UK Cigar Scene Magazine February Issue 2 | Page 18

The New Cigar Encyclopaedia
is nearly here

AMIR’S TRAVELS
Amir Sarony is a long time lover of Cuban cigars and all
things Cuba. He is a regular traveler to Havana and in
2013 after many years of exhaustive research he published
the history of the Partagas cigar brand, a history which
goes back to the creation of one of Cuba’s oldest and most
respected cigar brands in 1845.
Amir travelled all over the world to mark the
launch of his book and gives us a snapshot of his
travels and the cigars he smoked along the way.
One of the questions I am asked regularly in
interviews is “what is the best cigar you have
smoked?” My answer is always that there isn’t
a “best” but there is a list of most memorable.
Memorable cigars for me are always a
combination of quality cigars, good company and
an enjoyable environment.
Since the publication of my book I have had the
opportunity to travel extensively to participate in
cigar events. This has allowed me to extend the list
of memorable cigars greatly.
June 2014 was a brilliant example of the
camaraderie that is so prevalent in the cigar world.
The “tour” started off in Dublin. A city I find a very
comforting one. Of the many friendships that have
developed over many cigars and drinks through
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the years in Havana, the Irish friends are some of
those that I feel the deepest bond with.
Visiting Dublin is more about visiting people than
visiting places. Probably the second place I have
the most “cigar friends” from is Italy. So when
you combine the two it is sure to be a remarkable
event. So the stage was set when Amicigar, the
Italian cigar fraternity, decided to hold its annual
gathering for the first time on international soil.
Robert Fox of James J. Fox took upon himself the
role and responsibility of organizing host.
The event was made even more memorable as
friends, old and new, from U.K., Japan, Belgium,
Spain and other parts of the world chose to make
the journey to attend. The atmosphere during
these events is something that should put them
on every cigar lover’s bucket list. They are true
opportunities to combine friendship, travel,
good food and cigars. The greatest souvenirs