Like every February, Havana became the stage of the biggest gathering of cigar enthusiasts from all-over the world, organised by Habanos S.A. Trade shows, launches, tastings, gala dinners, competitions and pairings, the Habanos Festival was an action packed week between February 24th and 28th. My last visit in Havana was 2011, and needless to say I was like a child waiting for Christmas morning!
Our journey started from Dublin airport at 5am the day before, and after 22 hours we found ourselves with a mojto and a monsdale on hand in patio of the Nacional Hotel. Not much has changed since my last visit; the atmosphere in the patio, the buzz of the live band, the amazing mojitos and the monsdales being as good as ever… It’s great to be back!
After a not-so early night and a few hours sleep, we started the day with a walk in old Havana. The narrow streets of old Havana are always buzzing with life, music and colourful characters; after a trip to the Conde de Villanueva for a few Reynaldo custom rolls and a walk around the few cigar shops in the area, we made our way to Floridita for a Daiquiri.
El Floridita is a beautiful bar on the corner of Obispo and Monseratte that is famous for its Daiquiris, claiming to be “The Cradle Of The Daiquiri”. Ernest Hemingway was a frequent patron of Floridita and today a statue is placed on his favourite corner of the bar. El Floridita is a bar full of character, with the ambience, décor and staff uniforms make you feel like you are back in the 50’s!
Next stop was the Partagas factory to meet our good friend Hamlet. Hamlet, who is one of the most famous Cuban cigar rollers, is now based in the shop of the Partagas factory. The shop is always packed with tourists and cigar enthusiasts, but the smoking lounge in the shop is always full of characters! A few rums and a couple of cigars later we headed over to Parque Central for a much needed lunch before the opening event.
Traditionally, the opening event is the most popular event of the week. With a crowd of over 1500 expected, Habanos couldn’t have picked a better venue than Club Habana! The beautiful mansion opened its doors to the world with an amazing show full of music, dancing, special effects and of course two new cigars.
The new cigars launched on the night was the Partagas Series D No.6 (50 x 90mm), and the Hoyo de San Juan (54 x 190mm). After a warm welcoming in the main door, we were escorted into the garden of Club Habana, where Habanos S.A. co-presidents Walfrido Hernandez and Luis Sanchez-Arguindey Pardo de Vera gave the opening speeches. We then witnessed an impressive visual display in the façade of Club Habana (video will follow soon) and after the display, the doors of Club Habana opened and the party began! Bands and music in every corner of the building and synchronised swimming (I missed that part) warmed everyone up, before the main act of the night, Los Van Van, took the stage.
Everyone complimented the organisation of the event and it agreed that this was the best opening night they have been to. I was wise enough not to smoke the cigars offered as I had already battered my palate throughout the day, but they are home with me, safe and sound, and they will be reviewed in due course.
More stories to follow soon on the rest of our trip, but in the meanwhile, you can log in to Facebook check out our photos from the first day.
