Author Archives: Simon Chase †

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?

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 & Frankau, Simon Chase found some documents that suggest a rather different story.

punch serie d oro no 2 limited edition 2013 box

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 Monterrey. By now, until 2014, there have been forty-eight Limited Editions in total.

union de fabricantes de tabacos first seal on a box 1890

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.

chase edward eddie sahakian davidoff of london sitting portrait

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 hour and a half he enjoyed a discussion on the state of the cigar world, which he shall treasure for a long time.

dunhill romeo julieta seleccion no 779 world record public auction november 2010

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 aged and vintage cigars organised by C.Gars Ltd.

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