The beautiful Kimpton Surfcomber on South Beach was the site of this publication’s first ever Cigar of the Year Party. The Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro was the star of the evening as guests received a commemorative Cigar of the Year coffin with 2 Melanio Maduro torpedos. In addition, every guest received an Oliva Serie V Sampler, a selection of Nub Cigars, and a complimentary DISSIM Inverted Dual Torch Lighter.
VIPs blended their own version of the cigar of the year thanks to Oliva’s master blender Pablo Rodriguez, who made the trip up from Estelí, Nicaragua to help guests find their way around Oliva Cigar’s tobacco library. They were also treated to a unique The Glenlivet whisky experience while waiting for their blends to be rolled by one of Oliva’s rollers, also up from Nicaragua. Each VIP received their custom Serie V Melanio Maduro blend in a beautiful handmade leather cigar sleeve embossed with the Oliva logo.
All guests started the evening with a ‘Warm & Sunny’, the welcome cocktail by Zafra Rum, and the open bars were stocked with The Glenlivet, Jefferson’s Bourbon, High West Whiskey, Avion Tequila, Kenwood Vineyards wine, and La Tropical beer. Chef-driven hors d’oeuvres and carving stations were provided by The Surfcomber’s Social Club restaurant while the CubaOcho House Band had guests dancing deep into the night. Part of the evening’s proceeds went to the Oliva Helping Hands Charitable Foundation, which supports impoverished children in Estelí, Nicaragua.
To close the celebration, our publisher Erik Calviño presented the Oliva Cigar Company with their Cigar of the Year plaque, which will hang in the factory in Estelí.
Additional sponsors included iHeart Radio, DJ BLiX, and Miami New Times.
