How limited is limited?

[Benjamin]

In the past year or so I've gotten back into cigars after just casually smoking my "usuals" for years now. As I made my way back into the world of cigars, I've found so many brands that never existed when I was into it in the 90s. The trend seems also that these brands put out new blends and limited editions all the time. Even the brands that did exist back when I was into it more are putting out different blends all the time.

My question is, with all these new releases and limited editions, how fast do they tend to sell out? I've seen Partagas 150s go for $100+ stick but I can understand that since they were originally released in the 90s and are scarce. However, when I think of something like Tatuaje's Pudgy Monster series, they were released last year but I was still able to get a box last month at the same price they were when they were released. Granted, that was only about 8-9 months after they were released, but when I think of "limited", I assume I don't have much time to make a purchase.

Do any special editions sell out so fast that you have to be quick to grab them before they are gone or skyrocket in price? Or can you usually wait 6-9 months and still be able to get them? Im sure this depends on the brand/release and how many sticks are being produced but I'm just curious since I see new releases announced practically every day.

 

[sofc]

Many LEs sell out very quickly and some do not. I know it sounds simple, but it really is dependent on so many factors including what's hot at the time and how much of it is in production.

 

[Craig Mac]

The nice thing about Limited Editions is they will always make more, they hope people get caught up in the hype and buy them up quick. There is no need to dig deep in your pocket to get one that passes you by. I have always been able to find something comparable in a regular production or another LE that comes out down the road. Like for example The Tatuaje Barclay Rex... since it's release we have seen, pork chop, pork tenderloin, M80, TAA 2011, TAA 2012, Jason, TAA 2014 and even the regular production J21 is in the same vein. I suspect we'll see another Tatuaje release in the same vein and several more after that one is gone.

Like Ara said, some sell out super fast and some sit around, just depends on the brand, demand and hype involved mostly.

 

[BMack]

It varies a lot. The tatuaje Anarchy was a limited release and they still had them a year after the release. Some of them sell out on day one and you're stuck with the secondary market to get them. Within the first year, you'll generally play close to retail by most BOTL. As time goes on they get more expensive...for example, my beloved Tatuaje TAA 2011s are now going for 110% markup. Yet, I could probably buy some TAA 2014 for close to retail if I asked in the B/S/T forum but I'm broke right now(which means I will ay more later because I can't pay now).

A lot of Viajes sell out quickly but then there will be a influx into the secondary market of them but that's changing because people are learning not to buy them in the first place, LOL.

Moral of story, if you have the money and you have an idea that you'll like the cigar, buy at release. If not, wait a couple weeks, ask for people's thoughts on them, then find yourself a fiver. Buy that fiver, smoke then go from there. If you like it, stock up! Keep in mind that not all cigars age well, so it may or may not be a great investment.

 

[throwbookatface]

Yup. I'm big into sneakers and they work the same way - sometimes a limited edition collaboration comes out and it flops or is ugly, so it sits around and eventually ends up at Ross on clearance. Some sell out in minutes. Some are very hyped and sell out despite a one-time but wide releases; some are truly limited ones are only available in 2-3 stores in the whole country, or only online and never make it to a B&M store. Depends on numbers made, hype, and demand.

For cigars, I've sometimes seen a lot of numbers accompany newer releases (so glad this new gen of makers is web-savvy). They may mention how many boxes they're making and which stores are getting them, especially if they're truly limited. But if I see them pop up at a lot of stores at all price ranges my guess is it's a wide release for that particular year, and it may continue or might not. Then you have releases like Tatuaje's Old Man and the C, which I contemplated buying 3 days ago when they had just come out and now can't find anywhere.

Hard to tell.

 

[Sirspanksalot]

Yup. I'm big into sneakers and they work the same way - sometimes a limited edition collaboration comes out and it flops or is ugly, so it sits around and eventually ends up at Ross on clearance. Some sell out in minutes. Some are very hyped and sell out despite a one-time but wide releases; some are truly limited ones are only available in 2-3 stores in the whole country, or only online and never make it to a B&M store. Depends on numbers made, hype, and demand.

For cigars, I've sometimes seen a lot of numbers accompany newer releases (so glad this new gen of makers is web-savvy). They may mention how many boxes they're making and which stores are getting them, especially if they're truly limited. But if I see them pop up at a lot of stores at all price ranges my guess is it's a wide release for that particular year, and it may continue or might not. Then you have releases like Tatuaje's Old Man and the C, which I contemplated buying 3 days ago when they had just come out and now can't find anywhere.

Hard to tell.

You talking about retros?

 

[BMack]

Yup. I'm big into sneakers and they work the same way - sometimes a limited edition collaboration comes out and it flops or is ugly, so it sits around and eventually ends up at Ross on clearance. Some sell out in minutes. Some are very hyped and sell out despite a one-time but wide releases; some are truly limited ones are only available in 2-3 stores in the whole country, or only online and never make it to a B&M store. Depends on numbers made, hype, and demand.

For cigars, I've sometimes seen a lot of numbers accompany newer releases (so glad this new gen of makers is web-savvy). They may mention how many boxes they're making and which stores are getting them, especially if they're truly limited. But if I see them pop up at a lot of stores at all price ranges my guess is it's a wide release for that particular year, and it may continue or might not. Then you have releases like Tatuaje's Old Man and the C, which I contemplated buying 3 days ago when they had just come out and now can't find anywhere.

Hard to tell.

The 2011 release of Old Man and the C sat for a while before they started to disappear. The 2012 release also seemed to sit for quite some time. I had access to either over a year past release...I think people that don't frequent forums just shy away from culebras and didn't realize the 2012 release was the black label(or didn't even know what the black label was). It's good to check Halfwheel, they normally have production numbers on big name brand releases.

I guess that adds to another variable of limited releases, local shops that don't sell online. Sometimes they release these LEs in shops that simply don't promote the LEs they buy. For example, I know the Viaje Super Shot zombies (original release) sold out almost instantly but a local shop I went to I was able to buy one a month after release...then ANOTHER about 8 month after release AND they still had two unopened boxes.

 

[ssaka]

Whether a limited edition succeeds or fails is ultimately dependent upon the cigars in those limited edition boxes. If a maker honors his customer and makes his best effort by repeatedly delivering their customer an exceptional smoking experience then their limited editions will continue to succeed. If a maker begins to take their customers for granted, then these customers will lose faith and will eventually spend their hard earned dollars elsewhere.

I have always believed in an axiom that a cigar maker should not try to make a cigar than everyone likes, because in doing so they will ultimately be crafting a cigar no one will love in the end. With this in mind, it is unjust to expect every limited cigar to be one you personally love, but it becomes self evident over time when a maker is simply producing limited editions simply to capitalize on a short term gain.

I believe the marketplace and consumer accolades reward those makers who stay the course and do their utmost to maintain a covenant with their loyal customers.

BR,

STS