Women in Cigars Celebration - Romeo y Julieta, Julieta (2009)

THE EVENT
To quote the Cubans, a cigar is like a woman, it needs to be admired, caressed and "warmed up" before placing to your lips to enjoy.  As the CEO of Habanos remarked, women are an indispensable part of the Habanos legacy and future.  70% of the people involved in the growing, production, distribution and marketing of cigars are women.  To celebrate women, Habanos developed a vitola especially sized, cured and packaged for women.


THE LOCATION
For the presentation of the new vitolas "Julieta" we are to spend the evening at the Museo de Bellas Artes.  A beautiful modern building just across the street from the Museo de la Revolution... a stark contrast where one can view graphic photos of combat kills and executions by the glorious Cuban army. 

One mid-eighteenth century day in London, the Venetian painter Canaletto found himself a bit strapped for cash and decided that drastic measures had to be taken. Whipping out a handy blade, he sliced in half a rather long landscape he'd painted, to sell both halves separately. Now one half of Chelsea from the Thames hangs in Blickling Hall in Norfolk. The other half is in Havana in the Museo de Bellas Artes.  There are many pieces from from all over the world that reside in this expansive and rather clinical museum.

There is the usual gauntlet of young people we walk through to get our goodie bag and glass of champers.  I stroll around for a little while and discover some Cubano art that is all naked exotic women only wearing flowers in their hair.  A young lady who works for the museum comes up to me and asks in Spanish if I have any questions.  She speaks English and I asked who the painter was...?  She curtly replies it is the greatest impressionist in the world- Jose Rolando Raul Martinez....erhhh, well you get the idea.  She briskly does a 180 and trots off mumbling some form of obscenities under her breath.  I decide to find my table...



We have fairly good seats and settle down for a great dinner which always consists of lobster somewhere on the menu.  All the wines are Spanish a different bottle and cigar is matched for each course.  The final unveiling is for the new Julieta vitola which for a new small smoke is quite delicious and very much designed for women.  Even the aluminium packaging is designed to fit easily into a purse.

THE CIGAR
I wouldn't devote my traditional Saturday afternoon smoke to this stick, but then again, for the 20 minute drive home from the office, it could make for quite the dalliance.  It's smooth, sweet and lively.  It's very well rolled but as I hold the cigar it is just a tad too dainty for me to hold.  I'll definitely gift the pack to L.




As I sample the smoke the ever-present music and dancing begins....these people know how to enjoy life, just hope I can make it back stateside in one piece.


Rating: (2) AVERAGE
(5) Classic, (4) Outstanding, (3) Very Good, (2) Average, (1) Don’t Bother
Humidor: SMOKE NOW
Smoke Now, Smoke Soon:1–3 Years, Put Away:3–7 Years, Vault:7-12 Years, Inheritance Gift:12+ Years

San Juan Y Martinez Tobacco Plantation, Pinar del Rio, Cuba

THE EVENT

We are travelling to the district of Pinar del Rio which is arguably the best tabacco growing region in the world, San Juan y Martinez.  It only occupies a couple of thousand hectares and consists of very small hamlets such as San Luis.  It is in this 20 square mile area where will spend our time, very close to the Vega Robaina.

The drive from Havana can take anywhere from 2 to 3 hours, and today we have a police escort as well as an ambulance in the convoy.  It is a frustrating challenge to travel on the motor-ways in Cuba as there are goats, donkeys, dogs, cars and of-course people just wandering along the road oblivious to the instant peril that could befall them.  

As we saunter along the Soviet-built roads, we pass by reminders of the heroes of the revolution such as Fidel and Che.  We are also reminded of how much the cigar is the DNA of Cuba!

We spend a couple of hours at the plantation of Gerardo Medina Relova.  A delightful man who has devoted his life to the cultivation of tobacco in the Pinar.  All of his tobacco is sent to Cohiba and he is generally recognized as one of the best in Cuba...of-course behind Alejandro Robaina.  I noticed in his living room he had once received the Habanos Man Of the Year award and he proudly lifted it off a table to pose for this picture.

We walked around the plantation and inspected all the steps in tobacco production.  The local workers are friendly and warm and enjoy joking around with us.  

La Casa del Habano, Havana, Cuba

THE PLACE

I'm on my way to an organized city tour as part of the Festival and decide to drop off at the flagship La Casa del Habano store on 5th Avenue.  Richard from Telford's has a locker here and it has a reputation for being the best of the best.  We are to meet Carlito Robaina to confirm lunch with his father on Saturday at Vega Robaina.

The store occupies an entire building and includes multiple lounges, private rooms, alcoves, a bar and an intimate restaurant that serves some of the best grilled lobster in the city.  The diversity and quality of cigars is awe inspiring.  In addition to the established Habanos brands, there are local blends that can only be found in Havana.  

It's impossible to zero in on any one particular cigar and I start to become dis-oriented before John A sits me down to have a cup of coffee.  The small touches are exquisite as I notice the cup of espresso is resting on a cured tobacco leaf.

I explore the back restaurant where I am accosted by one of the staff.  One has to be very respectful of the Cuban's religious devotion and compliance to rules and regulations, which most of the time are created by the person enforcing them.  I have learned that everyone in Cuba has some level of enforcing their will and the easiest way to engage is just to smile and extend your hand in friendship.... they usually melt and embrace your warmth.



If you ever find yourself in Havana and want to visit a quiet establishment where you will receive personal service without the tourists, LCDH on 5th Avenue is the place.

12th Festival Habanos Welcome - Romeo y Julieta Wide Churchill Launch

THE EVENT

Tonight is the welcome event of the Festival and the main event is the launch of a new Romeo y Julieta known as the Wide Churchill.  We are all dressed to the "nines" as we make our way into a beautiful old opera house that has been restored to it's original grandeur.  
What a cosmopolitan group (present company excluded) as it is the elite of the cigar world.... Habanos officials, PGA Golfers, Hollywood "types", people wearing turbans, old guys escorting their grand-daughters, erhhh, "friends" by the arm and of-course Cuban Government officials with an ever-present smirk over their faces.

The evening begins in the Gran Teatro de la Habana right across from the revolution museum.  Totally restored and dressed up for the biggest event of the year, I grab a seat in the very front row of the Teatro.






























The concert is fantastic and features Chuco Valdes as the headliner.  Born in Cuba in 1941, Chuco is a pianist, composer and arranger.  In 1972 he founded the group Irakere, one of the most important latin jazz bands ever formed.  

Chuco is considered one of the top living pianists and composers today and is included in the top four list of best jazz musicians in the world.  The videos capture some incredible and vibrant jazz that is an absolute joy.  He was joined on stage by a delightful singer, Mariza, a captivating entertainer from Lisbon and Ivan Lins, a musician and composer from Rio.
After the concert we ventured next door to enjoy the new Wide Churchill and partake in just a little food and Havana Club...  As we entered the venue, we were welcomed by a line of young delightful greeters, presenting us with our gift bag full of Wide Churchill cigars.

Davidoff Dom Perignon (1978)

Produced: 1978

Made by: Julieta 2

Size: Parejo

Ring Gauge: 47

Length: 7 inches

Purchased: Alexanders, Melbourne, 2005.

“Smoke less, but better and longer – make a cult of it, even a philosophy!”, Zino Davidoff


Today is my birthday and the day before I leave for the 13th Annual Habanos Festival in Havana.  Knowing all to well that I will be sampling a huge variety of incredible Habanos over the next week, I decide to make this smoke a special occasion.

We are having dinner at Taverna Tony's in Malibu.  This is an old reliable place for some great Greek food.  And I am an expert in Greek food, since I was born and raised in Melbourne.... which has the largest population of Greeks outside of Athens.  In fact, I am travelling with a group of Greeks to Havana as part of the Pacific Cigar Group Distributors.


I have been coming to Tony's ever since it was changed from the Tex Mex joint that Ali McGraw started over 25 years ago.  Tony is great and always greets me with open arms, and yes, he is the only 5 foot 300 pound greek guy that I will actually hug.  


Back in the day he would let me and my friends smoke cigars up in the indoor balcony.  We had some really great evenings, with great food and wine, which is always very well stocked.

The Taverna is somewhat of a hangout for the Hollywood crowd (at left Tony is helping Ms. Spears), but don't let that deter you.  It's very private and low-key and the service is spectacular.




THE SMOKE
Of-course any Cuban Davidoff comes with an incredible amount of expectation and promise.  Much of this is due to Davidoff himself.  Synonymous with luxury, the Davidoff brand for years has produced the finest clothes, fragrances and cigars.  Davidoff cigars have been long heralded as the symbol of luxury and decadence.  And they are headquartered in my favorite city, Geneva, home of the Cafe de Paris, Rohr Chocolates, Gerard Pere et Fils, and the UN.

Davidoff was a man with a great sense of humour and a well-developed feeling for the beautiful things in life. An artist; who understood people, and respected them. Who never lost sight of his purpose; to enrich life through enjoying its good things.  Who even as a successful businessman remained true to himself and to his principles. Zino Davidoff believed in simplicity, in the complete enjoyment of life. 

This Dom Perignon I'm smoking (and which Zino is holding in the photo above) lives up to his mission.  It is showing it's over 30 years in age and frankly, it's probably past it's prime, but I can't help feel it's a great smoke.  As I get to the half-way point it strengthens and develops more character.  I only have 8 of these left and decide that perhaps they should be smoked over the next couple of years.  
Another winter storm is starting to hit SoCal and I need to finish my packing for Havana... now where are those ziploc bags?

Rating: (2) AVERAGE

(5) Classic, (4) Outstanding, (3) Very Good, (2) Average, (1) Don’t Bother

Humidor: SMOKE NOW

Smoke Now, Smoke Soon:1–3 Years, Put Away:3–7 Years, Vault:7-12 Years, Inheritance Gift:12+ Years

Partagas Serie D No. 4 Reserva (2000)

Ring Gauge: 50
Length: 4.88 inches
Purchased: Gerard Pere & Fils, Geneva

Date: February 15th, 2010
Time: 11:00 AM Pacific 
Location: Point Dume, Malibu California
Conditions: Sunny and warm, 73 degree



It's President's Day and I'm on the beach watching the Men's Downhill at Whistler.  And even though only .09 second separates the medal winners, it's not very exciting and I yearn for the days of Klammer and Russi.... now they were skiers!

I decide to break into the black lacquered box of Reserva's that I haven't opened in a long time.  When I first smoked one of these back in 2001, I was that impressed as it was extremely mild and somewhat subtle.  

The 8 years in the back of my storage in Mill Valley has served them well.  They are still shiny, spongy firm and the construction is flawless.  I cut with a cat's eye and begin to savor a remarkably good smoke.  Still subtle and mild but with and increased intensity in the finish. I'm going to smoke this down to the very end.

Rating: (3) VERY GOOD
(5) Classic, (4) Outstanding, (3) Very Good, (2) Average, (1) Don’t Bother

Humidor: SMOKE NOW
Smoke Now, Smoke Soon:1–3 Years, Put Away:3–7 Years, Vault:7-12 Years, Inheritance Gift:12+ Years