Cigar Aficionado's Big Smoke - Final Report

Thanks to Jason for getting the up to the minute details up earlier. Here's the final report:

Consider it Halloween for men ages 30-65. Door to door, house to house, space to space, grown men clamoring with bags wide open to receive goodies from the world's premiere cigar makers.

Its a total jungle -- participants receive a cloth tote and a voucher book and scramble around trading coupons for free smokes. Each station is well-manned with friendly associates eager to give you a sample and some pertainent info.

I start off with Arganese, who has a decent location. Gene's there and he hands me one of every cigar he brought and cuts and lights a maduro for me. Mr. A tells me he hasn't been home in months and is off to Paris for a show next week -- what a life.

Right next to them is Oliva and lo and behold my buddy Ralph from Fume is manning the booth. I chat with him and Dave Waggoner for a few moments and let them know how much the Serie V is a fave among myself and my friends.

The biggest line was for CAO, who handed out a Criollo and a promise that if you smoke the cigar down to the wrapper, they will gladly replenish it with a fresh one.

For every cigar company was an alcohol company: Jack Daniels, Pilsner Urquell, Tommy Bahama Rum, a few tequila and wiskey companies.

Lots of watchmakers as well, basically if you have a high-end ware for grown men who want to live the James Bond lifestyle, this is the place.

I heard rumblings that the Big Smoke in Vegas was teaming with rude folks trying to weasel a couple of extra cigars from each vendor. I didn't encounter that, in fact there was a real collegial atmosphere and lots of happy fellows. Who can blame them.

As I was leaving I ran into Dave Savona of Cigar Aficionado and introduced myself, he was very friendly and approachable.

I stayed about an hour, could have been longer but I have places to be on this Tuesday evening. All in all, I think this is an experience that cigar smokers should do at least once. As I have remarked in the past, the.cigar industry is uncommon as you have the CEOs of the companies working hard, shaking hands and meeting with their customers. Not too many other instances like that in today' s business world.
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