Tag: Habanos

  • Former Habanos President Joins Carrillo

    Former Habanos President Joins Carrillo

    Photo: primipil

    E.P. Carrillo has hired Jorge Luis Fernandez Maique, a former Habanos executive, as its new general manager, according to Halfwheel.

    Maique will oversee the operations of Tabacalera La Alianza, the company’s factory in Santiago, Dominican Republic, a move that will free up Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr. to travel and explore new types of tobacco that he is looking at using for new projects in 2022 and beyond.

    Lissette Perez-Carrillo said Maique’s role will continue to evolve and will likely expand in the future, including bringing him to the United States. “We want to maximize his talents,” she said, adding that he will be contributing his expertise to product development and marketing efforts. There are also discussions about having him lead consumer events.

    Maique served as co-president of Habanos from February 2011 to November 2012. He also served as the company’s commercial vice president and oversaw the operations of Coprova, the French distributor of Habanos products, for seven years. He has been credited with being one of the people responsible for the Cohiba Behike line.

  • Tropical Oasis: Costa Rica’s La Casa del Habano

    Tropical Oasis: Costa Rica’s La Casa del Habano

    Photo: Timothy Donahue

    Cigars have been selling at a steady pace through the pandemic at Costa Rica’s home for Cuban cigars.

    By Timothy S. Donahue

    Cuban cigar sales at the La Casa del Habano (LCDH) in Costa Rica grew in 2020 compared to the previous year. The shop’s manager, Beatriz Ramirez, said sales in 2021 are now on pace to surpass 2020. “People have had more time to enjoy quality cigars,” she told Tobacco Reporter during a recent visit to the country’s capital, San Jose. “We were concerned at the beginning when businesses began to close because of Covid-19, but our sales remained steady and even surpassed 2019.”

    Located just down the street from the U.S. Embassy (approximately 250 feet east), Costa Rica’s LCDH franchise opened its doors in 2011. The shop is owned by the Cruz Canela Group, which is the exclusive distributor of Habanos S.A. in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. The shop is operated by general manager Luis Garcia Cruz (who happened to be out of the country on business during our visit). Ramirez explained that the shop is an old, classic-style former home in the popular neighborhood of Rohmoser (Pavas).

    Inside the doors are two large classic Cohiba branded humidors just before the doorway to the shop’s large humidor filled with several popular Habanos brands and vitolas, including Cohiba, Montecristo, Partagas, Romeo y Julieta, H. Upmann, Hoyo de Monterrey, Trinidad, Bolivar, Ramon Allones, La Gloria Cubana, Punch, Fonseca and several others. Just across the hall from the humidor is the checkout area with several glass display cases. The room also has a small spiral staircase that leads to offices upstairs.

    “La Casa del Habano provides all of our customers the comfort and personal attention that should be expected from Habanos and LCDH,” said Ramirez. “Here you can find the largest selection of Habanos throughout Costa Rica as well as accessories, such as cutters, lighters, ashtrays and even some very beautiful humidors.” There is also a book on the history of Habanos as well as hats and other merchandise for sale.

    LCDH is more of a home away from home for cigar smokers than your typical cigar shop. The Costa Rican shop has two separate lounge areas for customers to conduct a business meeting, relax with the daily paper or swap stories of worldly adventures with other visitors. Just past the humidor is a room set in an imitate space for smoking, furnished with relaxing lounge chairs and a large comfortable couch.

    “We try to offer a variety of space for the comfort of our guests. We have had celebrities, politicians and many leaders in the community come together here to conduct business or to just socialize,” explains Ramirez. “We also provide many services beyond our excellent cigars to make our clients comfortable and welcome in the best environment for enjoying Cuban cigars from Habanos.”

    A short hallway that houses two large H. Upmann branded humidors then opens into a larger room with several tables and couches with a bar in the corner that offers liquor, wine, beer, amazing coffee and even some Costa Rican chocolates. Guests are encouraged to order food from one of the many surrounding restaurants and have it delivered to LCDH to enjoy. The walls of LCDH are adorned with several works of art depicting both Cuban and Costa Rican life. There is also a small outdoor courtyard for clients to enjoy.

    Habanos released an exclusive regional edition cigar in Costa Rica in 2020. Called the Pura Vida (a statement that describes several things in Costa Rica and has been adopted as the country’s motto), the San Luis Ray is a Magnum 54 and measures in at 54 x 120 mm (4 3/4 inches). Only 6,000 of the 10-stick boxes were produced. The cigar is medium bodied with a honey and floral start, with hints of vanilla and creaminess throughout. We also sampled the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 1. The Coronas Gordas measures 143 mm in length by a 46 ring gauge (46 x 143 mm). The cigar began with strong notes of cedar and followed with notes of toasted cinnamon, nutmeg, mint and a touch of sweetness.

    Costa Ricans (Ticos) use the term “Pura Vida” to say almost everything from hello to goodbye to everything’s great or even just so-so. It’s all about the tone. Pura Vida is the way Ticos live. If ever visiting in Costa Rica, LCDH in San Jose is a necessary stop. The quality of cigars and customer service are unparalleled in the region. More than that, LCDH embodies all that is Pura Vida.

    Timothy Donahue is the assistant editor of Tobacco Reporter. Since joining our team in January 2013, he has become not only an expert on the traditional tobacco business but also a well-respected voice in the rapidly developing vapor industry. Tim spends much of his time on the road, attending conferences and interviewing industry representatives. His networking skills, work ethic and quick mind are valuable assets to our diverse audience.
  • China Now Top Market for Cuban Cigars

    China Now Top Market for Cuban Cigars

    Photo: Timothy S. Donahue

    There is a new leader in the Cuban cigar market. During the Habanos World Days event today, Leopoldo Cintra Gonzalez, the commercial vice president for Habanos, made the announcement at a virtual press conference from Havana. “For the first time in our history, China has become our No. 1 market in the world,” he said.

    Spain was the previous market leader, and in 2019, China was No. 2. However, growth has accelerated in China; sales to that country increased by more than 50 percent over the past six years. Last year alone, China’s demand for Cuban cigars grew by 5 percent, according to Habanos. While China ranks No. 1, Europe is still the largest region for Cuban cigars. In 2020, 60 percent of Habanos sales came from Europe, according to Gonzalez.

    Spain has become the second most valuable market for Cuban cigars, followed by France, Germany and Switzerland to complete the top five markets worldwide. Asia has been the leading growth market for Habanos, according to Gonzalez. He said the region has grown more than 10 percent in the last year, even with the difficulties presented due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

    2020 has been a challenging year, not just for our business [but also] for humanity.”

    Leopoldo Cintra Gonzalez, commercial vice president, Habanos

    The positive outlook from China, however, was offset by a 4 percent drop in Habanos’ total revenues in 2020. The pandemic was said to be the main cause of the drop, with stores closing and the lack of tourism dollars in many nations, but Habanos still earned nearly $507 million in total sales for the year, according to Gonzalez.

    “2020 has been a challenging year, not just for our business [but also] for humanity,” said Gonzalez. “But if we analyze it in depth, we see that there are markets especially affected by the drop in tourism, such as Cuba.”

    To prevent the spread of Covid-19, Cuba temporarily closed its borders to tourists in March 2020. A reopening in November caused infections to surge, prompting authorities to reduce flights and tighten restrictions again.

    “If we discount the negative effect of this specific market, we would only be talking about a [cigar sales] drop in the 2 percent [region],” said Gonzalez.

    Gonzalez said that, overall, the future for Habanos was still bright, and the company expects to exceed 2019 sales in 2021. “We must highlight the good mix of launches and actions carried out during the year,” he said. “This year, a total of 19 products have reached the markets to satisfy all the needs of fans where novelties in the standard portfolio are mixed with highly successful and profitable specialties, confirming the high demand in the super premium segment.”

    The Habanos World Days event is going to be a new annual event for Habanos. During a Q&A session, Gonzalez told Tobacco Reporter that having an annual online event allows the global Cuban cigar community to learn about the company and experience all that the world of Habanos has to offer firsthand. —T.S.D.

    Timothy S. Donahue is the assistant editor of Tobacco Reporter. Since joining our team in January 2013, he has become not only an expert on the traditional tobacco business but also a well-respected voice in the rapidly developing vapor industry. Tim spends much of his time on the road, attending conferences and interviewing industry representatives. His networking skills, work ethic and quick mind are valuable assets to our diverse audience.
  • Habanos Celebrates Year of the Ox

    Habanos Celebrates Year of the Ox

    Photo: Habanos

    Habanos, through its exclusive distributors The Pacific Cigar Co. and Infifon Hong Kong, presents its new vitola Primaveras de Hoyo de Monterrey (48 ring gauge x 167 mm length). This vitola has been specially selected to commemorate the spring festival of the Chinese lunar new year—this year the “Year of the Ox.”

    The Primaveras de Hoyo de Monterrey vitola will have a limited production, but will be available in all markets. This vitola is presented in a special box of 18 Habanos and is totally handmade with long filler from Vuelta Abajo in Cuba’s Pinar del Rio region.

    The brand will be officially presented on Jan. 13 during an event attended by Habanos vice presidents Leopoldo Cintra González and José María López Inchaurbe.

    One of Habanos’ most prestigious brands, Hoyo de Monterrey traces its origins to a plantation of the same name in San Juan y Martínez.

  • Habanos sales up

    Habanos sales up

    Habanos earned $445 million from Cuban cigar sales in 2016, 5 percent more than in 2015.

    Vice President of Development Javier Terres attributed the uptick to steady growth in traditional markets such as Spain, France, Germany and Britain, as well as an increase in sales in emerging markets such as Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region.

    Speaking at the opening of the 19th International Habanos Festival in Havana, Terres said that the increase in sales, despite tough regulations in certain European markets, is a “good sign” for Cuban cigars.

    However, the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba continues to be a major impediment to growth, he noted.

  • Festival time in Havana

    Festival time in Havana

    Havana is preparing to host the XIX Habanos Festival, a week-long celebration of the cigar taking in tours of leaf-growing areas, factory visits, a trade show, a seminar, master classes, a sommelier contest, cigar launches and evaluations, awards, a charity auction, and grand social events.

    The festival is scheduled to be held from February 27 to March 3.

    The H. Upmann brand will be one of the stars of the event with the presentation of its first Gran Reserva Cosecha 2011.

    Other stars will the Montecristo brand, which, according to a Habanos SA press note, is incorporating a new product line into its portfolio, and the Quai D’Orsay brand.

    The Festival will include tours of plantations in Vuelta Abajo, Pinar del Río, and a tour of the La Corona and H. Upmann factories.

    Other highlights will include three evenings of live music from renowned international artists and the finest food in Cuba.

    The festival program, which will start with the Trade Fair and Welcome Evening, will also feature master classes and the traditional International ‘Habanosommelier’ contest.

    March 1 will see the start of The International Seminar and, later, the Quai D’Orsay Evening in the El Laguito Reception Hall.

    Habanos is promising that the Gala Evening on March 3, the grand finale of the festival dedicated to the Montecristo brand, will be full of surprises

    The event will conclude with the 2016 Habanos Awards and the traditional Humidors Auction, with all proceeds going to the Cuban Public Health System.