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Exceptional occasions call for exceptional Cuban cigars, like the Cohiba Behike line or the Montecristo 80 Aniversario

Celebrate like Pep Guardiola - Grand cigars for grand occasions

by Nick Hendry

The lighting of a Cuban Cigar is oftentimes a celebration in and of itself.  Finding such an artisanal product, having the time to properly enjoy it and the journey of flavour it will take your palette on are all reasons to be cheerful.  It is good for the psyche, and for our mental health, to commemorate each and every victory we earn – no matter how small they may be, they are all steps on our path to success.

Occasionally, though, a moment comes around of such grandeur and requiring such celebration that they call for another level of cigar to mark them properly.  As Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola so ably demonstrated when having won the English Premier League recently, big moments need big sticks.  Luckily for us Habanos SA produce a wealth of special editions and opulent treats that will stand us in good stead at every major milestone in life, be they sporting victories, business triumphs or important personal milestones like weddings or the arrival of a child.  Here are a selection of some truly exceptional cigars which will match up to any occasion, no matter how momentous.

The Cohiba Behike line is the pinnacle of regular production Cuban cigars.

The Cohiba Behike line is the pinnacle of regular production.

Cohiba Behike Series

The Cohiba Behike is, in theory, a regular production cigar but the rarity of tobacco that will meet the ultra-high standards of its construction mean in practice it is very limited indeed.  The complexity and depth of flavour brought by the medio tiempo leaves used are so sought after that whenever boxes of these sublime sticks hit the market they disappear again almost instantly.  Perfect, then, for keeping in your humidor until a true celebration – allowing them to age and develop, and ensuring you will have something particularly special with which to mark it.  Expect medium-full body, roasted coffee and pepper on the palette.

The Partagas Serie E No. 2 is the latest cigar to be granted a Gran Reserva.

 The Partagas Serie E No. 2 is the latest cigar to be granted a Gran Reserva.

Partagas Serie E No. 2 Gran Reserva

A closer inspection of the video footage of Pep Guardiola celebrating with a cigar after his team’s latest victory appears, to my eye at least, to show the distinctive red band of the Partagas letter series on a fairly substantial vitola cigar.  The latest Gran Reserva, announced at this year’s inaugural Habanos World Days online festival, is a well-aged version of Pep’s (likely) choice.  This cigar will be a fine expression of the usual Partagas power and spice and will be extremely collectable in the cigar community, making it ideal to keep for a special occasion.  You won’t get to enjoy many, so make sure it’s memorable when you do.

The El Rey del Mundo La Reina is an incredibly popular regional edition cigar.

La Reina is an incredibly popular regional edition cigar.

El Rey del Mundo La Reina, Regional Edition for Great Britain

The slender and elegant Laguito No 2 vitola is brought to the El Rey del Mundo line for the first time for this long-awaited and highly prized UK regional edition cigar.  Only around 3,500 boxes of 24 cigars were produced and have been enjoyed at such a rate that these cigars become even rarer as the months pass.  If you can secure one for your home collection the sticks contained within will bring around 75 minutes of light-bodied smoke, with notes of cream, cappuccino and gentle spice.

The extraordinary Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona Gran Reserva

The Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona is a remarkable cigar.

Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona Gran Reserva Cosecha 2013

The Hoyo Double Corona is an imposing cigar in its regular production form, such is the size and smoking time.  To find it in Gran Reserva format is extremely difficult these days, so popular were the commemorative boxes when first released.  This is nowadays perhaps the most hard-to-find cigar on this list, and will be a magnificent way to mark even the most special occasion or rarest achievement.  The light-bodied flavours of the famous Hoyo de Monterrey blend have had ample time already to marry and develop and should result in a spectacularly smooth smoke.  Keep these hidden away from envious eyes, only to be broken out when they can be properly savoured.

The Cohiba Siglo VI is an extremely popular cigar.

The Siglo VI is an extremely popular cigar.

The Cohiba Siglo VI

Like its cousins in the Behike line the Siglo VI is classed as regular production, but the Canonazo size coupled with the Cohiba demand for only the finest tobacco leaves, and the extra fermentation process, make that production difficult.  No surprise, then, that when they appear the demand for them is high.  Grab a box whenever you can, lay it down in your humidor and ensure that, whenever you have cause to celebrate, you can do so with one of the finest cigars in the world.

It is a sign of a true collection of cigars to have sticks such as these, that will not be for regular consumption, hidden away among the day-to-day.  Just as every wine cellar or whisky collection will have the odd bottle tucked away at the back, safe from the casual gaze of guests and avoiding temptation of the owner, a good home humidor will have one or two unicorns nestled amongst the regular smokes.  They will age and mellow and develop in flavour, ready to grace your big celebration when you are ready.  If kept correctly, they will not disappoint.

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