Don Jaime Partagás Ravelo had worked in the Cuban tobacco business for years before establishing his own factory, Real Fábricas de Tabaco Partagás in 1845, on 60 Industria Street in Havana, Cuba. The factory is located directly behind the Capitolio building on the SW corner, in the heart of Havana. I have been privileged to visit the Partagas factory on several occasions, most recently this past January on a trip with my wife Lisa.
The Partagas 898, varnished box of 25 is packaged in …

The Longmorn Distillery, unlike its sister distillery Benriach, has been a consistent producer since its start in 1895.  Meaning “place of the holy man,” Longmorn is situated in the north of Speyside, next to Benriach.  Both distilleries were founded by John Duff, but like most distilleries Longmorn passed hands multiple times.  In the 1970′s Longmorn merged with The Glenlivet, and hence was part of the acquisition by Seagrams in 1977.  Now part of Pernod-Ricard, Longmorn pumps out 3.5 million litres a year, the majority ending up in blends.
In an effort …