First Half 2016 Wrap Up

[El Presidente]

Like most of us, I am not sure where the first half of 2016 has gone 

We finsihed June with a record 6 months thanks to you 

However, overall it has been a tough 6 months for the retail industry in terms of supply. You are all aware of how thin on the ground premiums such as Cohiba, Winston, SLRDC are ....let alone the dearth of BBF, 898, Dieux (not since 2014). 

Cohiba in particular represents some 25-30% of profits for not only HSA but also retailers. Take them out of the mix and it is a hard road. 

Looking forward, I can't see to much change over the coming year. Supplies will be tight across many lines. Lack of appropriate leaf is the issue and a good growing season this year really won't change too much until 2019. That is frightening in itself. Crikey...imagine if the embargo was lifted now!.....I would be peddling PSP Guantanameras 

Still I am a glass half full type of person.  Actually the glass is generally more like a bucket and close to spilling 

While the bad news is almost all down to production and the resultant undersupply, the good news is in relation to quality. 

 

The best cigars of 2016 to date?

Bolivar Corona Gigantes

Diplomatico Number 2's

H. Upmann Magnum 56

San Cristobal La Fuerza 

 

Not a struck match between them. I love the consistency in flavour and quality across those four and consistency is a feature that gets you into the top four. Each of them brings a ton of flavour and a great smoking experience to the table. 

 

The most consistent factory to date in 2016 

la Corona is producing some stunning stuff from Dip 2's to Monte Edmundos/petit edmundos/magicos/Cuaba/898/Fuerza and a hell of a lot in between. 

TOS is the most consistent code coming out of Cuba today. 

 

The Comeback Cigar of 2016 to date 

Diplomatico Number 2.  From the outhouse to the penthouse. 

 

The Fall From Grace cigar of 2016 to date

Por larranaga Petit Corona. 

In terms of quality the PLPC has taken a few steps backwards. Don't get me wrong, still smoking well but I am not finding those stunning silky cabs like I was in 2015. Just a perceivable drop of in quality. 

 

The "Darwin Award" of 2016 to date 

PCC and the pricing of the La Gloria Cubana Revolution Regional 2015. 

Excellent cigar. Dumb packaging and pricing. 

Mind you it is selling well so what the hell do I know. 

 

The Worst Cigar Release of 2016 to date. 

Hoyo De Monterrey Hermoso Number 4 Anejado

Who knows what they were thinking. What flavour free zone this cigar is. The "nail in the coffin" for any credibility in this questionable program. 

The best "Bang for Buck" cigar of 2016 to date

Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo Du Prince. 

What a pearler of a cigar. Balance, flavour and complexity in a cigar so young. 

 

The Most Inconsistent Cigar of 2016 to date

Montecristo Number 2 

It must be envious of the Dip 2 right now. A victim of multi factory copious production. Get a great box and you are in heaven. You have also just won lotto. Never a buy blind choice. 

 

The  "No One Loves Me"...Slowest selling Cigar of 2016 to date 

Tight field ....but the winner has to be the Partagas Serie D Number 6. 

Let's make an expensive cigar wedged in between the D4  and the D 5...and then put them in timber boxes of 20 so that they are also expensive to ship.  Brilliant marketing!.....morons. 

 

All in all I am looking forward to the second half of the year. God knows we are due for the new releases but more importantly...Havana in November where I am looking forward ot catching up with old friends and meeting new ones! 

 This is my 20th year in the industry and I look around to find that almost everything I adore has been a product of it. Friends close and far, my team who are family, Di who is my best friend and partner. Blessed.  

A cigar is but a cigar be it a "Cohiba Reserve Maximus Dinero" or a Monte 4.  Their real value is in who they bring you together with. Nothing else really matters at the end of the day. 

Have a cracker weekend!

Rob

[sactochris]

Good stuff. Thanks for the info.

[BMWBen]

Nice update, I always find this "insider view" interesting 

[Mattygukas]

Awesome update!  Any thoughts on the best box codes found this year?  (I guess 2015 codes)

[El Presidente]

45 minutes ago, Mattygukas said:

Awesome update!  Any thoughts on the best box codes found this year?  (I guess 2015 codes)

 To date, 

TOS

TOR

MEG

SLE

PUR

LAU

RUE

[Bartolomeo]

The best cigars of 2016 to date:

-La Fuerza, Sig 4, Picadores and Epi 2 as far as freshies goes

 

The Comeback Cigar of 2016 to date:

-HDM Epi 2

 

The Fall From Grace cigar of 2016 to date:

-RA 8-9-8......turd for me

 

The Worst Cigar Release of 2016 to date:

-Agree on the Anejado program, hate all of them, lifeless

 

The best "Bang for Buck" cigar of 2016 to date:

-when found on sale, Serie E, La Fuerza, Choix, Regios, Picadores

 

The Most Inconsistent Cigar of 2016 to date:

-PSD4, Famosos, Customs

 

[Pharmacovigilant]

Thanks for the info, and Congrats on the 20-year milestone!  Here's to 20 more!!! ?

[dicko]

Rob, congratulations on 20 years in business!! what a remarkable effort! 

[polarbear]

5 hours ago, El Presidente said:

....let alone the dearth of BBF, 898, Dieux (not since 2014). 

 

 

I read that as "Death" and nearly had a heart attack

[Firebender]

Have few Cohiba boxes aging, fortunately..

What next, shortage of Montes?

[WillGSX]

Great write up Pres.  It's been an interesting year for sure.

[PigFish]

... and I was sure, best bang for the buck would have been one of those new Cohiba Humidors that you have been pitching the company line on.... -LOL

-Piggy

[Joker]

Rob

Great write for the year to date

Congrats on 20 years in business , wishing you all the best & future growth ?

[zeedubbya]

Very nice write up Prez.  It's very interesting that with the shortages it was still the best 6 months ever.  I'm by no means a seasoned veteran, but the quality of cigars I've put into my humidor this year has been unlike anything I've ever seen. For all our sakes I hope it continues the remainder of this year.  

But Prez--no love for ETP or AMO?  ETP seems to be a stellar code, you must be seeing a fair amount of bad ETP behind the scenes to not even include it in the list?  

Congrats on the 20 years--an awesome achievement for sure.  

[Blazer]

Thanks for the summation. I greatly appreciate an honest assessment of the current state of the market versus the normal propaganda machine.

[Fugu]

Congrats Rob for your 20th! Needs a lot of commitment to stay ahead in business.

All the best for the next 20 years!

[El Presidente]

On 7/9/2016 at 3:31 PM, zeedubbya said:

Very nice write up Prez.  It's very interesting that with the shortages it was still the best 6 months ever.  I'm by no means a seasoned veteran, but the quality of cigars I've put into my humidor this year has been unlike anything I've ever seen. For all our sakes I hope it continues the remainder of this year.  

But Prez--no love for ETP or AMO?  ETP seems to be a stellar code, you must be seeing a fair amount of bad ETP behind the scenes to not even include it in the list?  

Congrats on the 20 years--an awesome achievement for sure.  

ETP/AMO have been solid. 

Just let down by the more than occasional mediocre run. When they are "on" they are seriously "on".  I just expect more. 

 

[El Presidente]

14 hours ago, SlimOne said:

Great update and congrats on the milestone!!!

I have to ask.....any keepsakes from the early days and if so what kind of gems are they?

Looking forward to the year end report.

To be honest I smoke cigars when they are ready to go...I don't keep them. Mind you I would have some  700 personal boxes from that time on. It was not my intent. I will move most of them. 

Best keepsakes?  The photos. The early day times in Cuba. The memories, the laughs, the battles, our first Customs, Havanathon, posting bail, being banned from entry, long lunches, the friends I/we have lost, the friends I have made across the globe, legislation we have battled, memories that I recall with a laugh and those that I try to forget,  the simple joy of being human and blessed. 

 

[Coloniales]

Can't agree with the Hoyo Anejado Rob. I have found this to be a great cigar (despite the price). Maybe they sent the flavour free ones to Oz, but the examples i have had are really good, and friends here in the desert agree. Now the Partagas Anejado, that is a POS.

 

Keith.

[Duffer]

Rob, thanks for the wrap-up!  Interesting and informative stuff.  

For me, it's hard to leave the R&J Churchill off the "Best of 2016" list.  

[luv2fly]

20 years in business is a huge milestone.  Congrats on your success and here is to 20 more.

[miurajus]

Fantastic accomplishment, congratulations.  In the short time I've been here, the potential to stay on top of the game has been witnessed through and through.  Your model, approach and thirst for excellence has the hallmarks of future domination.  I truly hope that with continued success the permeation of complacency will be consciously and continuously defeated.

[Mr.T]

Late to the party but congratulations to you and your entire dedicated team over the years on reaching this milestone. We are very lucky indeed to have you and your team helping us pursue and enjoy our passion that is Cuban cigars...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[El Presidente]

Can't agree with the Hoyo Anejado Rob. I have found this to be a great cigar (despite the price). Maybe they sent the flavour free ones to Oz, but the examples i have had are really good, and friends here in the desert agree. Now the Partagas Anejado, that is a POS.

Keith.

 

That is what I love about the cigar world Keith.....each to their own 

I had my first HDM Anejado with John & Justin at the Soho Whiskey Club this time last year. None of us were too impressed albeit the next cigar in the 225 made up for it. At the time those HDM Anejados from memory were brought back from Cuba. You know how it works. 

My tasting of them with ken was a bad experience. I have to say I haven't had a good one yet.  Still, one of the warehouse guys loves them. You love them and some of your desert mates same. I know of plenty of haters as well from around the globe. 

I may deband and do a blind tasting with ken. 

 

[El Presidente]

On 7/11/2016 at 7:03 AM, Duffer said:

Rob, thanks for the wrap-up!  Interesting and informative stuff.  

For me, it's hard to leave the R&J Churchill off the "Best of 2016" list.  

Not far off. Definately in the top 8. 

The only let down in them has been a little wobble in quality from some factories. They really are pumping them out.