Selecting Cigars for their Return to Cuba: Packing for the Habanos Festival! | Kirby Allison
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ก.ค. 2024
- With just one day left until I depart for my first trip to Cuba, join me as I am faced one of the most delightful dilemmas: choosing the perfect selection of cigars from my personal humidor to bring on my first journey to the 2023 Habanos Festival in Havana, Cuba. Invited by Hunters & Frankau, the UK's exclusive importer of Cuban cigars, this trip is a long-awaited dream finally becoming reality.
In this episode, we're not packing suits and shoes; we're curating a collection of special cigars to take back to their birthplace. Edward Sahakian's wise advice echoes in my mind: cigars have a way of revealing their full character in the land where they were first rolled. While I anticipate indulging in the local offerings of Habanos cigars one can certainly find at the cigar mecca that is Cuba, there's something uniquely gratifying about enjoying a well-aged cigar in its homeland.
Together, we'll delve into my humidor and contemplate which cigars will make the journey to Cuba. Join me as we prepare for this once-in-a-lifetime experience and share in the anticipation of enjoying these meticulously aged creations in the very place they were meant to be savored.
CIGARS CHOSEN
🔅 Bolivar La Casa del Habano Gold Medal
🔅 Edmundo Dante Conde 54, Limited Edition Mexico 2011
🔅 Ramon Allones Hunters & Frankau Aniversario 225
🔅 Bolívar Double Coronas, Limited Edition Medio Oriente 2007
🔅 Bolivar La Casa Del Habano Libertador
🔅 Sancho Panza Sanchos
🔅 Ramon Allones Specially Selected
🔅 El Rey del Mundo Kon Tiki, Limited Edition Los Andes 2017
🔅 Montecristo Churchill Añejados
📍Boveda Humidor Bag
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📍Boveda Humidity Pouch
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📍Kirby Allison Plastic Cigar Storage Tube (Set of 5)
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#cubatravel #habanos #myhabanosmoment
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📽 WATCH ALL THE VIDEOS IN OUR CUBA SERIES:
🧳 Packing My Luggage for Cuba: • Packing for Cuba! My F...
🧳 Packing My Cigars for Cuba: • Selecting Cigars for t...
1️⃣ My First Day in Cuba!
2️⃣ Habanos Festival Opener & Welcome Night
3️⃣ Havana Sit Down Smoke with Edward and Eddie Sahakian
4️⃣ The Glorious Tobacco Fields of Cuba
5️⃣ Bolivar Festival Night
6️⃣ El Laguito Factory Tour
7️⃣ Humidores Habana
8️⃣ Havana Walking Tour with Edward and Eddie Sahakian
9️⃣ Hotel National Tour
🔟 Habanos Festival Black Tie Gala and Auction
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I am just a simple dairy farmer in the US midwest but I find Kirby’s videos incredibly motivating. I can only dream of a time where I can milk my cows as much as Kirby is milking this Cuba trip.
Put up some videos about milking cows, then you can milk them a bit mo(o)re too.
Nietzsche -- that's one step too far! @@NietzscheanMan
You are not wrong man😂
hahhaha 8 videos before the videos of him even there!
And the festival happened on February...... Really now it's almost a year.
I’m 42, work two jobs, don’t own a suit, dress shoes, or even smoked a cigar in my life, but I absolutely love your videos the last six months and it’s brought me down a rabbit hole of all things bespoke. Appreciate the dedication to your craft, lifestyle and ability to reach out and interest people not of that world. Best of health and travels
Cigars are very accessible at many price ranges. You can get some excellent cigars for under $10!
@@terrestrialaccessnetwork8456he didn't say he was broke lol, he just said he doesn't smoke
I'm 45 and just started smoking cigars in the past two months. I really value the ability to slow down and the elegance of even the less expensive ones. My average cigar is about $10, but I'm smoked some as cheap as $3 (Drew Estates Factory Smokes) and as expensive as $20.
Holt Cigar has lots of good videos on beginner cigars and how to not make an idiot of yourself when you go into a lounge or store. You don't have to smoke ten cigars a day, or even a week, like a lot of the youtube influencer types do.
What a treat for you Kirby. Most deserved
For those thinking it’s crazy to bring sand to the beach (cuban cigars to Cuba ) one has to understand that as a cigar collector and smoker we have many cigars saved for years with the sole purpose of enjoying them in the perfect occasion. We all know this trip is very special for Kirby and it only makes sense he will bring this extremely curated selection. Im sure he will buy some there and enjoy some event exclusive cigars at the festival in great company. Enjoy your trip my friend, can’t wait to see and hear about the the experience.
Finally! Someone who understands me! 😅
Well said🎉🎉🎉🎉
The term "taking coals to Newcastle" springs to mind, but to each their own.
I was thinking the same thing, hilarious comment.♥️
Makes zero sense
@@paulmcgee1867 Cuba is famous for their cigars and they produce a lot of them so bringing cigars to cuba instead of buying them there is kind of useless
Don't carry whisky when going to Scotland.
Ahh Kirby, a fine selection. I can find no justifiable criticism of your choices and see every reason to be quite satiated from your traveldor. Hope you had a great time with Ed and Eddie Jr. Those fellows, like yourself, are the real deal. Love watching y'all, and value what small example of civil life that I may glean from your proximal visits. A wonderous, undeserved grace indeed. Thank you.
What a wonderful selection, looking forward to viewing the new vids from Cuba.
The fun begins this Saturday!
@@kirbyallison Kirby, I know you put so much work onto your videos and truly enjoy your content. When you film with the Sahakians, is a joy to watch. Though when I do go to London, my stops will be going to that private bar establishment. I am so impressed with the level of service and choices to drink from. Thank you for showing what is out there it really has helped me figure out what choices to chose from.
You can really feel your excitement. It’s great and we all hope you enjoy
"the only thing better than a box of 25 is a caba 50" yes .....
Yes, absolutely if it didn't hurt my/our wallet too much...
Great selection to choose from Kirby. You definitely will not be without a good smoke on this trip. Congratulations on your success very well deserved.
Thank you! Very kind!
Pleasure to watch you Kirby! Have a splendid trip!
take me with to Cuba my brother from another mother ! Everyone needs a friend like me.
What a wonderful selection!
Kirby, thank you for the inspiration and the class! I love watching you with the Sahakians. I really appreciate the effort you put into respecting tradition and honouring the history behind it. With so much negativity in the world, you remind me that integrity, kindness and class still have a seat up front. I will tune in to your videos, every week, and sit ringside with you! Tell Eddie that George Grant from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada cannot wait to come to London to meet he and his legendary father. Please take good care, Kirby. I'm glad you finally have your opportunity to visit Cuba. I went there for the first time last November and my heart went out to the Cuban people. Their struggles are real. Enjoy yourself, my friend! Travel is the best education there is. Sincerely, George!
Bringing out the big guns Kirby! Some absolute gems there. ❤❤
Why Kirby, my esteemed gentleman, what a delectable voyage you hath planned! To Cuba one goes. Hazzah!
Lol. Patience. Patience. The good stuff starts this Saturday.
Your excitement makes me extremely happy for you all!
Thank you! Very kind!
Have a wonderful time! We know you will!
Truly a wonderful selection of Cigars Kirby. Have a great trip!
Wonderful Selection!
Hurry up and get over there :) cant wait for this series!
Nice selection Mr. Kirby and have a memorable trip
Kirby loves them cabinets!
Cometh the hour cometh the man.
Kirby is tha man! I love your presentation kind sir!
Way to go! Good luck, and God bless.
Thank you!
Beautiful lineup Kirby.
I highly recommend Kirby’s cigar tubes. Really useful as they adjust to suit the size of the cigar - even beastly ones.
Yes! The cigar tubes are lifesavers!!
@@kirbyallison yes, but here's the real question... What did you store the Sancho Panza 23 year old Gala dinner cigar in for travel & what was your 2023 Thanksgiving cigar?
8+ years aged in my humidor Hoyo De Monterrey Connecticut Shade Excalibur for me.
i am looking forward to this series
That's on my bucket list
J am so looking forward to this kirby, you cant Imagine!
Thank you for those lovley cigar Videos. Please More cigar content ❤
More to come!
I had been checking in to see if the Cuba videos were up since I found out about it, awesome series, really looking forward to watching them all.
You can set notifications near the subscribe button to get updates on new videos.
Pull out your 🍿. Every Saturday for the next 2.5 months, you'll be enjoying another exceptional installment of this Cuban adventure!
Great selección kirby
I have always loved that idea of returning a Cuban cigar back to its home ... 😚💨
Well I’m jealous!! Safe travels Kirby..
Well prepared for an adventure in Cuba, good choice of habano’s my friend
Next stop, Cuba! Prepare yourself for this Saturday! 🍿
Excellent that Kirby explained the reasoning behind bringing snow to Alaska! My first though was "bringing cigars to Cuba?!?!?"
But still surprised how many as I would maybe have preferred to get surprised by what Cuba had to offer as new smokes!
Trust me, I smoked plenty of cigars from the trip. But, there were a few "pinnacle moments" that were calling the names of certain cigars from my humidor.
@@kirbyallison Great! Look forward to seeing those moments!
Would you consider doing new world cigar episodes with the Sahakian's? It would nice to here you guys talk about cigars that are more easily attainable in the States.
Wow I would love to smoke those cigars you selected Kirby! What a selection...just beautiful! As a somewhat younger person, I don't have the means to buy such expensive cigars, I stick to my Hoyo de Monterey, Romeo y Julieta, Partagas or New World cigars, like Davidoff, VegaFina and co. Those are delicious cigars too and they are affordable, both of which I very much like =P
Take out student loans and use them to buy cigars. Maybe Biden will forgive them!
i'm sure those cigars will enjoy the ole home land once again! Wow I like that 7 5/8" Double Corona (Prominentes) Very nice! I wish like hell we could buy Cuban cigars in America. I smoked quite a few in the Navy in the 70's
Very nice selection! One question, where did you get that cigar tray? It offers a beautiful presentation of the cigars. Looking forward to the next episodes.
Maybe he is selling it on his website.
Safe travels. Since I’m local to Dallas, looking forward to visit your shop when you’re back.
Please do! I'm back!
That sports jacket 😍😍😍
Absolutely Love your choices. And so wish I could join you at the event. One day..one day soon! Love ❤️ Life Love Cubans Cigars in great company. Appreciate you and your videos. ☮️
That's what, for years, I said when in the company of the Sahakians! And, finally, that day came! I'm sure it will for you, too!
The S.T. Dupont lighter is such a treat. I prefer the soft Flame, which model did you bring and did any heads turn or compliments when they heard the "Ping"!
Only watched the intro to this I'm saving these up for after Xmas Dinner to sit after everyone is fat and happy to relax and enjoy my first cohiba while watching
You’ll be too far behind by the time we make it to Christmas! Trust me, we have published plenty of other content by then!
Damn this popped up just now with no views! I forgot you were on TH-cam Kirby 🤣🤣
Well done Kirby! As a Hispanic myself, I’m jealous that you get to make way to Cuba! Haha. It may have passed my eye, but when should we be expecting some Cuba content?
High amounts of respect for you sir, you bring the idea of being a gentlemen and having class to an admirable perspective. If it isn’t to much to ask, how does one get into the field of work that you are in?
Make sure to get some good footage, I was just hearing about this myself.. clearly not going to be able to attend so help us all out my friend!
O and I can tell your love for the cigars from the way you talk about them to handling the boxes! Most impressive!
Just as an FYI, shirt collars such as yours are best with ties that have the wider Windsor Knot, fitting more snuggly over the top button. Have fun in Cuba.
Fantastic selection for an incredibly exciting trip, Kirby! Say, would you mind telling me where I might be able to find a similar cigar tray that was displaying your sticks in this video? I noticed it was monogrammed with your logo but wasn't able to find it on your website. Thanks again for all the excellent content! Wishing you safe travels and a smashing time on your exciting Cuba trip!!
We actually had these made for the website, but haven't added them yet. I'll see if I can get it up for you today.
I'd love to smoke that Sancho Panza. Not only is that a large cigar, it's also rather elegant being 9.25"x47. I'm a big fan of ring gauges under 50. So happy to enjoy the Cuba trip series. Thank you for sharing.
Couldn't agree more! I find anything over 50 uncomfortable in the mouth.
Save me the wrap! Enjoy bub be good now👊✌
Just waiting
Big up Kirby
obtaoned some boxes of beautiful cubans over the years. some of them pass now 5 years of boxing date. No special or big sticks but I'm proud of every single one of them. And breaks my heart to pick another one out of the boxes. Seeing all these special ones makes me on the one hand jealous but on the other I'm motivated to buy new ones as soon as there's the opportunity to it.
With some of these stoogies, i almost had the taste of the smoke on my pallet.
I wish for a nice trip and not a single underfilled one :)
Rather enthused to bring sand to la playa. 🤣Be sure to bring back more than you bought with you , my guy! God Speed & Traveling Mercies.
This is clearly a special occasion been waiting for this vid for a long time. But as a person newer to the cigar space what are some daily/ regular smokers you enjoy? And how would you look at it from someone newer to the space looking to get into cigars
Epic selection. Though I'm still trying to sort out you've managed to get that many Cuban's into the states.
I planned my trip to Cuba for the 24th Habano's Festival 2024 but unfortunately I am busy for work. So, I am planning my 2025 edition (that will be the 25th, so I am expecting something "more" than these last editions...). These videos are MANDATORY for me to proper organize my 2025 trip to Cuba!!! Thanks Kirby!!!!
Work can wait! I don't think I could possibly wait a whole additional year!
Not a Shot!
Very interesting how we as cigar smokers tend to gravitate to certain brands, its like ferrari and lamborghini but with much less contention.
Kirby, just to wish you a happy trip to C uba, were you will be taken back in time
back in time to the early 1970's where the streets of Cuba are roaring with early 1970's muscle sports cars like the Mustang Boss 429 !
The trip was more than half a year ago
Very cool Mr. Allison. I hope your trip to Cuba is full of adventure. I do have a question, if you are going to get 1 bespoke suit, what color would you get, my choice would be navy. And would you get single or double breasted?
Please take a great deal of videos in Cuba!
Trust me, it would have been impossible to film more than we did!
Kirby -- is this your "coals to Newcastle" moment in Cuba? I hear they have cigars there.
Kirby, I do not recall you mentioning Cohiba. Is that a brand you are not fond of? Love your work. Thanks.
Cohiba isn’t a brand I’ve ever purchased. I’d rather have two or three boxes of something else vs one box of Cohiba cigars.
Super niche comment, but those cigar tubes make a decent transportation option for shorter shotgun microphones as well.
Really enjoy your videos Kirby! But curious why you would take so many Cuban cigars on a trip to Havana. Don’t think you can bring any back to the states and are a rare commodity in this country. And to your point, you’re going to be in the Mecca of cigars!
Hah I just noticed the Goyard Case you have in the back corner
Oh I didn't know your government allowed you to visit Cuba...have a great time Kirby, looking forward to your follow up vid
You can get authorization for various things, including educational and "cultural" reasons. Or you can slip in through a third country. The Cubans don't mind you coming.
Anyone can actually travel to Cuba “in support of the Cuban people,” which is vague and ambiguous. Take some extra cash and give it away as charity. Being basic toiletries and medicines. This is all support for the Cuban people. Qualification and adherence to these restrictions is largely self-reported…
Wish this would have come out when it happened..
...or we could just be grateful?
I agree with my preceding commenter full heartedly, we should be thankful for the episodes especially when we consider the monumental amount of work that has to be done in order to make ten special Habanos episodes. I mean think about it, someone has to go through all the footage and then has to decide which parts to use and which not, then all the different angles for every scene, and how to edit/cut it together, special effects, other digital effects, the sound, the script etcetera and a lot more than I/we could ever imagine. Thats an incredible amount of work, and I guess they only have a small team to work on it, and while they are doing all the other work/daily tasks. I think it is understandable that it took around 9 months to finish it.
There were only 16 of those cigars left, not 17! Don't want you to think you're going crazy when you believe you're missing one lol
I would think that bringing cigars on a trip to Cuba is like bringing wood to the forest. Would you just not want to get them while you are there?
lol. Best comment yet. Yes, it is a little like bringing wood to the forest. The only reason to bring cigars *back* to Cuba is to take the moment to make a special cigar even more special by smoking it where it was born. Furthermore, you can't really find aged cigars in Cuba. Everything is brand new. So, if you want to smoke something with some age, you need to bring it back.
And, that said, I know a lot of friends who will bring a box of aged cigars and go back to the factory at which the cigars were rolled and share them with some of the torcedores. It's a gesture that is always appreciated because they, especially, rarely smoke anything with age.
@@kirbyallison did not think about it that way and it makes perfect sense. Enjoy your videos, thanks for the great content.
Next up: bringing my favourite German Beer to Germany and my favourite Scotch to Scotland.
Where did you get your Cigar tray?
I am not a smoker but taking cigars to Cuba doesn’t seem to make much sense. It’s like taking one’s own bottles of Latour, Haut-Brion or Yquem on a trip to Bordeaux. Are you doing this because you are not sure if you will be able to get good cigars in Cuba? Thanks for clarifying! Cheers!
i do the same thing b4 my trips to key west..😂
I'm jealous with you by having Sancho Panza Sancho
You mentioned towards the end of the video taking the your lighter to Cuba. But as I understand they have to be taken empty.
Do you purchase lighter fluid when you reach reach your destination ? Seems a big hassle especially in Cuba where finding proper juice might be difficult
They can be brought full. And you can check butane in your luggage.
Wow I didn’t know that.
Terrific stuff.
Love your content!
What auction site are you using?
Being new to your channel and Cigars - I have a question - If you are going to Cuba where some of the best Cigars are made, why would you take Cigars instead of enjoying Cuban cigars ? It's like going to a Steak House and taking your own steak - what am I missing ?
Kirby, I love your content, but I would have thought that if heading to Cuba, you wouldn't need to pack cigars to take with you - there'll be plenty there! You'll be spoilt for choice and overwhelmed with what's on offer, surely?
EDIT: OK, I hadn't considered the age of those cigars and what seems like your sentiment over them. Which are fair points.
I've never had a cigar and would like to try and experience that. I've been smoking cigarettes but stopped for more than 4 years now.
I definitely don't wanna go back to cigarettes ever again, but I would try a cigar on special occasions maybe.
But my problem is- What should I begin with ? I don't wanna start with something bad and be put off thinking that they are all bad.
I smoked cigarettes for years and then I stopped for quite a while, until my interest in cigars was piqued by Kirby and the Sahakian's. I have to tell you, there are no similarities between cigars and cigarettes whatsoever. Those two couldn't be more different. I mean, for example when I was smoking cigarettes, I always had the urge to smoke, it was a clear addiction, and it took control over me. I was constantly smoking even when I really didn't want to, and when it did not taste well, it was more than a habit, it was not nice. But with cigars it's not like that, I don't have the urge to smoke, I can easily not smoke, or wait till after dinner to smoke one cigar, and that's it. The thing is, cigarettes are full of chemicals and other unnatural substances that make it more addictive and unhealthier. Premium cigars are natural, without any additives or chemicals. I don't inhale it, and therefore it doesn't affect me nearly as much as cigarettes. It tastes delicious and smells nice, something no one has ever said about cigarettes. But regarding your introduction to the cigar world, I think Davidoff is a good and natural choice, they have excellent cigars, Dominican tobacco, its mild and flavourful, it won't overwhelm you but it gives you everything one wants from a good cigar. Another choice could be VegaFina, it's the most favourite brand in Spain, it's also Dominican tobacco, mild and sweet and delicious. The thing is, taste is subjective, it's like food, you have to try to find what you like. So just start with something and then go from there. My personal experience was that I didn't like my first cigar, but when I smoked the same weeks later, I loved it and since then it became my passion and I don't look back.
I have to ditto everything this fine gentleman has said; Davidoff would be the way to go; you can't make a bad choice; and if you do, you problaby stay much healthier. Win, Win
God Bless
Kirby! What auction are you buying from and how are you bringing them cigars into TX?
I've started buying a lot from bondroberts.com recently.
Love a good GAYLA dinner
I'm not into those kinds of dinners... so, I'll take your word for it.
Hey Kirby, where do you buy cigars at auction from?
Every time I splurge on a box of 25 I say to myself okay good now I don’t have to worry about them running out. Then after smoking a few I’m like oh no I’m getting low time to buy another box 🤣
This is the optical illusion of a box of 25!
Great video as ever. Wish you could tell us how much they cost?
I try to forget those details…
How do you get Cuban cigars from Europe into the US. My understanding is the restriction also applies for sale of Cuban goods from any other countries?
Was there any Nicaraguan cigars you contemplated to throw in the line up ? Or any new world cigars in general, I don’t know if that would almost be sacrilegious to bring them there that’s why I ask
I have had cuban cigars and I find them mild with not much of a full body to them. they all seem to have the same light colored wrapper
where did you get tickets to Cuba from?
Hey Kirby 👋 question, is there a limit to the amount of tobacco you can transport? There is in New Zealand. They would probably charge me import tax on my own cigars haha
No limit coming into Cuba.
Taking sand to the beach
When is the Cuba Trip vid coming????
This Saturday! And then every subsequent Saturday for the next 2.5 months!
@@kirbyallison great news! Your cigar videos are so great!
You don't take sand to the beach my friend.
Hello Jimmie, do you mind if during these series I'll call you Don Miguel?! You know what I'm after, don't tell anybody!
no cohiba lanceros?
I want to start smoking cigars
Hello Kirby, the 2023 Festival del Habano was 9 months ago!
These edits don't get done by Santa's little elves. Presumably editing a 10-part series whilst simulateously publishing multiple standard episodes on a weekly basis takes a mammoth amount of time and effort.
I think TH-cam let you and everyone else watch this video for free while Kirby paid for the production. Just give him time and enjoy it.
You are right, but you have to consider the monumental amount of work that has to be done in order to make ten special Habanos episodes. I mean think about it, someone has to go through all the footage and then has to decide which parts to use and which not, then all the different angles for every scene, and how to edit/cut it together, special effects, other digital effects, the sound, the script etcetera and a lot more than I/we could ever imagine. Thats an incredible amount of work, and I guess they only have a small team to work on it, and while they are doing all the other work/daily tasks. I think it is understandable that it took around 9 months to finish it.
Determining if and what pick-up footage is required also takes time to identify and incorporate. Heaven knows what translation issues or compromised footage was being dealt with? As for the other edits that team puts out on a weekly basis, a lot of it is very long format and highly polished. Who knows what other series they're working on concurrently, maybe Italy series?
Hi
was it hard to purchase Cuban cigar in the usa?
They are illegal to purchase or import into the USA, so yeah, they are difficult to get and have to be done on the black market. US citizens are allowed to purchase them outside of the US for personal consumption while outside the country, but not to bring into the US.