Cuba up in smoke

The final of the Whisky and Cigar Challenge was held in Havana. Dominic Roskrow reports

This is weird. We’re in a large, high-ceilinged conference room and in front of us about 250 people are seated and another 100 or so are pressed against the walls. Many of the people sitting have comicly large white ear-pieces on, and high up to our right women in glass-fronted booths are translating proeedings in to English, Spanish, Russian and Chinese.

Everyone seated has two Cuban cigars alight – that’s 500 in all – and are sipping from two different glasses of whisky. The hall, which looks like the sort of place where the United Nations might have held world summits in the 70s, has become a smoky fug.

We started tasting whisky some five hours ago. The smoke and the jet-lag gives proceedings a surreal air, not helped by the fact that to our left is a Scottish piper in full ceremonial dress, sweating profusely in the airless humidity. Or that to our right the British ambassador to Cuba has just told the gathering that what links Scotch whisky to Cuban cigars is the fact that they are both organic and healthy products.

Events have been sliding towards the rails for some time now. At an earlier tasting conducted by a mix of retailers, producers and journalists from across the world, the South African contingent has declared it is in touch with its feminine side, and the Russian is convinced her whisky glasses are in the wrong order until it transpires she’s turned her tasting mat upside down.

Our piper has heralded our arrival by strolling around the exhibition centre wh.....

To read the rest of this article you can buy this issue or subscribe to Cigar Buyer to have every issue delivered direct to your door.

By Dominic Roskrow

Section : Whisky and Cigars

Page number : 24

Published in Cigar Buyer Issue 4 on 10/05/2005.

This article is 88 months old and some information provided may be time sensitive. Please check all details of events, tours, opening times and other information before travelling or making arrangements.



	Home Magazine News Store Tastings Brands Legislation Glossary Links Contact
	Cuba up in smoke The final of the Whisky and Cigar Challenge was held in Havana. Dominic Roskrow reports This is weird. We’re in a large, high-ceilinged conference room and in front of us about 250 people are seated and another 100 or so are pressed against the walls. Many of the people sitting have comicly large white ear-pieces on, and high up to our right women in glass-fronted booths are translating proeedings in to English, Spanish, Russian and Chinese. Everyone seated has two Cuban cigars alight – that’s 500 in all – and are sipping from two different glasses of whisky. The hall, which looks like the sort of place where the United Nations might have held world summits in the 70s, has become a smoky fug. We started tasting whisky some five hours ago. The smoke and the jet-lag gives proceedings a surreal air, not helped by the fact that to our left is a Scottish piper in full ceremonial dress, sweating profusely in the airless humidity. Or that to our right the British ambassador to Cuba has just told the gathering that what links Scotch whisky to Cuban cigars is the fact that they are both organic and healthy products. Events have been sliding towards the rails for some time now. At an earlier tasting conducted by a mix of retailers, producers and journalists from across the world, the South African contingent has declared it is in touch with its feminine side, and the Russian is convinced her whisky glasses are in the wrong order until it transpires she’s turned her tasting mat upside down. Our piper has heralded our arrival by strolling around the exhibition centre wh..... To read the rest of this article you can buy this issue or subscribe to Cigar Buyer to have every issue delivered direct to your door. By Dominic Roskrow Section : Whisky and Cigars Page number : 24 Published in Cigar Buyer Issue 4 on 10/05/2005. Subscribe Buy this issue More from this issue Preview other issues This article is 88 months old and some information provided may be time sensitive. Please check all details of events, tours, opening times and other information before travelling or making arrangements. Copyright Cigar Buyer © 1999-2012. All rights reserved. To use or reproduce part or all of this article please contact us for details of how you can do so legally.