The XVIII Habanos Festival has opened with a tribute to the exclusive Cohiba brand and news that Grupo Habanos achieved a turnover of US$428 million in 2015.
Major launches presented at the opening of the festival, which runs from 29 February until 4 March, included the Cosecha Reserva 2012 from the Hoyo de Monterrey brand, in its Epicure No 2 vitola. A new Magnum 54 from the H. Upmann brand will become part of the regular portfolio within the Magnum Range, and a special edition commemorative Cuaba 20 Aniversario was also unveiled.
Another key release was the Cohiba Medio Siglo, in a vitola and part of Línea 1492, which pays tribute to the Cohiba brand’s 50th anniversary.
Major new launches were unveiled at the opening of the XVIII Habanos Festival |
Cohiba presented two special editions: vintage-style humidors, limited to 1966 numbered drawers, with the exclusive Cohiba Majestuosos 1966 vitola in a “unique” format (58mm ring gauge x 150 mm length) and the Cohiba 50 Aniversario humidor cabinet.
“This piece is an authentic work of art and a unique collector’s item, and heralds a true innovation in terms of traditional craftsmanship and technical design,” Grupo Habanos stated.
The humidor is lined with Cuban tobacco leaves and plated with 24k gold. Limited to 50 pieces, the humidors are numbered and personalised with the owner’s name; each contains 50 Habanos with a vitola of the same name.
According to Habanos, it is the first time Habanos has offered a 60 mm (60 mm ring gauge x 178 mm length) ring gauge.
At the official opening of the Habanos Festival, Grupo Habanos revealed that it achieved a turnover of US$428 million in 2015, indicating a growth rate of +4% versus the previous year at a constant exchange rate.
Cohiba’s 50th anniversary: marked with key releases and limited edition humidors |
Habanos SA Co-President Inocente Núñez Blanco said: “In just 50 years, Cohiba has become a symbol of exclusivity, distinction and innovation. With the recent brand’s launches, especially the Cohiba 50 Aniversario, we wanted to pay a befitting tribute to this authentic icon.”
Habanos SA Co-President Luis Sánchez-Harguindey added: “The overall results of 2015 are positive. We have seen a significant increase of +4% at a constant exchange rate, which is above the average of the luxury sector, and have maintained our global market share of approximately 70% (excluding the USA market). A resounding success that will help us face this year, in which Cohiba will have a special role.”
Activities during the Habanos Festival include visits to the tobacco plantations in Vuelta Abajo (Pinar del Río) and the Cohiba factory El Laguito, a trade fair and international seminar, tastings and pairings with gastronomic products, the International Habanosommelier Contest, the third contest for the longest ash and a tribute evening for the Habano cigar roller.