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The Montecristo Travel Humidor is designed for travelling Habanos lovers |
CUBA. Cuban cigar house Habanos will be showcasing a new travel retail exclusive humidor and an expanded range of cigars and 2006 Limited Editions at the TFWA Exhibition in Cannes next month.
The cigars – embracing the Romeo y Julieta and Montecristo marques, plus a range of limited edition cigars and the 2006 Special Series – promise that this year’s Cannes line-up will be one of the most exciting yet from Habanos.
Here The Moodie Report takes a detailed look at what buyers can expect to see next month.
Montecristo Travel Humidor: Cannes will see the debut of the company’s first-ever travel retail exclusive – the Montecristo Travel Humidor.
It comprises ten Edmundos (52 ring gauge, 135mm long) from the famous Montecristo line. The humidor can carry up to ten Robusto types if positioned vertically or 12 or more if the cigars are placed horizontally.
The name Montecristo was inspired by Alexandre Dumas’ novel The Count of Monte Cristo, which became a favourite with cigar rollers at the factory where the brand was founded in 1935.
The compact humidor, made with leather, comes in a bag with the iron-stamped brand logo and inside a carton packaging that reproduces the colours of the brand. “It is the best option for travellers who don’t want to leave their smokes at home but want to keep them in perfect condition, ready to be enjoyed any time they please,” says Habanos.
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The Romeo y Julieta range now features The Short Churchills |
It also features a hygrometer, digital read-outs for temperature and humidity with memory, a table stand with foldable clip and a magnetic flip cover. The wooden inside layers prevent the cigars from coming loose inside.
Montecristo Petit Edmundo: The latest size from Montecristo – the Petit Edmundo – makes its debut at Cannes.
It features a ring gauge of 52 and is 110mm in length. It is said to be in line with the current global trend towards short cigars that embrace full flavour and top quality.
Romeo y Julieta Short Churchills: The Romeo y Julieta range now features Short Churchills, an extension of the Churchills line. Launched at the Festival del Habano in Havana earlier this year, the new line measures 124mm x 50 ring gauge (compared with 178mm x 47 ring gauge for the standard Churchills).
Described as a classic medium-bodied Habano, it will be available in the Romeo y Julieta aluminium tubes.
Churchills earned their name from a visit by Winston Churchill, a Romeo y Julieta fan, to Cuba in 1946.
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The Trinidad Habanos Collection Case, comprising 20 Habanos, is called Torre Iznaga after one of the towers erected in the city of Trinidad in 1816 |
2006 Limited Editions: Habanos is releasing a number of 2006 Limited Edition lines that pay homage to some of the most successful examples in the history of the concept: Cohiba Pirámides, Montecristo Robustos and Partagás Serie D No.3. These three items will carry commemorative sticks and vitolinas.
Since 2000 Habanos has relased 24 Limited Editions.
Each year they feature sizes which are not part of the usual range of the respective brands. They are also characterised by a special manufacturing process: the careful selection of two-year aged wrappers from the upper level of the plant gives them a darker colour, making the product unique. They comprise:
Cohiba Pirámides (52 x 156mm): Consisting of ten units, they will be packaged in a special dark case with brooch, exclusively designed for this occasion.
Montecristo Robustos (50 x124mm): 25 cigars will be packaged in an unvarnished Semi Boite Nature box with brooch.
Partagás Serie D No.3 (46 x143mm): Consisting of 25 Coronas Gordas and presented in a Semi Boite Nature box with brooch.
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Only 200 units will be produced for this year’s edition of H. Upmann’s Ancient Humidor |
2006 Special Series: The series includes the Trinidad Habanos Collection Case and the H. Upmann Ancient Humidor.
The Trinidad Habanos Collection Case, comprising 20 Habanos, is called Torre Iznaga after one of the towers erected in the city of Trinidad in 1816. The case is shaped like a book and production is limited to only 500 cases.
The line, named after the southern coastal town of Trinidad, was only available before 1998 as a gift for foreign diplomats and was not for general release.
The vitola has a girth of 52 and is 152mm in length. It provides “a medium flavoured taste and delicate aroma”.
The H. Upmann Ancient Humidor carries 50 Habanos known as Tacos Imperiales, which measure 49 in girth and 168mm in length. Only 200 units will be produced for this series.
The cigar, named after a German banker and cigar lover who moved to Havanna in 1844, is said to appeal to connoisseurs who prefer a light to medium smoke.
For details, contact José Antonio Candia, Marketing Division, Habanos at tel: +204 05 13 ext 513 or fax +537 204 05 49; website: www.habanos.com
*FOOTNOTE: This year’s Festival del Habano was the subject of a major profile in The Moodie Report print edition earlier this year. Click here to download the article.
MORE STORIES ON HABANOS
Habanos to launch new line for Cohiba brand – 03/07/06
Havana in celebratory mood as 8th Habanos Festival begins in Cuba – 28/02/06
Phoenicia plans ambitious expansion for duty free and cigar businesses – 01/12/05
World Duty Free gains “˜Gold Specialist’ award from Habanos for Cigar House excellence – 08/07/05
