Cuban Cigar Reviews

Just thought I would write a very quick summary of my week at the 10th Annual Festival del Habano in Havana, Cuba from February 25th-29th 2008. As I could not attend last year due to some last minute circumstances, I was excited about going down this year, though it was a very last minute decision. I was not only looking forward to smoking some of the new releases, but getting out of the -20C temperatures was an added benefit. Myself and Jerry were going down and we were meeting a couple of friends there as well. I have to say the trip did not start off on the best note. We booked with Sunwing Vacations (be careful). Our flight was “suppose” to leave at 3:30pm…let’s just say we were the last flight out of Pearson Airport at 12:47am. I wasn’t too pleased with the 9 hour delay needless to say. Three and a half hours later we arrived in Varadero, Cuba…only a 2 hour bus ride to Havana remains. Oh, and by the way, the 9hr delay = $75 travel voucher.

Finally we arrived in Cuba. Customs was pretty quick as they stamp your tourist visa. We then made our way out to the buses that would take us to our hotel, we have a 2 hour ride. The funny thing was our very keen “Sunwing Rep” was trying to get the crowd on the bus going at 4am…tough job to say the least, it was quite comical though, a lot of akward silences after his jokes. Ok…6am and we are at the Hotel..The Melia Habana in the Miramar district of Havana…Saturday was spent at the Pool sleeping

Sunday we headed out to check out all the cigar shops in Havana, well not all, but just the main ones. We ended up at the Partagas Factory and spent much of the day there. The VIP lounge was great, a true cuban cigar smokers paradise. The photos on the wall were interesting, Fidel Castro and other dignitaries in addition to many Hollywood actors…YES, American actors. (I will post something separately on the Partagas shop along with photos). We then made our way to the Casa del Habano at the Habana Club Hotel and then to another Casa Del Habano at 5ta y 16 in Miramar. There we met Jimmy Ng owner of Jimmy’s Cigar Lounge in Singapore…I am not sure what he was looking for because believe me when I say he has everything. Anyways, more details on the inside of these shops and the managers in my next posts.

Oops, Ok, I think I started something that I can;t finish. This post will turn out much longer than I first thought, so what I am going to do is quickly wrap it up and then write separate, shorter, posts on each aspect of the Habanos Festival and Havana.

Anyways, the Festival was in full swing on the Monday and it was more or less back and forth from the convention centre on most days. My only regret was not getting out to Pinar del Rio. It is a 3-hour jaunt from Havana, but well worth the trip.

Next Post: Release of the H.Upmann Magnum 50

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