UNSURPRISINGLY, my travel plans to Cuba are in disarray. My cigar year used to be punctuated by events that took place with a metronomic regularity—the annual Festival del Habano in February and the Partagás Festival in November. Usually, I would attend one or other of these events and happily, this year, I made it to the festival in February.
As the pandemic began to cast its shadow over Europe, I arrived in Cuba, where I rediscovered and learned to love (or at least not to fear) Bolivar—and yes, I am conscious of the irony that my nom de plume is that of the cigar marque I have spent much of my life trying to steer clear of. As well as Bolivar, much was made of a new range of Romeo y Julieta (more of which in future), introduced to celebrate the 145th birthday of the Shakespeare-inspired brand, and there was also excitement around the 85th birthday of Montecristo.
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