Outiside of the "sick period", no other topic seems to be getting as much disagreement as the so-called "discontinued list" After having an experience of my own and reading another poster talk about aon '03 box of Bolivar Chicos, I am beginning to think I was right a few years back when I proclaimed the list as half-marketing scheme, half fact.
I just got a box of '04 Partagas Presidentes.
Anyone who hangs out here should be reasonably familiar with the list, any other re-appearances or odd happnins'

I can't help but wonder if these rumors aren't some marketting scheme to revitalize sales.
Wouldn't be the first time.

I'm with you on this one Nola. The wave of EL comebacks kind of made me wonder if capitalism is taking hold in Cuba.
Personally I'm thankful the Bolivar Chico is still available. Best small cigar in the world, IMO.

A little report on the "'04 Presidentes", I now have no doubt in my mind that these are genuine habanos, although at this young age, they taste a little like a machine-made I have in stock, RyJ Perfectos. The twang is there, the Partagas profile is there, but the depth will be awhile in coming. And I have to say that they LOOK awesome. I have seen these in stores and it seems like the shapes are all over the place, without consistency, some bent, some too fat, others too skinny. These '04's are perfect! Kind of a medium-dark, already oily and velvety smooth in texture. I was afraid of smoking one right off the truck, but while it was not fantastic, it did not suffer much from the trip. If I see a '04 box of ERDM Tainos, I's gonna be ON! And I'll buy them, too. Damn clever marketing. Although truth be told, I DO expect the MM's to disappear without a real uproar and right on schedule. What gigs me is the whole perfecto angle. I see the point of every stick on the list, as far as furthering the impression that habanos are a quality product, and all hand made, but the Presidente's competition with Cuaba as a reason made the least sense to me. Well, and both of the Tainos anyway. I never fully trusted that list, and anyone who shops regularly noticed that the handmade vitolas on the cut list were disappearing fast. Many online vendors do not stock the MM's, but I imagine lots of MM's were moving just as fast at Brick and Mortars. So I think it's safe to say it had the desired effect if this is mostly a ploy. But the reasons for the cuts make sense. Save the tobacco for the popular sizes and maximize profit. Better to boost that way than endless price hikes.