MONTECRISTO AND PARTAGÁS WERE THE CENTRE OF ATTENTION ON THE XV ANNIVERSARY OF THE HABANOS FESTIVAL
La Habana, Cuba, Feb 27- This year the XV Anniversary of the Habanos Festival in Havana , Cuba featured no less than two new Montecristo vitolas: the sexy Petit No.2 and a new Double Edmundo, the first Partagás Lusitanias Gran Reserva, as well as the re-launch of the Vegueros brand in 3 sizes ! The historical Morro Fortress, located on one side of the entrance to the port of Havana featured as the location for the opening night party and proved to be an exceptional stage for the beginning of the week long event. At the “Welcome Evening” delegates were able to sample the two new Montecristo vitolas whilst being wined and dined within the castle walls by waiters and entertainers in historical costume ! The food, entertainment and ambience were exceptional. Anna Lopez from Habanos SA must be congratulated on creating a wonderful evening for all the guests who travelled to Cuba for this years Festival !The new Petit No.2, is nothing short of sensational. A Petit Belicosos – for want of a better description – with a sharp little pointed cap and perfect shade of wrapper for Montecristo. The cigar is in my mind destined to become a classic – a chopped down Monte No2 appropriate for contemporary smoking enjoyment. Any fan of the Montecristo brand cannot fail to appreciate this new cigar. The new Double Edmundo strangely did not resemble an “Edmundo” in any shape or form. The flavour is typically traditional. The size is excellent. The overall balance of strength and flavour different to Edmundo but to my mind better ! Not too short but neither too long a smoke. Iam not a huge Montecristo fan per se but this cigar I could smoke any and everyday ! What is novel is that both cigars will evetually be released in small wooden boxes of just 3 cigars – ideal as a gift for a fellow cigar smoker and the famous chocolate brown band has been re-designed to feature a red-gold fleur de lys at the heart of the traditional emblem. A real stroke of genius which serves to update the rather tired old design we had all become only too familiar with ! This stunning new make over makes the forthcoming release of the new cigars eagerly anticipated. Come on Habanos – I simply can't wait to once again try these excellent cigars ! Midweek delegates were invited to an evening where live entertainment and a five course meal enabled delegates to sample both the new Hoyo de Monterrey Grand Epicure Limited Edition for 2013 as well as three entirely new “Vegueros” cigars.Distratcted as I was by the new Limited Edition I failed to smoke any of the three new sizes that constitute the new re-launched “Vegueros” brand. However some days later I tried the largest of the three new small vitolas and was pleasantly surpised at how well made these short smokes were made. The smallest of the three – a mini torpedo – will likely become very popular with those wanting to enjoy a quality, mild Habano.The XV Habanos Festival ended on Saturday 2nd March, with the Gala Evening in honour of Partagás, a brand originally founded in 1845, which this year presents its first Gran Reserva in its 168-year history: the Lusitanias Gran Reserva Cosecha 2007. These classic Habanos are Totalmente a Mano Tripa Larga -Totally hand made, Long Filler-, after a meticulous selection by Ligador -Master Blender- Arnaldo Bichot, of 2007 harvest leaves, aged for 5 years, from Vuelta Abajo, in the San Juan y Martínez and San Luis* tobacco districts. During the night, Italian tenor Darío Balzanelli, will sung the famous Cuban song 'La Comparsa', and the legendary Cuban singer Omara Portuondo performed with Maestro Patterson's orchestra and Maestro Santiago Alfonso's dance troupe.
