Altadis returns with a traditional classic

From Rich Perelman at CigarCyclopedia:

Happily, there weren’t a lot of new cigar brands to talk about on the first day of the 2004 Retail Tobacco Dealers of America convention and trade show. But there was a tangible reminder of the old days of cigars in the office, courtesy of Altadis.

In a small corner of their bowling-alley-sized exhibition space, a special presentation of the old H. Upmann “office jar” was being displayed for retail sale once again, after having been removed from the line nearly a decade ago.

And it’s a glorious jar, with the familiar H. Upmann label splashed across the front and a clear back faced with cedar and the H. Upmann logo burned into the sheet. This time, it will be the H. Upmann Vintage Cameroon which will be available in a format reportedly originated by the H. Upmann factory in Cuba in the 1920s. The jar itself is of thick glass – like its predecessors – and is about eight inches high. Three familiar metal clasps close the lid and will enclose any of five sizes: Coronas, Lonsdales, Robustos or Toros in 25s or Belicosos in 50s. Retail pricing on the jars will likely range, depending on shape, from $112-150, about what a box of the same cigars cost without the jar!

More Cigar Jar-mania: It’s a perfect time for Altadis to bring back the jars, especially for the H. Upmann brand which made them so famous, judging by the reception that vintage jars have been getting on eBay.

In the last ten days, a 1970s H. Upmann jar that once held 50 Dominican-made Amatistas was sold in good, but not great, condition for $138.30 . . . about the same as the projected list price for the new jars with the cigars in them!

Last week, a pre-Castro jar from H. Upmann of Cuba that once held 50 Cristales moved for $177, but was not the highlight of the recent bidding.

That honor goes to a remarkable jar which is rarely seen anywhere and was in good condition considering it probably originated in the 1940s. It was a heavy jar that held 50 Coronas under the brand name of . . . Benson & Hedges!

Although more recently known for cigarettes, the British firm of B&H was an importer of cigars from Cuba and had their brand made at the old H. Upmann factory. Since the Upmann brand was the best known for glass jars, it’s little wonder that B&H had its own jar selection and bidders recognized its special nature. A spirited final round of bids produced a sensational final price of $481!

Posted on Tuesday, July 27th, 2004 at 5:47 pm.