Trinidad: Past, Present & Future | London Habanos World Days Trinidad Panel Presentation

As part of the June 2024 Habanos World Days in London, hosted by Hunters & Frankau, the rich and storied history of the Trinidad brand of Habanos cigars was thoroughly explored during a special panel discussion titled “Trinidad Habanos: Past, Present & Future.”

Renowned author, historian, and 2007 Habanos Man of the Year for Communications, Nick Foulkes, moderated the panel, which included eight experts who delved into the legacy, development, and future of this iconic Cuban cigar brand. The discussion highlighted key milestones, personal anecdotes, and insider perspectives on what makes Trinidad one of the most revered names in the world of premium cigars.

👨‍💼👩‍💼 PANELISTS
⚜️Edward Sahakian ⚜️
A long-time aficionado of the Trinidad brand, Edward Sahakian attended the Dinner of the Century in Paris in 1994 and in London in 1995. He has been a steadfast ambassador for Trinidad, rarely found without an ‘emergency’ Trinidad Reyes in his pocket. Edward famously cornered the UK market for Trinidad Reyes in packs of five.

⚜️ Ana Lopez ⚜️
Former Marketing Director of Cubatabaco (from 1993) and Habanos S.A (from 1994 to 2014), Ana Lopez oversaw the world launch of the Trinidad brand, including its first product, the Fundadores, in 1998. She also managed the range extension in 2003 and has been closely involved with the brand’s development over the past 25 years.

⚜️ Max Gutmann ⚜️
A renowned collector of Cuban cigars, Max Gutmann was one of the first to acquire Trinidad Fundadores when they launched in Mexico in 1998. His collection includes eleven Festival del Habano humidors, five of which are signed by Fidel Castro, and he is said to have purchased the first-ever box of Cuban cigars signed by Castro at auction in 1995.

⚜️ Miguel Barzaga ⚜️
With over 25 years of experience in the Cuban cigar industry, Miguel Barzaga began as a cigar roller at H. Upmann and now oversees all Cuban cigar production. Barzaga witnessed the transfer of Trinidad production from El Laguito to Francisco Donatien in Pinar del Río and has been instrumental in preserving the integrity of the brand through this transition.

⚜️ Eumelio Espino ⚜️
A scientist with more than 40 years of experience at the Cuban Tobacco Research Institute, Eumelio Espino has played a key role in maintaining the quality of the leaves used in Habanos, particularly in premium brands like Cohiba and Trinidad. He is an expert on the aging process of Cuban tobacco and its impact on the character of cigars.

⚜️ Rodrigo Gonzalez ⚜️
As Habanos S.A’s Director of Strategic Marketing, Rodrigo Gonzalez is responsible for guiding the future of the Trinidad brand. He has overseen its recent developments, including the reintroduction of Robusto Extras and the launch of the Vintage concept.

⚜️ Kirby Allison ⚜️
Owner and presenter of the Kirby Allison YouTube channel, Kirby collaborated with Hunters & Frankau in 2023 to produce a documentary about the Trinidad brand. His project uncovered many legends about the brand, offering insight into why Trinidad is one of Cuba's most treasured Habanos brands.

🔸 ABOUT THE HABANOS WORLD DAYS 🔸
The 2024 Habanos World Days, hosted by Hunters & Frankau in London, celebrated the 55th anniversary of the Trinidad cigar brand. Over three days, cigar enthusiasts enjoyed exclusive events, tastings, and exhibitions highlighting the brand's history and future. The event, organized in collaboration with Habanos S.A., concluded with a gala dinner at the Victoria & Albert Museum, featuring the launch of the Trinidad Cabildos Limited Edition.

🔸 ABOUT THE LEGACY OF TRINIDAD DOCUMENTARY 🔸
Step into a world of unparalleled craftsmanship and timeless tradition with 'The Legacy of Trinidad', a captivating two-part documentary series which sets out to explore the rich history of Trinidad Habanos in celebration of the brand’s 55th anniversary. Join Kirby Allison, renowned for his dedication to Quality, Craftsmanship, and Tradition, as he takes you on an exclusive journey that delves deeply into the fascinating stories surrounding one of Cuba’s most revered cigar brands.

In this series, Kirby uncovers many of the legends associated with the elusive brand of Trinidad, and he further examines the distinctive characteristics that have made it so universally respected and loved amongst collectors and connoisseurs alike.

🎬 WATCH ALL THE EPISODES:
1️⃣ 1969-1998 - The Origins of an Icon    • The Legacy of Trinidad - Part 1 | The Orig...  
2️⃣ 2003: Redesigned for a Global Market    • The Legacy of Trinidad - Part 2 | Redesign...  

#habanos #kirbyallison #cigarkeep

🎬 World Habanos Days London
00:00 Introduction
02:00 Edward Sahakian and Cigar Aficionado
11:28 Ana Lopez and Trinidad’s Beginnings
22:08 Max Guttman and the 1998 Launch of the Trinidad Fundadores
28:49 Edward Sahakian and the Dinner of the Century
31:45 Miguel Barzaga Maceo
39:22 Eumelio Espino
51:45 Rodriguez Gonzales
59:27 Kirby Allison and The Legacy of Trinidad
1:10:43 Audience Questions
1:27:30 Edward Sahakian Surprise Gift Presentation