Cuba Increases Prices Of Cohiba Behikes—Again

[LordAnubis]

On 4/29/2023 at 2:16 AM, SCgarman said:

These types will always buy into the FOMO mentality whether a Behike is $300, $500 or $1000 per stick. 

And this I think is what habanos is crazy to be leaving on the table. They’ve shifted the market of behike to ultra wealthy. That’s the bed they want to lie in fine. But don’t pussy foot around. Go all in. Set em at 1500 a stick because for those that it doesn’t matter, it really doesn’t matter. 

[Vortigan]

In my neck of the woods, a single 52 will certainly set you back close to $350!

[dominattorney]

2 hours ago, Bijan said:

While I agree with your first point, this point is a bit different.

You/we/me can find a rainbow diamond flavored Rolex hideous, period.

Someone could get a such a watch for free, with a stipulation that they can't ever sell or give it away and you could still "look down" on the person for wearing it in public non-ironically.

I don't think we're arguing that a Behike is a Gurkha-like diamond crusted, gold-wrapped, money grab.

It's more like the steel Rolex that's selling for 3x what it used to because the world has lost its mind.

In the end though you can only wear one watch at a time, and smoke one cigar at a time, so given enough money, anything "tasteful/enjoyable" can make sense.

My life is a constant struggle to properly express myself in an unoffensive way. Thank you for your assistance along the road. 

[dominattorney]

7 hours ago, SigmundChurchill said:

It's all a spectrum though.  If getting what you want causes you zero pain or hardship, you are going to get what you want, and we are all on different parts of the spectrum.  

When someone purchases a luxury item that causes an impact on their lives, like taking food off the table or not being able to pay their rent, I think we can all agree that that is just stupid.  

For other's there are smaller sacrifices they are making because of the purchase, like a little less in the 401k or savings account, and we can reasonably disagree on quality of life now, vs quality of life later in life.

Then there are people who can buy luxury items with zero impact on their lives.  At that point, some people just want what they want, and can you really judge them for it when the purchase has all the impact on their lives as when an average person buys a sandwich and a coke?

I buy things now that I would have thought insanely stupid in my younger and poorer years, so I get where the sentiment comes from, but there is always someone with a lot less than you that would judge you for the money you "waste".  We are all here on a message board that celebrates spending hundreds of dollars on boxes of rolled up leaves that we light on fire.  How do you think we come off to some guy living in a mud hut in Zimbabwe?

I do wonder about your last point. It's why I donate money to charity and try to also volunteer my time whenever I can. Then the problem rears its head. Clearly I can give more time and money than I currently choose to do. Where one draws the line in matters such as these is a process. 

[SigmundChurchill]

47 minutes ago, dominattorney said:

I do wonder about your last point. It's why I donate money to charity and try to also volunteer my time whenever I can. Then the problem rears its head. Clearly I can give more time and money than I currently choose to do. Where one draws the line in matters such as these is a process. 

Yes.  I do as well.  Though, probably more like "now and then" rather than "whenever I can".  

The line for me is constantly moving. 

[LizardGizmo]

I guess I’m just lucky that Behike doesn’t suit my palette like Esplendido and CoRo do - not that they’re reasonably priced either. I feel for those who love BHK - can’t imagine my favorite cigar being $300.

[NSXCIGAR]

Just now, LizardGizmo said:

I guess I’m just lucky that Behike doesn’t suit my palette like Esplendido and CoRo.

I didn't ever think so either but after bingeing on them recently I must say the difference between what I usually smoke and BHK is striking. Again, I wouldn't pay more than $35-40 or so for it but the quality of the leaf in them is pretty darn nice. I wouldn't score them more than 95 points (which is why $300 is insane) but they're certainly a treat. 

[LizardGizmo]

17 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

I didn't ever think so either but after bingeing on them recently I must say the difference between what I usually smoke and BHK is striking.

 

I’ve recently had 2010 BHK52 and a bunch of 54 from various years. My Esplendidos from ‘14 wiped them all away. After your note here, I’m going to try to avoid binging them - god forbid I fall in love 🥶

 

[joeypots]

On 4/29/2023 at 12:19 PM, Bijan said:

This has always been my rough rule. I bought Esplendidos, Siglo VI and CPE, but never any Behike, because I missed that boat. I guess I might have tried a single at $100, but I seem to have missed that boat too.

I might have gone a hundred if the circumstance arose but since it did not I do not feel as if I missed out .

 

On 4/29/2023 at 8:57 AM, dominattorney said:

Even when we win for this guy he's not happy. He just sits around wondering who has nicer things than him. I genuinely feel really sorry for him. I truly think he defines himself by what he buys and what other people think of those things. He has never even offered to pick up the tab at lunch when we go out. 

I once heard a guy say that happiness doesn't come from having what you want. Happiness is comes from wanting what you have.

[Puros Y Vino]

Just came across this video that breaks down the the Luxury markets.  Not cigar specific but still an interesting assessment.  In short. Luxury brands target the "poor" and get them to spend like they're "rich". (probably overstating the obvious here, but there's more detail in the video)  😁

 

[dangolf18]

Smoked my fair share of the whole line when first released in 2010. Hands down the best sticks I've had to date. For a few years, could get them for 35-50 a piece from some vendors. Saved a few 2010 BHK 54 and 56 but haven't smoked any in probably 7-8 years. Not sure if current ones live up to the 2010-2012 ones, but for those I'd gladly pay 100-150. 350 is absolutely ridiculous. Just wish I had a time machine and stocked up more. But hindsight is always 20/20.

[NSXCIGAR]

I had had a few in the last 10 years and I recall feeling exactly like I do how after having quite a few more. Very high quality cigars that didn't blow my mind but are definitely different than almost anything else. 

The ones I'm smoking now aren't particularly rich. I'm actually surprised. I would put them at under medium. The quality of the leaf is absolutely top notch in terms of smoothness but for $300, $200 or even $100 for that matter I would expect some concentrated flavor along with the quality. These are 54s and maybe the 52 & 56 are different but it's like they're stuffed with the best volado you've ever had and maybe a token leaf of seco. Esplendidos and PE are certainly richer than the 54 although they do lack that super refined taste of the BHK leaf. 

Hard to describe I guess but they really don't get past 94-95 points for me despite the tremendous quality of the leaf. I suppose it's like a supermodel that's a dead fish in the sack. 

 

[Bagman]

21 hours ago, Puros Y Vino said:

Just came across this video that breaks down the the Luxury markets.  Not cigar specific but still an interesting assessment.  In short. Luxury brands target the "poor" and get them to spend like they're "rich". (probably overstating the obvious here, but there's more detail in the video)  😁

 

I wonder if these bags would be as exclusive if the consumer would need to repair the stitching of the bag 3 out of every 25 bags sold!  Consumers would have to buy a pefectseam tool in case the bag they get is poorly made.

Cuba raised their prices, and called them selves "Luxury".   It doesn't work that way. Delusional thinking on their part.  You actually have to create a luxury product.  Non-Cubans are going that route. 

[SCgarman]

30 minutes ago, Monterey said:

I wonder if these bags would be as exclusive if the consumer would need to repair the stitching of the bag 3 out of every 25 bags sold!  Consumers would have to buy a pefectseam tool in case the bag they get is poorly made.

Cuba raised their prices, and called them selves "Luxury".   It doesn't work that way. Delusional thinking on their part.  You actually have to create a luxury product.  Non-Cubans are going that route. 

You mean to tell me over-filled poor drawing/burning cigars that sell for hundred of dollars per cigar ain't "luxury"? Darn, what the hell am I buying?! 😂

[MrBirdman]

23 hours ago, Puros Y Vino said:

Just came across this video that breaks down the the Luxury markets.  Not cigar specific but still an interesting assessment.  In short. Luxury brands target the "poor" and get them to spend like they're "rich". (probably overstating the obvious here, but there's more detail in the video)  😁

 

This basically nails it. The “ascension” of CC into this realm is why I’ve started to check out. 

[SRH1]

Bought a box of 54’s in 2012 in a group buy and paid less for the box than a single goes for today….still have a half dozen in the box tucked away in the ‘aging’ coolidor. 😎

[El Presidente]

3 hours ago, Monterey said:

Cuba raised their prices, and called them selves "Luxury".   It doesn't work that way. Delusional thinking on their part.  You actually have to create a luxury product.  Non-Cubans are going that route. 

Well, trinidad and small Cohiba aside.......their plan is working a treat!

I didn't give it a snowflakes chance in hell.  I was dead set wrong. 

[Bagman]

1 hour ago, El Presidente said:

Well, trinidad and small Cohiba aside.......their plan is working a treat!

I didn't give it a snowflakes chance in hell.  I was dead set wrong. 

Except that Trinidad and Cohiba are the luxury brands, and the ones I was talking about.  I don't think even Cuba is pushing the Fuerza as a luxury cigar.

I was never talking about sales.  On the sales part, they made a smart move for themselves.   Just was talking actually luxury, not just perceived luxury.  Each bag in that video is made by hand to the highest quality, and that quality speaks to their luxury status.  Cuba didn't increase quality, just the price and said "Now we are luxury".

[HuffnPuffff]

While I agree with your first point, this point is a bit different.
You/we/me can find a rainbow diamond flavored Rolex hideous, period.
Someone could get a such a watch for free, with a stipulation that they can't ever sell or give it away and you could still "look down" on the person for wearing it in public non-ironically.
I don't think we're arguing that a Behike is a Gurkha-like diamond crusted, gold-wrapped, money grab.
It's more like the steel Rolex that's selling for 3x what it used to because the world has lost its mind.
In the end though you can only wear one watch at a time, and smoke one cigar at a time, so given enough money, anything "tasteful/enjoyable" can make sense.

Sorry to be a stickler for detail, but I have found it possible to wear more than one watch at a time and possible to smoke more than one cigar at a time.
I’ve even found it possible to drink more than one drink at a time…
Haven’t found it possible to drive two cars at a time though


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bijan]

42 minutes ago, HuffnPuffff said:

Sorry to be a stickler for detail, but I have found it possible to wear more than one watch at a time and possible to smoke more than one cigar at a time.
I’ve even found it possible to drink more than one drink at a time…
Haven’t found it possible to drive two cars at a time though

I've never managed to do more than two of each (drinks more enjoyable than cigars, and watches a distinct negative, at least aesthetically). Which is more or less in the same ballpark.

To make it nitpick proof:

There's a limit to how many watches/cigars/etc you can enjoy in a lifetime.

But to keep it funny I'll quote Mark Twain:

"I never smoke to excess - that is, I smoke in moderation, only one cigar at a time."

[NSXCIGAR]

1 hour ago, HuffnPuffff said:

but I have found it possible to wear more than one watch at a time

I thought I recognized you.

6 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Well, trinidad and small Cohiba aside.......their plan is working a treat!

To be fair they have technically lost revenue over the last 2 years with inflation. It appears they've been able to keep afloat but can they generate any more revenue from raising prices? If supply increases one iota it will begin to impact demand. 

[Bijan]

1 hour ago, NSXCIGAR said:

To be fair they have technically lost revenue over the last 2 years with inflation. It appears they've been able to keep afloat but can they generate any more revenue from raising prices?

Again to be fair, they're selling (and producing) half as many cigars, operating costs are probably down just enough to put them ahead in terms of net income.

[El Presidente]

2 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

I thought I recognized you.

 It appears they've been able to keep afloat but can they generate any more revenue from raising prices? If supply increases one iota it will begin to impact demand. 

The way forward is new lines in relatively small/controlled numbers.

[NSXCIGAR]

30 minutes ago, Bijan said:

Again to be fair, they're selling (and producing) half as many cigars, operating costs are probably down just enough to put them ahead in terms of net income.

I'm sure their operating costs are mostly labor which is virtually nothing but yes, less units saves money on packaging and transportation, etc. But if production increases those costs rise back up. Unless they can continue to increase prices or at least demand continues at current prices the jig will be up. 

[joeypots]

I was thinking Rob could organize a blind tasting with the Behike 56. You know, pick 50 volunteers and send 50 Behikes with  2 other laguito #6 cigars and see if anyone can pick out the Cohiba. Then we’ll know for sure if the Behike is all it’s cracked up to be and is worth the $$$.😄

But the line is three vitolas in unique sizes so there aren’t any similarly sized Cuban cigars. Now I understand why there are so many minutely different vitolas, so they can tell the cigars apart with out bands. The bastids.