Cigars.ie

Preview - Bolivar Armonias RE China

Although 2008 was the year of the Rat in the Chinese calendar, for our fellow Asian afficionados, 2008 was definately the year of the “Armonia”. Habanos S.A. chose 2008, the year the Olympic games were held in China, to release the first ever cigar for the Chinese region; the amazing Bolivar Armonias.

The Armonia is a double perfecto, with a length of 7.2″ and ring gauge of 57 . The armonia brings back the old traditional 19th century style, with both ends of the cigar tapered. This size requires a lot of skill and only the best and most experienced rollers are able to roll them up to the standards. The Armonías come in attractive, red tins decorated with Chinese symbols. Every tin is numbered and each  cigar bears a second band reading “Exclusivo China.”

The armonia was released on the 8 / 8 / 08. It contains 8 cigars and its priced at 8,888 CNY. Why so many 8’s you may think…The reason is the pronunciation of the word for the number 8 in China. It is pronounced “ba” and sounds like the word for prosperity which is pronounced “fa”. Apparently, to have the number 8 in your phone number or registration plate in China, you need to pay extra!

And how much is 8,888 CNY in “western” currency? Around €960 or $1,300 for a box of 8, €120 per stick…Marketing trick or a unique cigar? Surely, the Habanos S.A. marketing team will be smiling if these cigars sell out. We just hope they taste as nice as they look and that they worth their money!