COHIBA vs COHIBA - media release just in from Cubatabaco

MEDIA RELEASE JUST IN FROM MY MAN IN HAVANA:


Cohiba: A new positive decision in USA in favor of CUBATABACO

The Cuban cigar company Cubatabaco has won a court order enjoining General Cigar from continuing to use the COHIBA trademark in the United States.

Federal judge Robert W. Sweet, of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, issued the injunction on December 14, 2009.

COHIBA is the world’s most famous and coveted cigar. It is sold everywhere except the United States, where the U.S. embargo on trade with Cuba prevents its sale. General Cigar, a major U.S. cigar company, sells a Dominican-made cigar under the COHIBA name in the United States.

In issuing the injunction, Judge Sweet found that, at the beginning of the cigar boom in the United States in 1992, “General Cigar selected COHIBA for a new product in order to exploit the reputation and goodwill of the Cuban COHIBA” in the United States. Judge Sweet additionally found that General Cigar “continues to profit from the Cuban COHIBA’s goodwill” in the U.S.

General Cigar has stated that it will appeal Judge Sweet’s decision. Under the terms of the injunction, General Cigar is permitted to sell its Dominican-made cigars under the COHIBA name until its appeal is decided.

Judge Sweet still has before him Cubatabaco’s claim to recover the profits General Cigar has obtained since 1992 by exploiting the COHIBA´s reputation. No date has been set yet for proceedings on Cubatabaco´s claim

Michael Krinsky and David Goldstein, of the New York law firm Rabinowitz, Boudin, Standard, Krinsky & Lieberman, P.C., the U.S. attorneys for Cubatabaco, said today that “Judge Sweet’s decision fully vindicates the fundamental principle that a company cannot be permitted to reap what it has not sowed, that it cannot be permitted to exploit the goodwill and reputation of another company’s product.”

Judge Sweet found that the COHIBA’s unique reputation for excellence is so strong that the U.S. consumer “primarily associates the designation COHIBA with the Cuban COHIBA,” even though the
COHIBA cannot be sold in the United States. Judge Sweet found that this lead General Cigar “to plagiarize the mark” by “intentional copying.”

Judge Sweet’s decision is the latest round in a 12 year litigation over the COHIBA trademark in the United States.

For further information please contact:

Sr. Adargelio Garrido
Cuban Attorney for Cubatabaco

Mr. Michael Krinsky, Esq.
Rabinowitz Boudin Standard Krinsky & Lieberman P.C.
212 254 1111 Extension 102
mkrinsky@rbskl.com
U.S. Attorneys for Cubatabaco

X11 Habanos Festival line-up

From Habanos sa:

XII Habanos Festival
February 2010

From February 22nd to 26th 2010, Cuba will become the main stage for the largest international meeting for the lovers of the best tobacco in the world: the Habanos. As every year, the event renders tribute to Habanos’ brands, this year particularly to Cohiba and to Romeo y Julieta, including an event specially aimed at women and Habanos. Attendees will have the chance to taste the new vitolas Habanos s.a. will launch to the markets throughout 2010, and to experience first hand the secrets of a deep-rooted centuries old tradition.

Habanos s.a invites you to enjoy a whole week of pleasure among friends with a common link: the passion for the Habano.

The festival programme includes the traditional activities during this unforgettable week, such as:
– visit to cigar factories
– Trade fair
– Seminars
– Tastings and pairing ups
– Habanosommelier contest
– How to roll a Habano
– Visit to tobacco plantations

On February 22nd, the event begins with the Welcome evening, which includes the Habanos s.a novelties 2010 presentation, and the nominations for the “Premio Habano” awards. They will be followed by a private concert of Maestro Chucho Valdés (who has received again the Grammy Latino award this year) and his guests.

The closing of the Festival will be held on February 26th with the Gala Dinner that includes the traditional auction.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES
Spanish, English, French and German


XII Habanos Festival Preliminary Program

Sunday 21/02
10:00- 16:00hrs. Registration at the Havana International Conference Center

Monday 22/02
09:30 hrs. Press Conference. Submission of the Press Dossier. XII Festival. *(Room 3 International Conference Center)
10:00- 16:00hrs. Registration at the International Conference Center.
10.30- 17.00hrs. Preliminary Habanosommelier. (Room 5, by invitation)
14:00 hrs. Inauguration of the Fair-related Exhibition.
14.30 hrs. Preliminary: Alliance Habanos/Tequila. (Room 6, by invitation)

19:00- hrs. Welcome Evening. Gran Teatro de la Habana. Presentation of launches 2010
Exclusive concert of Maestro Chucho Valdés and guest musicians.
Welcome Cocktail: Carpentier Room of the Gran Teatro de la Habana.

Tuesday 23/02
07:00- 16:00 hrs. Visit to Vuelta Abajo plantations, Pinar del Río.
Free evening.

Wednesday 24/02
10.00- 10.30 hrs. Inauguration of the International Seminar.
Main commercial results of Habanos S. A. in 2009. Novelties 2010.
Mr. Manuel García Morejón, Commercial Vice-president Habanos S.A. (Room 4)

10.30- 11.15 hrs. Master conference: “How to date Habanos boxes? “ By
Mr. Simon Chase (Room 4).

11.15- 11.45 hrs. Coffee Break

11.45- 12.45 hrs. Panel: Habanos-Vintage.
Conducted by Mr. James Suckling. (Room 4)

12.45- 14.30 hrs. Lunch at “El Bucán” restaurant.

14.30- 16.00 hrs. Master class on the technique of rolling a Habano totally by hand.
How to make a Laguito No.2?
Conducted by Mr. Arnaldo Ovalles,
Director of El Laguito factory. (Room 3).
16:00- 17:00 hrs. “Flavors and aromas”: For the enjoyment of combinations of Habanos with coffee, Armagnac, Brandy, Cuban rums and other products.

20:00- hrs. Evening: “Women in Habanos”.
Presentation of a new size specially dedicated to women.
Museo de Bellas Artes (Museum of Fine Arts).


*For the official press as well as all Habanos Exclusive Distributors

Thursday 25/02
09:00- 12:00 hrs. Visit to Habanos factories: La Corona and El Laguito
12.30- 14.00 hrs. Lunch at “El Bucán” restaurant.

14.00- 15:30 hrs. Final Alianza Habanos/Tequilas.
Conducted by: Mr. Adargelio Garrido, Habanos S.A. and the Tequila Regulatory Council (Room 3)

15:30- 16:30 hrs. Activity to be confirmed

19:00 hrs. Free evening

Friday 26/02
10.00-11:30 hrs. Final of the Habanosommelier Contest (Room 3)

11:30- 12:30 hrs. Master Conference: “The Spirit of Smoke. A Taino Ritual for Cohiba”. By historian José Antonio García, researcher from the “José Martí” National Library of Cuba. (Room 4).

12:30- 13.00hrs. Festival closing ceremony. (Room 4)
Awarding of Prizes:
· Best stand by category.
· Winner of the Habanosommelier Contest

13:00 hrs. Farewell lunch at “El Bucán” restaurant.

20:00 Gala Evening dedicated to Cohiba and its new line.
PABEXPO. Room C.

NUB's Australian Launch

NUB's Australian Launch

As featured in latest European Cigar Cult Journal:

- click on image for higher res version -

Sydney Event Review

Cigar lovers from across Sydney descended on Martin Place's Eden Bar for Dunhill Signed Range robustos and 12 year old Flor de Cana rum on Tuesday. Eden Bar, a new venue utilised by host Norman Stein got strong approval from guests, creating a cigar haven in amongst the city scape.

host Norman Stein with Phillipe L

Cigar Review: Dona Flor Gran Corona

The Dona Flor Gran Corona is 'Gran' indeed with its 6x60 size. I've mentioned previously that I'm not a fan of cigars with ring gauges above 52, but I was presently surprised with the Nub cigars, so I kept an open mind with these Brazilian puro cigars.

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The pre-light draw was perfect with some light cocoa notes. One conspicous vein interupts an otherwise flawless wrapper. The first third provides light smoke, a great draw and sweet cedar flavour evident. The cigar's intensity lifts slightly in the second third, but remains extremely smooth.

There is not much change in the cigar heading into the last third, but it is producing cool smoke and an interesting aniseed flavour. Appearances can be deceiving - despite its size and dark wrapper this Brazilian puro is a light-medium bodied smoke.

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If I had to choose a Dona Flor to smoke I would probably choose the Rothchilde, a petit robusto, or the Selecao Robusto over the Gran Corona. . The Gran Corona is a sunday-morning-lazing-by-the-beach type of smoke.

- cigar courtesy of Tabacaria -

Melbourne Event Notice: Baranows Christmas Dinner

This just in from Baranows Melbourne:
BARANOWS CIGARS proudly presents their 2009 CHRISTMAS CIGAR DINNER


Join us in the stunning rose garden marquee at Pentridge for this Twilight Cigar dinner, showcasing Limited Edition Cuban cigars.

Spanish Gourmet Caterers will create a tantalising three course menu to savour with premium wine & beer served throughout the night.

When: Thursday 10th December 6.30pm for pre-dinner drinks.
Where: PENTRIDGE, 13A Urquhart Street Coburg
How much: $199.00 per person
Bookings:Ph. 03 9819 6699E. info@baranows.com or in person at BARANOWS LOUNGE 348 Burwood rd, Hawthorn.

This is a sit down smoking event not tobe missed. Book early as seats are limited and will sell out.

Cigar Review: Room 101 Cigars 305 Robusto

Hollywood-based celebrity jewelry designer Matt Booth and Camacho cigars have teamed up to create a cutting edge cigar line: Room 101 cigars.

The Room 101 jewelry collection and Room 101 Cigars plan to be launched in Australia early next year and I was fortunate enough to have received some samples and learn a bit more about the brand from David Richardson, Room 101's Asia-Pacific rep.

The Cigars come in 6 sizes and are all named after US telephone area codes (reminding me of Ludacris' classic hip hop ode to his many 'girlfriends' across the country).

The cigars are the 213 Corona (LA), 305 Robusto (Miami), 323 Toro (Hollywood), 404 Torpedo (Atlanta), 702 11/18 (Las Vegas) and the 808 Bertha (Hawaii).

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The Review:

From first appearances, the 305 was well constructed and had a very nice wrapper. The draw was perfect and strong tobacco flavour dominated the pre-light draw. The cigar opened up nicely with medium spice to begin with but then gave way to a heavy earthy flavour. It was the most distinct flavour I have ever picked up and unlike any other. If I was given the same cigar again blind I'm sure I could name it after a few puffs.

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This earthiness developed at the mid-way point and the cigar began to taste very peaty and on the next occasion I would love to pair it with a single malt whisky to see how they complement each other.

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Minute hints of honey came through in the last third but didn't threaten the cigar's distinct peatiness flavour. The Room 101 brochure lists the line as medium bodied, and I'd have to agree, but what struck me most was that despite it being a medium bodied cigar, the actual smoke and flavour was very heavy and full.

An interesting cigar -one to explore further.

Cigar courtesy Room 101 Cigars. Learn more here.