Interview with Hove manager, Harry Hornsey

Today, we interview Havana House Hove’s manager, Harry Hornsey, to gain insight into what he loves about his role with us, his favourite stogies and a bit of advice from the man himself.

What is your role within Havana House and what does your job entail?

I am the manager of Havana House Hove offering the Havana House experience by the sea. We are fortunate in Hove to have access to a cigar sampling lounge where customers can try new cigars and pipe tobacco in comfort with fresh coffee.

We also run events and tasting sessions, giving Hove’s cigar and fine liquor communities a great chance to meet up and discuss new products as well as some old favourites. Helping to organise these occasions in addition to exploring new tobacco-related products and smoking the odd cigar keeps me occupied most of the time!

What is the best thing about your job?

Working at Havana House Hove gives me access to a vast array of interesting and friendly people. In my experience, cigar smokers usually have a unique outlook on life and are some of the most generous and knowledgeable folks around.

Also working in this industry offers great opportunities to learn about the fascinating world of cigars, pipes and whisky; all subjects that I find hugely enjoyable and rewarding to explore.

Give us an interesting fact about yourself.

In addition to working in the tobacco industry, I am also a professional musician. I play the guitar and sing in several bands as well as a blues duo, Harry Hornsey & Alfie Bernardi. From time to time I am even able to combine these skills such as when I provided the music for the Havana House Cigar Cruise in 2017!

Where is your favourite place to enjoy a stogie?

The best place for me to smoke a cigar is with good company. I love to relax with friends after a good meal with a glass of Cognac and let the conversation flow. Cigars are a fantastic aid to good discussion and enjoying a good smoke with someone will always bring you closer together.

If you were banished to a desert island, what five essentials would you pack?

1. A cabinet of 50 Partagas Shorts
2. My trusty Xikar cutter and lighter
3. A case of AE Dor Cigar Cognac
4. A healthy supply of back issues of Cigar Aficionado
5. My guitar for the few occasions when I’m not smoking

What piece of advice would you give to a new cigar enthusiast?

Try as many cigars as you can and don’t be intimidated by more experienced cigar buffs. It is really good to try a broad range of cigars keeping an open mind and trying to think critically about each cigars characteristics. It is an exciting time in the cigar world with access to so many new makers and cigars from a wide range of countries, and this makes it a great time to get into this hugely rewarding pastime.

Also, despite some depictions of cigar smokers as snobby and elitist in my experience cigar smokers are hugely generous with their knowledge and extremely friendly so don’t be afraid to ask for their advice and recommendations. Above all enjoy each cigar you light up!