The world of cigars

The date is set and preparations continue. But the organizers are waiting for the green light from the Cuban government. Preparations for the 23rd Festival del Habano are well underway. As we announced on October 27, the dates (February 21-25, 2022) have already been decided and Habanos SA continues to make every effort to ensure that the event can take

New Jersey cigar brand Hiram & Solomon was founded by two Freemasons. Its products feature the symbols of Freemasonry and proceeds from sales go to Lodge charities.  Guillaume Renouard, our correspondent in the USA You cannot tell that someone is a Freemason at first glance – the order is known for its discretion and emphasis on secrecy. Or at least,

In 2020, China became the world’s biggest market for Cuban cigars, with a spectacular 15% rise in sales on the mainland. In this report, we take a look at a market with complex, not always transparent rules that feed rumors and misinformation.   Philippe Dova, our correspondent in Hong Kong   So, here we are. China’s irresistible rise to the

With the sudden spike in demand since the first months of the pandemic (see ADC English Edition #1), Dominican factories are under intense demand pressure, including as regards labor. Anything goes to attract workers and meet production targets.   Daniela Cruz Gil, our correspondent in Santiago de los Caballeros (Dominican Republic)   “We are looking for tabaqueros (cigar makers).” Such

According to our sources, the dates of the next Cuban cigar Festival have been decided. The event, canceled in 2021 due to the Covid pandemic, will take place from February 21 to 25. The official announcement should be made in the coming days. We do not yet know the detailed program of this 23rd Festival del Habano. The Procigar festival

A few months ago, the plain packaging was introduced, adding to the already long list of restrictions affecting cigar sales in Canada. But Quebec is the last province in the country where cigar lounges are still allowed. Antonio Marsillo, our correspondent in Montreal (Quebec)   Bitterly cold weather for half the year, one of the world’s harshest tobacco taxation policies

The first cigars to be produced in Africa are starting to arrive on other continents. Made essentially with African tobacco, and rolled by an all-African team, they come from Mozambique. Tom Bowker, our correspondent in Mozambique, reports from Maputo. Africa’s first cigar manufacturer is starting to export. After a first batch of Bongani Cigars landed at London Heathrow Airport at

500 cigars reviewed (Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic) by L’Amateur de cigare’s tasting committee. Here is the prize list of the 2021 Cigaroscope, available in French newsstands and in our online shop.   Cigar of the year : Davidoff Winston Churchill The Aristocrat Newcomer of the year : Corrida Nicaragua Robusto + Brand of the year : Joya de

Strong demand brought on by the “lockdown effect”, combined with a slowdown of production in Cuba and logistic problems caused by Covid-19 mean that tobacconists’ shelves are looking bare. Habanos S.A. calls for patience.   The first to sound the alarm was 5th Avenue Trading, the exclusive importer of Cuban cigars for Germany, Austria, and Poland. When it published its

Here is the list of all the new cigars in preparation in Cuba. Traditionally, this list is announced during the Festival del habano which takes place every year in February. But in the absence of a festival this year due to the pandemic, Habanos S.A. organized a virtual event called Habanos World Days. Nineteen new references are in preparation.  

The virtual event organized by Habanos SA will take place on May 4, 5 and 6.   In the absence of Festival del Habano this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Habanos SA will organize the Habanos World Days, an online event whose program is largely inspired by that of the festival organized for more than 20 years in Havana.

The Carlos Baliño factory is the first on the island to be closed due to the pandemic. The factory located in Marianao, one of the 15 municipalities in the province of Havana, has been detected as a Covid-19 cluster. The Cuban Ministry of Public Health (Minsap) did not release any details on the number of Covid cases identified in this

After having tried every single Cuban cigar available in France, L’Amateur de Cigare’s Tasting Committee has come to a decision. The habano of the year is the Romeo y Julieta Churchills. Here is the review published in the 2021 Havanoscope, now available (in French) in French newsstands and from our online store:     Romeo y Julieta Churchills 178 mm ×

By activating title III of the Helms-Burton act, Donald Trump allowed American citizens to sue Cuban or foreign entities doing business with property nationalized by the Cuban state after 1959. The heirs to the H. Upmann factory have seized this opportunity to claim compensation. “We are fairly relaxed, and we don’t expect any legal action against us“, assured the Co-President

Introduced in 2018 by Habanos SA, Partagás Linea Maduro is coming into French cigar shops.   Here are the 3 vitolas available in France now (limited quantities) : Partagás Linea Maduro N°1 (130 mm x 52 (20,64 mm). 4 rings in Havanoscope 2020. Price : 15.80 € Partagás LineaMaduro N°2 (120 mm x 55 (21,83 mm). 4 rings in Havanoscope

We managed to get these pictures taken inside the cigar factory located in Holguín (east of Cuba). They show the sanitary measures at each of the factory work stations. Sorting of leaves   Filler rolling   Sorting the cigars by colour   Putting the rings   Tube setting   Box setting Crédit photos : DR  

According to our information, the Cuban authorities hope to meet their 2020 production target of 90 million cigars, despite the current difficulties. The factories have never stopped production since the start of the pandemic, they will not be shut down, and some 1,500 torcedores currently out of action (sick or in quarantine) will soon return to work to boost output.

Quai d´Orsay Senadores EL 2019 cigars will be available in tobacco shops in France starting next weekend. As announced last September at the world premiere in Paris, French fans will enjoy an exclusive preview during a few weeks before the international shipping. Price: € 19.80 per stick ; box of 25 cigars (€ 495 per box).