The Case of the Expanding Ring Gauge

[mithrilG60]

I see a change in the vitolas that would be considered outside the core range, but that section of the product line is always in flux in response to trends. The core range has stayed mostly the same, and that's really what matters. Cuba doesn't jump on trends quite like the non-Cuban makes do, not as much competition or guys trying to make their name and stand out. Like anything, this trend towards monster cigars will end and it will move back towards smaller gauges.

[akumushi]

Originally Posted by mithrilG60

I see a change in the vitolas that would be considered outside the core range, but that section of the product line is always in flux in response to trends. The core range has stayed mostly the same, and that's really what matters. Cuba doesn't jump on trends quite like the non-Cuban makes do, not as much competition or guys trying to make their name and stand out. Like anything, this trend towards monster cigars will end and it will move back towards smaller gauges.

Depends on what you consider core. 42 used to be the standard ring guage, but now the corona has been replaced by the Robusto at 50 as the standard of our era. For those who prefer ring guages 46 and below, the core of the habanos profile has been gutted. If you smoke mostly robustos, pyramides and churchills, then sure, you're fine, but many lonsdales, coronas, petit coronas and an ungodly number of lanceros and panatelas have been abandoned in favor of jawbreakers. From my vantage point, the damage is done.