Business

The American Charles D. Fredricks associates in 1863 with the french Auguste Dariès. Together they operate a photography studio in Havana, at No. 108 Calle de La Habana. The images they realize of the city during the two years of their association (1863-1865) are the first known photographs of the Cuban capital. * These pictures were graciously lent to us

Confronted with an evolution of users’ demand and budgets, producers are reacting by creating new brands, both affordable and of high quality  By Jean-Pascal Grosso « The market itself is dictating this trend, explains José R. Oliva, Oliva Cigars’ CEO. Everybody would like to sell $12, $16 or $20 cigars. It would be more profitable. But the vast majority of American

Less common than their traditional counterpart, box-pressed cigars are nevertheless much appreciated by some aficionados. Here’s where they come from and how they are shaped. by Guillaume Renouard Four-sided cigars may not be as well known as their cylindrical counterparts, yet they are the favorite of many aficionados. According to advocates, the squared shape of box-pressed cigars beautifully enhances and

José Padron passed away last week, he was 91 years old. Taking up the torch of a big family company: that’s the challenge that awaits Jeffrey Padrón and his sister Jessica. Social networks are their weapon of choice. Here is an interview of Jeffrey published in 2013 in the International Amateur de Cigare… By Armelle Vincent Jeffrey and Jessica Padrón,

Can Apple censor a mobile application dedicated to a product authorized for sale? By Laurent Mimouni The boss of the largest American cigar magazine Cigar Aficionado did not appreciate that Apple removed from its platform the application “Where to smoke? In which the newspaper had for the last two years listed more than 2,600 addresses of cigar shops, smokehouses and

Agio, the company that distributes Jonathan Drew brands and produces Balmoral cigars, has just launched an uncommonly low-cost brand.   By Camille Sifer   So, what is this new and surprisingly inexpensive brand, you ask? Meet San Pedro de Macoris, named after its hometown, located some hundred kilometers from the Dominican capital of Santo Domingo. This town is already Agio’s

On October 25, Davidoff inaugurated his new head office, La Maison Davidoff. After 85 years, the building has been completely rebuilt to give rise to an ultra modern and bright workplace. A large smoking room and a walking humidor can host the 160 employees.. Lucky them ! Maison Davidoff, Nauenstrasse 73 Basel, Switzerland

Since the 1990s, Habanos has developed three “concepts” that can be found in different regions around the world. Do you know what sets them apart? Casa del habano This may be the concept that is best known by aficionados. The first to open, more than 25 years ago, was in Beirut. This store remains one of the most famous and

Launched at the beginning of the 70s, the Montecristo A is being retired from service. We take a quick look back at the 40-year history of an iconic cigar. The Montecristo A had it all from the start: exceptionally tall (more than 23 cm long), dark, handsome and silky smooth to boot; with a price to match (around €40 toward

On October 13, a collector bought a cigar that belonged to Winston Churchill for a few thousand euros … According to the BBC who published this picture, this cigar was smoked by Churchill at Le Bourget airport on May 11, 1947. William Alan Turner, a British airman who flew Churchill and his wife to and from Paris kept the cigar

Trinidad  Topes 2016 Limited Edition 125 mm × 56 (22.22 mm) Gros robusto (topes) This cigar gets off to an elegant start on peppery notes, pumping out lavish amounts of smoke. The first third settles into a vegetal and cinder profile, offering a consistent and balanced experience. Heating up slightly in the second third, it keeps its balance but drives

The story of La Flor de Ynclan is one of a long-forgotten cigar and two determined men. A labor of love with a happy ending. By Jean-Baptiste Bourgeon The first puffs of smoke that billowed over the 85th IPCPR (International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers) convention in Las Vegas last July took us all back 10 years… The year was

Is Drew Estate trying to revive the flavored cigar trend? This natural process which consists of drying leaves over smoldering fires is designed to imbue the cigars with particularly delicious peaty and smoky flavors. We must admit, our curiosity got the best of us.  By Helie Valat Two years ago, when we first met Jonathan Drew, the founder of the

Cigar lovers will be discovering a new brand this autumn, and behind that brand is a woman with an extraordinary past. This is her story. “My cigars are me, I’ve put everything I am into them.” In other words, energy, charisma and definitely complexity, given the unusual path she has taken through life. The key to Sanja Lopar is a

Each year, Habanos announces the production of several Limited Editions. These are annual productions in limited quantities. Over the past 17 years, 54 formats have been launched. Here is the list.   2017 Cohiba Talismàn Partagas Series N° 1 Punch Regios de Punch   2016 Trinidad Topes Romeo y Julieta Capuletos Montecristo Dantes   2015 H. Upmann Magnum 46 Ramon Allones

The three-star chef, and authentic lover of Cuban cigars, Arnaud Lallement creates dishes on the edge of acidity, which go perfectly with champagne.  By Thierry Dussard  The man who learned to read using the Michelin Guide has become one of the Guide’s most decorated chefs. In comparison with the French Academy, which has forty members, known as immortels, there are

Could the time be approaching for Cubas’s national sport, baseball, to hang up its boots? We asked Carlos Tabares, the star player who’s just called time on his own career. Here he talks candidly, while savoring a new Montecristo Linea 1935 with the appreciation of a connoisseur.   By Stephane Ferrux    Although kids playing on the streets of Cuba

Twenty-five years ago, cigars didn’t exist in the land of morning calm. Even now, only a handful of aficionados can be spotted in Seoul’s scarce smoking rooms. It must be said, they have some of the toughest anti-smoking laws in the world. By Laurent Mimouni   When Pierre Cohen-Aknine landed in bustling Seoul to launch the sale of Cuban cigars