Habanos Festival

VI HABANOS FESTIVAL

The organisers’ extensive programme starts on the 23rd of February, with the III International Habanosommelier Competition, a very popular event among the growing number of Habanos enthusiasts who ask for the advice of the sommelier when choosing a cigar. The participants in this international competition are the winning sommeliers of the national encounters organised in each different country.

As part of the Grand Finale, competitors will undergo a theoretical exam, where they will have to prove their knowledge of the different brands and vitolas. The finalists will then show their skills in a practical test which demonstrates their cutting
and lighting techniques with Habanos, followed by a descriptive tasting session and the association of these cigars with a range of different drinks.

The Whisky and Cigar Challenge, held for the second time this year, is another favourite among Festival Week participants. On this occasion, different marriages will be proposed between a variety of whisky brands and Habanos cigars. The winner will emerge victorious from the votes of over three hundred participants who will taste the proposed combinations.

The programme also includes an International Seminar with lectures on different subjects such as The World of Luxury. Present and Future, the historic links of San Cristóbal de La Havana with the Habanos brand and an interesting analysis of
Literature, Cinema and Habanos.

PRACTICAL CLASSES

Festival participants this year will be given a practical class on the art of rolling and making a Robusto cigar. In Cuba, where almost no Habanos are machine rolled, a long tradition of “torcedores” or artisan cigar rollers has developed
over the years. The only tools these experts use are a wooden board, a ring punch to cut the cap, a guillotine, vegetable gum and a template to measure the length and girth of the cigar and, of course their skilled hands. It takes years to become
an expert in this work, considered by many to be an art.

The day’s practical class will be completed with an interesting Round Table Discussion on Cigar Tasting, a subject that is becoming more and more popular among Festival regulars. Participants will be given the best advice and suggestions for full enjoyment of a Habanos. Participants will come away full of useful recommendations covering how to select, cut, light and enjoy the cigar.

Following the wise process, this ceremony turns smoking a Habanos into delight for your senses. In the process of choosing a cigar, all of one’s senses are involved: the colour should be pleasing to the eye, the perfect construction and correct conservation of the cigar should welcome the touch, its aromas should delight your sense of smell and
its typical exclusive flavour should be pleasing on your palate.

AN EXCEPTIONAL EXCURSION

Cuba has the best land in the world for growing tobacco, but only a few places, known as vegas (tobacco fields) are considered suitable for growing the kind of tobacco used for making Habanos. Classed as “Vegas Finas de Primera” (First Class Fine Tobacco Fields), they meet unique soil-quality and micro-climate requirements, which make them unique for tobacco cultivation.

One of the most prestigious vegas is located in Vuelta Abajo, considered the best land in the world for growing tobacco. Vuela Abajo is the only vegas that produces all kinds of leaves. But even here, only a small portion, less than a quarter, of the productive land is classed as “Vega Fina de Primera”, a requisite for growing tobacco for Habanos.

Once again, the Festival organisers are offering an excursion through the major growing areas of this region: Pinar del Río, a province in the west of the island where there are several famous plantations like those of tobacco grower Alejandro Robaina. The excursion proposed by the Festival will culminate with a visit to the “Real Fábrica de Tabacos Partagas” (Partagas Royal Tobacco Works) in Havana. The prestigious “Partagas” brand, one of the most celebrated cigars, are still
made here. This is one of the oldest cigar factories in Cuba and a mecca for any cigar lover.

TRADE FAIR

In the week of the 22nd to the 27th of February, the city of Havana acts as host to showcase the excellence of Habanos. The Festival organises a Trade Fair that attracts all the leading professionals in the industry. This unique encounter, perhaps the best cigar industry exhibition in the world, allows participants the chance to purchase all kinds of Habanos related products in the heart of Cuba.

Every year, the fair attracts over 40 exhibitors, from manufacturers of humidors, articles for smokers and luxury items to gourmet products, crafts, farming related products, machinery, among other products.

INNOVATION AND DEVELOPMENT

The exceptional quality of the Cuban tobacco plant, which grows naturally in some parts of the island, has won it a reputation that is unrivalled anywhere in the world. Despite this, the Habanos S.A. company is well aware of just how important it is to devote effort to scientific development. These new discoveries are then applied to tobacco growing in order to maintain the quality standards that have made its’ products famous throughout the world.

Habanos cigars are made from Cuban Black Tobacco, the direct descendent of the plants that Columbus discovered in Cuba over five hundred years ago. Since the early 20th century, scientific advancements have helped to improve the wide
range of seed varieties, identify their characteristics and find resistant varieties. The Habanos S.A. Corporation has a deep commitment to preserve and perfect the essence of the true and unique Cuban seed; the seed that produces Cuban Black Tobacco.

In this sense, the Festival also serves as an important forum for discussion and for exchanging
experiences among prestigious researchers in the world of tobacco growing from all over the world. This year, a Scientific Seminar will focus on aspects such as genetic development, molecular biology, bio-technology, agricultural engineering and alternative uses of tobacco.

As part of this seminar, Habanos S.A. Corporation will hold an International Workshop with Cell death in plants: A challenge for the new millennium as its central theme. Participants will include specialists in Plant Pathology and Plant Physiology as well as students and professors of applied biology and agricultural engineering.

CLIMAX

The VI Habanos Festival reaches its high point on the 27th with the traditional Gala Dinner, a unique event that brings together over 800 cigar lovers from all over to celebrate the Habanos cigar in style. The evening will include the Hombre
Habano 2004 Awards, which commends outstanding work in cigar-profession categories such as Production, Communication, Retail Sales and Business.

Another high point of the Gala Dinner is the long awaited Humidor Auction, an event to auction off unique examples of fine cedar work. As in other years, the money raised from the bidding will go to the Cuban Health Service. With the unmistakeable aroma and flavour of this evening, Havana puts the finishing touches to a frantic week in which the island opens up its walls once again to welcome all those who love Cuba’s most famous export product.

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