Bolivar Gold Medals

[Matt R]

H Upmann - Mirables ( glass tubes) box of 25 1970's £49 per cigar


Yummy......

 

[smokelaw1]

* 10 Bolivar Gold Medals ?239 (approx. $476)

These are not the 2007. I e-mailed the vendor for the price on the 2007's. They are 139 GBP which is ~$280.

Well, if they are for the original release, not the 2004, that is probably the only one in the list I would even consider.

$476 for the original release? I'll take 10 boxes, thanks. I think these are the re-release (Wolters). Not a terrible price on them, either.

If this years comes out to 280 or so, I will pick a box up. If they are cheaper...who said 120....I'll pick many more up... but I think that is unlikely.

 

[jeht2000]

As I was reading this, what kept coming to my mind is that it doesn't matter if they are 280 or 480 someone will buy it. Just to be the first one to have it! No different than the Cohiba piramide

 

[Strayvector]

On another board, this issue of the new ‘07 BGMs was brought up and the vendor replied that these are indeed the '07 version, bought in Cuba and not H&F stock. He also stated that they will definitely be cheaper when they are generally available, and that these are for folks who can't wait for the general release...hence the high price.

Let me clarify my post about me expecting them to be about $120. I got the price from a site that publishes the official Spanish government prices. The list was last updated in June 2006, when the Gold Medals were originally due to be released. The price was set at 90 euros and is strictly enforced by the Spanish government that all tobacco shops must follow. These prices already include the Spanish taxes and a set amount of profit. If past trends continue, then the price of the gold medals, when generally available, will be around the range of the Euro to Dollar conversion amount...possibly even cheaper since they will not have to charge the Spanish taxes when selling to non-EU countries.

As an example, take last year's new release, the RyJ Short Churchill. The Spanish mandated price for this cigar was set at 200 euros for boxes of 25. When they first hit the market, you could find them anywhere from about $250- $275, very close to the Euro to dollar conversion rate. A couple of months later when these cigars were more readily available, the prices came down to about $220-$250, and nowadays you can find them below $200. On the other hand, in Spain, they are still sold for 200 euros.

I don't expect the demand for the BGMs to drop down as much as the RyJ SC, nor do I expect the supply to be as widely available, but once generally released, I would expect the price to be closer to the Spanish price than the UK price. So for me, I'll take the wait and see approach and buy them after they have been released to the worldwide market instead of needlessly overspending just so that I can be the first to have them.

 

[Ginseng]

Nice analysis, Sam. Well done.

But aren't you worried about the suspicion that production after the original release (OR) tends to be inferior to the OR wave?

Wilkey

 

[BobbyRitz]

Nice analysis, Sam. Well done.

But aren't you worried about the suspicion that production after the original release (OR) tends to be inferior to the OR wave?

Wilkey

That is precisely why I am agreeable to $280.

 

[Strayvector]

Nice analysis, Sam. Well done.

But aren't you worried about the suspicion that production after the original release (OR) tends to be inferior to the OR wave?

Wilkey

Good point, but that's where you have to decide on what's important to you and how much its worth. I personally don't see too much difference in the quality and taste of the my first batch of RyJ SC and those I bought 2 months ago. At least for me, its not worth twice the price. Who knows, maybe 5 years from now (like the Anejos), they'll be worth that.

 

[Strayvector]

Another thing to think about...how do you know that the blend will not get better with subsequent releases? Case in point, the Monte Edmundos.

 

[nfulton]

I paid less than $280 for a box of ten including quick shipping. It was not to be first in line nor due to impatience, but because this is one of the holy grail cigars for me and several other attempts at requistioning these cigars have failed. Get 'um while you can, I guess. Perhaps I missed it, but what is the expected number of the GM's to be released. Again, its all how much it is worth to the individual.

 

[BobbyRitz]

Another thing to think about...how do you know that the blend will not get better with subsequent releases? Case in point, the Monte Edmundos.

Sam-

A vendor that I speak with regularly suggested the opposite to me regarding the Edmundos. Based on my limited experience, it seems that better components and extra care go into first runs of the EL and other, as Nate suggested, "holy grail" cigars.

This has been said about the Cohiba Seleccion Reserva humidor (late '02 boxes were better), Partagas Piramides LE 2000 (Oct00 boxes are considered the best with Nov and Dec boxes being better than early '01 boxes), etc.

 

[Strayvector]

Another thing to think about...how do you know that the blend will not get better with subsequent releases? Case in point, the Monte Edmundos.

Sam-

A vendor that I speak with regularly suggested the opposite to me regarding the Edmundos. Based on my limited experience, it seems that better components and extra care go into first runs of the EL and other, as Nate suggested, "holy grail" cigars.

This has been said about the Cohiba Seleccion Reserva humidor (late '02 boxes were better), Partagas Piramides LE 2000 (Oct00 boxes are considered the best with Nov and Dec boxes being better than early '01 boxes), etc.

True enough with regards to the EL cigars. As for the Edmundos, its just a personal opinion of mine. My first batch of which I have 2 left, just sucks and others have expressed the same opinion. To me subsequent boxes were better. My original Edmundos were harsh, unbalanced and not particulary well constructed. I attributed it to just not liking the flavor profile until a friend gave me a late 2005 specimen and I was quite astounded as to how much better it was so I bought more, and luckily they have been impeccable.

In no way am I condemming others for paying the price for first release, all I'm saying is that I wouldn't pay for it and why. These were also a wishlist cigar for me and had I not been so fortunate to acquire one through the generosity of BOTL here, I would have been tempted to buy some of the Wolters release at 240GBP. As to these re-release, my hope is that the BGM that will be generally released in a couple of months will be of the same quality as the ones this vendor has now. As these will be a regular release, I would suspect that the quality will be very similar.

 

[jeht2000]

nfulton, all that matters in the end is.. is it worth it to you. But, I was refering to the one's who just started smoking and will get something just to brag and be the first one with it. Not to mention that they haven't tried one yet. Now don't get me wrong, I can be impatient but, I tend to be alittle more patient the more expensive something is (i.e any cigar over $15). Like my mom would say, it will be there tomorrow

Mike

 

[Ginseng]

Another thing to think about...how do you know that the blend will not get better with subsequent releases? Case in point, the Monte Edmundos.

Sam-

A vendor that I speak with regularly suggested the opposite to me regarding the Edmundos. Based on my limited experience, it seems that better components and extra care go into first runs of the EL and other, as Nate suggested, "holy grail" cigars.

This has been said about the Cohiba Seleccion Reserva humidor (late '02 boxes were better), Partagas Piramides LE 2000 (Oct00 boxes are considered the best with Nov and Dec boxes being better than early '01 boxes), etc.

Rob,

That's certainly the consensus, however, the Edmundos seems to be the commonly held exception to this perception.

Wilkey

 

[nfulton]

I'm sure they will be the same cigars as are released later. Sam, are they going to be released as a regular production cigar, or am I reading that wrong? Drooling if it so!

 

[BobbyRitz]

Another thing to think about...how do you know that the blend will not get better with subsequent releases? Case in point, the Monte Edmundos.

Sam-

A vendor that I speak with regularly suggested the opposite to me regarding the Edmundos. Based on my limited experience, it seems that better components and extra care go into first runs of the EL and other, as Nate suggested, "holy grail" cigars.

This has been said about the Cohiba Seleccion Reserva humidor (late '02 boxes were better), Partagas Piramides LE 2000 (Oct00 boxes are considered the best with Nov and Dec boxes being better than early '01 boxes), etc.

True enough with regards to the EL cigars. As for the Edmundos, its just a personal opinion of mine. My first batch of which I have 2 left, just sucks and others have expressed the same opinion. To me subsequent boxes were better. My original Edmundos were harsh, unbalanced and not particulary well constructed. I attributed it to just not liking the flavor profile until a friend gave me a late 2005 specimen and I was quite astounded as to how much better it was so I bought more, and luckily they have been impeccable.

In no way am I condemming others for paying the price for first release, all I'm saying is that I wouldn't pay for it and why. These were also a wishlist cigar for me and had I not been so fortunate to acquire one through the generosity of BOTL here, I would have been tempted to buy some of the Wolters release at 240GBP. As to these re-release, my hope is that the BGM that will be generally released in a couple of months will be of the same quality as the ones this vendor has now. As these will be a regular release, I would suspect that the quality will be very similar.

I agree, my DIC05 box of Edmundos is coming along very well! I've only smoked Edmundo's from that box though.

Rob

 

[Strayvector]

I'm sure they will be the same cigars as are released later. Sam, are they going to be released as a regular production cigar, or am I reading that wrong? Drooling if it so!

From everything I've read so far, the BGM will be a regular production cigar. They were supposed to be released a year ago, but like everything else from Cuba, it was seriously delayed. I'm still waiting for the release of the PSP2 tubos...which were supposed to be released in '05.

 

[bigmac]

I think these might be priced around $280 (depending on the exchange rate) for a box of ten. Just a guess. :whistling:

Ouch,

Here we go again with the megabuck cigars. I understand that that price reflects a specific exchange rate and dealer situation but still...that just plain sucks. What's good for Habanos S.A. can really be punishing to the average consumer of these cigars.

I just haven't got room in my coolers for many more $30 sticks. For about the same price, I could buy a 50 cab of PLPC, or a box of Bolivar Coronas Gigantes, or a box of Partagas Lusitanias, or...you get the idea.

Wilkey

I agree Wilkey. Let me clear up my above statement.

-$280 for a box of ten is (probably) going to be the highest price for this cigar. I recall the 2006 Cohiba primade release at around $270-290 for a box of ten. These can now be found for around $200. I hope that the BGM will drop in price and I kinda think that this vendor has them set this high as a 'prerelease' cigar.

We shall see.

* 10 Bolivar Gold Medals ?239 (approx. $476 US)

OUCH!!!!! What is w/ inflation in the UK?!?!? $47.60/stick .. that's just not right. :angry:

They are going for 139. british pounds which is about $278. us dollars so your price is a bit off.

After posting I realized your price was for the wholers '05 edition of the BGM, the '07's are the price I quoted.The original release(1985 I think) BGM's are going for close to a thousand per stick now if I remember correctly.

 

[BobbyRitz]

Another thing to think about...how do you know that the blend will not get better with subsequent releases? Case in point, the Monte Edmundos.

Sam-

A vendor that I speak with regularly suggested the opposite to me regarding the Edmundos. Based on my limited experience, it seems that better components and extra care go into first runs of the EL and other, as Nate suggested, "holy grail" cigars.

This has been said about the Cohiba Seleccion Reserva humidor (late '02 boxes were better), Partagas Piramides LE 2000 (Oct00 boxes are considered the best with Nov and Dec boxes being better than early '01 boxes), etc.

Rob,

That's certainly the consensus, however, the Edmundos seems to be the commonly held exception to this perception.

Wilkey

Interesting...is there any information as to why this might be the case? :thumbs:

 

[Blue Dragon]

* 10 Bolivar Gold Medals ?239 (approx. $476 US)

OUCH!!!!! What is w/ inflation in the UK?!?!? $47.60/stick .. that's just not right. :angry:

They are going for 139. british pounds which is about $278. us dollars so your price is a bit off.

After posting I realized your price was for the wholers '05 edition of the BGM, the '07's are the price I quoted.The original release(1985 I think) BGM's are going for close to a thousand per stick now if I remember correctly.

OMG! I had no idea. Can anyone else confirm this price? (Matt?, Devin?, Harris?) There is no way I could cough up that kind of green for one cigar. I've considered spending a $100+ for a Davidoff, but that's about it (I actually got to see, hold, and smell a Dom Peringone the other day :love: ) ... my financial situation would have to change dramatically to justify that hit!!

 

[BobbyRitz]

* 10 Bolivar Gold Medals ?239 (approx. $476 US)

OUCH!!!!! What is w/ inflation in the UK?!?!? $47.60/stick .. that's just not right. :angry:

They are going for 139. british pounds which is about $278. us dollars so your price is a bit off.

After posting I realized your price was for the wholers '05 edition of the BGM, the '07's are the price I quoted.The original release(1985 I think) BGM's are going for close to a thousand per stick now if I remember correctly.

OMG! I had no idea. Can anyone else confirm this price? (Matt?, Devin?, Harris?) There is no way I could cough up that kind of green for one cigar. I've considered spending a $100+ for a Davidoff, but that's about it (I actually got to see, hold, and smell a Dom Peringone the other day :love: ) ... my financial situation would have to change dramatically to justify that hit!!

You can get a few Behike at $800 per stick.