Sunday, July 13 2008
By Gary Korb
Our trip all started out quite nicely until we got to the airport on Sunday to catch our flight to Las Vegas. We taxied out onto the tarmac, but due to "weather to the west," the plane sat there for three hours until they decided to take us back to the terminal. To make matters worse, we had to switch planes because the toilets had broken down from overuse. That took up another three hours. So, by 11:30ET we were finally in the air, arriving at 2:55 AM Las Vegas time.
Even though we had called ahead to our hotel, Treasure Island, to tell them we would be very late, they sold-off our rooms anyway, and we had to take whatever they had, which was temporary and not exactly what we had been hoping for. (Four of us had to switch rooms late this afternoon.) By the time I got to sleep, it was already 7:00AM on my body clock, 4:00AM Las Vegas time, and we had to be up by 7:30 to make an 8:00 AM breakfast.
So I'm writing this on only about 3 hours sleep, but I'm now "connected" and ready to report, albeit somewhat behind schedule, so thanks for your patience.
Today's IPCPR Highlights
The show opened with the annual breakfast meeting and speeches by the president, Tom Moran, and other officers of the Association. As usual, the topic was taking on the anti-smoking lobby, and efforts to raise money for doing so.
The show officially opened at 10:00 AM. The first thing I noticed was that the show was much better attended that last year's show in Houston. I'm sure the Vegas location has something to do with it, but there wasn't the "buzz kill" atmosphere of SCHIP looming over most of the exhibitors heads this year either. So let's get to the cigars. . .
Usually on the first day, I and the rest of our Famous Smoke Shop posse, casually walk the aisles for a sort of look-see. Arthur commented that he saw a lot of new brands this year, mostly from boutique tabacaleras. One that caught my attention was a brand called Devil's Weed.
As has become a tradition with me at this show, my first cigar was a one of the new General Cigar offerings, a COHIBA Dominicana Puro. A bit potent for 10:00 AM, but what the heck. I needed a little jolt to get me started today. It was a hearty smoke that started out quite spicy, then rounded off some. The best way I could describe it was it had a very dark "Cuban-esque" tobacco flavor with just a trace of sweetness on the finish. I liked the aroma which was also very sweet.
I also had a chance to say hello to Ernesto Perez Carrillo of La Gloria Cubana fame, who was introducing a new Reserve Figurado, a gorgeous double perfecto that appears to be about 61/2 by 50. This has been a great ongoing series for him, and these are some of my favorite cigars.
For my second cigar of the morning, I stopped by the Alec Bradley cigars booth to say hello to Alan Rubin, who treated me to an Alec Bradley Tempus Terra Nova ( Robusto). This is the third one I've had and I'm just amazed at their consistency. I had it with a cup of espresso from the bar they have set up in their booth. They've also added a new size to the Tempus line. It's a stunning Diademas shape called the "Majistri." Oh Mama!
Of course, no IPCPR show would be complete without a stop to see my friend Jose Blanco at La Aurora cigars. He handed me two of the new Leon Jimenes 300 cigars. They have new royal blue and gold embossed bands and look extremely tempting. The wrappers are flawless. But they'll have to wait, because Rene Castaneda caught my attention and pointed out the new Aurora Preferidos Cameroon Lancero. I told him that I had recently written a blog about the increasingly popular Lancero shape, and I just couldn't resist lighting it up. It was very smooth, dominated by rich oak wood and cedar flavors with some sweetness on a somewhat dry finish. The cigar was very full-flavored, complex and not overpowering. Extremely impressive, to say the least. (I think I'm really getting to like this shape.) He also handed me a couple Nestor Miranda Lanceros. This is another blend that has won my heart, so I'm looking forward to trying the Lancero. Speaking of Nestor Miranda, he gave me one of the new Tatiana Mocha cigars to try.
Thing is, as much as you'd like to, you just can't smoke all these great cigars in one day.
Some of the other folks I ran into today were Jonathan Drew and Marvin Samel of Drew Estate cigars. Marvin gave me a pair of their new Tabak Especiale coffee-infused cigars, one in each wrapper - the Connecticut Shade and the Maduro. It will be interesting to compare them to the Tatiana Mocha.
I also stopped by to say hello to Kinky Friedman and complimented him on his fine line of Kinky Friedman cigars. I've written about him a few times now, and I'm planning an article on his entire line, which I've just about finished back at the office. I'll say this much for now about them. If you want a very flavorful, earthy, medium-bodied cigar - highly recommended.
On my way out, I stopped by the CAO cigars booth and picked-up one of the new CAO LX2 cigars. A fine specimen this is. I hope to fire this one up sometime in the next day or two so I can report back on it, as well as a few others.
Well, that's it for today. Time to edit and post some of the pictures I took. Tomorrow, more of the same. Until then...
...happy smokes. £
