The Higher Certificate, developed by Hunters & Frankau, represents the most extensive & prestigious qualification within the UK Habanos market.
6a Trebeck Street
Mayfair
London
W1J 7LY
Passed: 10th February 2022
It is definitely an ability to come across many different people from all parts of world and walks of life with whom I can share the knowledge about the world of cigars and help them enjoy their experience even more, but also a lot of much more knowledgeable people that I can learn a lot from.
The first time I came across cigars it was in the form of a little book I found online as a teenager that had caught my eye. More specifically, it was the description of a ritual of cutting and lighting the cigars that peaked my interest at first. From that it didn't take long for me to try one and since then it was clear, this was something for me.
Very faintly, it was a cheap, machine made cigar, but being only 15 it had this added sensation of forbidden fruit (if only my parents knew at the time). Anyway, much more memorable was a cigar that I had when I was offered a position of a cigar sommelier that literally changed my life.
Do not do what I did (laugh). If you really want to try smoking a cigar, the best piece of advice I can give to anyone in my opinion is to either do it with someone who is a cigar smoker and understands it, or at least invest some time to read up on it, go to the shop and talk to the people there and gather some knowledge beforehand. It will make the experience so much more pleasurable and memorable than just picking any cigar or even being pressured by peers to do so as it often happens. And also, don't rush, switch off and enjoy the moment.
This is the question I find probably the hardest, simply because there are too many beautiful cigars and even more still to try, but if I really have to narrow it down to three, it would be: Montecristo No.2 as this was one of my first Habanos smoked, at the time I was not even aware of its legendary status amongst Habanos. Trinidad Fundador since I just love it's slender, elegant shape and the flavours it offers. And last but certainly not least, Ramón Allones Specially Selected as this is the very cigar that I was given when I got offered my first job in the world of cigars by one of the Masters himself, my mentor, Slawomir Bielicki. Memories aside, it is simply a delicious cigar.
It certainly is a great help as the sheer amount of information you require to pass the exam greatly expands your knowledge on every aspect of Habanos from their early history to the way they are presented. It also is a tremendous privilege to wear this badge and I'm greatly honoured to be one of the few people to be able to do so, but even more to be able to meet people who share my passion and motivate me to never stop wanting to expand it.
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