On the evening of July 6th Phoenicia TAA Cyprus, Distributor for Habanos, S.A., in association with its official distributor for Greece, Phoenicia Fereos Hellas, kicked off the summer season with an exclusive pairing night at the Ecali Club in Athens, Greece. In cooperation with Teddys SpeakEasy and Blanton’s Bourbon, the event brought together premium tobacco enthusiasts to enjoy five Habanos recently launched on the Greek market. These cigars were meticulously paired with gourmet foods and beverages to enhance the flavors and aromas of the Habanos. It was a unique event, being his first time in Greece.

The celebration began with a Cuban-themed welcome cocktail in the early afternoon and a masterful presentation of the technique of rolling a Habano by a Cuban cigar roller. Enchanting chord melodies from live violin and cello set the mood as guests were ushered to their seats located next to the club’s picturesque pool.

The attendees enjoyed a glass of champagne and the first Habano of the night, the Hoyo De Monterrey Souvenir Deluxe. During the reception, the guests also had the opportunity to taste various coffee drinks and canapés.

To officially open the event, Mr. Yiannis Liatsis, General Manager of Phenicia Fereos Hellas, took the stage and warmly greeted all the participants, introduced Mr. Charalambos Papadimitriou from Teddys Speakeasy, who shared insights on this concept and the pairings the guests would experience throughout the evening. Mr. Liatsis proceeded to reveal the next Habano of the night, the Ramon Allones No.3, providing a brief exposition of the history of the brand and details about this vitola, while a video of the history of the brand played on the screens. Guests enthusiastically received their Ramón Allones Habanos to savor along with their first course of food, while a swing band further enhanced the lively atmosphere.

The second part of the celebration continued with the presentation of Mr. Antonis Pasparakis, Marketing Specialist at Phoenicia Fereos Hellas. Mr. Pasparakis provided details on the brand and vitola, La Gloria Cubana Turquinos, before being visually presented. Once his speech was over, the attendees were delighted to receive these Habanos to pair with the second course, while the swing band continued entertaining with their melodies.

As the evening progressed, Mr. Tonis Papalamprou, Master in Habanos, and with vast experience, was received on stage, who presented the highly anticipated Edición Limitada Hoyo de Monterrey Monterreyes No.4, after presenting a historical overview video about the brand. The Monterreyes No.4 was received with great emotion by the fans, as is customary in Limited Edition releases. The guests savored their Monterreyes Habanos while enjoying a vibrant live performance on stage.

The highlight of the event received special attention, when Mr. Liatsis returned to the stage to unveil the last Habano of the night, Bolivar New Gold Medal. A Habano that attracted great interest due to the historical importance of the brand, which was shown on the screen. The final delight came when each guest received their own Bolívar New Gold Medal Habano to enjoy.

A surprise interlude by Mr. Papalamprou allowed the guests to deepen the concept of the Habanos World Challenge, expanding their knowledge of the competition. The winning team of the last HWC in Havana, Mr. Antonis Pasparakis and Mr. Efthimis Karachristianidis, were present at the event and were introduced to the guests. Glimpses of their Habanos moments were shared, leading them to victory. PFH and Teddys Speakeasy recognized and awarded the team for their participation and representation on behalf of Greece.

As an incredible sponsor of the evening, Teddys Speakeasy organized a raffle for the guests. One lucky aficionado received a rare, limited edition Blanton’s Greek Edition (Parthenon), while another lucky guest won an exclusive trip to the brand’s distillery.

To the surprise of the guests, the excitement continued to build when a well-known and beloved local band took the stage and wowed the audience with their performance. The night became livelier, and the guests were thoroughly entertained.

This exciting Habanos night lasted until dawn the next day, creating a truly unforgettable experience for all attendees. It was a memorable moment for the Habano world in Greece.