A new addition to the Hunters & Frankau website brings renewed attention to one of the most influential voices in modern cigar history.
The Chase Archive is dedicated to the work of Simon Chase — former Marketing Director of Hunters & Frankau and widely regarded as one of the United Kingdom’s leading authorities on Cuban cigars.
Rather than a static tribute, the archive is conceived as an evolving collection of Chase’s writings, beginning with articles published between 2009 and 2017, with further material to be added over time. These texts reflect a body of work that spans decades, following his arrival at Hunters & Frankau in 1977 after a career in advertising.
At a time when reliable information on Cuban cigars was limited, Chase approached the subject through writing. His first book, A Short Appreciation of Havana Cigars, marked the beginning of a sustained effort to document and explain the craft, culture, and structure of the Havana cigar world for a broader audience.
That work continued with Havanas: A Unique Blend of Sun, Soil and Skill (1993), later developed into The Complete Guide for Habanos Enthusiasts, and ultimately The World of Habanos (2012), a reference work translated into multiple languages and distributed internationally by Habanos S.A..
Chase’s contribution extended well beyond publishing. Between 1982 and 2001, he produced Cigar World, a magazine that provided structured industry insight at a time when such information was scarce. In 1984, he established Cigar School at Hunters & Frankau, one of the earliest formal training programmes for cigar retailers. He later contributed to the development of the Higher Certificate Programme, which would become the foundation of today’s Master of Havana Cigars programme.
In 1998, his work was formally recognised when he was named Habanos Man of the Year for Communication.
The Chase Archive reflects this legacy through direct access to his writing — articles defined by clarity, depth, and careful research. With new pieces scheduled to be added regularly, the archive remains active, extending the reach of a body of work that helped shape how Havana cigars are studied and understood today.
For those engaged in cigars at any level, it offers something increasingly rare: a consistent, informed voice grounded in long-term experience and close connection to the subject itself.
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