This year, at the Festival del Habano, Cuba ventured something new: for the first time, with the new Le Hoyo de San Juan, from the Hoyo de Monterrey series, the focus is put on the blend and makes the origin of its tobaccos transparent. The festival drew visitors from over 80 countries, on offer was a colorful program.
Maori Tabacs S.A.: Lucrative Business in Andorra
Andorra is the European cigar oasis for cheap prices, thanks to the life’s work of José María Cases, Grand Seigneur in the tobacco business and a friend of Fidel Castro for many years. With just seven staff, Maori Tabacs has created a hotspot for lovers of Cuban cigars in Andorra.
Steffen Rinn: Hessen’s last Cigar Maker
From the 1920s into the 1970s, Rinn & Cloos AG was Germany’s la
ProCigar Festival 2014: Dinner with “My” Cigar Manufacturer
The 250 attendees at the ProCigar Festival come from all over the world, like the US, Canada, Europe, Israel, Russia, Singapore and China. At the already seventh annual festival in the Dominican Republic they get good food and drinks, while learning about where your cigars actually come from.
Boutique Cigars: Dion Giolitos Hottest Illusione
Looking up the word ‘picky’ in a lexicon, you may find a photo of Dion Giolito. The Illusione brand owner doesn’t worry about how many cigars he makes, only that they’re exactly right. Illusione is probably the most boutique of all boutique brands.
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.
Daniel Marshall: Passion for Luxury
Daniel Marshall has been successful in the humidor business since 1982, and embodies the lustrous pioneering spirit that surrounds the American dream. In 1995 he got into the cigar business.
Arnaldo Bichot, Maestro Ligador
A true Marvel – over the last 15 years, the now 80-year-old Arnaldo Bichot has shaped the brand Partagás. The Partagás Lusitanias Gran Reserva Cosecha 2007 is his masterpiece.
Monte Pascoal builds Factory in Fields in Brazil
Brazilian tobacco is well loved around the world. Just when it seemed like there was no more room in the market for a new Brazilian cigar, Lorenzo Orsi decided to take his passion for Brazil and cigars and created a new Brazilian cigar.
Hendrik Kelner Honored for Lifetime Achievement
Hendrik Kelner is probably the most well-known tobacco expert in the world and a living legend. For more than 40 years he’s been cultivating the best tobaccos and, with his name vouches for, among other things, the quality of the luxury brand Davidoff.
Nestor Plasencia Sr. Can’t Be Beaten. Comeback King.
Losing all its property in a revolution is enough to take most companies out of an industry. Nestor Plasencia has suffered this loss in both Cuba and Nicaragua. He is now in control of tobacco growing on perhaps the largest scale in Central America.
One Day in the Life of Francisca del Rosario González Aguirre
After 44 years of working almost every job available at Joya de Nicaragua, Francisca del Rosario González Aguirre is still learning.


