Kuwait Cyprus 2025 Travelogue.

[El Presidente]

I will be updating this daily 

Tapping this out 8am while enjoying a Nudies Ninfa and three black coffees in the courtyard of the Marriott Residences in Kuwait. 

Kuwait day one. 

I landed into Kuwait yesterday around noon. Honestly the 18hrs to get here were pretty smooth and so I unpacked and had a quick kip. Rob Fox and Alex Groom were arriving around 6PM and Hamlet was to arrive around 8PM. Hamlet was carrying all the cigars for the BR events we are undertaking in Kuwait and so he was the one we were all relying (sweating!) upon as the 50 cigar limit for entry wasn't really going to cut it for us. 

Kuwait customs clearance for a first timer can be a little daunting. Fingerprints, scanners, visa control but I had little to worry about. Hammy was the concern for me but he is Cuban and I know the man can talk his way out of anything. I mean, I probably should have told him about the limits but the worst thing that would happen is that the BR events would be as dry as the drinking...and  I would be posting bail for him sometime next week...preferably after I had left Cyprus for home. 

He made it. We celebrated like we had won the lottery. He thought we were just happy to see him. 

We caught up with our gracious host Mohhamed Al Mansour at The Cabinet Club Kuwait  for evening cigars. Great cigar club and one of our events will be held there tomorrow. Trinidad Casildas all around (excellent), but come 11PM we were knackered and headed home for an early night.

Mohammed has arranged a trip to the desert today for the four of us as we have a function free day. I have no idea what to expect but I will post up some photos progressively. . 

[westg]

Could involve a bird or two 😎

[loose_axle]

The plastic covered seats make me wonder just what's about to happen to you all next... 

[SpecialK]

8 hours ago, loose_axle said:

The plastic covered seats make me wonder just what's about to happen to you all next... 

Ditto...maybe they are worried about the sand?

[Drguano]

Agnes and I hope we will not be flying to Cyprus through FKI…

[bmac]

The plastic covered seats…

[Ford2112]

[El Presidente]

Yes...well...the plastic covered sheets were indeed a concern 

No need to worry however as we were whisked away for a series of cigar and catchups on a beautiful Kuwait day, before heading off to a farm for a traditional cigar, meal and magnificent evening. 

There is something magical about sitting under the night sky in such a traditional setting. The conversation was entertaining and engaging, the cigars magnificent. The standout was the sheer generosity and kindness of the entire Kuwait cigar community. Bloody brilliant! 

In

[westg]

Looks so amazing.!

[ha_banos]

Working hard while hardly working!

[zacca]

Very cool…looks like a fun time. 

[Arabian]

Looking magnificent in that Bisht (cloak), you look like an oil baron 😆. The weather is indeed perfect, which unfortunately only lasts a few weeks before going back to the oven. Kuwait is known as the pearl of the gulf. The food is great, hospitality is the norm with a chilling and relaxing environment. I'm sure that guy with the tea pot didn't catch a break making sure everyone teacup is full 😅. I didn't expect to see you on Ali's (bigsmokKW) snapchats. Bahrain and UAE anytime soon? If in Bahrain, you must visit Mr. Ali Muamen cigar shop. A great guy.

 

[El Presidente]

12 hours ago, Arabian said:

I didn't expect to see you on Ali's (bigsmokKW) snapchats. Bahrain and UAE anytime soon? If in Bahrain, you must visit Mr. Ali Muamen cigar shop. A great guy.

Ali's name came up last night at the launch event and I hope to catch up with him at the Cyprus launch of the Punch later this week. It looks like we will be making this region a regular stop. 

I will post photos of last night's launch later today. 

[madandana]

Looks amazing. However I’m taking notes...Bring lawn chairs and a flask.

[Fuzz AI]

On 11/30/2025 at 4:58 PM, El Presidente said:

Admit it, the airline lost your luggage, so you grabbed the room's curtains.

[Nevrknow]

6 hours ago, Fuzz AI said:

Admit it, the airline lost your luggage, so you grabbed the room's curtains.

He saw it in the window and just couldn't resist.

[Drguano]

[Drguano]

[El Presidente]

What a magnificent Phoenicia event. 

The launch of the Punch Princesas was on a scale that I haven't witnessed before. I have been to plenty of Habanos Gala dinners and global releases, but this was on another level entirely. 

I fly back tomorrow evening and will give my thoughts then. God knows I will have plenty of time on the plane 

[Chibearsv]

You guys shine up very nicely. 😁

 

[ha_banos]

@El Presidente I sincerely hope you forwarded onto Jasim our sincerest forum sentiments...

[Drguano]

[El Presidente]

5 hours ago, ha_banos said:

@El Presidente I sincerely hope you forwarded onto Jasim our sincerest forum sentiments...

Love his content, hate his content, indifferent to his content. He is a lovely guy who speaks very highly of FOH and it's legacy in the cigar world. 

...He may of course have just been polite!

Seriously, some great discussions. He made it to my long lunch list. I look forward to catching up again. 

[ha_banos]

5 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Love his content, hate his content, indifferent to his content. He is a lovely guy who speaks very highly of FOH and it's legacy in the cigar world. 

...He may of course have just been polite!

Seriously, some great discussions. He made it to my long lunch list. I look forward to catching up again.

I'm sure he's a...seasoned pro. I hope Kirby reads the forum too. 

[cnov]

4 hours ago, El Presidente said:

 

Are we looking at Punch ear cheese cleaners here?