El Presidente

Very good article shining a light on some of the current shenanigans going on. https://www.finews.asia/high-end/41282-switzerland-havana-cohiba-habanos-intertabak-heinrich-villiger-hong-kong HIGH-ENDThursday, 25 April 2024 10:48 Is Switzerland's Havana Paradise Vanishing? Written by Florian Schwab | Publishing Director To date, Switzerland is the third largest market for Cuban cigars in the world. However, this status quo is currently changing, as the Cuban export monopoly «Habanos» is now cutting off supplies to Switzerland due to the priorities of the new owners in Asia. Hard times are approaching for Swiss «aficionados». When it comes to offering handmade premium cigars from Cuba, Switzerland has so far been a kind of island of bliss. The availability of Cuban cigars has been insufficient in this country in recent years. The background to this is production bottlenecks as a result of the Covid pandemic, coupled with storms in Cuba and economic challenges within the country. In recent years, around two million Cubans (up from 11 million in 2019) have left the island, including many cigar industry employees. Production capacities for hand-rolled Havanas are currently around 60 million pieces, around a quarter lower than in 2019. Cohiba, Trinidad, Partagas Despite the scarcity on retailer’s shelves, Switzerland, so far, has received a comparatively generous allocation of the sought-after Cuban cigars from Cohiba, Trinidad, Partagas, etc. The Cuban cigar industry has always held Switzerland in high regard due to their high purchasing power and the strong cigar culture with numerous lounges. That's changing now. «Delivery cuts» The Swiss special-interest magazine «Cigar» recently disclosed (article in German) that «Habanos», the global marketing and sales monopoly for Cuban cigars, will «cut back» its deliveries. This policy shift will impact «several markets,» including Switzerland, particularly targeting countries where sales structures «are not 100 percent under Cubans control.» Swiss importer «Intertabak» In Switzerland, «Habanos» has to share the fruits of its labor with the Villiger and Lévy families, who together hold 50 percent of the exclusive importer «Intertabak» (the other half of «Intertabak» belongs to «Habanos»). The board of directors of «Intertabak» consists of the now 93-year-old tobacco entrepreneur Heinrich Villiger, Louis-Charles Lévy as a representative of a Geneva trading dynasty and two representatives of the Cuban side. Reduction by 40 percent Research by finews.com in retailer circles shows that the supply cut by «Habanos» to the Swiss importer «Intertabak» could be aproaching around 40 percent. The decision is irrefutable and can only be averted by changing the ownership structure of «Intertabak». Similar cuts are expected for the markets of Germany, Austria and Poland, where Heinrich Villiger and his company «Fifth Avenue» (akin to «Intertabak» in Switzerland, a joint venture with «Habanos») is also the exclusive importer. Additionally, in Great Britain, where «Habanos» shares distribution with «Hunters & Frankau», a tobacconist with over 230 years of tradition, comparative adjustments are expected. Handwriting of the new co-owners Spain and France are not affected by the newly imposed shortage, where «Habanos» already skims off all the added value right up to the point of sale. The new policy shows the handwriting of the new co-owners of «Habanos». In 2020, the Hong Kong investment company «Allied Cigar Corporation» bought the 50 percent stake in «Habanos» from the British tobacco multinational «Imperial Tobacco», as part of a $1.44 billion transaction, as the trade magazine Cigar Journal reported at the time. The beneficial owner of the «Allied Cigar Corporation» is believed to be a conglomerate of Chinese investors, led by the Chinese-born gaming entrepreneur Chen Zhi (Suncity Group Holdings), who has also had Cambodian citizenship since 2014. Prior to this takeover, «Habanos»' business decisions were heavily influenced by Latin American norms, characterized by a great appreciation for established personal relationships. Empty humidors in sight Entrepreneurs such as Heinrich Villiger, Louis-Charles Lévy and Samuel Menzi («Casa del Habano» in Zurich) helped the Cubans for decades to establish the commercialization of their cigars in Switzerland. Menzi and Villiger received the «Hombre del Habano» award from cuban dictator Fidel Castro personally. This was at a time when Cubans were still orphans when it came to marketing and distribution. But unlike a good Havana cigar that gets better with age, gratitude has an expiration date. Cigar lovers between Geneva and Lugano are the ones who suffer most from this. The dealers' humidors will empty. And prices will rise further. When asked by finews.asia, Intertabak neither wanted to confirm nor comment on the shortage.

News > Cuba Argentina Refuses to Supply Fuel to Cuban Planes https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/Argentina-Refuses-to-Supply-Fuel-to-Cuban-Planes-20240425-0009.html A Cubana de Aviacion aircraft. | Photo: X/ @minint_cuba The companies invoked provisions of the U.S. blockade to not supply the Cuban aircraft. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Cubana de Aviacion flights to Buenos Aires were canceled because fuel suppliers in Argentina refused to serve the airline. The companies have invoked "provisions of the United States blockade against Cuba" to not supply the aircraft of the Cuban state airline. Additionally, this measure has affected other airlines contracted by Cubana de Aviacion, preventing them from fulfilling commitments to passengers. This surprising decision took place despite the Cuban flights being approved by the Argentina's National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC). In response to this situation, the airline has decided to assist affected passengers in Cuba by sending them back on flights operated by other airlines connecting to Argentina. Other passengers will be eligible for a full refund of their airfare. Cubana de Aviacion resumed its flights between Havana and Buenos Aires in May 2023, after a period of suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It also resumed flights from Argentina with a stopover in Cayo Coco and a final destination in Havana using a leased aircraft. Usually, Cubana de Aviacion operates a weekly flight between Buenos Aires/Ezeiza (EZE), Cayo Coco (CCC), and Havana (HAV) using an Airbus A330-200 operated by the Spanish airline Plus Ultra Airlines. During the first quarter of 2024, the Cuban airline transported 3,221 passengers with an occupancy rate of 61 percent. The number of Argentine travelers to Cuba increased by 44 percent compared to the same period last year, reaching 12,753 people.

Its been a year since all three of us have been together. Great to catch up again

https://www.regulatoryoversight.com/2024/04/whats-at-stake-for-the-premium-cigar-industry-as-dc-circuit-considers-fda-appeal/ What’s at Stake for the Premium Cigar Industry as DC Circuit Considers FDA Appeal? By Michael Jordan, Bryan Haynes & Agustin Rodriguez on April 23, 2024 POSTED IN FDA, FEDERAL COURT, REGULATORY LITIGATION, TOBACCO In August 2023, Judge Amit P. Mehta of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia partially vacated a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rule that had “deemed” premium cigars subject to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA), known as the “Deeming Rule.” This decision exempted premium cigars from FDA’s tobacco product authorities. In September 2023, however, FDA appealed, and the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit is currently weighing the matter. So, what would it take for FDA to succeed on appeal, and what is at stake for the premium cigar industry? (1) FDA has two main arguments on appeal. First, the agency argues that it properly “deemed” premium cigars subject to the FDCA. In July 2022, Judge Mehta determined that the FDA’s decision to deem premium cigars subject to the FDCA was arbitrary and capricious because the agency disregarded data concerning the relative public health risks and negligible youth use of premium cigars. Second, even if the D.C. Circuit finds FDA did not adequately consider this data, FDA argues that Judge Mehta chose the wrong remedy. Instead of vacating the Deeming Rule for premium cigars, FDA argues that the district court should have remanded the matter back to FDA to consider the data further and issue updated findings. This would have left FDA’s regulation of premium cigars intact. A remand, however, is not the typical remedy in this scenario. If FDA prevails on either of these issues, premium cigars would again be subject to FDCA requirements, including, user fees; domestic establishment registration requirements; product, ingredient, label, and advertising submissions; recordkeeping requirements; free sampling restrictions; and the federal minimum purchase age of 21. (2) Importantly, nothing in FDA’s appeal would disturb prior court orders vacating or enjoining the premarket review and health warning requirements for premium cigars. Judge Mehta included specific language in his prior orders making clear that the district court’s resolution of the claims regarding premarket review and health warning requirements were final judgments, so that they could be appealed. This includes an order enjoining FDA from enforcing the statutory premarket-review scheme against premium cigars because the agency failed to consider an abbreviated, less burdensome process for premium cigars, which FDA did not appeal. Any attempt by FDA to appeal this decision would be untimely. The court also already resolved a claim (in favor of FDA) that the Deeming Rule’s requirement that premium cigar packaging and advertising carry specified health warnings was arbitrary and capricious. The court issued an order stating that its decision was an appealable, final judgment, and that order was reversed on appeal by the D.C. Circuit in favor of industry. Thus, premium cigars are not subject to FDA health warning requirements, and no further appeals can be made on this matter. What’s Next? Briefing on the matter is currently set to conclude by May 23, and oral argument has not yet been scheduled. It is impossible to predict with certainty how long the D.C. Circuit might take to rule after oral argument, but we anticipate that it could take approximately a year or more. Our team regularly advises premium cigar manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers regarding their obligations under federal and state law. If you have any questions about what the FDA appeal could mean for your business, our team is happy to assist.

Grab a cigar, pour a drink and listen in to George and tha lads at Lounge Lizards

What a great long lunch. Thanks Mike and Jen! 😁

Artist: Agustin Fernandez, Cuban (1928 - 2006) Title: Cigar and Cigar Hand Medium: Mixed Media Metal Sculpture

El Legado de Cueto Premium cigar meeting The first international meeting of Premium El Legado de Cueto cigars, which will be held from April 23 to 26 at the Morro-Cabaña Military Historical Complex, will have the highest possible quality and its celebration will be a true success for all lovers of tradition and history of the best tobacco in the world. In statements to the Excelencias Group, the Cuban cigar maker José Castelar Cairo (Cueto), creator of the longest cigar in the world, confessed that he was extremely excited about the preparations for the forum, designed by the company Tiendas Caracol SA and ready to begin next Tuesday the 23rd. . He meant that the appointment represents a well-deserved recognition of his extensive and useful work as a 62-year-old worker in the tobacco sector, where he visited prestigious cigar factories such as La Corona, Romeo y Julieta and Partagás, and finally, the La Triada store, leader in sales of famous brands of cigars, rums and coffee. The Cuban cigar ambassador also announced that at the event a Double Figurado tobacco about two meters and 20 centimeters long (made by hand with long filler) will be auctioned, which is considered the longest Diadema in the world. He also said that he will teach a master class on cigar making that will have the support of his fellow cigar makers Leopoldina Gutiérrez “La China”, Juanita Ramos and José Luis Oña, who are also instructors, and the cigar-sommelier Richeyl Morín Rizo. He also confessed that at the Castillo del Morro Lighthouse there will be pairings of tobacco and drinks, for which they invited Juan Jesús Machín, president of the Association of Sommeliers of Cuba (ASC), as well as a cigar rolling competition between guests and tourists. Cueto also announced that both the official opening and gala dinner and the long-awaited auction of cigars and humidors will be held at the La Divina Pastora restaurant-bar of the Morro-Cabaña Military Historical Complex. Finally he admitted that today he continues to work as a roller in the Triada and although the specialties he prefers to make are all, he continues creating the Salomón, Presidentes and Manolin, which are sold in the establishment with great acceptance. For his part, Raciel García Cabeza, head of the store's Brigade, recalled that the event will be sponsored by Habanos SA, and the companies Havana Club International SA and the mixed company Ron Vigía SA, creator of the Black Tears brand. Black). He noted that this first event will be dedicated to the history of Cuban tobacco in which lovers of Premium cigars will have a new opportunity to get closer to the best traditions of this national product of such prestige and acceptance in the world. García Cabezas added that the first day of the program proposes the tasting of Habanos and high-end rums in the La Tríada store itself, where every day Cueto can be found rolling cigars and sharing his stories with visitors. That day, the manager pointed out, you will also be able to enjoy the Nine O'clock Cannon Shot Ceremony, and on April 25, participants will enjoy the cigar rolling master class, the Make Your Own Tobacco competition, and a visit to the Morro lighthouse. and the Surtida de los Tinajones and a pairing of cigars and rum. As a culmination, April 26 will arrive with a gala dinner at the La Divina Pastora restaurant, a musical show, awards and the long-awaited auction of Cuban cigars, which brings some surprises for the delegates and guests of the meeting. Holder of five Guinness records for the longest cigars in the world, and 80 fruitful years of life, Cueto does not abandon his passion and continues as a cigar roller at the La Tríada store in the Morro-Cabaña Military Historical Park, in Havana. In 2001 he established a first record with a cigar of 11.4 meters in length, and in 2003, he achieved another of 14.86 meters; which would be followed by one of 20.41 meters, in 2005, and then a fourth, in 2008, with 45.38 meters, until finally in 2011 he produced an impressive cigar that reached 81.80 meters in length, all certified by the prestigious London house

Habanos S.A., the Cuban cigar giant, says that it has won the legal fight over whether its competitors are allowed to use terms like “habano” and “cubano” in Germany to describe their products. CONTINUED

One for our any FOH Greek brethren LIFESTYLE Greek bartenders win Havana Club cocktail competition in Cuba Greek bartenders Panos Minoudis and Andreas Giaprakas make cocktails during the Havana Club Cocktail Maestros competition in Havana, Cuba, Wednesday. [Alexandre Meneghini/Reuters] Newsroom 18.04.2024 • 21:12 A Greek mixologist duo has won a €10,000 prize for mixing cocktails in Cuba. Cuba is famous for its rum cocktails and on Wednesday evening below Havana’s iconic Morro Castle, guarding its bay, 400 people gathered to toast its best-known rum, Havana Club, but not with Cuba libres, mojitos and daiquiris in hand. The festivities marked the culmination of an international competition sponsored by the brand, a joint venture between Cuba Ron S.A. and Pernod Ricard, pitting the cocktail mixing skills of 600 bartenders against one another. Panos Minoudis and Andreas Giaprakas, who serve up cocktails at Vogatsikou 3 in Thessaloniki, walked away with the grand prize for the world’s best Havana Club cocktail mixer, beating teams from England, China, Spain, Brazil and other countries. “The uniqueness of the event is that beyond promoting the individual creation of cocktails … it takes into account friendship and camaraderie,” said Havana Club’s global ambassador, Alfredo Guerra. Alexandra Constantinescu from England said: “I think the most difficult thing is the time, to work under pressure.” She was one of 16 finalists in eight teams attending the event and offering the guests a choice of original cocktails. “We are coming from different countries, so the products we use have a different taste. The banana in England tastes different from the banana in Cuba, and all the cocktails were made and balanced here and that’s the most beautiful thing,” she said. [Reuters/Kathimerini]

https://halfwheel.com/elie-bleu-adds-el-capitolio-cigar-stand/437965/

Caught up with Bill and Ana last night. Bill brought some excellent cigars including this 1970 Monte 1 Solid 97. The night :100 😁