Just arrived in my room at the Melia Cohiba and I found out that they finally have internet connection. I thought I would ask you all if there were some specific questions you might be interested in having answered from Habanos, shops, factories and growers....

Let me know. Thanks.

How is the people after Wilma? What are the expectations of the production of cigars after this terrible huracán?
Thanks

This may seem like an unusual one - but I am perplexed at how huge the fake trade is and how they do such a credible job of duplicating the real thing. Are the Cubans actively working to stem the market? It is really as huge as it is purported to be (millions of dollars a year) and do the boxes, tubes etc, come from those who make the real thing and sell them on the side to the fakers?
Further, I had read on the forum that there were edicion limitadas that were fake and had fooled "experts" in Switzerland. How is it possible to come up with tobacco that can fake experts? Are the fakes low grade Cuban tobacco or are they being made in some other country?
It has to be a huge business with lithographers, box manufacturers, rollers, etc.and they must use lots of tobacco.
Bob

How about some 'official' answers to some new and some age old questions.

Are the blends for cabs and dress boxes the same?

Do the master blenders create cigars with the intention that they will be best enjoyed after aging?

Will machine-made cigars (other than cigarillos) be phased out?

Are they using artificial means for heating the curing barns, with the sole purpose to accelerate the curing process?

Does the tobacco for a specific blend always come from the same vega (i.e. filler for say, a Monte 4) or is it chosen from a selected group of vegas, depending on what is available and/or at the discretion of a master blender?

I would like to know what changes in the number of cigars sold in Cuba are since the increase in price was implemented.

James, I have a question: could you pick me up a box of Upmann Magnum 46s?

Savona

I'll go with some Monte #2!! Thanks!!

Mr. Suckling, thanks for posting your offer to answer some questions and issues. We all read and speculate here, but very few have ever been there, and probably never will.

Thanks again.

Have you encountered any enforcement of the smoking ban?

I would like to know about any new regular production cigars that are in the works. And not stuff that is only going to be released in England or Switzerland. I have not really gotten into the EL thing because of the prices.

Any chance of them coming out with a regular production 109?

Is the arroz con pollo as delicious as I remember it to be?

Chineromine....

Great questions!!!!!!!

Are Por Larranaga PC's going to continue being produced or was the brief run a year or so ago the last hurrah? Any chance of them bringing back the PL Lonsdale or are any other hand-made PL vitolas in the works?

What's the difference between Bolivar Belicoso Fino Cab. and Bolivar Belicosos Seleccion Gerard which are made for Gerard Pere et Fils?

My favorite margue is Partagas however I have a question regarding Cohiba.

Do Cohiba cigars receive any special attention in their production, from leaves being selected to the box being sealed that the other marque brand cigars do not?

Just a couple of questions for the Habanos officials.

1. When are they going to introduce a good QA system? My last monte 3s suck, whereas some 5-packs of monte 5s that I picked up from Spain last week are great. Consistency please

2. What does it take to find some of the "powerhouses" of the good old days? Nowadays even RA, Bolis and Partagas taste mild. Help please use more ligero leaves.

1.) The cooking?
2.) EL production process (i.e. how far in advance they are planned,produced, ect....)
3.) Blend changes or just adjustments to materials available from year too year regular production.
4.) What is the #1 top selling Habanos world wide?
Thanks.

Does Altadis have a f*cking conscience?

James,can you find out what the official list of discontinued cigar is. I saw the Punch Royal Selection 11's were on the list but I recently received a box of 05's. So obviously they are no longer scheduled to be discontinued, which now makes that list totally suspect.

I think it would be very valuable information for those of us who are looking to re supply our favorite cigars.

James,
We met several years ago in the back room at Partagas. I have made over 30 trips to havana over the past 10 years. I felt safe and confident walking anywhere in the city. Here is my question. Would you walk alone from the Hotel Nacional to the Melia Cohiba today? How about from Partagas to a decent restaurant in Chinatown? The convention center to Nautica? I used to take these walks every trip.
Havana has become a very different place in the last 18 or so months. The desperation is overwhelming. I do not know when I will return.
What is your take?

Hello James.

I would be curious to hear what their thoughts are about the website that sells counterfeit Habanos bands, seals, labels and inserts.

http://www.justfakes.com

Thank you!

James,

Great offer. Nice to see that the Melia is joining the new century.

How about the limitadas? What is being produced this year? What is available this year?

Or what about the Monte B? Is it still available? I keep getting reports that you can find it from time to time.