PARTAGAS 157TH DINNER - 2002

It was my pleasure to escort my fellow cigar aficionados for a week of Havana cigars and sightseeing to coincide with the Anniversary dinner, which celebrated 157 years of the Partagas brand as well as the 11th Anniversary of the exquisite Casa Del Habanos cigar shop in the Partagas factory.

A memorable time was had by all and I'd like to share some of the highlights of our trip.

I was collected by a 1957 Chevrolet from Havana airport and taken to meet the group at the Hotel Nacional, where we were staying. Welcome drinks of Mojitos and Cuba Libre were waiting matched up with delicious 1987 Davidoff No.2. The weather was perfectly warm and not too humid. It was a starry night and the view from the terrace at the Nacional was a delight after a long journey. The band was playing "Che Guevara". By the end of the trip I could almost sing along with them!

DAY 1

- Fifth Avenue in Miramar
- Casa Amistad
- La Corona
- Robaina's shop at Melia Habana
- Partagas.

A little disappointed that there were few, if any, unusual Havanas, and in fact stocks on the shelves looked like they were around 50% of the levels they were at last February.

It was rumoured that Steven Spielberg had visited the Partagas factory the day before and met with Fidel Castro. It was also rumoured that they have both autographed some special humidors for the auction at the Partagas dinner.

The Partagas shop had made a limited edition of 11 special humidors to celebrate the 11th anniversary of the shop containing 157 cigars of various vitolas, all specially banded with the Partagas XI black anniversary cigar label.

C.GARS Ltd have purchased humidor number 6 signed by Abel Esposito (the manager of the Partagas shop). This anniversary humidor contains the following fine cigars:

- 15 Diademas
- 15 Gran Coronas
- 15 Piramides
- 15 Julietas
- 15 Robusto Extra
- 15 "109s"
- 15 Prominentes
- 15 Dalias
- 15 Robustos
- 7 Flor De Leopoldina
- 15 Marevas.

We went on to enjoy a thorough tour in the Partagas factory, which boasts some 250 rollers. I was surprised, but delighted to see brand new "draw test" machines, which demonstrate the commitment that Habanos have to raise the levels of quality control.

Seeing all these beautiful cigars being rolled, we moved on to the VIP lounge in the Partagas shop to enjoy some custom rolled cigars from Cueto with some 7 year old Havana Club and coffee.

Early evening was spent at a very busy cocktail party, again, at the Partagas factory with generous and tasty snacks, cigars and mojitos being offered throughout the evening.

Dinner was enjoyed at La Guarida. The restaurant where the film Strawberries and Chocolate was filmed. The food was superb, and it was matched by the attentive service. Our group had grown so large, that we took over one complete side of the restaurant, but made enough noise and smoke for the whole restaurant.

DAY 2

Arriving at Los Jasmines hotel, we admired the beautiful views over the Vinales. Driving around the plantations, it was not great deal to see in terms of tobacco plants, as the recent hurricanes have wiped them out and they only recently been replanted.

We visited the Indian caves, and admired the stalagmites and stalactites.... and enjoyed the sight of one of our companions wives (L.A.) riding a cuban bull :-).
 

The Partagas anniversary dinner was held at the Melia Cohiba hotel. Following cocktails round the swimming pool and meeting with and chatting to many old friends, we moved on to the dining room to enjoy an evening of cigars, fine food, wine and rum.

"Friends" of the Partagas Casa Del Habanos were invited on stage for a presentation gift of the enormous Partagas Visible Inmensas cigar.

The highlight of the evening was the auction conducted by the world famous collectionista Valerio Cornale. Three very special 157th Anniversary humidors containing specially banded Partagas XI cigars were offered. Each humidor was autographed by both Fidel Castro and Steven Spielberg. All proceeds went to the Cuban health charity.

The largest and perhaps the most beautiful humidor was purchased by C.GARS Ltd and contains the following special cigars:

- 15 Diademas
- 15 Gran Corona
- 25 Prominente
- 25 Salomones
- 25 Julieta
- 25 Dalias.

The guests at the dinner were amazed to see the longest and largest cigar ever rolled put on display. Jose Cueto, one of the best rollers in Havana rolled this 15.3 metre long cigar, which has been enter in the Guinness book of records.

The evening ended with music and dancing and was certainly a night to remember.

DAY 3

Dinner was enjoyed at the excellent Hostel Conde De Villanueva. Though late at night following a first class meal, we managed to persuade the manager to open the cigar shop so we could take a look around and smoke a final cigar of the evening.

DAY 4

Dinner was enjoyed with a very large group of friends at the excellent paladar La Fontana in the open air, and thanks to the generosity of our very good Saudi friend.
Again, excellent music, copious amounts of rum and some wonderful Carlos Valdes custom made Havanas were consumed.

DAY 5

DAY 6

Dinner at Don Giovanni, overlooking the Malecon on a warm evening, accompanied by Havana Club 15 and Dunhill Malecon. A perfect ending to a wonderful week.

My thanks to Mike Mirecki of Cuba Welcome Travel for arranging such an excellent trip... and my thanks to our group of travellers/cigar aficionados for sharing great smokes and the best of laughs together.

Finally, thanks to C.GARS Ltd for asking me to represent them on this trip.

Hope you'll join me on my next trip to Havana for the Festival Del Habanos in February 2003...... don't hesitate to contact me for details.

Salute!

MO
C.GARS Ltd of London and Liverpool
http://www.cgarsltd.co.uk

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