Casa de Campo Resort & Villas successfully celebrated the first annual edition of its Casa de Campo Cigars in Paradise® festival. Held from June 25th to 27th, this exclusive event marks the beginning of a new annual tradition in luxury hospitality, consolidating the Dominican Republic's position as a global benchmark for premium tobacco culture and high-end spirits.
This festival perfectly reflected the exponential growth the premium tobacco industry is experiencing nationally and internationally; an evolution palpable in production volume and in the notable diversity of an audience that today transcends borders. The event demonstrated how the cigar sector vibrantly encompasses different generations, bringing together seasoned entrepreneurs and market pioneers, as well as a new, young wave of creators. Similarly, the growing and crucial role of women was highlighted, as they have joined this business with strength, contributing freshness, innovation, and a new variety to the sector.
An agenda of exclusive experiences
The unforgettable four-day journey began on the evening of June 25th with an exclusive welcome cocktail at the iconic Minitas Beach Club. Surrounded by the majesty of the Caribbean Sea, entrepreneurs, influencers, prominent industry figures, and members of the specialized press enjoyed an evening of exceptional hospitality that set the stage for the festival.
The following days combined sports, learning, and celebration. Attendees enjoyed morning rounds of golf at the legendary Teeth of the Dog course, as well as exclusive access to the prestigious Brugal rum distillery. The cigar-focused conferences and specialized seminars, led by renowned international experts George Brightman and Erick Calvino, drew dozens of aficionados and entrepreneurs for two days of in-depth discussions, interactive Q&A sessions, and special raffles.
The nights reached their peak splendor at the Marina Riverside Center, the central stage for the event's two nighttime festivals, where an electrifying atmosphere united a global community of enthusiasts around a portfolio of 28 world-renowned premium cigar brands, including: Adventura, Aging Room, Altura, AJ Fernandez, Arturo Fuente, Asylum, Bevs & Burns, Blackbird, CLE, Crowned Heads, Diaz Cabrera, Drew Estate, Foundation, Gran Habano, La Aurora, La Flor Dominicana, La Galera, La Palina, Montecristo, Oliva, Oz Family Cigars, Plasencia, Quesada, Rocky Patel, Romeo y Julieta, Tatuaje, Trinidad, and Vega Fina.
«For Casa de Campo, it is an honor to host this experience for the first time in the destination, celebrating the art of cigars in one of the most beautiful places in the Caribbean. Every detail has been carefully designed for those who appreciate excellence, tradition, and exceptional experiences,» said Jason Kycek, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, and Director of Marketing for the Hospitality, Tourism, and Real Estate Division of Casa de Campo Resort and Villas.
The exclusive character and global prestige of Casa de Campo Cigars in Paradise® attracted prominent figures from international entertainment and culture. Among the celebrities who graced the festival were the renowned Puerto Rican actress Roselyn Sánchez, along with her husband, fellow actor Eric Winter. The couple added a special allure to the event with the participation of their premium rum brand, Palm Republic, which had an exclusive booth within the festival's evening festivities. Additionally, the festival was honored by the distinguished presence of Hollywood actor Mekhi Phifer.
Headquarters of the Slow Smoking World Championship
Within the framework of the festival, the Dominican Republic also successfully hosted the fifth edition of the Cigar Smoking World Championship (CSWC), reaffirming the country's growth and international projection in this discipline.
The competition took place in the Coral Hall of El Cacique Conference Center, thanks to a strategic alliance between Danays León Group (official organizer in the country), Cigar Country (incorporated for the first time as co-organizer), and Casa de Campo as Hosting Partner. After an intense day, the official results were:
First place: Rafael Solano Portoreal, with a time of 2 hours, 08 minutes, and 23 seconds. Second place: Freylin Pérez, with a time of 1 hour, 50 minutes, and 12 seconds. Third place: Magda Alicia Pérez, with a time of 1 hour, 40 minutes, and 50 seconds.,
With a massive attendance of hundreds of people from all over the world, from the discovery of new blends to the reunion of friends, every moment of Casa de Campo Cigars in Paradise® felt authentic and sublime, setting the bar very high and ensuring the success of its upcoming editions.