INTRODUCTION
We have created a new feature reflecting on the UK
cigar scene back in 1940 when the strictures of the
Second World War were having a severe impact on
the UK cigar scene. This will be a regular item in
the magazine going forward.
It’s also a delight to be able to bring you a full
length interview with Jemma Freeman, the
Managing Director of Hunters and Frankau, in
the month when they will celebrate their 225th
anniversary. Jemma talks about the history of the
business and all the time and care that went into
creating the cigars and the humidor to celebrate
this amazing landmark.
We have a wonderful interview with Henke
Kelner, a powerhouse in the Dominican Republic’s
cigar manufacturing and the man selected by
Davidoff to create the cigars to replace those made
at el Laguito when they came out of Cuba. Now he
has been given the responsibility of creating the
New Davidoff Sir Winston Churchill range.
We have lots of other stories and items for you
including a review of some of the forgotten gems
in the Habanos portfolio and we top it off this
week with a follow up story from last month’s
interviewee Derek Harris who tells of his trip to
Nicaragua in the 1970’s when he was one of the
first people opening up the cigar trade to Europe.
We have had a bit of fun with a number of our
friends trying to decide what the cigar will be
for the 50th anniversary of Cohiba which will be
celebrated in Havana at the Habanos Festival in
February 2016. See if there is a cigar you would
enjoy among the suggestions.
So we hope there is something there for everyone
to enjoy. So, pour yourself a drink light up a large
cigar and read on...
There is something for absolutely
everyone in this month’s UK Cigar scene.
We are delighted to be able to bring you both
an interview a video and some pictures of the
amazing cigar box guitars made by Geoff Hawkins
in his North London workshop. They both look
and sound amazing.
Nic Wing
Proprietor and Editor
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