Over a thousand Habano enthusiasts from around the globe are huddling again in Havana from February 26 to March 2 for a chance to attend the world’s number-one event of Premium cigars.

I honestly don’t suggest anybody to miss out on the 9th Habano Festival if they really want to touch the soils of Vuelta Abajo with their own hands and smell the aroma of a tobacco leaf at daybreak in the prehistoric Viñales Valley, let alone photo ops with the men who turn sweat and nature into cigars, the artisans that pull any stogie ring out of their sleeves, or a chance to match eau-de-vie with from France’s Armagnac with a perfectly hand-rolled Habano.

Lectures on the history of the Montecristo brand or the authenticity of Cuban layers –they have now given birth to the Cohiba Maduro- are the two must-sees of this event. Other functions include theoretical gatherings, a commercial tradeshow and exhibition, a varied schedule with visits to El Laguito Cigar Factory –home to the Cohiba brand- and master classes on cigar hand-rolling.

Teeming with shades and flavors –sometimes sweet and provocative, others pleasant and quick- the festival features as many choices as Habano S.A.’s own portfolio. There’ll be chances to unravel the ancestral ties between tobacco and religion, the musical creations the plant has inspired and the names of Havana streets whose monikers stem from this magical product.

To top things off, there’ll be the award-presenting ceremony of the International Habanosommelier Contest and the fair, crowned by an auction of humidors attended by major Premium tobacco figures from under the sun and special guests whose names the event’s planners are keeping to themselves and will only disclose in the nick of time.