Sunday July 13, 2008

The meet and great reception was in a ballroom, no smoking, so it didn’t last long. We did hook up with our buddies from “Outlaw Cigars” (congrats Leecil another little one on the way), the Corpus gang from “Tobacco World” as well as a couple of the Perdomo reps and our buddy Dana with CAO (hometown S.A. guy).  And I found "Stogie" & Johnrider from CigarLive. A short visit with Jorge at Tobacco University, and Nester Placencia Jr. were both very productive conversations. As the “smoke free” event progressed we decided its lack luster style warranted exiting stage left very early. So about a 1,000 cigar smokers fired up their favorite stogie in the hallway. Our entertainment for the evening turned out to be the Japanese tourist who where being guided/paraded thru the hallway back & forth over & over again, pretty weird.  I think it was a ritual as they came thru the endless sea of stogie smokers waving their hands, coughing, holding throats & noses and even running to avoid the gauntlet of smoke.  But as any good thing must end (under government control), we where run off to the casinos by the smoking police.

Casino/bar scene:

Many manufacturers and blenders secured sections around the Venetian casino bar & held court with their captive thirsty companions (retail buyers-us). We met up with Dion (Illusione), Jesus Fuego (J. Fuego), Brian & Dana (CAO), David Blanco (Los Blanco Cigars), Ernesto Padilla (Padilla Cigar), wild man Eddie Ortega (United Tobacco-601 fame) and his whole gang. New cigars and war stories starting filling the air quickly and the beverages kept all going to early in the morning. Very few felt much pain but I can not speak for all the next morning.

Day 1 wrap!

Monday July 14, 2008

Day light came early with our 1st meeting at the Gurkha booth. The new & exciting Black Dragon Shaggy Foot & lots more are on the way. 

Next was General Cigar with tons of deals coming to you the consumer this year as well as a new stick by Macanudo called 1968. Did I say Macanudo? Yep, what a fantastic new cigar named for their 40 years in business. Full flavored and full bodied all the way thru and very smooth. Can’t wait to get this in the store.

Definitely not you fathers Macanudo.

NEWS FLASH !!!
 

Joe Torres has been studying for weeks to become a Certified Tobacconist.  The grueling test was given at the show. 

Today Joe became the 1st official Certified Tobacconist in TEXAS !!! Way to go JOE. 

That’s C.I.G.A.R. for you, right on the cutting edge.

The balance of the morning was used seeking brands and sticks for our great customers. It’s a tough job but somebody has got to do it.

George Sosa (Alec Bradley fame) gave us a few minutes in passing as well did Texas boy Kinky Freidman. Kinky gave us some comedic relief as well as insight on his future political plans; his grueling schedule and his slot play addiction.  Kinky is always on and very gracious to the boys at C.I.G.A.R.

A Meeting with Dion, Jimmy & Dave (Illusion) netted a news stick find called “Cruzado”. A GREAT new blend by Dion.  Look for it to be shipped to C.I.G.A.R. next month.  Can’t wait !!

Jesus Fuego introduced us to 2 new blends that I personally nubbed to the fingers.  “Triple 777” was full bodied and a little edgy all the way thru. Smoke only on a full stomach.  His biggest accomplishment to date is the “Delirium” line. I have smoked 5 of his Lanceros & can not put them down.  Coming soon. 
 
 

We did stop at 6-7 more manufactures and are smoking their sticks to let you know more about them

Monday Night Altadis Party:

Great food – NO SMOKING. Thanks Vegas !!

Many headed to the CAO Party @ the Palms Casino with entertainment by Leonard Skinner.  A few others attended the a continuation of the previous nights bar sessions and assorted dinners.

It very early in the am, so I must head to the room for SLEEP !!

Wrap day 2

Tuesday July 15, 2008

Day 1 addition:  La Gloria is coming out with a very limited La Gloria Cubana Artesanos de Miami  rolled in Miami and Hoyo De Monterey Excalibur Legend.  Haven’t smoke them yet but will let you know when I do.  Also the new Miami line is coming out by Ernesto Perez-Carrillo it will be made in Miami and only 250,000 stick per year will be produced and will only be available in about 200 stores.  No worry C.I.G.A.R. is one of those retailers already. We also secured Ernesto for our 3rd anniversary party. 

Also on tap to try is the new COHIBA Dominicana Puro by General.

 #1. Texas Cigar Merchants Assoc. (TxCMA) retailers meeting.  Where have come from and where we are going as an organization was discussed.  We are definitely looking out for the consumer.  It was a packed standing room only meeting.

#2. Diamond Crown Lounge (DCL) meeting.  It was a breakfast to introduce all the DCL retailers to each other and for the Newsman’s to show their appreciation as well as to get input from the owners.

Our 1st stop was CAO and Brian (Bigfoot) was so swamped we had our hometown CAO rep Dana show us the new stuff. A few of the highlights where a new very kool Sopranos gift set for Christmas, Champions travel case Sampler with 10 of the highest rated cigars from CA & the Nicaraguan puro Lx2. A new flavor was added called “Cherry bomb” with a female mascot dressed in a thong and body paint !!

Xikar has an absolutely amazing collection of humidors with quality and fully rigged with the good humidification systems and digital hydrometers.  My jaw dropping and everyone pinching me to see if I was dreaming must have been apparent. The finishes are amazing and I think they are a contender for the #1 quality accessories manufacture. The new carbon fiber lighter, cutter and matching travel case are very kool looking.  I cant tell yet (sworn to secrecy) but after a Meeting with Kurt it looks like Scott has designed a new ???? that should show up in the next 60 days that will be very impressive. Stay tuned for that one.

At Altadis we met with Mike Wydra & Dean Deffner who introduced us to the new Romeo y Julieta Museum Edition, a limited release that comes in a humidor box with a specially-commissioned painting by the 3D artist Charles Fazzio.  Another exciting release is a new box-pressed Maduro Montecristo called the “Reserva Negra”. The Negra is one fantastic stick.  A good looking new value cigar to watch out for is their “Benchmade” sticks.

We blew into Ernesto Padilla booth as Ernesto was wrapping a meeting with Gordon Mott, James Suckling, David Savona & Marvin Shanken.  Ernesto was gracious and helpful as always and provided a few sticks to try.  His Miami line of cigars are fantastic and cant wait to get in into the store.

Next was J.C. Newman with a few new and very nice humidors as well as three pack travel case with 3 Diamond Crown sticks in it that will be given out at events with purchases. 2009 will bring us another Diamond Crown line called the Julius Caesar (after the original “J.C.” who started the company over 100 years ago). The line will be stronger than the current Diamond Crown blend and will consist of three different perfecto sizes. They are currently working with the Fuentes to perfect the blend, which they hope to release at or before next years’ IPCPR. And don’t forget since C.I.G.A.R. is a Diamond Crown Lounge you will see it 1st when it comes out.

EO-United Tobacco awaited us as we met with Eddie & his staff, already known for their outstanding 601 lineup. The newest addition is - Cubao Cigars. Using the Taino word for "fertile soil," Cubao (pronounced "Cu-bao"), made with the finest Nicaraguan and Ecuadorian tobaccos. It contains 100% Nicaraguan filler and binder and is rolled by Pepin Garcia's Tabacalera Cubana S.A in Esteli, Nicaragua. I have smoked a ton of these and they are one of the top cigars of the event.  The best way to describe this cigar is full bodied, spicy peppery flavors with undertones of leather & nutmeg.

Cusano was next and our biggest find there was the Cuvee-151.  Bold and beautiful the 151 is a Brazilian Maduro with a cedar & oak flavors and just a hint of anise with a  full bodied end but never harsh.

Rocky Patel looked interesting with their new blend called Renaissance (It was a great stick!! ).  We confirmed Rocky at our 3rd anniversary party in Oct.

Augusto Reyes (AR) had a new maduro that smoke smooth a glass.

Food & sleep needed.

Day 3 wrap