Dems Enjoyed Cigars, Spirits and Sounds at Convention Party

The GOP wasn't the only party getting treated to liquor and cigars at the recent political conventions. Last week in Charlotte, it was the Democrats’ turn to party.

On Monday night before the official start of the convention, the Distilled Spirits Council threw a bash for delegates. The prime attraction was a velvet-roped patio, where free cigars were being rolled by an artisan and the drinks flowed freely.

Providing the musical entertainment was the band of well-known rockers called Camp Freddy, on this night fronted by Skid Row lead singer Sebastian Bach, who took advantage of the gig to poke a little fun at GOP VP nominee Paul Ryan and his taste in tunes.


Cigar Maker Celebrates Business Expansion

For Juan Castanon, business has been very good, so good that he’s had to build his own cigar factory. Now he’s showing his appreciation for his customers with a gala event.

Just owning Hain’s Cigar & Pipe Shop in York, PA, isn't enough for Castanon, who rolls about 100 cigars a day, all by hand, but that number isn't nearly enough for the thousands of customers worldwide who purchase boxes of his J. Castanon cigars. To meet the demand, Castanon has built his own cigar factory in the Dominican Republic, where cigar rollers are trained to replicate his precise rolling method. Castanon honed his skills at the Cohiba factory in Cuba.

On Thursday, September 20, Castanon will be celebrating his success with an event at Tailgaters Grille & Drafthouse in York Township, PA. The festivities will kick off at 7 p.m. and there will be 150 boxes of cigars available for purchase.

Castanon loves what he does, and that shows in the quality of his products. He believes, “When cigar smokers get together, good things happen.”


Padilla Cigars to be Distributed by Oliva

Cigar lovers may have wondered what was up when the Padilla Cigar Co. cancelled several of its popular lines, but the move was just a part of a restructuring move that will allow the brand to expand its distribution as well as its worldwide sales.

Ernesto Padilla has announced that his cigars will now be distributed by the Oliva Cigar Co. that is already making the Padilla Reserva and the Reserva Maduro. While all Padilla products will now be distributed by Oliva, some lines including the Padilla Miami, will be manufactured at non-Oliva factories.

Up Down Cigar in Chicago Holds BBQ with Fuente Cigars

The Up Down Cigar shop in Old Town Chicago has been hosting a series of Smoking Garden parties all summer long, but fall is here and the last event of 2012 will take place on Tuesday, September 25.

Diana Silvius, owner of Up Down Cigar, and Cynthia Fuente of Fuente Cigars are teaming up for an end-of-summer barbecue featuring the shop’s “famous Up Down burgers,” free drinks and of course, complimentary cigars.

The bash happens at Up Down Cigar, 1550 N. Wells, Old Town Chicago, IL. For more info, call 800-587-3696.