29 Mar
I am just back home from Havana where I learned that Simon Chase had passed away. The news devastated and saddened the cigar community there as it has saddened the cigar world. Many cigars have been smoked in his honour and so did we smoke cigars in Havana remembering this great friend, mentor and gentleman. Read more…
10 Apr
To end my reports from this year’s February trip to Havana, here is a pictorial review of the Humidors and corresponding cigars that were auctioned during the Gala Dinner of the Festival del Habano. As I left Havana that day and do not attend official events anymore, I thank Kai Ahrens for sending me this Read more…
20 Mar
Even after visiting for almost 15 years, there are always new experiences when travelling to Cuba. Never a dull moment in the island. These last three weeks were exhausting, even without attending anything official at the Festival, but then again they were exhilarating and extremely interesting. Having Justin and then John along for a good Read more…
19 Mar
Even after visiting for almost 15 years, there are always new experiences when travelling to Cuba. Never a dull moment in the island. These last three weeks were exhausting, even without attending anything official at the Festival, but then again they were exhilarating and extremely interesting. Having Justin and then John along for a good Read more…
24 Mar
The only “official” event besides the Partagas Cocktail reception that we attended during the Festival and a crowning farewell party to our week in Havana. So great to meet good friends there in an informal gathering and an excellent atmosphere at the rooftop terrace of this famed Paladar. Truly stellar custom rolled cigars passed by Read more…
20 Mar
It is a sign of the changes to come in an evolving political and commercial process that people from the non-Cuban cigar industry start flocking to Cuba. And what better opportunity to see the Cuban cigar scene than being in Havana during the Festival. Keith had suggested we meet at the Nacional’s historical bar for Read more…
18 Mar
I had taken Frank already twice to the tobacco farms, Viñales and Pinar del Rio so I thought I’d show him a different part of Cuba this time. Give Frank a good cigar, some rum and a nice cannon or machine gun and he is a happy camper. So what better place than Bay of Read more…
