2018 Habanos Festival Recap
Habanos S.A. hosted it’s annual “Habanos Festival” in the historical city of Havana. The 20th edition was held from February 26 to March 2. I had the pleasure of attending the annual Festival on behalf of Havana House and La Casa del Habano Montreal. Below is a recap of some of the highlights and new cigars we can expect in the year to come. As you are probably aware, the cigars introduced during the Habanos Festival are only available in retail shops across the world within the year ahead. None are currently available as of this writing.
Please note that a separate blog entry will be posted featuring the highly anticipated Romeo y Julieta Grand Churchill Elie Blue humidor.
Cohiba Robusto Reserva Cosecha 2014
This is the latest Habanos to join the exclusive and very sought after “Reserva” cigars, and the first since the launch of the Cohiba Reserva Cosecha 2003. Note that this is a Reserva, and not a Gran Reserva, which means the boxes will contain 20 cigars. This release is unique because all the leaves used in its production (filler and binder) have been subjected to a long three years of ageing process. Only 5000 boxes have been produced!
Partagas Linea Maduro
After the success of the distinctive and tasty Partagas Maduro No. 1, two more vitolas in the same family were released at the closing Gala dinner.
Maduro No 1 (52 x 130 mm length)
Maduro No 2 (55 x 120 mm length)
Maduro No 3 (50 x 145 mm length),
HOYO DE MONTERREY: LE HOYO RÍO SECO
Hoyo de Monterrey is located on the fertile land along the banks of the river that runs through San Juan y Martínez. The Spaniard from Tarragona, José Gener used the name of this Vega for this tobacco brand for the first time in 1865. Le Hoyo Río Seco (56 x 140 mm length) is a new heavy ring gauge vitola that is added to the Serie Le Hoyo after the incorporation of the Le Hoyo de San Juan vitola. The Seco, Volado and Ligero leaves that make up the smooth flavour blend of Hoyo de Monterrey come exclusively from the San Juan y Martínez tobacco-growing district (P.A.O.), continuing the strength that was unveiled with the Le Hoyo de San Juan vitola.
This vitola will be available in boxes of 10 and 25.
VEGUEROS CENTROFINOS
The Vegueros brand, launched in 1996, was created to pay homage to all the Cuban farmers who, from generation to generation, have grown tobacco in Pinar del Río. The brand was completely updated after more than fifteen years by incorporating new formats into its portfolio. The range is now being enriched with the Centrofinos vitola (50 ring gauge x 130 mm length), an appealing option for those looking for Habanos with a medium to full strength flavour blend that are accessible and modern.
Continuing in the formats of the Mananitas, Entretiempos, and Tapados, the new Centrofinos will also be available in metal tins containing 16 cigars.
2018 LIMITED EDITIONS:
Three new 2018 Limited Editions will be on our shopping lists within the next year. They are:
Romeo y Julieta Tacos (49 ring gauge x 168 mm length)
Its vitola de galera “Taco Imperial” (49 ring gauge) is a format taken up from the 70s. This limited edition is presented in a 25-unit CB.
Bolívar Soberano (54 ring gauge x 140 mm length).
For the very first time, the vitola de galera “Duke” is launched with Soberano, completely unprecedented in the brand’s portfolio. Aficionados will be able to enjoy a balanced, aromatic blend from the brand in a completely new format with this full-strength flavour Habano. The presentation is in a 10-unit SPB.
H. Upmann Propios (46 ring gauge x 120 mm length).
This vitola, also unique within the Habanos range of sizes, is a new medium ring gauge benchmark for the brand. H. Upmann Propios, with smooth to medium strength flavour, is presented in a 25-unit CB.
Habanos, S.A. is also presenting its exclusive productions for La Casa del Habano network of specialist stores at this XX Habanos Festival: Hoyo de Monterrey Escogidos (49 ring gauge x 180 mm length) and San Cristóbal de la Habana (50 ring gauge x 127 mm length), which will also be distributed at retail establishments with the Habanos Specialists rating.
Credits. Photos, and some text taken from the official Habanos press kit.
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