Excelencias from the Caribbean & the Americas
Exclusiveness and Luxury
OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS, THE UTMOST WORLD EVENT ON PREMIUM CIGARS HAS SPREAD THE HABANO CULTURE AND LEGEND AS A GENUINE CUBAN REPRESENTATIVE, WHICH STANDS OUT AMONG THE MOST EXCLUSIVE AND LUXURIOUS PRODUCTS ON THE PLANET
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In its 20th edition, the Habano Festival undoubtedly stands out as the most important international event in the premium cigar realm, since it has spread the word out on such famous and genuine Cuban product, which in turn has become one of the most exclusive products on the face of the earth.
Just as planned by its organizers –Habanos S.A. and Tabacuba- this annual event since its creation back in 1999, has also spread the culture and legend of Habanos and has become an important showroom for its most emblematic and new products, which have set trends in the cigar-related world.
The first edition of the Festival was held in 1999 and, among other events, it hosted the world premiere of Trinidad brand and the rollout of Reserva del Milenio –porcelain jars representing such brands as Cohiba, Montecristo and Cuaba. Moreover, a humidor was raffled, which was part of a limited series made up of 21 pieces that contained 2,000 Habanos.
The second edition took place a year later and it included origin reviews and tasting sessions, focused on the anniversaries of internationally prestigious brands: Hoyo de Monterrey celebrated 135 years of existence; Romeo y Julieta, 125; Punch, 160; La Gloria Cubana, 115; Partagás, Ramón Allones and Sancho Panza, 155; Montecristo, 65 and San Luis Rey, 60.
The celebration of brand anniversaries continued in 2001 during the third Festival. Cohiba's 35th anniversary took center stage in this event.
The fourth edition's program paid tribute to the fifth anniversary of renowned Vegas Robaina brand. The event also paid homage to the 95 years of Belinda brand, Bolívar's centenary and El Rey del Mundo's 120th birthday.
The fifth Festival was organized in 2003 and history played the leading role in this edition, since most of the event was dedicated to the 510th anniversary of Habano's arrival in the Old World. This edition displayed the most prestigious brands in the cigar realm, such as Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, Partagás and Hoyo de Monterrey. On the other hand, attendees celebrated the fifth anniversary of Trinidad brand.
Edmundo de Montecristo is a standout among these exclusive treasures. It was launched in the sixth edition of this festival, back in 2004, when special tribute was paid to Winston Churchill. His passion for Cuban Black Tobacco gave birth to one of the most renowned sizes –Churchill- which is presently a member of Habanos S.A.'S well-assorted vitola portfolio.
Pirámide de Partagás (Serie P Nº 2), put out in the 2005 edition, is also outstanding; as well as Short Churchill de Romeo y Julieta and Cohiba Behike in 2006, Reserva de Montecristo No. 4 and Línea Maduro 5 in 2007, Cohiba's new Cuban mature wrapper called maduro. Its three vitolas are Genios, (ring gauge 52 x 140mm), Mágicos (ring gauge 52 x 115 mm), and Secretos (ring gauge 40 x 110mm).
Reserva de Montecristo was also unveiled as a tribute to Montecristo No. 4, the bestselling vitola in history, with a billion cigars rolled since 1935 when it was launched.
A year later, Epicure Especial de Hoyo de Monterrey and H. Upmann Mágnum 50 were the stars during the 10th Habano Festival held in 2008. During its first decade, the event became the most outstanding international space in the cigar realm.
The 11th edition of the Habano Festival in 2009 put Montecristo Open, the first line of its most renowned brand, on the map. And so did with Cohiba's first Gran Reserva de Habanos, the most prestigious line in the cigar world, with its emblematic Siglo VI vitola (ring gauge 52 x 150mm long).
The launch of Montecristo Open increased the range of choices within Montecristo's portfolio with four vitolas to please those who love this brand: Eagle (ring gauge 54 x 150mm long), Regata (ring gauge 46 x 135mm long), Master (ring gauge 50 x 124mm long) and Junior (ring gauge 38 x 110mm long).
Trinidad brand portfolio was beefed up by Robustos T (ring gauge 50 x 124 mm long). This vitola adds the brand's classic blend and taste.
Attendees to the 12th Festival (2010) puffed on the Cohiba Behike vitola, Cohiba's new line and the most exceptional of all, introduced with three vitolas: BHK 52, BHK 54 and BHK 56, with a blend that first introduced “Medio Tiempo”, a scarce tobacco leaf that delivers exceptional character and taste.
Other gems of Cuba's tobacco industry are the first Gran Reserva Montecristo and the new Partagás Series E, which were rolled out in the course of the 13th edition of the Festival in 2011.
The new Montecristo No. 2 Gran Reserva Cosecha 2005, the brand's first grand reserve, had a numbered production of 5,000 boxes.
Likewise, those who attended the 13th Festival enjoyed Partagás' new products, with the introduction of Serie E No. 2 and Serie D No. 5. They also tasted the brand-new H. Upmann Half Corona, a size to be enjoyed at any moment by people cutting their teeth in the Habano culture.
On the other hand, Ediciones Limitadas 2011 included Cohiba 1966, factory vitola Cañonazo Especial, ring gauge 52 x 166 mm. This Edición Limitada commemorates the 45th anniversary of the creation of the Cohiba brand.
The launch of the celebrated Edmundo de Montecristo, during the sixth edition of the Habano Festival, paid tribute to Winston Churchill, whose passion for Cuban black tobacco prompted the addition of the Churchill size to Habanos S.A.’S vitola portfolio