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.
Everything is Relative … Mainly Humidity
It is relative humidity that we’re interested in; this is what we want to measure. There are several different methods of measurement. Here we are taking into account the ones that have a certain relevance to cigar storage. And with hygrometers, too, if you buy cheap, you have to buy twice.
Once Upon a Time … A Warehouse at Calle San Carlos No. 816
It’s hard to believe that the famous tobacco exporter Mark A. Pollack built this splendid structure located behind the Briones Montoto factory just to store his excellent tobacco. Fully renovated in recent years, the gorgeous building is housing a Partagás worksite while its walls shine a gleaming white.
A Building of Many Names – The Antonio Briones Montoto Factory
Of all the cigar factories in Havana, this one has the most names, by far. No wonder, when you consider its colorful past.
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.
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.
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.
