Oliva Connecticut Update

[BengalMan]

Just wanted to fill everyone in on the status of the Oliva Connecticut. The bands will be shipping in about a week. The cigars are ready. Once the bands arrive in Nicaragua the sticks will begin getting banded and boxed and shipped to FL for distribution. I assume this will be in the next 4-5 weeks, however don't quote me, like always, things can change.

As far as the cigar itself goes, it's obviously a Connecticut wrapped cigar, mild in strength, but lots of flavor. Not your typical Connecticut that many compare to sucking air. I personally am very excited about this stick as I now have a cigar to hand to people at events that "want something mild" or "smoke Ashton's on a regular basis". The Connecticut gives the new cigar smoker that wants something mild, but with enough flavor that they know they're smoking a cigar. All while maintaining the constant quality and price point of the Oliva brand. In past situations like the one above, I would often try to give said smoker a Serie G and while it is a damn good cigar and very affordable, some still found the cameroon wrapper to have a little too much bite as an entry level stick.

In the day and age of SCHIP and state tobacco taxes rising, we are trying to consistently release a great product for an affordable price. The Connecticut will come in right around the price of the Serie O and will be in robusto, toro, churchill, and torpedo. Once boxes start shipping, I'm going to send some out to fellow Asylum brothers to get an early preview. I must say, while not being a mild cigar smoker myself, I smoked these every morning while in Miami for our sales meeting in December. They truly are an excellent stick.

Once things get a little more concrete, I'll come back and update everyone with more information.

[JE3146]

Nice update Ian!

Thanks for keeping us in the loop :)

[barbourjay]

thanks Ian, always looking for another morning stick that is mild but has very good flavor.

[GTsetGO]

mmm, i will be waiting in anticipation

[LookAtBigErn82]

A must try for me, haven't found an Oliva I didn't like. Thanks for the update!

[GTsetGO]

A must try for me, haven't found an Oliva I didn't like. Thanks for the update!

this man speaks the truth

[Volt]

While I admit a cameroon wrap is one I find pretty damn tasty, what can be milder than a G? That's almost to mild for me and I'm not known for digging high nic sticks. Sounds like I need to try one though.

[karmaz00]

i have had lots of success with the oliva line. cant wait to try one

[stinkie]

ian hopfuly they will be at the next cincy herf. wink wink nod nod.those gs were mighty tasty.



stinkie:ss

[elderboy02]

Thanks for the update Ian. :) Will this be a regular production cigar like the G, O, and V?

[kaisersozei]

Very exciting, can't wait :dr

[tenbaseg]

Awesome. I'm heading to an Oliva event tonight. Great info.

[acarr]

Great thanks! Like everyone else, I have never found an Oliva I didn't like.

[LkyLindy]

Sounds like a winner!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ActionAndy]

Sounds like a great cigar, thanks for sharing. I love mild.

[BengalMan]

Thanks for the update Ian. :) Will this be a regular production cigar like the G, O, and V?

Yup, regular production.

[Jbailey]

I will give them a shot when they arrive at our shop.

[Volt]

BTW, we just scored boxes of red and blues - Yea us!!!!!

[CigarNation]

I have to agree with Ian on this one... There wasn't anything I would rather have smoked first thing in the morning when we in Miami. It was a great way to start off your day and went well with the Cuban style coffee. And I'm not a mild cigar kind of person either, but it was very enjoyable.

What I liked about it was the creaminess of the wrapper that the Ashton Cabinet guys like (and will like when they try this), but with some flavor being put forth by the Nicaraguan binder and filler. It was just enough to say "hey, you're smoking something here, not just creamy air through a dowel."

[RevSmoke]

Love a mild cigar with flavor. Not many of those out there, so looking forward to this.

You want a preview volunteer? :D

[dannysguitar]

Have you tried the 601 Conn? How do you think this would compare. My fav Connie so far :-)

[Boomer]

Ian, you go back and tell them that we really want more OSVM!:ss

[hsmunoz]

Bengalman,

keep me posted! I am a huge Oliva fan. My first real cigar was a V Churchill Extra, and my collection has grown to include the MB lines, (still looking for the 03 release, if you have a line on them) O, O maddie, Special S, V (all vitolas) , V Maddie and even Flor de Oliva!
I tried the G at your recommendation, nice stick.

[gvarsity]

Very cool. It's interesting to hear about new lines as they develop. I have always been impressed with Oliva cigars.

[alley00p]

Thanks for the update, Ian! :tu

I'll be looking forward to seeing these in Michigan soon! :ss










:dance::dance::dance:

[scooter]

Thanks for the update. I like the "O" and "V" very much and can't wait to try this one.

[BengalMan]

Ian, you go back and tell them that we really want more OSVM!:ss

There will be another release of the V Maduro this year. That's all the information that I have at this time.

As far as the CT goes, I think you will all be pleasantly surprised with just how good it is.

[beamish]

Great thanks! Like everyone else, I have never found an Oliva I didn't like.

:tpd::tpd:

[CBI_2]

A must try for me, haven't found an Oliva I didn't like. Thanks for the update!
:tpd: Looking forward to trying this.

[TripleF]

Hmmmmmm, hmmmmm, hmmmmmm.....can't wait. :D

[Boomer]

There will be another release of the V Maduro this year. That's all the information that I have at this time.

As far as the CT goes, I think you will all be pleasantly surprised with just how good it is.

Please keep us posted on the V maddy release. I flat missed the last one.

[BengalMan]

The Oliva Connecticut Reserve begins shipping tomorrow! Below are sizes and prices. Please keep in mind this is MSRP and will vary from state to state due to each state's OTP taxes. All are 20 count boxes.

Robusto - 5x50 - $4.50
Toro - 6x50 - $5.50
Torpedo - 6.5x52 - $6.50
Churchill - 7x50 - $6.50
Lonsdale - 6.5x44 - $4.30

[Jbailey]

would you have some for thursday?

[BengalMan]

would you have some for thursday?

Still trying to work that out to see if it's possible.

[chippewastud79]

Would you have some today? I will come pick them up :D

[elderboy02]

I can't freaking wait! I want some!

[ChicagoWhiteSox]

The Oliva Connecticut Reserve begins shipping tomorrow! Below are sizes and prices. Please keep in mind this is MSRP and will vary from state to state due to each state's OTP taxes. All are 20 count boxes.

Robusto - 5x50 - $4.50
Toro - 6x50 - $5.50
Torpedo - 6.5x52 - $6.50
Churchill - 7x50 - $6.50
Lonsdale - 6.5x44 - $4.30

nice, very nice:tu

[BengalMan]

nice, very nice:tu

The lonsdale size in the Connecticut is phenomenal, by far my favorite size of the group

[ChicagoWhiteSox]

The lonsdale size in the Connecticut is phenomenal, by far my favorite size of the group

Sounds good Ian:tu Excited to get some

[weak_link]

The lonsdale size in the Connecticut is phenomenal, by far my favorite size of the group

This sounds like a great Sunday morning with coffee cigar.

[neoflex]

Good to hear its a Connecticut. Now I don't have to run out trying to find them!:D Just not a Connie fan. The only Connecticut smoke that I really enjoy is the Edge Lite but if I happen to see them may pick a couple up just because Oliva is a rock when it comes to quality and great smokes and might as well give a half hearted chance. IMHO their only strike out was the Nub.:D:lv

[Rabidsquirrel]

Is there an estimated date that they would arrive at B&Ms?

[BengalMan]

Is there an estimated date that they would arrive at B&Ms?

It all depends on when the B&M ordered them. :)

@neo,

Pick up a few of the Connecticut Reserve instead of the RP next time your in the mood for a mild cigar. :)

[BengalMan]

http://www.stogiereview.com/2009/02/26/sneak-peak-oliva-connecticut-reserve/

[Walt]

Ian,
From the looks of your picture, you holding an event featuring the new line. Are these readily available across the country or was one store lucky enough to get a quick shipment?

[BengalMan]

Ian,
From the looks of your picture, you holding an event featuring the new line. Are these readily available across the country or was one store lucky enough to get a quick shipment?

Walt,

They started shipping Wednesday, however my customer had them overnighted for our event on Thursday evening.

[Walt]

Ian,
How were they received? I would expect them to go over well with the Oliva customer base but was it what the customers were expecting in terms of a mild cigar?

[BengalMan]

Walt,

They were very well received, we moved quite a few singles and boxes. There were a good group of Serie V customers that were enjoying them as well as people that were RP Edge Light and Ashton smokers. One thing that many people commented on is that despite being a mild cigar, the Nicaraguan filler gives it a lot more flavor than a typical mild cigar, while still being classed as a "mild cigar".

[Jbailey]

It's a good smoke and the price is pretty good too. Turned some people onto them that liked the Ashton line classic/cabinet. IMHO they seem to have more flavor then the Ashtons.

[ChicagoWhiteSox]

http://www.stogiereview.com/2009/02/26/sneak-peak-oliva-connecticut-reserve/

sweet:ss

[BengalMan]

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f80/IanHummel/IMG00018-20090227-1711.jpg

I'll be getting some sticks out tomorrow for people to smoke and review.

[BengalMan]

PM's have been sent to a few members to do reviews on these. Sticks will go out tomorrow morning.

[WildBlueSooner]

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f80/IanHummel/IMG00018-20090227-1711.jpg

I'll be getting some sticks out tomorrow for people to smoke and review.

MMM mmm those surely look delicious! :ss

[BengalMan]

I have one more set of these that I can send to someone for review. If you've already posted in this thread that your interested, shoot me a PM and I'll get you out one or two of these tomorrow morning. Upon receiving them, all I ask is for you to take pictures and do a review for the folks here at CA.

[drunkensailor]

Don't be jealous, but I got the first box sold at Thursday's event. They are great for a mild smoke and my wife loved them also. Thanks Ian.

[BengalMan]

Don't be jealous, but I got the first box sold at Thursday's event. They are great for a mild smoke and my wife loved them also. Thanks Ian.

No problem, I'm glad you and the wife enjoy them. Hell, you got yours before I did! Thanks for coming out, hope to have a smoke with you and your wife again in the future.

[BengalMan]

All samples are spoken for and will be going out tomorrow morning!

[rlaliberty]

are these going to be sold online in the near future?

[elderboy02]

I can't wait to hit my local B&M to look for these. Why is the name Connecticut Wrapper Reserve if they are regular production? Thanks.

[barbourjay]

are these going to be sold online in the near future?

emerson cigars has them in stock. they sent out an email today but they only sell by the box.

[BengalMan]

Walt's review is of the Connecticut Reserve is up on Stogie Review. Here is the link:

http://www.stogiereview.com/2009/02/28/oliva-connecticut-reserve/

The members I sent the review sticks to here on CA should have them around Tuesday. Thanks for the reviews ahead of time guys!

[BengalMan]

weak_link has posted his review of the stick I sent him. It can be found here:
http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?p=274619#post274619

Scott (TripleF) will have his up at some point tomorrow, right Scott? :)

Thanks again guys for being the CA test subjects.

[Made in Dade]

BengalMan, I recieved this cigar on friday from Burt the South Florida rep, good guy btw. I enjoyed this stick very much. A mild cigar with a slight kick but with real good flavor.

[BengalMan]

Nice Dade! Glad you enjoyed it. Bert is a helluva guy, a legend in this industry.