At the XXV Festival del Habano Gala, the humidor auction dazzled with record-breaking sales, exquisite craftsmanship, and a celebration of Cuban cigar heritage.
Hello dear reader,
Here I am yet again, sharing some magic from Havana straight into your inbox. This year, as the curtains were closing on the Festival del Habano XXV edition, I had the immense pleasure of attending the gala evening, and more specifically, witnessing one of the most memorable humidor auctions Habanos has ever hosted. From record-breaking prices to surprise announcements, the night was a grand celebration of legacy and passion for Cuban cigars.
Let’s walk through the lots in order, because each one deserves its moment in the spotlight.
Lot 1 — Juan López Sold for €220,000
The evening opened with a surprise: a Juan López humidor, celebrating the brand’s 155th anniversary. As someone who has always had a soft spot for this completely underrated brand, it was a pleasant surprise to see it receive the attention it deserves. The price was strong, €220,000, and it set the tone for the evening.
Lot 2 — H. Upmann (€900,000)
Created by DECUBA and Artema S.R.L., this towering humidor (170 x 119 x 58 cm) held 375 cigars and exuded elegance. The craftsmanship spoke volumes, restrained yet deeply sophisticated, much like the brand it represents. A nearly seven-figure sale for H. Upmann reflects its rising prestige in the Habanos portfolio.
Here are the cigars inside:
20 H. Upmann Butifarra No.2
20 H. Upmann Connoisseur No. 1
20 H. Upmann Connossieur No. 2
20 H. Upmann Connoisseur
25 H. Upmann Magnum No.3
20 H. Upmann Magnum 56
25 H. Upmann Magnum 50
25 H. Upmann Magnum 54
25 H. Upmann Magnum 52
25 H. Upmann Magnum Especial
25 H. Upmann Magnum Finite
25 H. Upmann Monarcas
25 H. Upmann Magnum No.3
25 H. Upmann Super Magnum
25 H. Upmann Upmann No. 2
Lot 3 — Hoyo de Monterrey (€1.7 million)
Crafted by DeART, this beautifully carved humidor (184 x 130 x 70 cm) included 400 cigars and was one of the most visually striking pieces of the night. The intricate woodwork captured the essence of the Hoyo brand—light, but filled with depth and texture. It found its new home at €1.7 million and it contained the following:
25 Hoyo de Monterrey Belicosos No. 1
25 Hoyo de Monterrey Churchills
25 Hoyo de Monterrey Destinos
25 Hoyo de Monterrey Double Coronas
25 Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial
25 Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.1
25 Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2
25 Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.3
25 Hoyo de Monterrey Escogidos
25 Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo Rio Seco
25 Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo de San Juan
25 Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo de San Luis
25 Hoyo de Monterrey No.4 Edición Limitada 2021
25 Hoyo de Monterrey Particulares
25 Hoyo de Monterrey Vuletabajo
Lot 4 — La Gloria Cubana (€220,000)
Another surprise lot, introduced mid-evening, this humidor marked the 140th anniversary of La Gloria Cubana. Refined and radiant, it didn’t aim for scale but rather intimacy and charm. It sold for the same amount as the opening Juan López lot, €220,000.
Lot 5 — Partagás (€1.6 million)
Built by Grupo Caomoa and Osviel Carrillo Probance, this powerhouse humidor (135 x 55 x 90 cm) held 455 cigars and radiated the full-bodied spirit of Partagás. Heavy, bold, and undeniably grand. At €1.6 million, it was one of the night’s standout sales. Here is what was beautifully resting inside:
25 Partagás 8-9-8
20 Partagás 109
25 Partagás Aliados
25 Partagás Cerdos
20 Partagás Legados
25 Partagás Lusitanias
25 Partagás Maduro No. 1
25 Partagás Maduro No. 2
25 Partagás Maduro No. 3
25 Partagás Maestro
25 Partagás Origen
25 Partagás Presidentes
25 Partagás Rito
20 Partagás Salomones
25 Partagás Serie D No. 4
25 Partagás Serie E No. 2
25 Partagás Serie No. 1
25 Partagás Serie P No. 2
20 Partagás Tropicales
Lot 6 — Romeo y Julieta (€1.9 million)
Romeo y Julieta’s humidor, created again by DeART, measured 83 x 170 x 62 cm and carried 425 cigars. Romantic, polished, and visually dynamic, it paid homage to a brand steeped in global recognition. The sale price reflected its universal appeal, €1.9 million.
This piece of art contained the following:
25 Romeo y Julieta Amantes
25 Romeo y Julieta Belicosos
25 Romeo y Julieta Cazadores
25 Romeo y Julieta Churchills
25 Romeo y Julieta Churchills Anchos
25 Romeo y Julieta Churchills Reserva Cosecha 2020
25 Romeo y Julieta Cupidos
25 Romeo y Julieta Dianas
25 Romeo y Julieta Exhibición No. 4
25 Romeo y Julieta Fabulosos No. 2
25 Romeo y Julieta Hermosos No. 1
25 Romeo y Julieta Hidalgos
25 Romeo y Julieta Nobles
25 Romeo y Julieta Petit Churchills
25 Romeo y Julieta Petit Royales
25 Romeo y Julieta Romeos
25 Romeo y Julieta Tacos
Lot 7 — Montecristo (€1.9 million)
This was my personal favorite. Created by Nous Group and DECUBA, the Montecristo humidor (185 x 100 x 110 cm) was both a sculptural and symbolic masterpiece. Inside were 470 cigars, but the story it told went beyond numbers. It was a tribute to a brand that has consistently stood as the gold standard in balance and strength. I could have stared at it for hours. Here’s what was inside:
20 Montecristo A
25 Montecristo Almirantes
25 Montecristo Brillantes
50 Montecristo Edmundo
20 Montecristo D
20 Montecristo Dantes
20 Montecristo Double Coronas
50 Montecristo Dumas
50 Montecristo Eagle
50 Montecristo Herederos
20 Montecristo Leyenda
20 Montecristo Maltes
20 Montecristo Maravillas No. 1
20 Montecristo No. 2
20 Montecristo Slam
20 Montecristo Supremos
20 Montecristo Wide Edmundo
Lot 8 — Punch (€170,000)
A third surprise announcement, this humidor celebrated the 185th anniversary of Punch. With 185 cigars, it was symbolic in number and old-world in style. Sold at €170,000, it felt like a nod to those who appreciate subtlety and legacy.
Lot 9 — Cohiba (€3.2 million)
The first of the two Cohiba showstoppers, this creation by Grupo Unión, Alejandro García, and Jackmel Llera (160 x 160 x 80 cm) included 520 cigars. There was an architectural elegance to this piece, modern yet rooted in the classic aesthetic of the brand. The €3.2 million sale stunned the room, until the next lot arrived.
Here’s what the humidor contained:
20 Cohiba 55 Aniversario
20 Cohiba Ambar
25 Cohiba Behike BHK 52
25 Cohiba Behike BHK 54
25 Cohiba Behike BHK 56
20 Cohiba Cafionazo Especial
20 Cohiba Esplendidos Gran Reserva Cosecha 2017
25 Cohiba Ideales
20 Cohiba Geniales
20 Cohiba Genios
20 Cohiba Gran Corona
20 Cohiba Grandiosos
20 Cohiba Lanceros
20 Cohiba Majestuosos
20 Cohiba Medio Siglo
20 Cohiba Novedosos
20 Cohiba Piramides Extra
20 Cohiba Robustos
20 Cohiba Siglo de Oro
20 Cohiba Siglo IV
20 Cohiba Siglo V
20 Cohiba Siglo VI
20 Cohiba Sublimes Extra
20 Cohiba Talismán
20 Cohiba Vistosos
Lot 10 — Cohiba Behike BHK 15 Aniversario (€4.6 million)
This was the moment. The crowd held its breath. Created by Humidores Habana, this 80 x 130 x 45 cm humidor held 400 cigars and broke every record. Selling for €4.6 million, it became the most expensive humidor ever sold at a Festival del Habano auction.
The Behike brand has always stood apart, crafted from the rare medio tiempo leaf and presented with minimalism and mystique. This humidor wasn’t about the cigars, it was about the idea of ultimate luxury. A tribute to the 15th anniversary of Behike, and a powerful symbol of where Cuban cigars are heading. Inside there were 100 of each Behike release, 52, 54, 46 and obviously the 58.
Reflections on an Unforgettable Night
The XXV Festival del Habano auction raised millions, over €17 million in total, all in support of Cuban healthcare. But beyond the numbers, it was a celebration of artistry. The humidors were sculptures, stories, heirlooms.
Each lot reminded us that cigars are about the hands that craft them, the stories they carry, and the people who treasure them.
For me, the most impressive moments were seeing the Cohiba Sublimes Extra inside the Cohiba humidor, the Montecristo Almirantes or Romeo y Julieta Exhibición No. 4. These are amazing cigars which are almost impossible to find. In a world that moves too fast, this was a moment that slowed everything down, just like cigars do. We raised our glasses, we applauded craftsmanship, and we were reminded why we fell in love with cigars in the first place.
Wishing you rich flavors and good company—until we meet again.