The Habano Festival ended its 17th edition with the satisfaction of participants, who enjoyed exclusive products related to the most famous gourmet cigars in the world and attended numerous activities, which recreated every step in the process of producing a Cuban cigar.
Photo: José.M. Correa Armas
The closing ceremony of the event was dedicated to the emblematic Montecristo brand, which celebrated 80 years since its foundation with the presentation of its 80th anniversary special vitola.
First sampled by expert smokers during the gala dinner, the new vitola boasts a golden seal and was selected to commemorate the founding of the legendary brand, created in 1935.
On the final night and in the presence of prestigious international personalities, such as Indian actor, Kabir Bedi, renowned for his role as Sandokan; supermodel Naomi Campbell; and socialite Paris Hilton, the 2015 Habano Man of the Year Awards were presented.
Winner in the category of Production was Cuban, Rogelio Ortúzar; Communication, Gary Heathcott from the U.S.; and Business, George Fereos, from Greece.
The dinner, enlivened by an excellent musical performance, ended with the traditional humidor auction, the proceeds from which - 1 million euros - went to the Cuban public health system.
Winner of the Habanosommelier competition (selecting the perfect combination of cigars, drinks and food) was Brazilian, Walter Saes, followed by Cuban, Andrés Piñón and Luca Tramontana from the United Kingdom, while Ali Alrami from Kuwait won the second edition of the competition for the longest ash.
was one of those visited by participants in the event.
Photo: José.M. Correa Armas
Exhibitors from the Associated Trade Fair also received awards in various categories. The Internacional Cubana del Tabaco was presented with the award for Comprehensive Communication; Spanish companies Comercial Iberoamericana Cohíba and Humidif received the award for Best Modular Stand Design and Most Visited Stand; and Cimex, from Cuba, received the award for the Best Free Standing Modular Design.
Interesting conferences on the 150th anniversary of tobacco leaf readers and the diversification of Habano brands were presented during the week-long international event; which had as its climax the launch onto the international market of Havana Club International’s spirit, Union Cohíba Atmosphere.
In this regard, master rum taster, Asbel Morales, explained that the new beverage, designed exclusively to be paired with habanos, has been inspired by the Island’s two most luxury products, which reveal a unique history and origin.
JOURNEY TO THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE HABANO
Another of the special activities of the Habano Festival was the visit to the plantations, where participants toured one of the areas where Cuban tobacco is grown, Vuelta Abajo in Pinar del Río.
There, they learned about the vegueros (tobacco growers of the region), who, in order to produce the cherished product must work with knowledge, dedication, experience and skill in extreme conditions.
Specifically, in the district of San Juan y Martínez, a group of habano lovers visited tobacco producer, Iván Máximo Pérez, named Habano Man of the Year 2012, and whose passion for tobacco and defense of the science of cultivation and associated techniques enable him to produce vast, high quality quantities of the product.
His Tomás León Credit and Services Cooperative cultivates five hectares, with yields of more than two and a half tons of tobacco per hectare, which – he states – is due to the implementation of new technologies.
Photo: José.M. Correa Armas
Among his technological secrets he mentioned an appropriate strategy to select the right varieties of seeds, the application of a double row of crops, a project to improve the quality of the soil through the use of green manure during the inter-harvest period and a waste reduction plan.
Iván Máximo Pérez, who grows criollo 98, criollo 2010 and corojo 99 varieties in covered conditions, and the varieties, habano 92 and corojo 2012, in the sun, highlighted the role of Cuban genetic scientists in the cultivation process.
He stated that diseases have become a scourge for all crops globally and that genetic scientists have worked to create new varieties, more resistant to these threats and always following the organoleptic method, adding that, “the producer has to be strategic when planning his harvest.
