The third and intense day of tastings took place on Saturday 4th July. XX Amigos de Partagás in Matelica. An event that raised the bar even higher for innovation and exclusivity, combining immersive technology, historic anniversaries, and the finest expressions of Italian viticulture with the excellence of Cuban manufacturing.

Scatola aperta di sigari Quai d'Orsay No.52 disposta accanto alle bottiglie di whisky Glenfiddich 16 Y.O. Aston Martin Limited Edition.

“Visions of Havana”: Blind Tasting and Virtual Reality in the Extraordinary Universe

The first session of the day surprised participants with a completely new format: “Visions of Havana”. The core of the experience was a double blind tasting, for both the cigar and the spirit, where enthusiasts challenged their senses without constraints. The cutting-edge element was the use of virtual reality headsets, which transported guests directly into the atmosphere and streets of Havana for a total immersion in the heart of Cuban culture.

Un partecipante indossa il visore di realtà virtuale per l'esperienza immersiva Visioni d'Avana guidato dallo staff.

The narration and technical analysis of the cigar have been masterfully curated by Aurelio Tufano e Alexandre Avellar, while the presentation of the highly collectible distillate was entrusted to Angelo Canessa, Ambassador of Velier SpA At the end of this great experience, the participants discovered that they had tasted an elegant Quai d'Orsay No. 52 paired with whisky Glenfiddich 16 YO Aston Martin Limited Edition.

Primo piano di Angelo Canessa mentre degusta un sigaro cubano alla cieca durante il laboratorio sensoriale a Matelica.

“Habanos & Vin Santo”: 10 Year of Alliance

Cabinet da 50 sigari Hoyo de Monterrey Double Coronas esposto con le bottiglie di Vin Santo Riserva Casale Falchini, Grignano e Beconcini.

The second event celebrated a key anniversary: ten years since the first official tasting between Habanos SA and the Vin Santo del Chianti denomination, presented in Havana in February 2016 for Cohiba's 50th anniversary. To celebrate this anniversary, a special tasting was held with the iconic Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona (taken from a 50-cabinet), paired with an exceptional vertical of Vin Santo:

  • Vin Santo Riserva “Podere Casale I°” 2012 – Falchini Farmhouse
  • Vin Santo Riserva 2010 – Grignano
  • Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice “Aria” 2008 – Pietro Beconcini

L'esperto Stefano Minoia mentre guida la narrazione tecnica del sigaro in sala.

A refined sensorial dialogue that reaffirmed the uniqueness and complementary organoleptic qualities of two products that symbolize tradition and craftsmanship.

Dettaglio del ricco mazzo di sigari Hoyo de Monterrey Double Coronas nel cabinet in legno d'origine cubana.

The Lunelli Family and its Chardonnays: Diplomáticos Legendario & Trentodoc

The third day was closed by the extraordinary meeting entitled “The Lunelli Family and their Chardonnays: to each his own”. The undisputed protagonist for the Habano world was the Legendary Diplomas Regional Edition Italy 2023, a product of great elegance and structural complexity created for the Italian market.

Esposizione delle scatole di Diplomáticos Legendario Edición Regional Italia 2023 con le glacière e le bottiglie di Ferrari Trentodoc.

The cigar was paired with an evolutionary journey in the Chardonnay grape variety through three prestigious labels of the Lunelli family:

  • Villa Margon 2021 Trentino DOC: to appreciate the structure and minerality of still Chardonnay.
  • Ferrari Perlé Zero 2018 Trentodoc: the essence of purity and freshness in a “pas dosé” version.
  • Ferrari Riserva Lunelli 2016 Trentodoc: the ultimate expression of longevity and complexity.

Vista panoramica della sala congressi di Matelica gremita di partecipanti durante i seminari di fumo lento.
Il panel dei relatori al microfono mentre fuma ed effettua l'analisi sensoriale in abbinamento ai calici di vino.
Marcello Lunelli al microfono mentre effettua l'analisi sensoriale in abbinamento ai calici di vino.

The technical analysis of the cigar was conducted by experts Valerio Cornale, Luigi Ferri, Stefano Minoia e Alexandre Avellar. To tell the story of the excellent bubbles and the philosophy of the Trentino maison was Marcello Lunelli, Vice President of Ferrari F.lli Lunelli SpA, for a high-profile end to the day in terms of wine and culture.

Photo credit: Amigos de Partagás

Reproduction reserved
©COPYRIGHT Nicola Di Nunzio

The content is intended for an adult audience only.

Smoking is seriously harmful to your health

Drink responsibly