Habanos SA has announced that a number of lines have been discontinued and will not be made in Cuba any more. Some sizes will no longer be available in certain packs, while other sizes will be discontinued completely. In total thirty lines in fifteen different brands will be affected and eighteen sizes are due to be discontinued from the global market in all. The UK market will have six sizes removed from the current selection although existing stocks of these lines will remain on sale in the immediate future.
These changes to the Habanos portfolio have been made in response to global sales. As particular lines fall below the minimum demand to maintain production they are de-listed. It also provides room for the five new product launches of standard lines that are due this year as well as the usual flow of Limited and Regional Editions.
Below you can find all of the de-listings that will affect the UK market:
Discontinued in 5 packs only:
Trinidad – Fundadores
Cuaba – Divinos
Cuaba – Generosos
Cuaba – Exclusivos
Discontinued in 25 boxes only:
Montecristo – A (the single boxes remain)
Discontinued in 50 cabinets only:
Romeo y Julieta – Exhibition No 4
Hoyo de Monterrey – Epicure No1
Bolivar – Corona Gigantes
El Rey del Mundo – Choix Supreme
Discontinued entirely:
Partagás – Series du Connoisseur No 3
Punch – Churchill
Punch – Royal Selection No 11
Rafael González – Corona Extra
Diplomáticos – No 4
Diplomáticos – No 5
Perhaps the cigars on the list that provide the biggest shock are the Punch Churchill and the Rafael Gonzalez Corona Extra while, with the Diplomáticos range now being reduced to just one vitola – the No. 2, fans of the brand will be disappointed.
While some cigar smokers will miss some of their personal favourites, it should be remembered that that most of these cigars will be available from Hunters & Frankau for some time to come.
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Keithrowson posted something about this a little while ago on your forum page and I have to say that overall I'm not too worried - for now.
I won't miss any of these cigars too much but I do like some of the less popular sizes and fear they will be next to go. Is anything with less than a 46 gauge safe?
I sure did post about this just recently.
On other websites I visit, you would not believe the amount of irate Habanos enthusiasts out there.
The culling of some of these is somewhat understandable, slow selling lines. However, some of the formats, such a glorious 50 cabs of Bolivar Corona Gigantes, its a tragedy. Their cousins in boxes of 25 are just not the same. Rafael Gonzales Coronas Extra and Punch Churchills, helloooo Habanos
In their place what are we going to get, yet another great line of Ultra expensive Cohibas. Perhaps these will be better than the Maduro line!
We can hope!
Whatho Keith,
I'm with you especially the Punch Churchills, but is this just another Heinz Salad Cream event to get stocks moving and then have a 'relaunch by popular demand' at a later date?
Kearn
PS
Cohiba Maduros didn't do it for me either - give me a Siglo VI any day!
Though not a fan of the brand so much myself, Diplomaticos being reduced to just one vitola is shocking.
I think it's a huge shame to see the back of the R.Gonzalez Corona Extra, my favourite mild Gordas. First El Rey's Gran Corona now this. Thankfully the UK Regionals for 2010 sound promising.