Havana, March 4, 2023 (Archyde.com) /PRNewswire/ – After a week of unforgettable activities, the 23rd Habano Festival culminated last night with the Gala Dinner held at the Pabexpo exhibition center. Around 1,200 participants enjoyed this magical night enriched by national and international music, dance and even indoor fireworks that illuminated the presentation of the new product launch of Habanos, SA. Also, the President of the Republic of Cuba, Miguel Díaz Canel, graced the gala with his presence and attended the event along with other government officials.
- The evening was held in honor of the Partagás brand and included the launch of their Línea Maestra with three new vitolas: Origen, Rito and Maestro
- The new line of cigars is the first in the history of Habanos, SA to be made with 100% tobacco from San Luis*
- The proceeds of the traditional humidor auction (Humidor Auction) amounted to €11,220,000, which will be donated entirely to the Cuban Public Healthcare System
The evening paid tribute to the Partagás brand with the launch of the Línea Maestra, the brand’s highest-end series, consisting of three new vitolas: Origen (46 ring gauge x 154mm length), Here (52 ring gauge x 168 mm length) and Maestro (56 ring gauge x 132mm length). Each of these vitolas will be launched in a special box containing 20 cigars.
For the first time in the history of the Habanos, SA brand and portfolio, the vitolas of this new Partagás series are made with 100% tobacco grown in San Luis*, on the Vuelta Abajo* plantations in the Pinar del Río region *, which gives them a special aromatic complexity without losing the unique character of the brand.
The Vitolario from Partagás is characterized by a wide variety of formats. More than 30 formats are already part of the portfolio, which is constantly growing and to which innovations are constantly being added. Línea Maestra pays homage to the unique “Origins” of what is considered the best tobacco in the world, to the learning and tradition that make enjoying a Habano a “Rito”, and to the “Maestros” who make it make it possible to create a “masterpiece” for Habano lovers.
Maritza Carrillo González and Luis Sánchez-Harguindey Pardo de Vera, Co-Principals of Habanos, SA, explain: „During these days we have celebrated and honored Montecristo, Bolívar and Partagás – three brands that are undoubtedly very special and dear to the hearts of Habano aficionados. We visited the plantations of Pinar del Río and the factories of Partagás and La Corona, where some of our emblematic Habanos are made, all “totally handmade with long filler”. Then we continued our traditional exhibition and seminar with products and experts from all over the world. We also attended the presentation of the new products that Habanos, SA will launch in 2023. We firmly believe that these new vitolas will sustain and even further ignite the passion for Habanos that all aficionados share“.
The gala night also featured a Hall of Fame that illustrated the great work of all those “masters” who made the Habano what it is today. In addition, attendees were able to put themselves in the hands of portrait artists who created illustrations and gave them such a very special souvenir of the occasion.
The evening, presented by Ray Cruz and Clarita García, featured two orchestras conducted by Maestro Manolito Simonet, as well as an audiovisual show and a dance and circus performance. Artists entertaining the night included Zule Guerra, Lily Dayli, Vocal Leo, Bárbara Llanes, Leo Vera, Tammy López, Cristian Alejandro and Rodrigo Sosa. In addition, the dance groups Lizt Alfonso, Fumescu and Habana Compass Dance surprised the guests with their performances. The final concert was performed by the pioneers of disco dance music in Europe – Boney M. – with a virtually new line-up, but living up to Bobby Farrell’s legacy and continuing to offer a show like no other.
One of the highlights of the gala was the auction of exclusive humidors dedicated to the six global Habanos brands: Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, Partagás, Hoyo de Monterrey and H. Upmann. The proceeds totaled €11,220,000 and will – as usual – be fully donated to the Cuban Public Healthcare System.
In particular, the Cohiba humidor once once more broke its own record by raking in €4,200,000. Crafted from wood, metals and semi-precious stones, this exclusive piece reaffirms the brand’s positioning as cosmopolitan and elegant. The humidor holds 500 Habanos, all of which have been carefully selected from the high-quality Cohiba brand product ranges. On this occasion, the humidor was auctioned along with a unique Audemars Piguet watch, which had been donated to the auction by an anonymous person.
In addition, during the course of the evening, the couple – consisting of Mr. Antonios Pasparakis and Mr. Efthimios Karakristianoudis – who „Habanos World Challenge”-Contest won, posted and die “Habanos 2022 Awards” presented, rewarding those personalities whose work and passion make Habanos a unique product in the world. Here are the winners:
Habano Award for Communication: Jasim Ahmed
Habano Award for Manufacturing: Yoandi Rodríguez Porra
Habano Award for Business Achievement: Blanca Alsogaray
* Protected designations of origin
Click here to download high resolution images from the event.
Photo –
View original content:
Questions & contact:
press.habanos@kreab.com,
+34 605 413 493,
habanoscommunication@habanos.cu,
5372040513,
Extension: 565.
