Just back from sunny Havana having spent 4 days and nights of herfing with numerous friends from all over the world.

Bumped into Lord Brocket and Sir Terrance Conran too

1000 cigar aficionados,connoisseurs,distributors,retailers together for what can only be described as the herf of the year

Hanging out at the Partagas LCDH and Melia Habana ( Robaina shop) smoking cigars,sipping Havana Club and catching a glimpse of the pre release Bolivar Gold Medals…what a perfect way to spend my days!

Tried a few of the new Cohiba maduros ( due out later this year) and was pleasantly surprised.With a little time to mature ( hopefully before the cigars are actually released ) these cigars will be an outstanding smoking experience.

The Festival gala dinner was a slick event this year and I was delighted to try the Montecristo no.4 Reserva ( due out later this year)

I sat on the Hunters and Frankau table of course, next to Ajay Patel from Broadweighs Cigars ( first rate UK Havana cigar specialist) and Simon Chase ( marketing director of Hunters and Frankau) who conducted the auction with great success. ( I’ll put the auction brochure photos and prices on the website in the next few days) The auction lots were truly amazing this year but sadly not signed by Fidel due to his recent ill health.

British journalist Nick Faulkes won the Habanos Man of the year award for communications…well done Nick!…I hope Angelo Bigi wins it next year

Lots of talk about the Cohiba 40th anniversary Behikes humidor which was presented at the last Festival….yet no one has received theirs as yet….word is they are due out any day now and are changing hands at double the price between collectors worldwide ( only 100 made)

Mojitos on the veranda of the Nacional Hotel and daiquiris at Floridita…life doesn’t get much better

Good smoking and long ashes

Mitchell