[WEBMASTER] Welcome to all cigars-of-cuba members and visitors. We are proud to announce the beginning of the live chating event with Mr Linares, CEO of HABANOS S.A. and Don Alejandro Robaina. We will begin with questions sent by email..

[WEBMASTER] Email from Mr William Reiter : Please comment on the view that Havana cigars today are not of the same high quality that they were 30 years ago. Specifically, please address the theory that the tobaccos are not matured and aged properly due to the need to rush millions of cigars to market as quickly as possible.

[Mr. LINARES]: Quality control is still the same.

[ROBAINA] We believe that quality control is still unchanged.

[Cigarman] How do you classify the Vegas Robaina Cigar?

[ROBAINA] San Luis land in pinar del rio produces strong full bodied tobacco. The blend we are working on is well balanced and medium.

[Cigarman] Who makes the blend ?

[ROBAINA] There is a league responsible of the blend choice. I'm a member of this league.

[Cigarman] How do you choose the blend?

[ROBAINA] We roll several cigars made with different blends.

[ROBAINA] We taste, right down comments and keep the best.

[Punch] How long have you been smoking cigars ?

[ROBAINA] I began to smoke secretly when I was 11. Today I'm 82.

[ cigarfriendly] How long are you aging the cigars before they are shipped to market? I bought a box of Don Alejandros that have improved dramatically during the last 9 months.
[ cigarfriendly] Are there any plans to introduce a new size in the Vegas Robaina line?

[Mr Linares] The Cuban Cigars are aged one year

[Mr Linares] If you keep the cigars for another year the quality of course improves

[Mr Linares] Nothing new for Vegas Robaina.

[ cigarfriendly] Question for Mr Linares....I see that you have been traveling to numerous countries to promote Cuban Cigars. As you are aware, many Americans are fans of Cuban Cigars nut cannot legally visit Cuba. Any chance you might visit Mexico (maybe a border town like Tijuana) in the near future?

[Mr Linares] There are only 5 vitolas launched in July 97 in Spain.

[Mr Linares] No plans for Mexico in the time beeing

[Mr Linares] In Mexico you can contact IEPT and Mr Gausman

[cigarfriendly] There has been much discussion about new date codes on the boxes that will replace NIVEL ACUSO. Can you please share that code with us?

[Mr Linares] If the Americans arrange a big smoke in Mexico I'll be happy to join.

[cigarfriendly] Maybe I'll organize my own Big Smoke....consider yourself invited; perhaps some of the shops and Mr. Gausman might be interested in sponsoring such an event.

[Mr Linares] It's true concerning the codes but it's just a Habanos internal concern.

[Mr Linares] We have problems in court with general cigar company concerning the Cohiba trade mark.

[pf] What do you think of the Internet as a sales channel for cuban cigars ?

[ bolivar] When you release the new Montecristo Robusto, Cohiba Pyramide, and new size Cuaba next February, will they be introduced initially to only a few selected countries or will they be available everywhere?

[Mr Linares] Internet is a new channel. We can't avoid it but we cannot shortcut our distributors.

[Mr Linares] The new vitolas will be launched in several countries in porcelain jars.

[ bolivar] When the US embargo is lifted, how will you be able to keep up with worldwide demand...do you forsee a potential shortage of product?

[ bolivar] At present, the Partagas Factory is the only one open to the general public in Havana. Are you considering opening up other factories for visits and possiblly putting together cigar vacation packages with Cubanacan?

[Mr Linares] It's not true, all the factories are open but you have to get a special request from the company.

[Mr Linares] Concerning the worldwide demand, I have given a complete answer it will be published later.

[ bolivar] How many La Casa del Habano cigar shops are there in the world? Are franchises handed out by Habanos SA?

[ bolivar] Can anybody who is interested in attending the Habanos 2000 Millennium event next February purchase tickets for the event or do you need to be a tobacconist or affiliated with the cigar industry?

[Mr Linares] There are 50 Casa del Habano. Habanos gives the franchises to interested retailers.

[Mr Linares] Anybody can buy the ticket for the february party from a Habanos affiliate retailer.

[ bolivar] Are there any other classifications of Cuban Cigars besides English Market Selection, which you ship to the United Kingdom. Does this designation suggest they are superior? Also, what criteria do you use when selecting 'cabinet selection' cigars?

[ rule] When the United States ends its embargo on Cuba, do you foresee Cuban cigars including tobacco from other countries? Say perhaps, a Connecticut shade wrapper?

[ rule] Will Habanos SA be able to handle the increased demand for cigars when the United States embargo ends?

[Mr Linares] Habanos & Hunters & Franco decided to use the EMS label for the UK market. It doesn't mean that the cigars we send to the UK are better.

[ rule] What efforts has (or will) Habanos SA take to stem the tide of counterfiet Cuban cigars?

[Mr Linares] Habanos will use only cuban tobacco even if the demand will grow

[Mr Linares] Our production has increased by 40% in 1998 and we will go to 60% in 1999

[Mr Linares] A new guarantee sticker with special logos only visible with a UV machine will replace the old Republica de Cuba sticker

[Keith] Are Habanos happy with the quality of the regional factories, that are now coming on line. As some of the RYJ production i have puchased from the VC factory could be better.

[Mr Linares] We are improving the production rate by developing new agriculture lands in Pinar del Rio.

[Keith] In the UK at present there is a great shortage of Robusto sizes. What are Habanos doing to correct this?

[Mr Linares] The blend is the same in all the factories and the quality control is the same.

[Keith] I must congratulate you on the Vegas robiana Range, can we expect to see a Robusto Size??

[Mr LINARES] We are working on the launching of the new Robustos in 1999

[WEBMASTER] Famosos from Robaina is a Robusto

[WEBMASTER] Dear members, please forgive the delay. We are translating online from english to spanish then to english again !

[Keith] Yes, its great to hear about the new products, but i can't get hold of the products from the Partagas, H.Upmann and many others. Do we really need new ones when there seem to be alot of problems with supply of the established brands

[Keith] Oh yes i forgot about the Famosos. I must get some the next time i'm in Spain. I cannot get them here in the UK :(

[Mr Linares] I meant that you must wait for the production of 1999 concerning existing Robustos.

[Keith] OK, so i have to wait till next year for the sizes i want??

[Keith] Do you know if Ramon Allones Gigantes are to be Produced again, in the near future?

[WEBMASTER] You can always check cigars-of-cuba catalogue :)

[Mr Linares] Ramon Allones Gigantes will be produced in small quantities. It will be available probably in the UK, Geneva and Spain.

[WEBMASTER] Dear visitors, Mr Linares is leaving in a few seconds. We will write a complete article on the interview. Come back next week to read all about that.

[WEBMASTER] Good buye. Best regards and Happy smoking.