Hunters & Frankau escorted a group of their Habanos Specialists to Havana, Cuba on Sunday 3rd March 2024 for a week of education, culture and of course, Havana cigars. It was the first H&F Habanos Training Week since 2020 when Covid interrupted the annual cigar pilgrimage.
The week began with a tour of Havana to take in the sights and enjoy the unique character of the country’s capital city. The following day the group visited Pinar del Río, the finest tobacco growing land in the world and home to many of the famous Vegas de Primera (first-class fields) that grow leaves destined for Havana cigars. They visited shade and sun-grown tobacco fields and met with key industry experts.
Day three was dedicated to the iconic cigar factories of the island. A visit to La Corona factory in the morning was followed by a tour of El Laguito, the home of Cohiba. Here they witnessed the alchemy of the Torcedora (cigar roller) turning raw material into Havana cigars, as well as the countless painstaking stages required in production. The evening entertainment was provided by Club Tropicana.
Next was a visit to Habanos S.A, the Havana based company which markets and distributes all 27 Habanos brands worldwide. Here they met with the company’s Commercial Vice President, Jorge Pérez Martel. This provided the opportunity for the group to ask questions about the global strategy of Habanos and learn more about plans for the future. It was then back to the Hotel Packard for a Habanos blind tasting on the terrace before visiting Bestview Havana to take in the breathtaking panoramic cityscape and a rum masterclass, conducted by Melbys Nicola, of Eminente Rum.
Friday included a tour of the ICT factory where Cuban Minis and cigarillos are machine made before a free afternoon and a well-earned rest.
Day 1 - City tour and Bolívar Regentes tasting
Day 2 - Visit to Pinar del Río tobacco plantation
Day 3 - Visit to cigar factories
Day 4 - Habanos s.a. tour and blind tasting
Day 5 - Visit to Cuban Minis factory
