PCC presents Harimau Malaya

PCC presents Harimau Malaya, the first-ever Exclusivo Malaysia from Habanos. The regional distributor, Pacific Cigar Company and Cohiba Atmosphere Kuala Lumpur did a virtual presentation via zoom and live stream. The special guest, who had the honor to launch the cigars was no other than the Cuban ambassador His Excellency Mr Florentino Batista Gonzalez.An honor close to his heart, as his grandfather was a tobacco grower in the Hoyo de Monterrey area of the Vuelta Abajo and his mother worked in tobacco all her life.

San Cristobal

Pacific Cigar Company releases a regional edition almost every year. But this is only the third time that the exclusive Habanos distributor for the region is selecting one select part of their territory to get a regional edition. Only Hong Kong had the honor, not once but twice. All the other releases are for the whole Asia Pacific region. 

Norio Hattori, regional marketing director of The Pacific Cigar Company, explained that PCC selected the San Cristobal de la Habana brand as the brand just celebrated its 20th birthday and the 500th birthday of Havana. Plus it is a brand that does not always get the recognition it deserves. He also explained that since only a select number of brands are available in the regional edition program it’s hard to find something exciting and not done before. Since PCC never did a regional edition with San Cristobal, it was an obvious choice. Just as the still unreleased Cuaba Asia Pacifico that’s coming later this year.

The presentation

The montesco aka wide Churchill sized cigars come in ten-count boxes. There are 8888 boxes and the boxes are fantastic. Beautiful black boxes with a golden drawing of a tiger. It is Malaysia’s national animal. The name Harimau Malaysia means Malaysian tiger. During the presentation of the cigar, Pacific Cigar’s Malaysian Country Manager Serena Ong dressed for the occasion. Her outfit matched the color scheme of the boxes and banners perfectly, from her skirt to the highlights in her hair.

 Unfortunately due to covid-19 restrictions, we could not physically visit the launch of the cigars at the Cohiba Atmosphere Kuala Lumpur. Unfortunately indeed, as it is one of the most beautiful lounges in the world with outstanding service. But the cigar is in our possession and a review will follow shortly.

edit: unfortunately in the first publication, we wrote the name of the previous Cuban ambassador to Malaysia his excellency Ibete Fernandez Hernandez instead of the current Cuban ambassador to Malaysia, his Excellency Mr Florentino Batista Gonzalez. Our apologies.