SHORTCUT-CIGARS' NEWS (2004)

New Payment System Posted December 28, 2004

For several months, we have invited our regular customers to pay by bank transfers instead of credit cards, this allowing them as far as possible, to profit of a discount (proportional to the margin taken by the credit card companies).

We pay your attention on the fact that in the near future, Shortcut-Cigars will only work with bank transfers.

In the meantime, we're wishing you the best for 2005!

Counterfeit cigars Posted December 14, 2004

New pictures in the counterfeit cigars galery. Enjoy!



The Habanos Festival Posted December 4, 2004

Habanos S.A. Corporation and the Tabacuba Business Group convoke the enthusiasts of good smoking to the most important event being held in Cuba year after year: ¨The Habanos Festival¨. A special week this time, from February 21 to 25, 2005 reserved for those devoted to the pleasure of smoking.

The Seventh Edition of the Festival, a noteworthy event, will offer more knowledge and experiences to Habanos´ lovers. Both connoisseurs and beginners will have the opportunity to delight themselves and enjoy the exclusive pleasure of smoking, strongly connected to a singular life style.

Officially based at Havana International Conference Centre, the 5th Edition of the Festival will dedicate its activities to commemorate the anniversaries of these global brands:

• 160th anniversary of Partagás
• 140th anniversary of Hoyo de Monterrey
• 130th anniversary of Romeo y Julieta
• 70th anniversary of Montecristo

A world filled with tiny details happily combined with luxury, beauty and unique experiences mixed all together with the classical, traditional and modern aspects as well. Once again welcome back to the privileged world of Habanos
Habano Festival will welcome its participants:

• Exclusive distributors
• Managers of Casas del Habano from all over the world
• Businessmen
• Manufacturers and traders of articles for smokers
• Tobacco producers for manufacturing the Habano
• Suppliers of the cigar industry
• Manufacturers and traders of luxury items related to the Habano
• Manufacturers and suppliers of Gourmet World
• Products under license of Habanos S.A.
• Craftsmen and collectors
• Smokers' Clubs
• Smokers Aficionado

GENERAL PROGRAM

Friday, February 18 to Sunday 20
Mounting of the Trade Fair

Sunday, February 20
10:00 - 4:00 Registration at the Havana International Conference Centre (HICC)

Monday, February 21
10:00 - 4:00 Registration at the HICC
10:00 - 1:00 Preliminary meeting Habanosommelier International Contest
1:00 Lunch at the "Bucán" Restaurant
8:00 Welcome Night

Tuesday, February 22
09:00 -5:00 Visit to the Tobacco Research Institute and plantations at the south of Havana.
Free night

Wednesday, February 23
09:00 - 10:30 Opening of the Trade Fair
10:30 - 10:45 Opening of the International Seminar at HICC
10:45 - 11:30 Lecture about Casas del Habano
11:30 - 11:45 Coffee Break
11:45 - 12:15 Presentation of "Vegas Robaina´s" Guayaberas
12:15 - 1:00 Sensorial Tasting
1:00 - 2:30 Lunch at the "Bucán" Restaurant
2:30 - 4:00 Master practice on how to roll a Petit Robusto cigar
Continuation of the International Seminar.
8:00 "A Cool Night in Hot Havana" Canadians greetings for the VII Festival

Thursday, February 24
09:00 - 12:30 Visit of Cigar Factories (Dorados & Partagás)
10:00 - 1:00 Preliminary meeting on the Whisky & Cigar Challenge Contest
1:00 - 2:30 Lunch at HICC
2:30 - 4:00 Final of the Whisky & Cigar Challenge Contest
2:30 - 3:30 Rum Tasting

Friday, February 25
09:00 - 11:00 Final of the Habanosommelier International Contest
11:00 - 11:30 Coffee Break
11:30 - 12:30 Master lecture: "Communication and Public Relationships as alternative vs anti smoking campaign". Borja P. de la Bellacasa Aguirre, CEO Bassat Ogilvy, Communication Consultants
12:30 - 1:30 Closing session of the festival and awarding of prizes
1:30 Farewell lunch
8:00 Gala Dinner

Prices
International Seminar 320.00 USD
Welcome Night 150.00 USD
Visit to Plantations and Tobacco Institute 80.00 USD
Visit to Cigar Factories Dorados y Partagás 10.00 USD
Canadian Night 200.00 USD
Gala Dinner 500.00 USD
Full program 1,260.00 USD
Program for Acompanying person 1,170.00 USD

Trade Fair
In spaces rented by the enterprise, country or organization, the entrepreneurs, craftsmen, artists, traders, manufacturers or enterprises may exhibit and sell the following goods:

• Products related to agriculture
• Machinery
• Handicraft
• Paintings
• Bibliography
• Articles for smokers
• Luxury articles
• Gourmets Products

For further informations, please contact Habanos SA and Roberto García, Executive, Events Division

For your Lady Posted November 25, 2004

The festive season is coming. Time to get a gift for the loved one. Now, if you need some help to find out the perfect gift, you may consider these uncommon items.

City Gate Trading Co. is a small company held by these two persons. They have plenty of nice ideas. Aside other lines, here is a selection of purses made with cigar boxes. Funny!

US$ not allowed anymore in Cuba Posted October 27, 2004

On Novembre 8th, you'll not be allowed to pay with US dollars anymore in Cuba. Foreign customers will have to buy Cubain convertible Pesos for their purchases. The Cubain Peso is quoted 1 for 1 with the US$ and will be accepted in any tourist shop. Be careful not to mix with the other currency: The normal Cuban Peso, reserved for local people.

(AP Photo/Cristobal Herrera)

Hurricane Ivan aiming to Cuba Posted September 11, 2004

Click on the picture to keep a track on Ivan. Lets cross our fingers for the inhabitants of Cuba.

Posted September 15, 2004 (update) The thoughest part is over now and fortunately Ivan didn't cross the island strait.

Swiss Cigar Expo Posted September 8, 2004

Accessories, cigars... and new stuff! The last news and pictures has been posted in the Aficionado's Corner. Hurry up!

Back to School Posted September 7, 2004

We have a new Legend section. Click on the button (left margin), take a look, grab you pencils and start working. Holidays are over. ;o)

Exhibition Posted August 26, 2004

The Cigares à gogo exhibition will be held at the TAPAZINC, 15 rue Bon Secours, Nantes, phone 02-40-47-11-97 - from August 31st to October 5th 2004. The Opening is scheduled September 13th from 6h30 pm. Photographs and various creations on Cuba, cigars...

Blog & Cigar Posted August 20, 2004

Shortcut-Cigars is pleased to give Blog Cigar a permanent link in its web site's left margin.

Blog Cigar is a public place dedicated to cigars, it's bilingual, it's free. You can ask Old Cola for an account at then post messages.

Shortcut-Cigars attending the Cigar Expo Posted August 20, 2004

The Swiss Cigar Expo will be held on September 6th and 7th 2004 at Lausanne. Shortcut-Cigars will attend to this main event and will keep you posted about new products and specials.

Blog & Cigar Posted August 12, 2004

A mosaic of contributions, bad experiences, impassioned texts, winks, funny or serious posts. A myriad of textual delights around a same passion: Cigar.

Blog Cigare is the first blog dedicated to cigars, it's bilingual, and moreover, it's a public web log open to everyone. That's right! They just wait for your first post! This blog is yours too.

A New Place Dedicated to Accessories Posted August 11, 2004

A new section is now dedicated to accessories.

Ashtrays, lighters, scissors, humidors... You can shop in this place all you need for your cigars.

Special Deal!
For the opening of this new part of Shortcut-Cigars, get a 10% off on your order (good for any accessory).

New Pictures Posted August 5, 2004

The Keeping Cigars & Conservation Section has now new pictures.

Partagas Culebras Posted August 4, 2004

Not really famous, but sympathetic because of its friendly sharing philosophy, this curved stick was your parties' wink. If you did appreciate this cigar, you'll probably miss it, because Habanos decided to stop it.

The production stopped but the vitola is still officially existing. The factories will not produce any Culebra before July 2005, and probably even much later. Moreover, a permanent cancelation can occur — Habanos is still not clear on its official position).

Anyway, if you do like the Culebra, you should hurry to get the last boxes available on the market. Good luck.

Streap Tease Posted July 7, 2004

Last news from Cuba: We just received from the Partagas Factory a batch of unusual Cohiba Siglo VI. The cigars are packed in their new tubos. Very sexy. For sure, this packaging will be a hit.

Mexico Posted June 18, 2004

With the «Compadre Varela» kit: travel where the spirit leads !

Shortcut-Cigars invites you to explore the terroir of Mexico with our Compadre Varela box - a special kit of 20 cigars. Definitely the best way to discover the Mexican landscape... with a large palette of vitolas on hand. Now for sale, an exclusivity from Shortcut-Cigars.

Mystery Posted May 6 - June 12, 2004

Shortcut-cigars is about to launch new product.

Be prepared for something good, precious and unusual...

Set in a box made of Okoume,
a vast landscape to discover.

A discovery kit to seduce your senses.

A Millenary terroir forgotten for too long.

20 fingers leading you to a different place.

Half-way between culture and cultivation.

First Annual Cigar Box Festival
Posted June 7, 2004

It just took place couples of weeks ago, May 15th 2004 at Carrollton, Kentucky... and we missed it! However, next edition is scheduled May 19th 2005.

Retail Tobacco Dealer of America
72nd Annual Convention and International Trade Show
Posted May 28, 2004

July 25 - 29, 2004
The Venetian Hotel & Sands Expo Center, Las Vegas, Nevada

Trade Show: The 200,000 square foot exhibition hall will be filled with more than 285 exhibitors in over 1,155 booths - offering hot products, newest innovations, and deals exclusively for Show attendees. These specials are only offered during the actual show days.

Visual Delight Posted April 17, 2004

Take a look at this web site. You'll find nice photographs taken in Cuba (and few other countries) on differents topics (El Malecon, urban landsapes, people, Havana Nights, etc.)

The 2004 Edicion Limitada Posted April 13, 2004
Official launch of the Edicion Limitada for Switzerland will take place this Autumn. Availability of these products will be as follow:

• Partagas Serie D N°1: September 2004
• Romeo y Julieta Hermosos No 2: September 2004
• Cohiba Sublimes: Not known yet

About the new Montecristo Edmundo, it should become available June 2004.

Mojitos to smoke Posted March 28, 2004

"The legendary cuban cocktail is at the origin of this cigarillo: rum, mint, lime, all are there. The whole wrapped in a sheet of candela tobacco" tells the commercial.

On the left: cigarillos with filters. On the right: just tobacco. They are rolled in a deep green wrapper. We smelt these small sticks: they release a strong odor of mint. The odour is just like the mint chocolates "After Eight". We did not taste them yet.

Nicarao Cigars Posted March 12, 2004

Didier Houvenaghel is an agricultural engineer who, after having accomplished a thesis at the University of Pinar del Rio, decided to launch a range of cigars from Nicaragua likely to tend towards the ideal Cuban standards.

Entirely hand-rolled, the Nicarao cigars are manufactured from the leaves of the tobacco plants located in Estelí and Jalapa. The variety of black tobacco used is Criollo 98. It is employed as wrapper, binder and filler leaf. Nevertheless, a carefully chosen filler leaf of the variety Corojo 99 is also added to the roll of cigar. This touch of diversity is supposed to complements the assemblage of the tobacco leaves and brings the aroma a supplementary fullness.

The smooth and stout Nicarao cigars flatter the feelings of the smoker through their rich and original aromas.

4 different vitolas are available: Minuto, Robusto, Piramide and Julieta.

For any information, you can contact M. Houvenaghel at info@nicarao.biz.

An Humidor made especially for you
Posted February 9, 2004
Are you looking for your own personal humidor? Something very special and unique? You should visit the website of a cabinet maker specialized in cigars: Robert Dargaud can create an humidor upon your needs and taste.

Counterfeit cigars Posted January 26, 2004
The section dedicated to the counterfeit cigars has a new photo galery. Enjoy!

NEW! The Ad Vitole Eternam Jar Posted January 21, 2004
Ad Vitole Eternam strikes again! This club whose the aim is to connect cigar lovers from all around the world proposes a beautiful object of collection to preserve your favourites vitolas.

AVE launches 20 jars made of porcelain. These are numbered limited edition items.

The price is (except shipping cost) 90 € for members and 150 € for non members.

For any order or reservation, please contact mathieu.millet@advitole.org.