"Being a Habanos sommelier is not a job, but an inspiration" - this is how cigar sommelier Danais Sanchez from Cuba, who is an exclusive guest in Bulgaria in 2019 at the invitation of "Caliman Caribe", presents the essence and nature of the profession.
According to Danais, being a Habanos sommelier is like having a treasure trove of information about the senses and sensations. A professional sommelier leads the taster through a unique journey, providing a map to the sensations of all nuances. Habanos sommeliership elevates the cigar to a cult. The tasting goes through three main thirds. As a rule, regardless of the profile and the specific brand of the cigar being tasted, the first third of the cigar is the lightest. The second third has a richer flavor and is considered the most characteristic of the cigar, and the third is the most intense in terms of sensation. For each of these thirds, different drinks can be recommended to accompany it in strength and type. But as a general recommendation, the model is followed that strong cigars go well with strong drinks.
In Cuba, there is an enormous emphasis on the profession of habanos sommelier as the completion of good service and etiquette.

It is Habanos sommeliership that is considered the highest level in sommeliership in general. It provides a broad-spectrum view of the sommelier, complementing and building on knowledge of all types of drinks and possible combinations with the rich Habanos portfolio. The profession teaches how to get the full enjoyment of Habanos consumption, including all steps from choosing a cigar, through the rituals of lighting, serving and tasting.

We present to you recommendations for cigar and drink combinations that are prepared by habanos sommeliers.

Trinidad Vigía

The Trinidad Vigía is a sign of the exclusivity and refinement of the Trinidad brand. Its impeccable construction reflects the masterful craftsmanship of Cuban cigar rollers.  
When cold, it releases notes of cedar, roasted hazelnut and sweet spices, while when lit, it reveals aromas of cocoa, roasted coffee and a delicate floral touch. In the first third, the smoke is smooth and creamy, with notes of cedar and hazelnut, accompanied by a slow, even burn that releases a dense, aromatic smoke.  
The second third intensifies the brand's classic medium strength that harmonizes with hints of dark cocoa, sweet spices and coffee. In the third third, the Habano has a deep, lingering finish with notes of aged leather, sweet notes and a slight hint of white pepper. The compact, light-gray ash confirms its exceptional quality.  

Ron Conde de Cuba
Made in the rum factory in the center of the country, this Conde de Cuba Extra Añejo Solera 15 rum embodies the Cuban sugarcane tradition. Its blend combines stocks aged in American white oak barrels, following the Solera method, with emphasis on raques or levels 3, 4, 17 and 18, a tribute to the Media Luna cane varieties that originated it.  
To the eye, Ron Conde de Cuba is an intense, bright amber, with thick, slow tears that reveal its oily, aged body that offers an intense aroma, with notes of vanilla, caramel and dried fruits, intertwined with a soft touch of smoky wood. On the palate it has a silky entry, with elegant balance between honey sweetness and orange citrus bitterness that harmonize with cocoa notes for a warm, lingering finish.  
A sensory experience that is enhanced when paired with medium or medium-to-strong Habanos of good body and intensity.

El MARIDAJE / THE PAIRING
Trinidad Vigía y Ron Conde de Cuba
The 110 mm long Trinidad Vigía displays a harmonious complexity that highlights notes of cedar, cocoa and sweet spices, with a deep finish of aged leather. Its medium strength and balanced combustion make it an ideal Habano for refined pairings.
In the first third, Conde de Cuba 15 Solera Rum, with its vanilla and coconut notes, complements the initial creaminess of the Habano, highlighting its hazelnut and woody nuances. The rum's smoothness cleanses the palate, preparing it for the evolution of flavors.    
In the second third, the rum reveals its depth, with hints of caramel and nuts that harmonize with the cocoa and spices of the Vigía. A sensory experience that celebrates the excellence of Cuba.

Montecristo Open Slam 
The Montecristo Open Slam is equal parts balance and flavor that harmonizes well with the medium strength characteristic of the Open Line, which evolves throughout the smoke, offering a pleasant experience for both aficionados and beginners in the wonderful world of Habanos. When cold, subtle aromas of wood and earthy notes are perceived. Once lit, intense flavors of Cuban tobacco unfold and provoke a creamy aftertaste that lingers on the palate. The combustion is uniform, and the ash shows an impeccable construction, reflecting the mastery of Cuban cigar rollers.
Juve & Camps, Reserva de la Familia (2019) 
Bright yellow color with golden reflections. Fruity character, fresh apple, with notes of white flowers and aromatic Mediterranean plants, such as rosemary, and nuances of lightly toasted bread and nuts. With great balance between body and acidity. It stands out for its brut nature style -with no added sugar-, its fresh and deep character and its very well-integrated bubbles.
Juve & Camps, Gran Juve & Camps 2017 
The care for detail, the delicacy in the blending and the experience and talent of our master blender become relevant to achieve an endless play of aromas and flavors, a spherical and precise wine, where the fruit dances to the rhythm of bakery and brioche notes, very light touches of orange blossom and honey and a toasted nuance that rounds the aromatic mosaic. In the mouth, it is elegantly opulent, creamy, intense and harmonious, an effervescent caress that invites you to surrender to pleasure.

El MARIDAJE / THE PAIRING
Montecristo Open Slam y Juve & Camps
Savoring two creations forged over years of dedication is a tribute to the exclusivity of the present, an unrepeatable instant where the ephemeral is dressed in eternity. Each aficionado, in their intimate pairing experience, discovers the unique essence of something that, like a whisper of the universe, exists only once in the world. 
From the very beginning, the Montecristo Open Slam unfolds its balanced and intense flavor in the smoke, which harmonizes perfectly with the nuances of the two selected wines. This combination creates an enriching pairing experience that evolves with each third of the Habano. 
In the first third, the Juve & Camps Reserva de la Familia, with its fresh character and notes of apple, white flowers and rosemary, complements the initial subtlety of the Habano, highlighting its earthy and woody aromas. The delicate effervescence and balanced acidity of this sparkling wine cleanse the palate, enhancing the creamy aftertaste of the Open Slam.
In the second third, the Gran Juvé & Camps takes center stage. Its aromatic complexity, with hints of brioche, orange blossom, honey and a toasty nuance, is echoed by the deeper, spicier flavors of the Montecristo. The opulent and creamy texture of the wine accompanies the intensity of the cigar, creating an elegant and persistent dialogue that seduces the senses and celebrates the art of pairing.