Melbourne Hart - One time UK Importer of Punch & HDM

[NicintheUK]

Gentlemen. I wanted to share an interview I am particularly proud of and a little bit of Cuban (and west Indian) Cigar History to boot.

I recently interviewed a gentleman called Derek Harris. Derek, now in his 80's, was the Managing Director of Melbourne Hart (one time UK importers and owners of the of Hoyo de Monterrey and Punch Cuban brands) and I had recently interviewed him for UK Cigar Scene. He told me the story of the origins of the Macanudo brand and it's Jamaican cigars (with Cuban wrappers).

You can watch the interview here: bit.ly/AprilInt

There are some wonderful stories of a lost side of the UK Cigar Scene and a few surprises too, including the true origins of the Macanudo brand...

Oh, and I have a lovely follow up story on Nicaragua for next month so watch out for that.

[El Presidente]

Thanks Nic

Superb video

I can recommend members to find half an hour, pour yourself a drink and light up a cigar while you watch it.

[JohnS]

I second Rob's appraisal. Thank you again Nic, I'm loving the magazine.

For those wondering about the video, flick the page you land on forward (in the link above) and the video is on that page.

[OZCUBAN]

I agree with all the above comments,love the magazine keep doing what your doing great stuff

[...]

Thank you for putting together these great interviews; always appreciate the quality, info and entertainment.

[Optic101]

Thanks Nic, excellent video and magazine.

[GasGuy82]

Great video, really enjoyed it. Thank you for putting it up.

[Habana Mike]

Quite an interesting history. Enjoyed the segment. Thanks Rob and Nic.

Now I must go find the wife, I've got quite a Macanudo!

Actually reminds me of a time in Sao Paolo a few years ago meeting with a woman working for me down there.

Told her I was very excited to be there with her and she informed there was only one interpretation for that in Brazilian Portugese, basically macanudo......

[NicintheUK]

Thanks all. Delighted you enjoyed the video. CCBS, It's always good to have a woman "working for you down there"

[NicintheUK]

• Have you ever looked at a box of Macanudo cigars and thought the logo looked familiar?
• Did you know that the origin's of the Macanudo name was as a Cuban cigar size?
• Did you know that Macanudo cigars were first made in the west Indies with Cuban wrapper?

You may know know one or more of these but I bet you don't know where the Macanudo name comes from.

In a recent interview with Derek Harris, retired MD of UK Punch and HDM importers Melbourne Hart, he told the story of the origins of the name.

I have clipped this section out of the main interview but I commend the whole interview to you aswell.

bit.ly/Macanudo

[joeypots]

A barber shop that sells Cuban cigars. It makes me happy to think about it.