Cohiba Pir mides Extra; a farmer at a tobacco plantation in Pinar del Rio; performers at the 520th Anniversary of the Discovery of Tobacco Evening at the Bellas Artes Museum; and actor James Belushi performing an hour-long set of American blues (vocals and harmonica).

But combine all of America's cigar celebrations into one, and it still wouldn't hold a candle to the grandaddy of them all-Cuba's Festival del Habano. Held in the historic city of Havana, Cuba, the 14th Annual Festival del Habano took place in February 2012, and the party proved to be another spectacular event. More than 1,500 delegates from some 70 nations gathered to celebrate Cuba's most-treasured export, the Habano (Cuban-speak for Cuban cigar).

Unlike American festivals, Cuba's event is a week-long affair, chock-full of activities including factory and plantation tours, an industry trade show, seminars, classes, and festivities including gala dinners and world-class shows and entertainment. And for the Cuban cigar industry, there's been plenty to celebrate, as 2011 once again established Habanos S.A. as the world leader in cigar production, with $401 million in sales-up a solid nine percent from 2010. Cuban cigars are distributed in 150 nations and are responsible for 80 percent of the world's market share, with the exception of the U.S., where the sale of Cuban cigars has been banned since the economic embargo was placed upon the tiny island nation on February 7, 1962. More than half of all Cuban cigars are sold in Western Europe, namely in Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Greece.

The festival opened on the night of Monday, February 27, with a gala dinner and show, spearheaded by the launch of the Cohiba Pir mides Extra-the brand's first-ever figurado in a regular production line, specifically the Linea Clasicas (Classic Line). The tobaccos in this new, long sized 6 1/3 x 54 vitola are the same three-leaf blend as the rest of the Linea Clasicas, and undergo the same exclusive cask fermentation process used in the production of all Cohibas. This new size also features a new band: of course the famous Indian head silhouette remains, but the colorful ring also contains other visible and hidden holographic elements that guarantee a heightened security for this product. The cigars are elegantly presented in pir mides-shaped aluminum tubes when purchased in three-packs, and untubed when purchased in boxes of 10 cigars.

This cigar is not for beginners, and should be enjoyed only on a full stomach, as it brings forth strong, rich flavors and packs a punch near its final third. Created in 1966, the Cohiba lineup has grown to included the Lineas Clasicas, 1492, Maduro 5, and Cohiba Behike.

While enjoying their first taste of Cohiba Pir mides Extra, the festival audience was entertained by the Eclectic-Us show featuring Cuban performer Augusto Enriquez, as well as musicians Phil Manzanera-lead guitarist of Roxy Music and a renowned musical producer-Jack Bruce-acclaimed bassist and founding member of Cream. Pucho Lopez and the Sexto Sentido vocal quartet were also part of the festival's opening night celebration.

Another key element that separates Cuba's premier cigar festival from those in the U.S., is the opportunity to visit the plantations and factories that supply the tobacco and cigars. On Tuesday, the second day of this year's festival, guests were treated to a tour of San Juan y Martinez Plantation in the Pinar del Rio province.

This tour included interaction with local farmers who offered detailed insights into the painstaking and lengthy process of raising the black tobacco that will eventually become Habanos, as well as visits to curing barns and final fermentation, curing, and drying facilities. To top off the tour, delegates were treated to a homemade Cuban lunch and entertainment by a traditional Cuban music band.

Used by New World natives in their religious rituals, the discovery of tobacco by Colombus and its introduction back in Europe raised the custom to the high standards it continues to enjoy today, surrounded by its own culture-a culture that extends far beyond the mere act of puffing on a Habano. The Wednesday evening dinner celebrated the 520th anniversary of the discovery of tobacco, and included a surprise guest-actor James Belushi. After being introduced, Belushi made his way to the stage. After whispering for a few moments to the Cuban band leader, Belushi pulled a handful of harmonicas from his pocket, grabbed the microphone, and proceeded to bust into a series of American blues tunes. Within moments, every member of the audience was on his or her feet, clapping and singing along. The 57-year-old spent nearly an hour on stage leading the audience to a near-fever pitch, before disappearing backstage in a classic "Blues Brothers" exit.

Adapting to Changing Times
In the face of ever-increasing restrictive antismoking laws, Habanos has focused on creating some "smaller format" cigars that may be enjoyed in less time than was previously required.

Clockwise: The new Romeo y Julieta Petit Churchill; an International Seminar master class at Palacio de Convencione; "Tastes and Aromas" seminar, pairing Habanos with brandy, rum, wine.

Two of Cuba's leading cigar factories-El Laguito, the historic Cohiba factory that's rarely open to tours, and La Corona, home of the Romeo y Julieta brand-were thematic choices to be featured as this year's private tour sites, since they are respectively producing the festival-debuted Cohiba Pyramides Extra and first-ever Romeo y Julieta Reserva Churchill (which debuted at the festival's final gala dinner).

Cigar and spirit parings were a recurring theme throughout the festival. A Habano-Oporto pairing competition, the first round of which was held earlier in Oporto, Portugal in November 2011, demonstrated how to match Cuban cigars with Tawny and Vintage Portuguese wines employing five tests in five categories. The grand finale contest at the festival crowned two winning combinations: the Oporto Dow's Tawny 20 Years combined with the Montecristo Edmundo (5 3/8 x 52), and the Oporto Graham's Vintage 1994 and the Romeo y Julieta Belicoso (5 1/2 x 52). Both are fine recommendations providing an aromatic segue as you wrap up a gourmet meal.

Ana Lopez, Habanos Director of Marketing, at the gala night honoring Romeo y Julieta; Mexico's Luis Garcia Urrea, winner of the 2012 International Habanosommelier Contest.

But perhaps the most notable pairing, and one of the highlights of festival in its own right, was an exclusive tasting of Cuba's most celebrated (and expensive) cigar, Cohiba Behike. The Behike 54 was paired with Havana Club Máximo Extra Añejo. It goes without saying that the Behike (which retails for the equivalent of $75 per stick) was divine. But how can one describe a rum spirit that was put into its oak cask home a century ago? "Respect" is the word that comes to mind. Only 1,000 bottles of Maximo are released each year-a scant 132 gallons-and when it is all gone, there won't be any more.

Because the overall star of Festival XIV was the Romeo y Julieta brand, it made sense to feature the famous Churchill-size vitola as the latest Gran Reserva entr‚e. Tobaccos used in the Romeo y Julieta Churchill Reserva Cosecha 2008 came from the 2008 harvest in San Juan y Martinez and San Luis and were aged a full three years prior to rolling. It's a numbered released of only 5,000 boxes containing 20 cigars each.

In a world filled with competitions and contests, perhaps none is more unique than Cuba's Habano Sommelier event. Every year since 2002, Habanos has staged a global contest (excluding the U.S., of course), in which winners of countless regional events are ultimately winnowed down to meet in Havana during the Habanos Festival. The contestants must study the way in which tobacco is grown, processed, and smoked, as well as have complete knowledge of virtually every size, strength, and flavor of the Cuban cigar brands. The finalists are submitted to a rigorous series of written tests and oral presentations during the festival week, culminating with the presentation of their personal recommendation for an ideal combination of a particular Habanos and a specific alcoholic beverage. Seven judges from seven different countries assess the competitors on various elements of their selections and their skills in serving both products.

This year, the three finalists included Habano Sommeliers Andres Arteaga from Chile; Daniel Reyes from Cuba; and Luis Manuel Garcia Urrea from Mexico, who ultimately became champion. Garcia competed in the contest in 2011, but did not make the finalist round. It was apparent that his previous experience helped build his confidence and poise during this year's competition. Garcia's winning combination included a Montecristo Edmundo paired with a glass of Chivas Regal 12-year-old Scotch.