I got your gorilla finger right here. :-)
[Reply]

Cost, these "sudo-plastic-metalic-substitute" pouchs are most likely pennies to mass produce, they have more 'ad space' on them and they can make them stand out and look flashy, think bigger billboard than a tube would be (again not to mention so much cheaper).

The main problem or one of the problems i see is the kid in the store that mashes a bunch of these up or snaps the sticks and puts them back, that would suck.
[Reply]

Impact damage... yes...
[Reply]

How dare you disrespect the man like that.

He's a modern day da Vinci I tell you.

He even wrote that about himself on his website, so it must be true.

After all, he invented the art of cigar rolling. Just ask him.

(talk to the schmuck long enough, he'll tell you how he invented electricity too)
[Reply]

I have not seen these Fresh packs, but they would not put me off buying a Macanudo. They used to be my favorite lunch time smoke when I worked in the city.
[Reply]

Just visited the website... the selfies and articles on his next-to-godliness made my day :-):-):-)
[Reply]

Clearly what a modern day da Vinci looks like:
Image
[Reply]

I've seen these in a few convenience stores and have purchased ones that I enjoy every now and then, including Macanudo, Punch and Partagas. They tasted great, BECAUSE I enjoy those brands anyway. If I saw Viajes like this, I would snag some up, without any change of my opinion of them. I think it's a great idea for those brands to found in places where a humidor wouldn't be ideal, like convenience stores. I've probably purchased a box worth so far with no problems of damage or construction flaws. It is kinda of a gamble though buying them sight unseen, but I don't believe it's any more of a gamble than buying mass produced hand made cigars any other way.
[Reply]

They do use them for Acids. Saw at a gas station near my bothers house.
[Reply]

That would be CertiFresh display's that you saw. They sell to thousands of golf courses all across the country.


http://certifreshcigar.com/index.html
http://certifreshcigar.com/OurDisplays.html
[Reply]

I can tell you firsthand there was a lot of thought and debate over this product before GCC released the freshness packs. Personally i didnt agree with the conclusion but on paper it actually makes a lot of sense.

There are approximately 2500 b&m retailers in the country that sell premium cigars? How many convenience stores, pharmacies, gas stations are there in the US? Hundred thousand? More? Even if they capture only 1% of that market General Cigar has increased their distribution points by an incredible amount. This required a solution to store and sell cigars without the need for a walk-in or display humidor. Hence freshness packs.
[Reply]

Macanudo is really marketing to the golf crowd these days. They are a primary sponsor of the Big Break show and I've seen them noted as the sponsor of a few local charity golf tournaments. Never tried one of the freshness pack cigars but I'm not a fan of macanudos anyway. If it works, it's a good idea for supplying cigars to retail locations that don't want to have humidors or a big cigar selection. I think the intent is that people are going to smoke them right after buying them, so the bags are probably more for retailer storage and shelf life. That's my two cents anyway :-)
[Reply]

i'm not big on Macanudo, but some of the worst ones i've ever had were in those metal tubes you see in gas stations, and travel plazas... you know, the ones with that cute transparent plastic "humidor" thingie.

like sucking s*** through a straw, may as well bought a handful of philly blunt's.

maybe the fresh pack will be a minor improvement
[Reply]

I've seen what you are describing at a few of the finer B&M's I've visited while in Panama. One even had a very little humidification stone in the cap, and it was intended to seal the humidity in. I believe these tubes were made locally and intended for the gentile man who purchases a single to enjoy later. They were sold with a locally produced cigar, I tried one, wasn't bad, but to fellow running the store mentioned that often customers will dispose of the Panama cigar for one of their more desired sticks.
[Reply]

General isn't the only company, I know of at least one other manufacturer who will launch fresh packs in the next year. And I think it is a great idea, it reaches out to a whole new crowd and make this industry grow and that helps us fighting the ridiculous smoke laws for example.
[Reply]