Amicigar 2023

From 15 to 18 June 2023, the 17th edition of the AmiCigar was held in Vittoria, an international event that every year brings together people of different nationalities in a different place in the world, with the aim of enhancing, disseminating and promoting the cultural, landscape and food and wine excellences of the territory, offering tastings in order to promote the international diffusion of places and products. In previous years, the event was held in Ravello, Maiori, Cuba, Lugano, Antwerp and Dublin.

The weekend took place not only at Decorato Distillati e Champagne, but also in the enchanting setting of the province of Ragusa and in particular between Vittoria and Scoglitti. Participants from all over Italy as well as Japan, the United States, Switzerland, England, Cornwall, France, Cuba and the Arab Emirates, enjoyed Ragusano specialities and tasted more unique than rare. On Thursday evening we tasted Plantation Rum Single Cask 2011 Trinidad Sauternes Wine Cask Finish. A Rum bottled by Fabio Ventura of ‘Il Baffo Magico’ and the Morelli brothers of ‘Dal Moro’, two lovers and obsessives of ‘Full-Grade’ Spirits. This Rum was created to try to satisfy those looking for a product to pair with cigars that is smooth, refined and affordable for everyone, while remaining the protagonist during the tasting experience. On Friday morning at the Decorato Distillati e Champagne wine shop, in the context of a brunch in full Sicilian style, with Caffetteria Iacono’s cannoli and Bonajuto’s chocolate, we tasted Francesco Intorcia Heritage’s marsala. We could not miss the arancini, which we paired with a 12-litre classic method Ferrari Balthazar in a bottle customised for the event by the Lunelli Group.

On Friday afternoon, in the magical garden of Caffetteria Iacono, we took a real food and wine journey to Sicily. A masterclass of 3 great Marsalas from Cantine Florio paired with Saro Petriglieri’s cacio cavallo ragusano DOP and Bonajuto’s chocolate from Modica. Unique products in purity that become poetry in their mutual pairing.

On Friday evening, the fish barbecue at the Lido Marè was accompanied by wines from the Horus winery owned by the Giudice family. Ethical wines, respecting the environment and the Sicilian landscape.

On Saturday morning we enjoyed, thanks to Velier who allowed us to taste the Champagne Brut Rosé – Billecart-Salmon at the Capannina lido: a champagne produced by a maison with over 200 years of history. An elegant, fresh and above all balanced champagne, a perfect accompaniment to a fine dish of local fish. Finally, on Saturday evening at the magnificent location of Villa San Bartolo, thanks to the refined cuisine of chef Marco Failla, we tasted the wines of the Maggio Vini winery and the magnificent Cuban Rum Eminente, a distillate produced using the column method and aged for 7 years in ex-Bourbon white oak barrels, made with 70% aguardientes (the highest proportion among Cuban Rums) and, because of this, can boast very complex aromatic notes.

The event was a magnificent moment of meeting, sharing and discovering known or as yet unexplored tastes and flavours, both near and far, which all together made us feel great. Until next time.

Event Link: https://www.cigarjournal.com/amicigar-2023/ https://corrierediragusa.it/2023/06/13/a-vittoria-la-23ma-edizione-dellamicigar-un-appuntamento-di-prestigio-dedicato-al-club-di-appassionati-del-fumo-lento-al-centro-il-sigaro-dalla-caratura-internazionale/ https://vertigomagazine.it/un-giugno-di-fumo/ https://www.italreport.it/home/vittoria-la-patria-del-sigaro-questanno-e-qui-incontro-internazionale-degli-amici-del-sigaro/