Masters of Havana Cigars

The Higher Certificate, developed by Hunters & Frankau, represents the most extensive & prestigious qualification within the UK Habanos market.

Jorge Gonzalez

BACK

La Casa del Habano James J Fox in Harrods

87-135 Brompton Road
Knightsbridge
London
SW1X 7XL

Get Directions

020 7730 1234 Jorge.Gonzalez@jjfox.co.uk www.lacasadelhabanolondon.co.uk

Passed: 26th May 2022

Master of Havana Cigars : Jorge Gonzalez

What do you enjoy most about working with cigars?

The companionship and camaraderie that can flourish when people from all walks of life sit together to enjoy a cigar. It’s amazing how this product can bring people together. I also enjoy very much to introduce people to the world of cigars, to share my knowledge and passion for it, and to learn from the experiences of others. Smoking cigars is one of the best ways I have to relax and take my mind off every day’s concerns. I sit to smoke when I know I have in my hands the time to disconnect from the world and immerse myself into this journey. Enjoying a cigar demands time from yourself and you should give this time to the cigar to make the experience enjoyable, worthy. It can be a very good companion when I am working too. It’s very comforting when I can have the pleasure of smoking a Habano when I am doing my job.

What first interested you in cigars?

I discovered a bit about Habanos when I lived in Cuba. I visited Pinar del Rio many times and loved the landscape of that region. The tobacco fields in Vuelta Abajo and other areas of Pinar del Rio are a spectacle worth contemplating. I smoked some cigars when I lived in the island, but real passion and love for the world of cigars and for all what I do to promote this culture started after I settled in London. Joining James J. Fox in 2016 was a milestone in this learning process. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to absorb so much knowledge, meet great people who enjoy smoking cigars and smoke a fine assortment of cigars. Sometimes when I look to the past, I cannot avoid the thought that cigars worked as a link to connect with my homeland and culture.

Do you remember your first cigar?

It was a Montecristo No. 4. Not the best experience I had. If I had let this experience to define what smoking cigars is, most probably I wouldn’t be here talking about cigars and having had achieved a Master in Havana cigars. It wasn’t probably the best choice. I didn’t have the right dose of information and guidance of how to smoke cigars. Probably more the latter reason than the fact of the wrong choice. I’ve heard some colleagues, clients and friends saying that their first smokes were medium and full-bodied cigars, and they didn’t have the same experience as mine.

What is the best piece of advice you have for someone just starting to smoke cigars?

There’s no rush when diving into the world of cigars. Like every knowledge or experience you would like to learn, you must take it step by step, taking care of not skipping essential parts of what will be a long trajectory. It’s important to start off with light blends and gradually move on to medium and stronger blends. This way after you have tried different strengths even if you choose to prefer more full-bodied cigars, you will be able to appreciate the delicacy of a soft blend. At the same time trying different vitolas to establish how size and shape can affect how you feel and taste the blend. It can be overwhelming when you start walking your first steps into this fascinating world and you realise that there’s so much information, so many details in what it is a ritual for connoisseurs. That’s why this other piece of advice I always mention to beginners coming to me for advice: it’s important to know why a cigar isn’t just a cigar, but don’t forget to have fun and enjoy it.

What are your favourite three cigars?

I love the elegance of Trinidad Fundadores, Partagas Lusitanias and the robust flavours and body of Partagas Serie D No. 4 and Ramón Allones Specially Selected…I’ve given you four and could mention a few more. It’s very difficult to narrow down to three the cigars that I enjoy the most. This selection is not static, the answer may be different if you asked me same question in a year time. Sometimes I find some cigars amazing that may threaten with displacing one or two of these cigars from top of my list, but then when I smoke again, for instance, Partagas Serie D No. 4, it comes to me again how good this can be.

Has becoming a Master in Havana Cigars helped you in your profession?

No doubt. It’s an honour to be in this circle of people who are constantly developing their knowledge on cigars. It’s a very important step, because it recognises the knowledge acquired in some years working in the trade and at same time encourages me to learn more and more. There’s a lot of history, information and experience accumulated in centuries since tobacco was discovered. It’s a fascinating world. I am very glad to be part of it.

Masters of Havana Cigars

Jorge Gonzalez

La Casa del Habano James J Fox in Harrods