Events

The winner of this contest’s second edition proved to be blessed with special sensitivity. Leticia Cabrera, from the El Aljibe Restaurant’s Casa del Habano, flaunted her tremendous tactile, gustative and smell skills in a test everybody agrees is extremely difficult in every way.

A competitor from Mexico walked off with top honors following a magnificent execution that sent the Chilean and Cuban finalists to the second the third places, respectively

The Auction of Habanos Humidors, held at the Gala Dinner of the Habanos Festivals, has become one of the highlights of this event.

The grand finale of the second blindfolded habano tasting session showcased the mastery of those who have turned their passion for Cuban tobacco a reason for their lives

Actor and musician Jim Belushi surprises guests during the 520th Anniversary of the Discovery of Tobacco in Cuba Night with an impromptu music jam alongside Phil Manzanera

• The Welcoming Night futures other personalities including Jack Bruce, ex NBA players, Travis Best and Dale Davis alongside Chef Sergio Torres, who were delighted with the new Cohiba Pirámides Extra
• This year’s Festival sees exclusive and exceptional tastings and alliances feature, including that of Habanos & Port Wines and the Cohiba Behike with Havana Club Máximo Reserva 100 años
   

The master class on cigar hand-rolling once again gave veteran and rookie participants in the Festival some time for learning and having a good time.

The opening ceremony was presided over by Habanos S.A. authorities

A special night dedicated to the 520^th anniversary of the Habano’s arrival in the Old World was gleefully enjoyed by those attending the Festival.

The Habano made it to the Old World together with cacao, potato and tomato. Yet its bosom companions came from that neck of the woods: coffee and sugar, the latter eventually producing rum.

In a nip-and-tuck competition that gathered nearly two dozen contestants who should puff on different Habanos completely in the blind, three sommeliers and a trio of professional habano tasters advanced to the grand finale of the Blindfolded Tasting Competition slated for Thursday at the Intl. Conference Center.

The blindfolded tasting of Habanos has turned out to be one of the most attractive events within the festivals. It’s all about a competition in which experience, knowledge and intuition combine to play a role.