by Nick Hendry
Photography by Monica Molto
Model: Jhayna Duarte
There is no question that Cuban Cigars are the pinnacle of tobacco craft, but they are by no means the only area in which Cuba excels. Havana is a capital like no other in many regards, but one thing it shares with so many great cities around the globe is pride in its hospitality. The ability to welcome guests from all nations of the earth and to provide experiences and memories which will be treasured forever, despite a unique and often challenging set of circumstances, is to be commended. Of particular importance to this ability are the Paladares – a network of small, family-run restaurants dedicated to showing visitors the best of Cuban cuisine. Widely regarded as the greatest, and undoubtedly the most famous, is La Guarida.
La Guarida is the best place to eat in Havana. Above: the view from the rooftop at La Guarida. Image courtesy of the restaurant.
Paladares have existed unofficially in Havana for many years, but it was in 1993 that they were recognised by the Cuban government and allowed to operate under a strict set of regulations. The release in 1994 of the Oscar-nominated movie Fresa y Chocolate (Strawberries & Chocolate) brought an awareness of their offering to the wider world, and in 1996 the owners of the property used in the film decided to transform their home into La Guarida, inspired by the flood of visitors seeking out the beautiful location which had so captivated them in the movie. Since then it has grown, helped by a relaxation of the rules in 2010, and seen some of the most high-profile visitors to the island arrive in search of the best meal in Havana. Rihanna stopped in for a meal when filming on the island, and even President Obama made an appearance on his historic visit to Cuba in 2016.
Having opened with only 12 seats La Guarida has grown into a magnificent space, capable of hosting large groups or intimate, romantic evenings. Owner Enrique has drawn inspiration from across the world, including time spent living in Madrid, to create a menu and an experience that fuses the best of what he has discovered in his travels with the traditions of life in his homeland. Ingredients are sourced from the same markets the people of Havana shop for everyday essentials, meaning a true taste of Cuba is served to guests and presented in one of the most elegant settings in the city. The view from the rooftop Mirador Bar is one of the best to be found and the Room of Columns, meticulously restored to recover its original splendour, is one of the most photographed spots in Cuba.
EGM were lucky enough recently to be granted access to these stunning surroundings to shoot imagery for a new series in which we seek to showcase the best of Cuba – not just her excellent cigars, but her culture, her creatives and the extraordinary visuals of this truly exceptional country. Senor Enrique was kind enough to open every room of the restaurant for our visit, allowing us to capture some incredible images of some of the most luxurious cigars made at the moment. These cigars are some of the most sought-after and exclusive on the market. The demand for each and every stick coupled with the rarity of the high-quality tobacco and appropriately skilled torcerdors needed to create them means that, when they become available, they do not hang around for long.
The Behike 56 is perhaps the most exclusive smoke of them all.
The Cohiba Behike 56 is considered by many to be the ultimate Cuban cigar. The medio tiempo leaves which contribute to its extraordinary flavour are so elusive that demand completely outstrips supply, making them gold dust in the aficionado community. All who have been lucky enough to sample one are in agreement – they are well worth the wait.
The Montecristo Supremos EL 2019 is one of the most popular Limited Edition cigars.
The Montecristo Supremos EL 2019 was a favourite of our CEO when he reviewed their release, and proved equally popular with the cigar community at large. The Montesco vitola is a terrific showcase for the Montecristo blend and the yellow-lacquered box is a bold addition to any collection.
The Trinidad Fundadores is an exquisite vitola.
One of the most elegant and revered cigars ever created, the Trinidad Fundadores has been popular since it emerged from the shadows of the diplomatic gift circuit and became available to the open market. The nutty and spicy notes it produces, in such a stylish vitola, make it a perfect treat for any special occasion.
It was important that, when creating these images, we worked with Cuban artists at all stages of the process. The photographer, Monica Molto, is a young Havana native, making her name in the world of photography with her exquisite portraits, shared with the world on Instagram. She has captured her model, Jhayna Duarte, perfectly. Jhayna is one of only a handful of Cuban models to have graced international campaigns, including for Vogue magazine. These are 2 young woman with big futures in their chosen professions, and we are proud to have worked with them.
The Behike is one of Cuba's finest exports.
It is clear to see that Cuba is much more than the home of cigars. The creativity at show on the famous music scene, as well as in the camera and kitchen of our collaborators in this project, is on a par with that found anywhere in the world. As time passes and restrictions from the government are further eased, we can only hope more and more of this excellence finds its way to us. Until then, what better excuse for a trip to Havana than to sample a fine cigar on the rooftop at La Guarida?