New York – December 19

Canadian Team to Host Longest Ash Contest

While not quite the  Canada/ USA Olympic hockey rivalry, bragging rights may be at stake in a cigar smoking contest recently announced by Cigar Aficionado magazine.   The Canadian team will be Toronto’s Cigar Studio who will compete in the H Upmann/Cigar Aficionado  Longest Ash Contest. 

Shiren Felicien, CA’s Retail Account Manager  said she was looking forward to the competition.  “Our magazine has lots of great customers up in Canada, and Cigar Studio is one of them.  So lets see how Jerry and his customers do against some of the other USA stores.”  Cigar Studio's contest runs Januray 14.

So far 15 stores have been selected by CA magazine to participate.  Stores pick a time and location, invite 20 customers who all smoke the same cigar – the H Upmann 1844 Reserve Toro – and as the name suggests, see which smokers can produce the Longest Ash.   Details can be found on the CA magazine web site.

Longueuil, Quebec – November 15

Major Brands Find New Canadian Distributor

Some of Canada’s best selling cigars will find them selves with a new distributor in 2012.

Cameron Shaw, Director Sales, General Cigar International, announced that effective January 1, 2012,  Macanudo, Don Thomas, Don Sebastion and W & D, will be distributed by Scandinavian Tobacco Group.  For the past 14 years,  these brands were sold in Canada  by House of Horvath,  who with their retail partners built these into major best sellers in many Canadian markets.

Currently STG distributes a number of premium brands in Canada including CAO, Villiger, Erinmore, along with Colts on the mass market side.  STG is located in Longueuil, Quebec.

Toronto – October 21

Canada Receives New Cuban Cigars

Give them A for effort! 

Luis Gutierrez, Commercial and Marketing Manager Havana House, Toronto, announced today the release of 5 new Cuban cigars into Canada.  The new arrivals come on the heels of two sizes that were launched into the Canadian market over the past month.

Included in the commercial release today was the anxiously awaited Cohiba  2011 Edicion Limitada 1996,  a  6 5/8 by 52 size.   Packaged in boxes of 10, the cigar will retail for $90 - $100.   Other 2011 Edicion Limitada product released today were the Ramon Allones, Allones Extra (5 5/8 x 44) and the Hoyo de Monterrey Short Piramides (5 3/8 x 46).  A limited production H Upmann Royal Robusto (5 3/8 x 52) was also included in the release.

Notwithstanding Canada’s high tobacco taxes, the cigars are expected to sell well during the upcoming holiday season.  Canada’s economy is strong compared to other Habanos markets, and other high priced Cuban cigars – the Cohiba Behike for example – sold well even with prices $70 - $110 a cigar.

“But it is important to put ‘good sales’ in perspective when talking about cigars in that price range” said Jerry Hartman, Owner/Operator of Cigar Studio in Toronto. “Naturally sales of these cigars will never match the huge volume of a Montecristo # 4’s or a Bolivar Royal Corona.  But these are very special new releases, coming out at a time when our customers are looking for something new to present as gifts or enjoy themselves over the holidays.  I thought the prices of the Behike’s were absolutely nuts but we could not keep them in stock, especially once CA Magazine named it the 2011 Cigar of the Year.”       

Two weeks ago, Canadians started to smoke the Ramon Allones Super Ramone, a regional market size made for the country.  A  7 1/8 x 54 torpedo, and packaged in boxes of 25, it is both a big time and financial commitment with boxes selling over $1,000.  But during holidays, nothing surprises the staff at Cigar Studio.  “There are a lot of new non- Cuban cigars in the $10 - $15 range that have come into Canada this year and these cigars continue to sell very well.  But at Thanksgiving  (Canada and the US) and at Christmas, there is a natural desire to trade up for and try something new and special”.  

These new cigars just might be that something.

Toronto – September 16

Pura Sangre – Canada’s Best New Cigar Yet?

Pura Sangre cigars were launched in Canadian tobacco shops this week.  And the immediate response from cigar smokers was “Wow!  Where did this cigar come from?”

Introduced at the IPCPR show in Las Vegas this summer, many retailers smoked the first Pura Sangre samples offered out by Ventura Cigar Company, a new cigar division of Kretek International.  The cigars are entirely hand made from selected Nicaraguan tobaccos and for years the blend was the private smoke of legendary cigar maker Nestor Plasencia. 

“These cigars will be a huge hit with our customers” said Colin Brisbois of Cigar Studio.  “Look at this wrapper, it looks and smells like nothing we have seen in a long time.  (5 year old Habana Colorado). And the cigars have been priced to sell!”

Customers seem to agree. The cigars are priced at the new sell point of premium non-Cuban cigars with robusto’s at $12.90, torpedo’s $13.90 and the larger sizes slightly more.  Pura Sangre joins a growing list of highly rated brands in Canada – CAO,  Brickhouse,  Casa Magna, Curvari and Aurora 107  - that have been launched in the past year  all in the $10 - $15 range, putting tremendous pressure on Cuban cigars.

“Hey I love a Partagas Serie D #4” said Brisbois, “But customers can now buy 2 of any of these robusto’s for the price of a D-4.  They (Cubans) make awesome cigars but I wonder if they now priced out of the reach of many customers relative to what these other brand cost?”

Toronto – July 18

Cuban Wholesale Prices To Increase in Canada

Effective today, the wholesale prices of Cuban cigars from Havana House are increasing 4%.  The increase was announced by Luis Gutierrez, Commercial Manger for Havana House, distributors of Cuban cigars and accessories in Canada.

The reasons given for the increase were increased costs and the fact prices had not changed in 5 years

June 3 – Toronto

Cigar Studio’s 15th Anniversary Party - One for the Ages

Jerry Hartman, Owner/Operator of Cigar Studio has done more cigar events as anyone in Canada.   But even he was surprised at the turnout and buzz at their 15th year party last night, held on the lawn at Cool Brewery in Toronto.

“We have 120 ticket buyers and suppliers, mingling together and sharing the ultimate in cigar fellowship; 4-5 hours of world class cigars, food and beverage and award winning music, under the best night and weather in Toronto so far this year. We could not have scripted it better”. 

Guests received 8 cigars including Montecristo No 2’s,  Bolivar Royal Corona’s, Punch Upper Cuts, and Rockey Patel 1992 Vintage Robusto’s.  Ripasso, Valpolicella and Cool Beer flowed all night long as did the non-stop grilling of pork, flatbreads and the best grilled peppers this side of Athens by Just Greek.  And to top it off, every hour or so Juno Nominated and Maple Leaf Blues winner the Johnny Max band belted out another set of soul, stax, and rhythm and blues.  

May 25 – Toronto

New Brands for Toronto Cigar Smokers

Cigar lovers in Toronto have never had it so good.  In the past month, shops have been receiving a number of new brands at eye opening low prices.

Scandinavian Tobacco has ownership of the CAO brands and have re-launched much of the line at prices 25% -40% less than when it was first introduced into Canada.  The MX2, LX2, Maduro, and La Traviata are retailing at prices $11-14 for large and wide format sizes.  Bondele Cigar recently introduced the famed Curvari line from Nicarugua.  Using Cuban criollo and corojo seed, these cigars pack Cuban like fullness at half what similar sized cigars are from Habanos.

Toronto based House of Horvath has been the most aggressive distributor of new lines.  Securing Casa Magna at the end of last year, then supporting that brand with the launch of Casa Magna Oscuro, has provided smokers with No 1 rated cigars at prices $12-$15.  This was virtually unheard of several years ago. Not stopping there, Horvath announced the availability of 3 new lines from La Aurora and Leon Jimenes including the 107, the Imperiales and the nflagship and personal cigar of La Aurora owner Guillermo Leon, aptly named, Corona Gorda.

February 26 - Havana

The 13th Habanos Festival – A Marketing Success or Cash Grab?

The annual cigar festival held each year in Havana is the perfect opportunity for Cuba to showcase new cigars. 

2011 was no different as 4 new vitolas were launched;  the Partagas Serie E No 2,  the Partagas Serie D No 5,  the H Upmann Half Corona and the Montecristo Gran Reserva No 2,  the latter being the showcase cigar for last nights Closing Gala Dinner and Auction.  In addition on Wednesday guests were treated to the  Cohiba 2011 Edicion Limitada.  Whether that cigar matches the impact that the Cohiba Behike had in 2010 (CA’s 2010 Cigar of the Year) will have to be seen, but it is truly a remarkable smoke.

Yet around the pools on Saturday, it was clear is that cost and value for money received is becoming an issue for guests who buy tickets to the events.   With Opening Night tickets priced at  $225 CDN, and Gala Night Tickets at $650 CDN, it was not surprising that many were wondering what they were getting for their money.   A simple calculation of the retail value of the cigars received at these events  - based on their prices in the high tax environment of Canada - might suggest a fair value/offer was delivered.  Yet some said no given the cigars they received last night as the overall quality of all the festival events has become stagnant and weak.   There was much complaining about the Food and Beverage offered at these two events– warm drinks and a buffet that had been ravished by comped local Cubans at the Opening, and almost un-edible dinner at last nights Gala.   This years trip to the tobacco fields – 3.5 hours on a bus each way from Havana – saw guests pay $100 to walk around dusty fields without proper guides or instruction.  The Thursday factory tours were an organizational disaster as transportation and guide logistics  for guests arriving at the Partagas and Romeo/Upmann factories failed miserably. 

By contrast, everyone attending the 2011 Pro Cigar Festival in the DR raved -  once again - about its strong value for money, and high quality food, beverage and cigar offers.  Pro Cigar factory and field tours feature university lecture standards by the cigar principals themselves.  Every night during the DR Festival there is a gala Dinner.  And with the Honduran cigar industry hosting their inaugural cigar event this year,  the question is whether Habanos executives will take note with the goal of addressing some of their short comings.

February 22 - Havana

Partagas Launches New Cigars at Festival

Last nights opening celebration at the 2011 Habanos Festival gave guests an extra reason to “celebrate” as organizers presented two new Partagas cigars.

The Partagas Serie E No 2 is the first of this brand to feature a 54 ring size.  Along with its 5.75 length, this cigar’s size reinforces the powerful branding of the Partagas line. Each guest received a specially designed box of three of these new cigars.  In addition Habanos released the Partagas Serie D No 5, whose unique size (4.5 x 50) was first introduced to smokers as part of the 2008 Edicion Limitada cigars. Both cigars were well received.  They are expected in Canada in May. 

New York – January 3

Cohiba Behike 52 Named Top Cigar for 2010

It may have been big news to smokers south of the border, but was no surprise to us in Canada eh?  Cigar Aficionado’s top cigar for 2010 was the Cohiba Behike 52. 

“It is the finest cigar to come out of Cuba in a long time” reports the magazine.  “It is a phenomenally rich, delicious smoke that more than lives up to the Cohiba reputation”.   The Behike 52 is the smallest of a trio in this brand launched at the 2010 Festival in Havana. 

For the past 5 years, the magazine has been consistently giving Cuban cigars their highest scores, as Cuban quality and taste outshines products from other countries.    

Toronto area smokers were the first Canadian smokers to be treated to the Behike as it was the feature cigar at the 2010 Smokes and Strokes Golf Tournament in July. Throughout the summer, all shipments to specialty cigar shops sold out immediately even at retail prices of $75 dollars and up a cigar.  Cuba continues to produce these cigars in limited quantities, but they did not last long on retail shelves.  Christmas 2010 saw boxes of 10 come and go in minutes.