More Than a Birthday, a Moment to Remember
Wednesday, June 10 will undoubtedly go down as one of the most beautiful chapters in the history of Cigare et Compagnie.
To celebrate this first year of existence, more than fifty guests — cigar enthusiasts, epicureans, loyal friends and companions — gathered at La Caravelle in Montauban. An evening designed as a true tribute to everything that makes up the DNA of Cigare et Compagnie: sharing, fine food, wonderful encounters and, of course, great cigars.
The gentle warmth of that June evening, the privatized terrace on the banks of the Tarn, the smiles already on everyone’s faces, and the guests’ palpable excitement all hinted at an extraordinary evening to come.
And what an evening it was…
Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story: Elegance to Open the Evening
To open this celebration, we had the immense pleasure of welcoming Pierre d’Albana Tobacco, representative of the prestigious Arturo Fuente house in France.
With passion and generosity, Pierre took us on a journey through the world of this legendary house, founded in 1912 and, over the decades, become one of the absolute references in premium cigars.
The first cigar of the evening was a true classic: the Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story.
This Perfecto-format vitola is undoubtedly one of the most iconic in the Hemingway line. At 10.8 cm long with a 49 ring gauge, it immediately captivates with its refined look and elegant silhouette. Beneath its beautiful natural Cameroon wrapper lie Dominican tobaccos from the famous Chateau de la Fuente.
On the palate, the cigar reveals a particularly harmonious aromatic range blending notes of cedar, hazelnut, mild coffee, fine leather and sweet spices. Its remarkable balance and flawless construction make it a vitola accessible to newcomers while retaining enough complexity to satisfy the most demanding enthusiasts.
Paired with a signature cocktail created especially for the occasion, this first cigar immediately set the tone for the evening.
Sweet Spices: The Perfect Soundtrack for the First Wisps of Smoke
As the first wisps of smoke rose into the Montauban sky, the duo Sweet Spices took over the venue.
It’s hard to pin down their sound exactly, it’s that distinctive.
Sweet Spices reinterprets the great classics of Soul, Blues and vintage music with a personality all their own. A spicy, warm and delightfully offbeat touch that turns every song into a new discovery.
Moving through the crowd, the duo created a unique atmosphere where music, cigars and conviviality seemed to become one.
Conversations blended with the melodies, glasses were raised, smiles were exchanged.
Time seemed to stand still.
A Banquet Worthy of the Finest Celebrations
Then came the moment to sit down for dinner.
And once again, Thomas and Anne-Sophie showed why La Caravelle has become, over the months, one of Cigare et Compagnie’s favorite houses.
After the welcome cocktail, guests discovered a generous, indulgent and refined banquet, designed especially for this anniversary. The dishes followed one another with elegance, showcasing carefully selected ingredients, subtle pairings and the honest cuisine that has built the restaurant’s reputation.
Every plate told a story. Every bite invited a journey.
The wines chosen to accompany the meal elevated everything with precision, creating those graceful moments where fine food and conviviality naturally come together. Around the tables, conversation flowed freely.
Laughter rang out…Friendships grew stronger.
And it became clear why these evenings have become so much more than simple cigar tastings.
Arturo Fuente Añejo Tres Ocho 888: Rarity in Its Purest Form
But the evening had not yet revealed all its treasures.
After dinner, guests had the privilege of discovering one of the most sought-after cigars from the Arturo Fuente house: the exceptional Añejo Tres Ocho 888.
Produced in extremely limited quantities, this cigar has become, over the years, a true legend among enthusiasts around the world. Its distinctive feature lies in its Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper, aged for several years in barrels that once held cognac.
Inside, it holds the finest Dominican tobaccos from the prestigious Château de la Fuente.
The result is simply spectacular. The tasting reveals notes of dark chocolate, dried fruit, fine cedar, rich leather, roasted coffee and warm spices that keep evolving throughout the smoke.
Powerful without ever being harsh, complex without ever being showy, the Añejo Tres Ocho 888 completely won over every guest.
A rare cigar.
A precious cigar.
A birthday cigar.
A Surprise Full of Emotion
As the evening was gently reaching its peak, Thomas and Anne-Sophie still had one more surprise in store.
And what a surprise.
All eyes turned to a magnificent, fully personalized cake shaped like a humidor, adorned with the logo of Cigare et Compagnie.
The technical craftsmanship was remarkable. The visual result, stunning. But beyond the object itself, it was above all the thoughtfulness behind it that deeply moved everyone present.
For a few moments, time seemed to stop…The emotion was palpable.
A simple, sincere and deeply human gesture that perfectly sums up the spirit of this adventure.
Thank You…
I want to give a huge thank you to Jean-Marie at Le Lalande in Montauban.
I say it often, but these evenings simply couldn’t exist without him. Through his daily work, his passion, his privileged relationships with the cigar houses and his constant high standards, he allows Cigare et Compagnie to offer you ever more beautiful and rarer cigars.
Thank you, Jean-Marie, for your support, your trust and your friendship.
Thank you also to Pierre d’Albana Tobacco for traveling so many miles to come share with us his expertise, his stories and his love for the Arturo Fuente house. Your passion is contagious, and your presence greatly contributed to making this evening an exceptional moment.
Finally, thank you to Thomas and Anne-Sophie.
Since the very beginning of Cigare et Compagnie, you have opened the doors of your house to us with rare generosity and warmth. Once again, you elevated this evening with your hospitality, your professionalism and your attention to detail.
And that personalized cake will stay etched in our memories for a long time.
One More Year Begins…
When the last guests left La Caravelle, the smiles were still there.
Conversations were still going strong.
Memories were already being made.
This anniversary evening was a magnificent success.
But deep down, it wasn’t only the anniversary of Cigare et Compagnie that we celebrated that night.
We celebrated a community.
Encounters.
Friendships.
A shared passion.
And, above all, the pleasure of taking the time to truly live.
So thank you, to all of you.
Because Cigare et Compagnie exists, above all, thanks to you…And will keep existing for you.
See you very soon for a new year of adventures, discoveries, fine food, beautiful cigars and unforgettable moments.
The story continues…
