Cigars.ie

XI Habanos Festival

The eleventh Habanos Festival took place between February 23 and 27. The festival was highly anticipated amongst afficionados from around the world, as some new vitolas were due to be presented. The Montecristo Open series, the Trinidad Robusto T and the Cohiba Siglo VI Gran Reserva. The worlds most famous and rischest afficionados gathered in Habana, in order to get their hands on the new vitolas and outbid eachother in the humidor auction of the Gala Dinner night.

On the first night of the festival, the Montecristo Open Line was presented to the public. Intended for the amateur cigar smokers, the Open was presented as a cigar that would accompany the pleasures of life; actually the most expensive ones! In the Carl Marx theatre a 45 minute presentation, projecting expensive cars and yachts, golf courses, polo tournaments and motor racing introduced the Montecristo Open Line to the world.  I am wondering if it would also be priced suitably for the high rollers!

The line is consisted of four vitolas.  Junior is the smallest of all measuring 38 ring gauge by 4 1/3 inches. The Regatta is a traditional belicoso measuring 46 by 5 1/3 inches. The Master is the Robusto of the line measuring 50 by 4 7/8 inches, and the Eagle is a Robusto extra, measuring 54 by 5 7/8 inches.

The cigars were available to smoke later on the night, in Club Havana. The first impressions described a very young cigar, with light body and not much taste. However, their great construction and presentation (the cigars are bearing a green and gold label) still makes them enjoyable.

Wednesday, February 25th was the day that the all new Trinidad Robusto T was to be brought to the world. Altough the Trinidad cigars are trading in the market since 1997, the brand were celebrating their 40th anniversary with launch of this new vitola.  Originally rolled especially for Fidel, as well as diplomatic gifts to Kings, Ambassadors and Presidents of other countries, the Trinidad have always been making exceptional cigars. It is rumored that all leaves intended for Trinidad cigars are going through a third frementation, similar to the process used for the Cohibas. Measuring 50 by 124, the Robusto T is the first robusto vitola of the brand, bearing the characteristic pigtail. A beautiful, rich and fresh cigar that is set to become another favourite.

On the last day of the festival, the Gala dinner was the true main event. The launch of the Cohiba Siglo VI Gran Reserva, the cigar that everyone wanted to get their hands on, to smoke the first ones out. Each guest received a small wooden box containing 2 Gran Reservas. The first impressions described an amazing cigar, so complex that it cannot be compared to anything available in the market today.

The cigar is a canonazo, same size as the original Siglo VI. All leaves used in the cigar have aged a minimum of 5 years, and as all Cohibas, they have been through a third frementation. 5,000 numbered boxes will be available on the market, each containing 15 cigars. The retail price is estimated at €700! If you are willing to invest in a box of cigars, these will be the ones to look for…

The night ended with the traditional humidor auction. 7 brand - themed humidors were sold, fetching a total of €981,000, with all proceeds going to the Cuban health system. The Cohiba Humidor alone was sold for the amount of €350.000; in these recessionary times…