Havana will open its doors once again from February 24th to 28th, 2014 for the 16th annual Habanos Festival offering the largest international meeting for the cigar enthusiasts.
This year the event will be paying tribute to four of the most prestigious Habanos brands we know and love: Hoyo de Monterrey, Partagás, Trinidad and H.Upmann.
The 20136 Habanos Festival was attended by more than 1,200 delegates from almost 80 countries – that’s a lot of matches used!
The Commercial Fair will again be celebrated during the week of the Festival. In 2013, the Fair was attended by 72 exhibitors from 8 countries – Germany, Canada, China, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Panama and Cuba – and received over 2,000 visitors from the world of cigar, luxury products and business.
During this 16th Edition of the Habanos Festival, those attending will have the pleasure of tasting in exclusive the new vitolas that will be launched to the market in 2014 as well as discover the roots and the secrets of a century-old tradition of Cuban cigar culture.
The program of the Habanos Festival maintains has been released and it looks like it’s shaping up to be a big one:
What to Expect
- Visits to the best tobacco plantations in Vuelta Abajo, Pinar del Río
- Visits to Cigar factories
- A Commercial fair
- Seminars
- Tastings and Marriages with the best gastronomy and drinks
- Habanosommelier International Contest
- Master class on the Cigar Hand Rolling Technique
- The longest ash contest
The opening of the event will take place on Monday, February 24th, 2014 with the inauguration of the Commercial Fair at the International Convention Center Palacio de Convenciones (Just follow the smoke) The Fair will be a perfect opportunity to mingle and network with fellow BOTLs, businessmen, producers and suppliers of the cigar world.
The day will end with the Welcome Evening at Club Habana, which includes an exclusive concert from some of the best Cuban artists. The Nominations for the Habanos Award of the Year will also be announced; all wrapped up with a welcome Cocktail dedicated to the Partagás and Hoyo de Monterrey brands. We are already drawling at the mouth.
This year the Habanos Alliance (no Star Wars jokes please) will take place with the exclusive international beer brands Duvel, Leffe, Chimay, Malheur and Bucanero, under the direction of Belgian beer sommelier Ben Vinken.
On Wednesday, February 26, there will be a special and emotive Dinner in tribute to the Trinidad brand, with participation of prestigious chef Ron Blaauw from The Netherlands, awarded with two Michelin stars, and of sommelier Cuno Van’t Hoff in the selection of the menu and marriages.
Dust off the tux as the closing of the Festival will take place on the evening of Friday, February 28, with a Gala Dinner in tribute to H.Upmann and the Traditional Humidor Auction for the benefit of the Cuban Public Health System.
Watch this space for news on how to register and fingers crossed we will see you there.
Click here to check out the 16th Habanos Festival Program:
And check out some pictures from last years Habanos Festival to get you in the mood:
