There are in the world just a few things that are known without question to be the best of their kind. A Habano or Havana cigar is one of them!
All Habanos are Cuban, but by no means all Cuban cigars are Habanos
Every cigar must pass through the most stringent quality control processes established by the Regulatory Council for the Protected Denomination of Origin (D.O.P.) Habanos before they can earn the precious title of Habano
Learn about its history and production of Cuban Habanos, enjoy a guided smoke and complement the experience with a rum tasting.
immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Habanos, from cultivation - production to tasting, enriching your knowledge and appreciation of this emblematic Cuban tradition.
Tailor made experience for your special occasions, exclusive personalized bands and selected Cuban rums and cigars.
EXPERIENCE 1
Habanos Cigars
A Fascinating Experience!
Total Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Total Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes
With this program, participants will be able to immerse themselves in the world of Habanos, learn about its history and production, enjoy a guided smoke, and complement the experience with a rum tasting, all in an educational and pleasant environment at La Casa del Habano - SXM
1. Welcome and Introduction (15 minutes)
◦ Reception of visitors: Greet the participants with a brief introduction about the experience they will have.
◦ Historical context: A brief talk on the history of Habanos and its cultural and economic significance in Cuba.
2. Guided Tour (30 minutes)
◦ Explanation of the production process: A brief explanation of the stages of Habanos production, from tobacco cultivation to the rolling process.
◦ Visit to the production and conservation area (Humidor): The work of the roller is shown, with a live demonstration of the rolling process by an expert roller.
3. Lecture and Smoking of a Robusto (30 minutes) Serie D No.4
◦ Introduction to the Robusto: Provides information on the specific characteristics of the Robusto cigar, including its size, flavor, and popularity.
◦ Smoking techniques: Explains and demonstrates how to properly light and smoke a cigar to maximize the experience.
◦ Time to smoke: Participants smoke a Robusto while enjoying the lecture, with an expert available to answer questions.
4. Rum Tasting (15 minutes)
◦ Pairing with rum: Explains the tradition of pairing Habanos and rum, including how the flavors complement each other.
◦ Guided tasting: Offers a tasting of a premium rum (Caney, Varadero, or Havana Club), highlighting the flavor notes that complement the cigar.
◦ Time for questions and answers: Provides an opportunity for participants to ask questions about both Habanos and rum.
Additional Details
• Support materials: Banner with an illustration of a tobacco plant and an explanation of the structure of a completely hand-rolled tobacco. Specialized items for Habanos lovers are sold. Souvenir cases and a wide range of Habanos.
• Experience sharing: Participants can enjoy cigars in a climate-controlled and well-ventilated area.
• Optional areas: Enjoy the terrace or the VIP area with an appropriate and cozy atmosphere. Also, enjoy an exquisite selection of whiskeys and wines.
• Experts present: There will be at least one expert in Habanos and one in rum to ensure an educational and enriching experience.
Round trip transportation included.
Minimum 4 persons - Maximum 8 persons
Price: $106 per person
*For larger groups and/or events please contact us
- H. Upmann - Connoisseur #1
- H.Upmann - Magnum 54
- Hoyo de Monterrey - Epicure II
- Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Robusto
- Montecristo # 4
- Montecristo Petit #2
- Romeo y Julieta Petit Corona
- Romeo y Julieta Millie Fleur
*Cigar brands offer -depending on availability-
- Rum Varadero 5 years
- Rum Caney Añejo Centuria
The heart of the distinction is the tobacco and its taste born of a combination of four factors that exist only in Cuba: the soil, the climate, the varieties of Cuban black tobacco seed and the know-how of the tobacco growers and cigar makers. Other places may have acquired some Cuban skills, even some Cuban seeds, but never the natural gifts of the Cuban soil and the Cuban climate. These you will find nowhere else.
The title is the Denominación de Origen Protegida (D.O.P), or Protected Denomination of Origin reserved for a selection of the most outstanding brands whose cigars are manufactured to the most exacting standards from tobaccos grown only in particular areas, which are also protected as denominations of origin. All Habanos are crafted "Totalmente a Mano" (totally by hand) using methods that were pioneered in Havana two centuries ago and remain virtually unchanged to this day.
EXPERIENCE 2
From Cultivation to Tasting
A Journey Through the World of Habanos Cigars
Total Duration: 2 hours
Total Duration: 2 hours
With this program, participants can immerse themselves in the fascinating world of Habanos, from production to tasting, enriching their knowledge and appreciation of this emblematic Cuban tradition.
1. Welcome and Introduction (15 minutes)
◦ Reception: Welcome visitors at the Casa del Habano with a brief introduction about the experience.
◦ Historical context: Provide an introductory talk on the history of Habanos, its cultural and economic significance in Cuba.
◦ Introduction to the tour: Briefly explain what will be seen and done during the experience.
2. Guided Tour of the Hand-Rolled Tobacco Production Process (45 minutes)
◦ Tobacco cultivation: Explain the tobacco cultivation process, from seed to harvest, using videos or photographs if visiting a plantation is not possible.
◦ Fermentation and curing: Detail the fermentation and curing phases of tobacco leaves, explaining how these processes affect the flavor and quality of the Habano.
◦ Selection and classification: Show how the leaves are selected and classified for different parts of the cigar.
◦ Tobacco rolling (Torcido): A live demonstration by an expert roller, explaining the techniques and skills necessary to roll a quality Habano.
◦ Visit to the Casa del Habano: Tour the Casa del Habano, showcasing the facilities and explaining the function of each area.
3. Guided Tasting of a Habano and Rum Pairing (45 minutes)
◦ Introduction to the selected Habano: Provide information about the specific Habano to be tasted, including its characteristics, blend, and flavor profile.
◦ Smoking techniques: Demonstrate how to cut, light, and smoke a Habano correctly.
◦ Tasting the Habano: Participants begin to smoke the Habano guided by an expert, who will point out flavor notes and the evolution of the cigar during the smoke.
◦ Pairing with Cuban rum: Present a premium Cuban rum and explain why it was selected to pair with the Habano. Provide a guided tasting, highlighting how the rum complements the cigar's notes.
4. Question and Answer Session (15 minutes)
◦ Interaction with the experts: Participants have the opportunity to ask questions about both the production process of Habanos and the tasting and pairing.
◦ Comments and suggestions: Visitors can share their impressions and experiences.
Additional Details
• Support materials: Provide brochures or guides with information about the production process of Habanos, smoking techniques, and pairing.
• Appropriate environment: Ensure the venue has good ventilation and a cozy atmosphere to enjoy the cigars and rum.
• Experts present: Have at least one expert in Habanos and one expert in rum to ensure an educational and enriching experience.
Round trip transportation included.
Minimum 4 persons - Maximum 8 persons
Price: $119 per person
*For larger groups and/or events please contact us
- H. Upmann - Connoisseur #1
- H.Upmann - Magnum 54
- Montecristo Open Master
- Montecristo Petit El Mundo
- Partagas Serie D #4
- Romeo y Julieta Short Churchill
*Cigar brands offer -depending on availability-
- Rum Varadero 7 years
- Rum Caney Añejo Centuria
EXPERIENCE 3
Exclusive VIP Habanos Experience
for Weddings, Yacht parties, Corporate Meetings, Conventions, Conferences & more...
Total Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes
1. Reception and Introduction (15 minutes)
◦ Welcome the guests: Greet the guests with a warm welcome.
◦ Introduction: Briefly explain the importance of the Habano in the celebration and the special choice by the host (cigar, characteristics, and preferences).
◦ Personalized band: Show the personalized band with the names, initials of the couple, flags, logo, images, etc., and the celebration date, highlighting that it will be a special keepsake for each guest.
2. Distribution and Lighting of the Habanos (15 minutes)
◦ Distribution of the Habanos: Hand out a Habano to each guest, emphasizing that it is a cigar selected and personalized by the host.
◦ Lighting techniques: Provide a brief demonstration on how to cut and light the Habano correctly to maximize the experience.
◦ Start of the smoke: Help the guests light their Habanos and start enjoying them.
3. Tasting Experience (45 minutes)
◦ Guided tasting: A Habano expert guides the guests through the smoke, explaining the flavor notes and how to fully appreciate the Habano.
◦ Relaxation environment: Guests enjoy the smoke in a relaxed environment, with soft cuban music in the background.
◦ Photographs and special moments: Photographers capture special moments of the guests enjoying the Habano, creating unforgettable memories of the celebration (Professional photographer by request – price not included)
4. Pairing with Beverage (15 minutes)
◦ Beverage selection: Offer a select beverage (such as Cuban rum, whiskey, or wine) that complements the Habano, previously chosen by the host.
◦ Pairing explanation: Briefly explain why that beverage was selected and how it complements the Habano's notes.
◦ Joint tasting: Guests enjoy the beverage along with the Habano, guided by the expert to highlight the pairing experience.
Additional Details
• Luxury environment: Ensured by the host, the space will be elegantly and comfortably decorated, with comfortable seating and good lighting for the evening or night.
• Personalized attention: Assistants will be available to help with the distribution of the Habanos, lighting, and offering of beverages.
• Souvenir: Each guest will be able to enjoy a Habano and take another Habano with the personalized band as a special occasion keepsake. (upon request)
• Ambient music: Soft and relaxing cuban music to create a special atmosphere in accordance with the experience.
- H. Upmann - Connoisseur B
- Montecristo Open Eagle Seco/San juan
- Partagas Salomon
- Partagas Serie P #2
- Partagas Serie E #2
- Romeo y Julieta Churchill
*Cigar brands offer -depending on availability-
- Rum Varadero Añejo 15 years
- Rum Caney Añejo 12 years
It is over 200 years since the first cigar trademark was registered in Cuba. In that time countless brands have come and gone, reflecting the rich and colourful history of Cuban cigars that is unrivaled anywhere else in the world. The oldest brand still in production, Larrañaga, dates back to 1834 and the youngest, San Cristobal de la Habana, was launched in 1999. Each of the 27 different brands has a unique history, but also an individual flavor and character waiting to be discovered.
It is the task of the master blenders (maestros ligadores) to ensure that each brand consistently delivers its own distinct, signature flavor. Havana cigar brands can be broadly categorized into five main flavor classifications (Full, Medium to Full, Medium, Light to Medium and Light). However, even brands sharing the same flavor ranking will have significant differences in taste due to the specific blend of filler leaves and the plantation from which they have been harvested. It is also worth bearing in mind that the flavor classification of a cigar is not intended to be as precise as, for example, the alcohol content listed on a bottle of whisky; it is far more subjective and open for debate.
The shortest Havana cigar measures just 3 ½” (90mm) in length while the longest is over 9 inches (230mm), with a multitude of options in between. These different sizes and shapes greatly affect the smoking experience.
Longer cigars allow the smoke to cool as it travels to the palate while shorter cigars deliver a hotter, more intense flavor from the start. Thinner Havana cigars burn more quickly and due to the narrow aperture, deliver more concentrated flavors on the tongue, giving a sharper taste. The blender compensates for this effect to some extent by omitting the powerful ligero leaf from some thinner sizes.
Heavy ring gauge Habanos burn more slowly and deliver a large volume of ’rounder’ smoke that drenches the palate with a full mixture of flavors.
