Cigars.ie

2012 Habanos new releases and deletions

The first rumors on what to expect from Habanos SA in 2012 have started circulating on the internet, somewhat earlier than we would have expected. Rob Ayala was first to comment on the deletions, while Trevor was as usual the first to give us information on the new releases through cubancigarwebsite.com. But lets see what we are expecting to smoke and wave goodbye to in 2012.

The cigar that will most possibly attract the biggest hype will be the Cohiba Piramide Extra. Cohiba is Habanos’ cash cow and since 2006 we have had a new Cohiba released every year. The Piramide Extra will be a new size, with 6.3″ in length and a ring gauge of 54. There is no more info on the packaging or whether the Piramides Extra will be part of a special release or a regular production cigar.

Three Edicion Limitadas have been proposed for 2012; the Montecristo 520 - a 55-ring and 6.1″ Maravilla No.3, the Partagas Serie C No.3 - a gran corona measuring 5.5″ in length by 48 ring gauge and the H.Upmann Robusto - a traditional robusto measuring 4.9″ by 50. As above, there is no more information available on the packaging.

2012 will also see the return of the Quintero brand to long filler, handmade cigars, with the Quintero Favorito, a petit robusto measuring 4.5″ in length by 50 ring gauge.

Although we were used to welcome a new addition to the Reserva and Gran Reserva series every two years, Habanos have decided to launch a new vitola in the line; the all time favourite Romeo y Julieta Churchill. Rumors are it will be a Reserva (3 year old tobacco) rather than a Gran Reserva (5 year old tobacco).

Great news? Are you excited? Well, that’s only the one side of the coin… In order to make room for these new releases in their portfolio, Habanos have placed some well known vitolas on the chopping board. And this has made a lot more impact than the proposed additions. The cigars that are going to be axed in 2012 are:

Bolivar Corona Extra
Fonseca No.1
Hoyo de Monterrey Churchill
La Gloria Cubana Tainos
Punch Petit Corona del Punch
El Rey del Mundo Petit Corona
Romeo y Julieta Corona
Romeo y Julieta Petit Princess
Sancho Panza Molinos
Trinidad Robusto T
Trinidad Robusto Extra
Vegas Robaina Clasicos
Vegas Robaina Familiar

Although this is meant to be a proposed list, it is more or less confirmed and the chances of seeing any of these cigars still in production in 2012 are minimal. It is a great pity, as some of these cigars have been in the favourites of many smokers. It is insane to cut classic cigars like the Bolivar Corona Extra, the Hoyo Churchill and the Trinidad Robusto Extra. And how about the Trinidad Robusto T? A cigar that was released 2 years ago and I have personally yet to hear of someone who has not loved it…

But seeing the way Habanos have been thinking the last few years, it does not surprise me. All we see every year is new and shiny Cohibas, 54+ ring gauge monsters that will make your jaws sore, fancy jars, Gran Reservas and Collectors editions, anything that will sell with a high price tag. But how many of these exclusive releases can the market hold? How many more Cohibas do we need? How long before the market loses interest in those niches?

I am more saddened for the deletions than excited for the new releases. I think some of these are great cigars and I am sorry to see them going. So I think I should farewell them with a good series of reviews… Over the next month or so, I will review as many of the cigars placed on the ” Green Mile” as I can get my hands on. I wont review them all within a week, but I promise I will have them done before it is time to start the Christmas Smoking Season! So stay tuned…