Here’s our recap of a recent cigar event held at Old Havana in Katowice, where Aleksandar Stipčić – better known as Alex Cigar Dandy-led an evening focused on the art of cigar deconstruction.
Events of this kind don’t come around often-especially in Poland. That’s why a phone call from Szymon Kwiatkowski of Premium Cigars immediately stood out.
His message was simple: Aleksandar Stipčić was coming back to Poland-and I was invited.
Having missed the previous opportunity, the decision was easy.
This time, Stipčić was scheduled to appear in both Katowice and Wrocław. For logistical reasons, I chose Katowice.
Here’s how it all unfolded.
Cigar Deconstruction with Alex Cigar Dandy – Event Coverage
I arrived in Katowice well ahead of schedule. At Szymon’s suggestion, I took the train-and it’s still surprising how much shorter the journey across Poland has become.
The ride gave me time to prepare for what mattered most: a short interview with the evening’s guest of honor. During our earlier call, Szymon had mentioned it almost in passing-but it immediately raised the stakes.
A few minutes-that’s all I expected.
The question was: what do you ask when time is that limited?
Arriving early suddenly felt less like a choice and more like a necessity.
Before the Event
After checking into the hotel and freshening up, I headed out to grab a quick bite. Walking through Katowice with my eyes on Google Maps, I suddenly heard a familiar voice:
“Hey – did you get lost?”
I looked up to see Paweł “Pablo” Załęcki approaching with a smile. Only then did I realize I was right in front of Old Havana – the very place where the evening’s event was set to take place.
Pablo confirmed I was heading in the right direction – and that the burger spot I had in mind was a solid choice. It turned out he was on his way to meet Stipčić for lunch. As I later learned, they opted for traditional Silesian cuisine – a detail I particularly appreciated. After all, there’s no better way to experience a place than through its food.
From what I was told, the Premium Cigars team, with Pablo at the forefront, welcomed Stipčić at the airport with bread and salt – along with something a bit stronger, of course. It’s details like these that matter. A fitting welcome for a guest of his stature.
The Beginning
I arrived about an hour before the official start. The plan was simple: try to catch a few minutes with Stipčić for a quick interview.
As preparations continued, I found myself checking the time more often than I’d like to admit. Even ten minutes would do, I thought.
Guests began to fill the space, and at some point – almost unnoticed, which is no small feat given his height – Stipčić appeared at the bar.
When Szymon introduced us, I couldn’t help but say, “I heard you were tall, but I didn’t expect that tall.”
As it turns out, he’s heard that more than a few times. By his own account, he stands at an impressive two meters – with shoes on.
He was already aware of the interview, but with the event about to begin, timing became an issue. We agreed to move it to the following morning at a nearby café. At one point, we even stepped outside to take a look at the location.
Shortly after, plans shifted once again. When Pablo heard about the interview, he offered to open Old Havana earlier the next day to give us a proper setting.
We settled on 10:00 a.m. – but more on that later.
By then, the venue had filled completely. Guests were welcomed with a cocktail, and both rooms were soon packed – clear evidence of the strong interest in the event.
Blind Tasting
After a brief welcome, Stipčić outlined the plan for the evening. We would begin with a blind tasting – the identity of the cigar to be revealed only at the very end.
Following a final microphone check, he paused and said, “Maybe I’ll just speak without it. I’m a bit old-school.”
As it turned out, he didn’t need it. Moving between the two rooms and projecting his voice with ease, he made sure everyone could follow along.
The format felt closer to a workshop than a traditional presentation. Stipčić engaged directly with participants, moving from one table to another, asking about their impressions at each stage of the smoking experience – elements he considers essential to properly understanding a cigar.
He also encouraged a simple approach to pairing at this stage: water. According to him, it allows for a clearer perception of flavors – something he made sure no one ran short of throughout the session.
Cigar Deconstruction
For the sake of completeness, it’s worth outlining the framework Stipčić uses when approaching a cigar. While I may not recall the exact order, the key elements included: flavor, aroma, aftertaste, strength, complexity, and balance.
These six components formed the basis of the evening’s evaluation.
What stood out most, however, was not the framework itself – but the way it was applied. Responses varied widely, and thanks to the workshop format, everyone had a chance to share their impressions. There were no wrong answers.
As Stipčić emphasized, our perception of a cigar is shaped by countless variables – from personal preferences to what we’ve eaten, what we’re drinking, and even how we feel in a given moment.
If there was one key takeaway from the session, it was this: every experience is valid. Whether or not one chooses to follow a structured approach, that idea is likely to stay with participants long after the event.
Personally, I found the concept of balance particularly compelling. The interplay between flavor, strength, and aroma – how these elements come together to form a cohesive experience – is something I often touch on in my own reviews. It was interesting to see how naturally this perspective emerges among more experienced smokers.
The cigar itself turned out to be a Cuban H. Upmann. While I don’t recall the exact name, it was a relatively mild smoke, likely in a Petit Corona ormat. Considering how much I enjoyed it, it left me wondering whether I should be reaching for smaller vitolas more often.
The Tasting
While I don’t recall the exact cigar used during the blind tasting, the second cigar of the evening was one I made sure to note: H. Upmann Connoisseur B (LCDH/Habanos Specialist).
A larger format, it served as the foundation for the pairing portion of the event.
As I was about to cut it with a straight cutter, Stipčić stepped in and asked me to wait. Taking the cigar and the cutter, he demonstrated his preferred technique – adding, with a smile, that even he wouldn’t cut it the way I was about to. It was a small moment, but a memorable one – and a technique I’ll likely revisit in the future.
Each participant was then presented with three spirits: cognac, rum, and whisky. The standout for me was the Lagavulin 12 Year Old Grain & Embers (2025 Special Release) – a bold, high-proof whisky that Stipčić suggested could even benefit from a touch of water. Despite its strength, it paired remarkably well with the cigar. Szymon Kwiatkowski had also recommended keeping an eye on that particular release – and he was right.
The tasting itself was guided. We began with cognac, followed by rum, and finished with whisky, with Stipčić observing participants and suggesting when to move from one pairing to the next. Moving between the rooms, he continued to engage with guests, asking about their impressions and how each spirit influenced their perception of flavor, aroma, and strength.
As expected, preferences varied. What worked for some didn’t necessarily work for others. In my case, whisky turned out to be the biggest surprise. Initially, it was the pairing I was least convinced by – yet it ultimately became my favorite. When I mentioned this to Stipčić, he simply smiled and said I shouldn’t be surprised.
The evening also included a special addition. Thanks to the distributor, guests had the opportunity to sample a limited-edition release from Mortlach. Rich, intense, and aromatic, it proved to be a fitting complement to the overall experience – and a welcome surprise.
The Rest of the Evening
Even after the official portion of the event had come to an end, many guests chose to stay. Conversations continued across both rooms, and the atmosphere remained relaxed and welcoming.
At one point, I found myself speaking with a gentleman who had arrived later in the evening. Although he hadn’t initially planned to attend due to other commitments, the organizers welcomed him in without hesitation. It was a small gesture, but one that spoke volumes. Moments like these are a reminder that the cigar community is, above all, about people – and the simple enjoyment of shared time.
While I was tempted to approach Stipčić for a longer conversation, I decided against it. With so many attendees eager to exchange a few words, I knew I would have my moment the following morning. In truth, I was also hoping for a more relaxed conversation – one less constrained by a microphone.
That story, along with the full interview for Polski Aficionado, will be shared in a separate piece.
I closed the evening with a Vegueros – a cigar I’ve always enjoyed – and a few final conversations as the night slowly came to an end. Sometime around 1 a.m., we began to head out.
For a brief stretch, I found myself walking with Szymon Kwiatkowski, Łukasz Ważyński, and Aleksandar Stipčić. Even that short walk was filled with small, memorable moments – the kind that tend to stay with you long after the event itself.
At one point, a passerby enthusiastically tried to persuade us to visit a gentlemen’s club – an offer that, given the context of the evening, didn’t go unnoticed. Equally memorable was watching Stipčić attempt to read Polish shop signs as we made our way through the city.
We parted ways shortly after, each heading in a different direction, with a simple reminder: we’d see each other again in the morning.
Final Thoughts
This may have turned into a longer account than initially intended – but it’s one that feels fully justified.
Events like this are difficult to capture without filtering them through personal experience. It’s often the small, seemingly minor details that come together to create something truly memorable – and many of those moments will stay with me for a long time.
It was, simply put, an exceptional evening. One defined by knowledge, craftsmanship, generosity, and, above all, a genuine passion for cigars.
Special thanks are due to the team at Old Havana, led by Pablo, whose attention to detail ensured that every guest felt welcomed and well taken care of. The organizers, in turn, deserve recognition for bringing all the elements together into a cohesive and thoughtfully executed event.
And finally, to our guest of honor – who, in many ways, acted as both host and guide throughout the evening – thank you for creating an experience that will not be easily forgotten.
My attendance at the event was made possible thanks to Szymon Kwiatkowski of Premium Cigars.
If you enjoyed reading this, let me know! Drop a comment or share the post – every bit of support helps others discover my cigar reviews and smoking tips. If you prefer to listen, I co-host a podcast with Piotr Siwiński called „Spotkanie z Dymem” („A Meeting with Smoke”) – currently in Polish, though who knows what the future holds? You can also find me on Instagram, where I share a slice of my cigar life – and a bit more. I always welcome a good conversation. That’s how great connections start – and they often go far beyond just cigars.
Stay smoky!
Mateusz Krzywiecki, @mateusz.krzywiecki, Polski Aficionado, @polskiaficionado
