Of all the cigar factories in Havana, this one has the most names, by far. No wonder, when you consider its colorful past.
Complex Plum Brandy: Serbica Ramonda
This complex plum brandy from Serbia aged in a barrel is first class. A short robusto by Perla del Mar goes well with it. During the ensuing tête-à-tête, the aromas of the distillate hold their ground nicely.
International Women’s Cigar Society. The Network.
Back in 2009 a hub was set up especially for women in the branch – the International Women’s Cigar Society (IWCS). The platform not only unites the distribution, the manufacturing and supplier side, but also the cigar smokers themselves, and women’s cigar clubs have found their point of contact in IWCS.
Festival del Puro Mexicano: Debut in San Andrés
Last fall, Mexico’s premium cigar makers, in cooperation with CigarMex, hosted the first Festival del Puro Mexicano in Veracruz and San Andrés. In addition to Puros Santa Clara’s presentation of the Capa Flor brand, A. Turrent introduced a full seven new cigar lines.
Roman Szymonowicz and the Fine Art of Bluffing
On his finger, a massive poker ring; in his hand a Habano – ready for the next delightful draw. What is the real art of emerging as the winner of a poker tournament? Roman Symonowicz, a former manager in the automobile industry, uses the poker game to rise above himself: it’s a discipline that he has perfectly mastered.
Cigar Lounge without Smoke: Grand Hotel Park Gstaad
Since December 2013, the Grand Hotel Park Gstaad, located in the Swiss Alps, has operated a cigar lounge in a class of its own. Even at full occupancy, there are no billows of smoke in this private lounge, elegantly outfitted in the style of a British gentlemen’s club.
Brazil: Journey to Bahia
Finally I can see it: the Brazilian coast! I wonder if this is what Geraldo Dannemann first saw 142 years ago, when his crew called out “Land ahoy!” The tobacco specialist from Bremen, Germany, emigrated to Brazil in 1872, and found what he was looking for in the state of Bahia: perfect conditions for growing tobacco and proximity to the harbor of Salvador. My journey will take me there, and I will follow in Geraldo Dannemann’s footsteps.
Refurbished: Dunhill Flagship Store, 1A St James’s Street, London
At the recent launch party, cocktails created by a drinks mixologist and four different cigars, New World and Cuban, welcomed guests at London’s newest cigar lounge: 1A St James’s – Dunhill’s newly-refurbished flagship store and lounge.
One Day in the Life of Emmanuel Martinez
A job at the Panama Caribbean Cigar factory changed the life of Emmanuel Martinez four years ago. The 24-year-old started working as a cigar roller and since cigar culture in Panama is nowhere near as prominent as in many of its neighboring countries, Emmanuel knew nothing about cigars before he started there.
Cigar Trivia: Culebras – Twisted Cigars
Culebras number among the most eccentric formats. Their characteristic form is achieved by plaiting and binding together three still damp cigars, frequently Panatelas.
Upswing across the swedish tobacco market: Malmö & Stockholm
According to Peter Zimmermann, owner of Den anspråkslösa cigarraffären in Malmö, Gothenburg has been at the forefront of the Swedish tobacco market for a long time, but he also says things are changing.
Qualification Tournaments for the 5th Cigar Smoking World Championship
In the run-up to the fifth international Cigar Smoking World Championship, the official competition for the long smoking of a Montecristo No. 4, qualification tournaments for the championship will be held in many countries. Initiator, Marko Bilič, will personally preside over compliance with the rules at the events.