The Ghosts of Habanos Past

[tippexx]

We can't stop deletions but we can try & grab a few for own own pleasure whilst their still around.

One for our newer Members to organise themselves for .... some older Members too possibly.

The year's good, the price is good, the cigar is excellent, the vendor is totally reliable and outside the UK these are VHTF.

http://www.whisky-cigars.co.uk/saint-luis-lonsdales-cigar-half-cabinet-cigars-p-13545.html

[Cubist]

To me there seems to be a real drive to strengthen individual brand images by developing ranges that are synonymous with certain brands, while deleting generically named vitolas. Take montecristo, they seem to be developing the Edmundo and Open ranges, at Hoyo they are developing the Epicures and deleting generics such as Coronas and Churchills, at Romeo they are developing the Churchill range.

Also certain vitolas that are associated strongly with a major brand seem to be kept but the same vitola from other brands deleted. Look at the Robusto, there seem to be less and less Robustos actually called Robusto, possibly to strenghtn Cohibas position. The same with Churchill, apart from the Romeo range, the remaining Churchill size vitolas seem to be called something else, Upmann Sir Winstons, Cohiba Esplendidos etc.

Also look at generic vitolas such as Coronas, once probably the most popular vitola, there are now only about half a dozen left by me guess.

i know this is only speculation and full of exceptions, but its how it seems to me.

[tippexx]

they can always re-introduce.

Possibly, but I think they're too far into the 'special releases' now. If it does come back it will possible be as an LCdH exclusive, but I can't see them re-releasing it as an expensive production cigar.

...there is (apparently) stock around that will last for years,

In the UK yes, in Canada, Australia and Scandinavia yes (it's a pattern, and we know why) .... but look elsewhere and they are going.

[butternutsquashpie]

Not sure it is really gone ...there is (apparently) stock around that will last for years, then they can always re-introduce.

I cancelled my trip a while back just to save up for a box of Robbie Ts and Fundies. Should I just not bother anymore?

Sent from my BlackBerry 9100 using Tapatalk

[monkey66]

I was also a fan of the Trini-
Trinidad Robusto T 2009 - Discontinued 2012

No so sure why this one was discontinued-again was it taking focus from the Co-Ro at similar money?

Not sure it is really gone ...there is (apparently) stock around that will last for years, then they can always re-introduce.

[Tomothebuilder]

Very sad, there's several great cigars gone there, I'm thinking mainly of the Churchill's below! The fact that (unless I'm mistaken?) there are no deletions from Cohiba or Montecristo lead to the conclusion that this is a marketing thing, pushing the more luxury brand names at the emerging Market (China/India) where the cash is...


On my "miss list"
La Gloria Cubana Ta?nos Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2012
Punch Churchills Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2010
Saint Luis Rey Churchills Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2010


I was also a fan of the Trini-
Trinidad Robusto T 2009 - Discontinued 2012

No so sure why this one was discontinued-again was it taking focus from the Co-Ro at similar money?

[RobustoClubHavana]

I have found some bolivar gold medals for sale from 08 boxes of 10

[Simon Bolivar]

Love your 3 but the No3 has it's place, a great strong smaller stick when time is shorter or the weahter not so favourable (as most have to consider these days). I have a box & a bit left, will be nursing these along as best I can. Would love some no1's though

[tippexx]

Thanks Arf, know you have been keeping these lists. So let's play a little game, which deletions will you miss the most? I have come up with this bunch, to be honest I didn't buy many of some of these sticks but they held a niche that nothing else that's left seems to fill.

Bol?var Coronas Extra Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2012
Bol?var Gold Medal Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2011
Bol?var Inmensas Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2009
El Rey del Mundo Grandes de Espa?a Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2010
H. Upmann Monarcas Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2009
La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.1 Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2010
La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.3 Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2010
La Gloria Cubana Ta?nos Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2012
Partag?s Serie Connaisseur No.1 Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2010
Partag?s Serie Connaisseur No.2 Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2010
Partag?s Serie Connaisseur No.3 Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2010
Punch Churchills Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2010
Punch Margaritas Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2009
Punch Petit Punch Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2009
Rafael Gonz?lez Coronas Extra Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2010
Trinidad Robusto Extra 2004 - Discontinued 2012
Trinidad Robusto T 2009 - Discontinued 2012
Vegas Robaina Cl?sicos 1997 - Discontinued 2012
Vegas Robaina Familiar 1997 - Discontinued 2012
Vegueros Seoane 1997 - Discontinued 2012 >

It's a great list Simon, and I agree they are/were all great cigars. Other worthies are the Punch SS No 2 and the SLR PC .... not to mention the huge and black cherries profile SCdlH Muralla.

But if I were to make a pick from the deleted list, which I'll keep to three or otherwise I'll pick the lot. It would be:-

La Gloria Cubanos Medaille d'Or No 1 (just keeps out the Tainos).
Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No 1 (keeps out the No 3)
Trinidad Robusto T

[Simon-JG-hr]

The Ghosts of Habanos Past

Thanks for aggregating the full five year list tippexx. There are some truly devastating losses.

It would be jolly interesting to see a list of the cigars which have joined the ranks over the same period... Who could possibly be anything other than thankful towards Habanos SA - they've done us a massive favour by getting rid of the likes of the Boli CE in order to make space for modern greats such as the Monte Open range...

[monkey66]

An interesting list but generally I try to celebrate what I have and what I have had, rather than lament what I have lost.

I know plenty of old school smokers who will claim there has hardly been a real Habano rolled since 1997 ...are they right?


"Have no fear for atomic energy
for none of them can stop the time"


...sorry for the burst of positivity

[ValeTudoGuy]

2010 and 2012 look to be devastating years, if I dare read into a two year cycle..... 2014 could be awful.

[Simon Bolivar]

My thanks to kwsaw63 over on another forum for compiling this list. To put it in perspective foe everyone this is what has been deleted since 2008 (just 5 years) when I and coincidentally KW took up smoking cigars. 2008 was also around the time I joined UKCF along with Monkey66 and a few others.

In just a small space of time some fine cigars have vanished. A fair selection you can find, but many you wont. Some you should really be looking for now. Example: Bolivar Gold Medal. Last year these could be found at a reasonable price, not so easy now, and with every month that goes by less so. The Trinidads are also worth looking at, and soon.

Thanks Arf, know you have been keeping these lists. So let's play a little game, which deletions will you miss the most? I have come up with this bunch, to be honest I didn't buy many of some of these sticks but they held a niche that nothing else that's left seems to fill.

Bol?var Coronas Extra Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2012
Bol?var Gold Medal Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2011
Bol?var Inmensas Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2009
El Rey del Mundo Grandes de Espa?a Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2010
H. Upmann Monarcas Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2009
La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.1 Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2010
La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.3 Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2010
La Gloria Cubana Ta?nos Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2012
Partag?s Serie Connaisseur No.1 Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2010
Partag?s Serie Connaisseur No.2 Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2010
Partag?s Serie Connaisseur No.3 Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2010
Punch Churchills Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2010
Punch Margaritas Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2009
Punch Petit Punch Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2009
Rafael Gonz?lez Coronas Extra Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2010
Trinidad Robusto Extra 2004 - Discontinued 2012
Trinidad Robusto T 2009 - Discontinued 2012
Vegas Robaina Cl?sicos 1997 - Discontinued 2012
Vegas Robaina Familiar 1997 - Discontinued 2012
Vegueros Seoane 1997 - Discontinued 2012 >

[SmokeyDave]

A sad list indeed there, I'm still in shock at the loss of the Bolivar Corona Extra.

Maybe in ten years we'll be saying the same about some of the current new crop, if and when they decide to delete them from production.

[tippexx]

My thanks to kwsaw63 over on another forum for compiling this list. To put it in perspective foe everyone this is what has been deleted since 2008 (just 5 years) when I and coincidentally KW took up smoking cigars. 2008 was also around the time I joined UKCF along with Monkey66 and a few others.

Bol?var Bonitas Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2009
Bol?var Coronas Extra Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2012
Bol?var Gold Medal Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2011
Bol?var Inmensas Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2009
Cuaba Tradicionales 1996 - Discontinued 2012
Diplom?ticos No.4 1966 - Discontinued 2010
Diplom?ticos No.5 1966 - Discontinued 2010
El Rey del Mundo Grandes de Espa?a Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2010
El Rey del Mundo Lunch Club Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2009
El Rey del Mundo Petit Coronas Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2012
Fonseca Fonseca No.1 Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2012
H. Upmann Monarcas Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2009
Hoyo de Monterrey Churchills Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2012
La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.1 Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2010
La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.3 Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2010
La Gloria Cubana Ta?nos Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2012
Partag?s Princess Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2009
Partag?s Serie Connaisseur No.1 Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2010
Partag?s Serie Connaisseur No.2 Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2010
Partag?s Serie Connaisseur No.3 Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2010
Punch Churchills Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2010
Punch Coronas Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2009
Punch Margaritas Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2009
Punch Petit Coronas del Punch Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2012
Punch Petit Punch Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2009
Punch Royal Selection No.11 Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2010
Punch Royal Selection No.12 Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2010
Punch Super Selection No.1 Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2009
Quai d'Orsay Panetelas 1974 - Discontinued 2010
Rafael Gonz?lez Cigarritos Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2010
Rafael Gonz?lez Coronas Extra Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2010
Romeo y Julieta Petit Princess Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2012
Saint Luis Rey Churchills Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2010
Saint Luis Rey Petit Coronas Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2010
San Crist?bal Mercaderes 2006 - Discontinued 2011
San Crist?bal Muralla 2006 - Discontinued 2011
San Crist?bal Oficios 2006 - Discontinued 2011
Sancho Panza Molinos Pre-1960 - Discontinued 2012
Trinidad Robusto Extra 2004 - Discontinued 2012
Trinidad Robusto T 2009 - Discontinued 2012
Vegas Robaina Cl?sicos 1997 - Discontinued 2012
Vegas Robaina Familiar 1997 - Discontinued 2012
Vegueros Especiales No.1 1997 - Discontinued 2010
Vegueros Especiales No.2 1997 - Discontinued 2010
Vegueros Marevas 1997 - Discontinued 2012
Vegueros Seoane 1997 - Discontinued 2012

In just a small space of time some fine cigars have vanished. A fair selection you can find, but many you wont. Some you should really be looking for now. Example: Bolivar Gold Medal. Last year these could be found at a reasonable price, not so easy now, and with every month that goes by less so. The Trinidads are also worth looking at, and soon.