Simon Chase †
Acknowledged by the New York Times as “a British cigar sage”, Simon Chase worked for the London-based, UK Habanos distributor Hunters & Frankau from 1977 until he retired in 2009. Over this period he accumulated extensive knowledge of the cigar industry, past and present, particularly in Cuba. Today he runs his own consultancy, Simon Chase Limited, which specialises in cigar marketing and tobacco legislation. He remains on the board of Hunters & Frankau as a non-Executive Director. In 1998 he was awarded by Habanos S.A. the Hombre Habano del Año (Habanos Man of the Year) trophy for Communications. Since then he has become well-known as the auctioneer at the Gala Dinner that marks the end of the Festival del Habano every year.
Articles featuring Simon Chase †
Articles by Simon Chase †
Wrappers: More Than Just a Shell
Few topics in cigar lore attract a greater disparity of views than the effect that wrappers have on the taste of a cigar.
Read More: Wrappers: More Than Just a Shell
Trinidad Rises to New Heights
It started life in secret 48 years ago at Cohiba’s El Laguito factory. The new cigar is called Edición Limitada 2016.
Read More: Trinidad Rises to New Heights
A special Shape – The History of the Double Figurado
Simon Chase tells the story of a Cigar, with a special shape.
Read More: A special Shape – The History of the Double Figurado
Once a Gigantic Brand, Ramón Allones has Faced a Steady Descent
Simon Chase recollects the high points of Ramón Allones and outlines the steady, sometimes precipitous, decline of the Cuban brand.
Read More: Once a Gigantic Brand, Ramón Allones has Faced a Steady Descent
Read the Story of the Aluminium Cigar Tube
Aluminium cigar tubes are as much part of the Havana cigar scene as labelled boxes, cedar cabinets and elegant humidors. The traditional hand-crafted boxes have been around for centuries. But when did tubes first make an appearance and who thought of the idea?
Read More: Read the Story of the Aluminium Cigar Tube
Montecristo: 80th Anniversary of Cuba’s Best-Selling Brand
Students of the origins of Havana cigar brands will know that Montecristo came in just five sizes named numerically and it has always been assumed that the initial athletic line-up formed Montecristo’s range from the very beginning in 1935. However, during his research into the history of Hunters &#
Read More: Montecristo: 80th Anniversary of Cuba’s Best-Selling Brand
Vintage Havanas – What Makes them Collectable?
Finding cigars with high collection potential presents a challenge, even for Simon Chase. In this article he let us know what exactly makes vintage cigars real collectibles and talks about his expert knowledge on past cigar auctions.
Read More: Vintage Havanas – What Makes them Collectable?
Ediciónes Limitadas – Innovation Born of Necessity
It all began in 2000 when Habanos S.A. introduced the line Ediciónes Limitadas that represented one of the very first ideas for special, limited-production cigars. For the first five years, Limited Editions were only found in five brands: Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, Partagás and Hoyo de
Read More: Ediciónes Limitadas – Innovation Born of Necessity
A forgotten Anniversary: 125 Years of Cuban Warranty Seal
There is one anniversary taking place this year that seems to have escaped notice in Cuba. True, it doesn’t relate to a brand, but nevertheless it goes right to the heart of what has given Habanos the global success they have enjoyed for well over a century: quality and authenticity.
Read More: A forgotten Anniversary: 125 Years of Cuban Warranty Seal
Hamlet Jaime Paredes: To Be or not To Be a Torcedor
After this year’s Festival del Habano had ended Simon Chase was still in Havana, so he went in search of an old friend, the torcedor Hamlet Jaime Paredes, who is best known as the cigar roller in residence at the Romeo y Julieta Casa del Habano.
Read More: Hamlet Jaime Paredes: To Be or not To Be a Torcedor
Do Ring Gauges divide Generations?
On Friday after Christmas, Simon Chase found himself in St. James’s Street, where on the corner lies Davidoff of London. Usually he would have called in advance to see who was in, so imagine his delight when he found Edward Sahakian, the proprietor, and his son Eddie there to greet him. For the next
Read More: Do Ring Gauges divide Generations?
Why Spend $2,000 on a Cigar?
Why would anyone be prepared to spend this much money on a cigar, particularly when it is over 50 years old? Is there any way that such extravagance could be justified? The venue was the outdoor cigar terrace at Boisdale’s Restaurant in London’s Belgravia district. The event was the third auction of
Read More: Why Spend $2,000 on a Cigar?
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