM July 2008 box in a trade with a member on here. They are bang-on wonderful. Needs some extended aging and such, but still great now.

When I was just in Cuba last week, at the LCDH and other shops in Varadero, I saw lots of the BGM boxes, but all with 2008 dates on them, nothing older or younger.

Posted

Not a great mover but I would be surprised if they were to be deleted. Stopping production for some time may be.

Lets see if we can find out

Posted
Not a great mover but I would be surprised if they were to be deleted. Stopping production for some time may be.

Lets see if we can find out

Rob, what's the most recent date code that you know of for these? Off the top of my head, I can't remember anything being past early-2009. :P

Posted
Hi Van,

Very interesting information.

Was there any physical difference in the packaging that can identify which cigar is which?

Trevor.

You know, Trevor, I haven't looked at the packaging that carefully (other than the box code). Let me do so in the next day or two and get back to you.

If I don't get back to you then, top this thread.

Posted
Trev, this is a BGM Wolters release box. -R

post-79-1296598471.jpg

post-79-1296598493.jpg

I think "German release" is more accurate and more fair. Christoph gets far more credit than he deserves.

Posted
I think "German release" is more accurate and more fair. Christoph gets far more credit than he deserves.

A fair perspective... he was working at PH's at the time the project started as I recall. It was a pretty funky deal as I remember it with the majority of the details long since forgotten, by me at least! When I think of these I think of Herr Goldmember! -Piggy

Posted

No one's really talking about the other SCDLH's that were mentioned as rumored discontinueds, so I'll go to bat for them....

I sure hope the Muralla's aren't being cut. After some initial bad experiences with some younger ones, I find these to be exceptional (very large though!) cigars, full of sweet spices and honey overtones with just the right amount of woody flavour. They are definitely worth trying if anyone is curious! I am happy with my box and would probably get one more if I knew they were being cut. For shame!

Posted
Did anyone see any Cohiba Lanceros with 2010 codes?
From memory we are into 09's.

From my Cuba trip last week, if I remember correctly, there were Lanceros that I saw at the LCDH in Varadero with 08, 09, and 10 codes. Most were 09 (the 08's were set aside for someone apparently). I could be mistaken, and it might have been the Esplendidos that I was looking at, but I'm 99% sure it was the Lanceros. I was specifically looking for/at the Lanceros, Trini Fundadores, and Montecristo Especials.

Posted
From my Cuba trip last week, if I remember correctly, there were Lanceros that I saw at the LCDH in Varadero with 08, 09, and 10 codes. Most were 09 (the 08's were set aside for someone apparently). I could be mistaken, and it might have been the Esplendidos that I was looking at, but I'm 99% sure it was the Lanceros. I was specifically looking for/at the Lanceros, Trini Fundadores, and Montecristo Especials.

I don't care what anyone says about you Nut... you are a man of good taste!

... well mostly.

... okay some,

... maybe!!! -LOL

Did you get any?

I have smoked only a few Lanceros from the mid-2000's. I am still smoking the '01's and still pretty happy with them. I wish I had the coin to be putting away a few boxes of the newer ones. -Piggy

Posted
I don't care what anyone says about you Nut... you are a man of good taste!

... well mostly.

... okay some,

... maybe!!! -LOL

Did you get any?

I have smoked only a few Lanceros from the mid-2000's. I am still smoking the '01's and still pretty happy with them. I wish I had the coin to be putting away a few boxes of the newer ones. -Piggy

Thanks for the compliment, Piggy. Er...I think. :P:PB)

I guess I need to make up for the EL appreciation for 2007/2008, right?!! :DB) As well as the robustos, piramides, etc., etc.....

No, I didn't get any Lanceros. For the coin, none of them really had any "pop" on the nose. There was none of that honey/lemongrassy-ness that is so present in my other Cohiba stuff. [Edit - I don't know if it was an issue with the excess overhumidification that I noted in the walk-in at that LCDH. Everything was moist for sure, not sure if that affected the nose on the Lanceros or not.] But, there wasn't really a box that I found that jumped out at me. And, I didn't see any Montecristo Especials at all.

So, I ended up with a nice 12-box of Trinidad Fundadores. They're beautiful specimens, that's for sure.

Posted
Hello all,

Is it true that the Bolivar Gold Medal has been discontinued? Apparently the production of these have stopped end of 2010 due to lack of interest.

Also the San Cristobal de la Habana Mercaderes, Muralla and Oficios are rumored to be discontinued as well for the same reasons. No shock here. But the Gold Medal? Wasn't it brought back in 2004 as a La Casa del Habano exclusive?

If true, another skinny bits the dust.

regards

Lars

My reaction to your post is "OH NO!". Where did you hear about this?

I hope it's only a bad joke. I like these smokes very much - it's not the best but among the very good and enjoyable ones.

If true, the explanation could be that they have maybe run out of gold paper again, because -09 paper is different to its predecessors.

:2thumbs:

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