Smoking a good cigar is like tasting a good reserve wine. You have to savour it to appreciate all the nuances of its aroma, with hints of wood, leather, earth, honey and pepper. And what can we say about the authentic Havana cigar? The result of a perfect combination of excellent soil and climate, as well as centuries of experience in growing the aromatic leaf.

The list of celebrities that have enjoyed Cuban cigars is very long: Winston Churchill, Mark Twain,  Auguste Barthelemy, Groucho Marx and even Barack Obama recognise that Cuba is the home of the best tobacco worldwide.

This year the festival’s back! From 23 to 27 February 2015 Havana will host the latest Cuban Cigar Festival, the most prestigious international event for premium cigars attended every year by tobacco connoisseurs from all over the world. Several Havana cigar brands will be feted at the festival, especially two of the best-known: Romeo y Julieta and Montecristo.

Where can you stay? In either of two emblematic hotels, of course:  Meliá Cohiba and Meliá Habana, splendid five-star establishments in ideal locations offering the exclusive The Level service, brought to you by #MeliaCuba. Here you will find Casas del Habano (cigar shops) and the largest humidors in the country where you can continue to enjoy the most superb Cuban cigars.