Cigar Auction Time!

Screen Shot 2015-05-29 at 16.48.24Summer Cigar Auction is on Monday… That came around fast! Over 300 Lots in a very impressive catalogue if I do say so myself. The selection and quality of Davidoff and Pre Embargo cigars is truly breath-taking. Something for everyone with Lot estimates from £20 up to £12,000.

Plenty of interest from bidders around the world both online as well as a full Auction room at The Bulgari expected.

This will be our first auction at the beautiful Bulgari Hotel although we usually hold our pre auction hospitality events there. I’m also looking forward to the earlier 2 pm start time as well as the change of venue. We will be returning to our old favourite Boisdale Belgravia for the Winter Auction event which will be at least as fabulous as last year 🙂 This is in fact our 15th Cigar Auction since we started the sales in 2009.

Online bidder registrations close this evening so if you plan to bid online you need to get registered fast and the very best of luck to all of our sellers and bidders.

If technology doesn’t let us down the results will be published live on the auction website as the auction takes place. We’re still working hard on perfecting our online bidding platform which has been all consuming for the IT department as they have been working day and night. Hopefully it will be completed just in time and work as expected.

I’m hearing continuous rumours about wrapper shortage in Cuba but fortunately we don’t have any particular supply issues that I’m aware of, although a few cigars such as Larranaga Petit Coronas and Romeo Puritos are out of stock. It may not be related. Por Larranaga Sobresalientes – UK regional edition are not available from Hunters & Frankau right now but a delivery is expected from Cuba with any luck. We have laid in additional stocks of just about every decent Havana in case there is a supply issue looming on the horizon.

No sign of any of the expected new releases of Limited editions so far this year and of course we still have not seen the release of the H Upmann No. 2 Reserva or Romeo Wide Churchill Gran Reserva as yet. I can’t quite understand why as I thought there was no shortage of maduro wrapper leaf for the LE’s and Reserva and Gran Reserva are made from aged leaf. No doubt everything will arrive at the same time a few days before Christmas! (It’s a bit like waiting for a London bus!)

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Our main suppliers held their annual trade show in London this week and it’s always good to catch up with everyone and see what new product launches are planned. Robert Graham managing Director Steve Johnstone had been zooming around our Cambridge and London shops. We met up and had a team meeting and dinner with our managers after the trade show at Ten Manchester Street Hotel which is one of our regular herfing spots. Dinner was first rate as is the service at Ten Manch and the Turmeaus and Robert Graham team enjoyed Partagas SD4’s and 6’s till rather late (glad they could make it to business on time the next morning!) The next morning we had a bit of office herfing/brain storming with the team to find out ‘what’s hot and what’s not’!

regius_petit_robusto-box_10-open-closeIt seems that our New-World cigar sales are now utterly dominated by Inka Secret Blend, Oliva Orchant Seleccion and Regius cigars with sales of most other brands ticking over but losing ground to these three brands. I shouldn’t be too surprised as they are all exclusive to C.Gars Ltd Group and of course excellent value. Premium cigars at incredibly low prices. We buy in huge quantities and pass the savings on to our customers. Just call me the ‘cigar consumers champion’ 🙂

Well that’s me just about done for the week and I’m going to kick back before the auction madness on Monday. In the baggie this weekend are some Ramon Allones Belicosos (2007 RE), Bolivar Belicosos (2007 Orchant Seleccion), Oliva Chubby, and a couple of Davidoff Chateau Margaux 1988. All to be accompanied by a bottle of Ailein Mor from the Robert Graham range of single malt whisky.

Have a smokey weekend,

Peaceful puffing,

Mitchell

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