One of the biggest events in the Cuban cigar diary each year is the charity auction usually held at the Habanos Festival in February. Travel and gathering restrictions forced the cancellations of the 2021 and 2022 editions, but in just a few days a special sale will be held in Havana to (belatedly) celebrate the 55th anniversary of Cohiba, and the Limited Edition cigar rolled to mark the occasion. From the 7th to the 9th of September a “mini-festival”, complete with gala dinner and factory tour, will serve as the first step towards a normal Habanos events programme, and the hopeful return of the larger festival next year.
As always, the sale features some magnificent items for aficionados to bid on and, as always, the proceeds of the auction will go directly to the Cuban Public Healthcare system. Past sales have seen seven-figure sums bid for single humidors – often unique pieces – and this time is likely to be no different.
The fun begins on 7th September with a reception in the Laguito Protocol Hall before tours of the legendary El Laguito itself the following day. Guests for the full 3 days will be offered a special welcome by the Gran Packard Hotel, and the main event will be the Gala Dinner at the Pabexpo on the 9th September. Food, drink, music and wonderful cigars will be the accompaniments to a fabulous celebration of Habanos SA’s most luxurious brand.
The Cohiba 55 Humidor is a work of art
The Humidor
The focal point of the evening is one of the most exquisite pieces of furniture ever offered at a Havana auction. The design has been inspired by the aesthetic of the 1950s; a golden waveform across the back is in the shape of the famous Cohiba motif. The central column features a plaque bearing the Cohiba 55 logo, rendered in golden material and set with Swarovski crystals. The entire humidor was manufactured on the island, with the artisans of Humidores Habana entrusted once again with the work.
To the outside, precious woods and mother of pearl create a luxurious finish, while the interior is constructed of okoume wood and mahogany. A bespoke humidification system will keep the contents in perfect order; a highly accurate analogue hygrometer will allow the lucky person who places the winning bid to keep a keen eye on the conditions.
The centrepiece is a Cohiba 55 logo adorned with Swarovski crystals
At 170cm tall and 130cm wide, this humidor is an imposing item which will be the showpiece in whatever room it ends up in. When each side is rolled open, they reveal drawers and shelves for 550 fine Havana cigars – naturally, all will be Cohibas. The contents are simply extraordinary – 35 of the Limited Edition Cohiba 55 are joined by 35 of the new regular production Ambar, as well as a huge selection of previous Limited Editions, classic Cohibas and 20 each of the full Behike selection. This humidor will certainly attract a price in the millions; for such huge money, the lucky purchaser will at least have an unmatchable Cohiba selection to take home.
The fact this extraordinary humidor is unique means there will be a few disappointed bidders in the room when the dust has settled and its new home been ascertained. To ease their pain, Habanos SA has also commissioned legendary French artisans Elie Blue to create 10 humidors built with pairings in mind. The first will be auctioned off at the gala evening, with a further 9 being produced after the party is over.
Elie Bleu have created another wonderful Havana humidor
The pairing celebrated will be that of the new Cohiba Ambar cigar and fine champagne. Rare Millesime 1988 is a full-bodied champagne which will stand up well to the flavours of the cigar, and the winning bid will receive 24 bottles to go with the one in the humidor, as well as 24 bottles of the 2008 edition. The humidor itself is yet another example of Elie Bleu mastery: jet-black sycamore and okoume wood blends with gold, silver and pearl marquetry to create a stunning and dramatic look. The decoration on the outside is intricate and mesmerising, while the presentation tray included to serve cigars and champagne to your guests features scenes of the sun and moon on either side. Contained within are the bottle of Rare 1988 itself, Elie Bleu accessories such as a cutter and ashtray, and cedar trays holding 44 Cohiba Ambar. At 53 ring gauge by 5 ¼ inches, this all-new Habano will bring over an hour of medium-to-full strength smoke as well as flavour notes including pure tobacco. This will merge wonderfully with the woody, leathery flavours of the aged champagne.
While these lots are clearly far beyond the reach of the majority of smokers, their existence lends a romance and mystique to the cigar world. Even if most of us will never have the chance to own one, we can admire them from afar and dream. After such a turbulent last 2 years, for so many reasons, we have all surely earned the right to do just that.