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On Wednesday, Feb. 25, the event’s organizers have planned a Master Class on cigar hand-rolling.

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One of the Habano Festival’s traditional moments is the tasting and matching sessions, this time around featuring Cuba’s rums.

The finest smokes are back in town

Once again, Havana proves Cuba’s worth in terms of the value of and interest in something that’s undisputedly the very best of its kind: the Habanos.

The Festival will stretch from Feb. 23 thru 27 with the same intention of previous editions: share knowledge, experiences and ideas about the fascinating world of habanos, making room for the enjoyment of aromas, tastes and textures, with the highlights of the Tradeshow and a number of internal events, such as the unveiling of two new products: Cohiba Gran Reserva y Montecristo Open. In addition, the organizers have planned special celebrations for the 40th and 100th anniversaries of the Trinidad and San Cristobal brands respectively, as well as the matching between Habanos and Cuban rums. On Feb. 24 (Tue), there’ll be a countryside ride for those attendees eager to take a closer look at tobacco farming on a trip to Pinar del Rio’s Vuelta Abajo, Cuba’s westernmost province and the best known of all for the quality of its leaves –especially its magnificent wrapper. On Feb. 25 (Wed), organizers have planned lectures, theoretical sessions and debates at the Havana International Conference Center. Events will kick off at 10:00 am with the International Seminar and a keynote speech by Habanos S.A.’s Marketing VP Manuel Garcia Morejon about his company’s most outstanding commercial results in 2008. A Master Class on cigar hand-rolling techniques has also been programmed. A key note will be the tasting sessions of different habanos and other products, such as Torres Wines from Spain. On Feb. 26 (Thu), Festival participants could sign up for a grand tour around the H. Upmann cigar factory –home to the Montecristi brand– and El Laguito, the cradle of the Cohiba. In both places, attendees could exchange views with cigar rollers and take a firsthand glimpse at the keys to ultimate quality. A lecture entitled “Habano’s Journey in Publications” by expert Cesar Adames, or the remarks by Cuban professor and sommelier Fernando Fernandez on “Restoration in Cuba,” as well as the premiere of documentary films “With the Touch of the Switchblade” by Pamela Sporn and “Women, Cohiba and Habanos” by Niurka Perez, will also provide some interesting cultural highlights during the Festival. And the stage will be set for the best of the best on Friday, Feb. 27 with the grand finale of the Habano Sommelier Contest, a lecture on tobacco fermentation by expert Luis Sorinas, and the presentation of the Habano Awards in different categories, including the winner of the Habano Sommelier competition, and a very special lunch at the Bucan Restaurant (International Conference Center) that will serve as an introduction to the Gala Night at the PABEXPO Fairgrounds, where the Cohiba Gran Reserva and the rest of the finest habanos promise to make it a night to remember.

Program

Monday 23/02 10:00- 16:00 hrs. Registration at the International Conference Center. 10:00- 17:00 hrs. Habano Sommelier preliminaries. (Hall 5) 14:00 hrs. Tradeshow Grand Opening 15:30 hrs. Habanos-Cuban rums matching preliminaries. (Hall 6) 19:00 hrs. Welcome Night: Launch of New Products 2009. Karl Marx Theater Welcome Cocktail. Club Habana Tuesday 24/02 07:00- 16:00 hrs. Visit to the Vuelta Abajo plantations in Pinar del Rio. night off

Wednesday 25/02 10:00- 10:30 hrs. International Seminar opening: “Habanos S.A.’s Top Marketing Results in 2008 ” by Manuel Garcia Morejon, Habanos S.A VP Marketing. (Hall 4) 10:30- 11:15 hrs. Opening of the Seminar. (Hall 4) 11:15- 11:45 hrs. Coffee break. 11:45- 12:45 hrs. Tasting session: Habanos-Torres. (Hall 3) 12:00- 14:00 hrs. Lunch at “El Bucan” Restaurant. 14:30- 16:00 hrs. Master Class on cigar hand-rolling techniques. (Hall 4) 16:00- 17:00 hrs. Tasting of Coffee, Rum and Habanos (“El Bucan” Restaurant) 20:00 hrs. Trinidad Night. Tasting of Robustos t (“Embajadores” Hall, Habana Libre Tryp Hotel Thursday 26/02 09:00- 12:00 hrs. Visit to the H. Upmann and El Laguito cigar factories 12:30- 14:00 hrs. Lunch at “El Bucan” Restaurant. 14:00- 15:30 hrs. Habanos-Cuban Rums matching finale. (Hall 3) 15:30- 16:00 hrs. Lecture: “Habano’s Journey in Publications” by Cesar Adames. (Hall 4) 16:00-16:30 hrs. Lecture: “Restoration in Cuba” by Fernando Fernandez. (Hall 4) 16:30- 17:30 hrs. Premiere of documentary films “With the Touch of the Switchblade” by Pamela Sporn and “Women, Cohiba and Habanos” by Niurka Perez. (Hall 3). night off Dinner organized by Internacional Cubana del Tabaco (ICT) and Promotora de Cigarros S.L. (Promocigar). By invitation only. Friday 27/02 10:00- 11:30 hrs. Habano Sommelier Contest grand finale. (Hall 3) 11:30- 12:00 hrs. Lecture: ”A History of Cuba’s Cigar Factories” by el Adriano Martinez Rius. (Hall 4) 12:00- 13:00 hrs. Festival Closing. (Hall 4) Award presentations: Best stand by categories and Winner of the Habano Sommelier contest 13:00 hrs. Farewell lunch at “El Bucan” Restaurant. 20:00 hrs. Gala Night: Presentation of COHIBA GRAN RESERVA and humidor auction. (PABEXPO, Hall C)