The Big Smoke Las Vegas Nov 13-15 ..

[Mirrorlure7m]

So who is all going ? I have booked my Hotel and my airline flight. This will be my first big smoke I am really excited. I am posting this on all the forum I am a memeber on so I can get an idea just how many others will be there so we can meetup .

[andrew s]

Hey Joel how about a little more information for the newbies that have no idea what you are talking about?

BTW haven't made it your way in a while but will let you know if I do.

[Mirrorlure7m]

Originally Posted by andrew s

Hey Joel how about a little more information for the newbies that have no idea what you are talking about?

BTW haven't made it your way in a while but will let you know if I do.

Alright Andrew let me know next time when you come my way. Let me post a link of more information .. Cigar Aficionado's Big Smoke Las Vegas | Our 14th Annual Las Vegas Event! There is all the info you will need.

[Criminal]

I posted this in another thread, but here are the details of the entire weekend seminar:

Saturday, November 14

Saturday morning program is scheduled from 9:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m., followed by a sit-down lunch lasting until 2 p.m. Gordon Mott, executive editor, Cigar Aficionado and David Savona, senior editor, Cigar Aficionado are the co-moderators for the weekend program.
9:00 - 9:15 a.m. Cigar Aficionado's Top Three Cigars of 2008 Tasting. The top 25 cigars of 2008 were selected by our senior editors and announced on the Cigar Aficionado website in January, 2009. At each of the cigar breaks this morning, we will give you one of the top three cigars of 2008 to smoke, each presented by the cigar maker. At this first cigar break, Manuel Quesada, S.A.G. Imports, talks about his cigar ranked #1—Casa Magna Colorado Robusto.
9:15 - 9:55 a.m. From Seed to Box. An inside look at a cigar's journey from soil to retail shop. Nestor Plasencia Jr., Plasencia Tobacco, reveals the grower's responsibility; Jose Blanco, La Aurora, speaks to the manufacturer's role; Sathya Levin, Ashton, discusses the brand owner's position and Matt Arcella, Davidoff, talks about the retailer's obligation. This panel is moderated by David Savona.
9:55 - 10:05 a.m. Second Cigar Break, #2Cigar. In this cigar break, Jorge Padrón, Padrón Cigars, presents the #2 ranked cigar-his Padrón Serie 1926 80 Years Maduro.
10:05 - 10:15 a.m. Best of Cigar Aficionado's Videos. A look at the year gone by with video clips from the Cigar Aficionado Online Cigar Cinema gallery.
10:15 - 10:35 a.m. Fighting for Your Rights. A question and answer forum with these three cigar advocates: Glen Loope, Cigar Rights of America (consumers), Eric Newman, CAA (manufacturers) and Joe Rowe, IPCPR (retailers). A look at all sides of the cigar smoking issues.
10:35 - 11 a.m. Cuban Cigars. James Suckling, European editor, Cigar Aficionado, investigates the latest trends in Cuban cigars. With him will be a special guest from Havana adding an insider's viewpoint.
11am - 11:30 a.m. Third Cigar Break. An opportunity to smoke the cigar ranked #3, Litto Gomez Diez 2008 Chisel Puro presentedby Litto Gomez, La Flor Dominicana.
11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Boutique Cigar Brands. Three small production cigar makers provide an insight into the challenges and rewards of creating a boutique brand. On the panel are Pete Johnson, Tatuaje; Sam Leccia, Nub; Ernesto Padilla, Padilla and Alan Rubin, Alec Bradley.
12:15 - 3:00 p.m. Lunch with the FuenteFamily. Enjoy lunch and casual cigar stories with members of the family behind Arturo Fuente cigars. Carlos Fuente Jr. and Cynthia Suarez will answer your questions, and you can share your thoughts with them. The Fuente family will have cigars for everyone.

Sunday, November 15

Sunday's program from 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. consists of three cigar seminars on a lighter note - involving a hands-on approach. Each is led by an expert.
9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Charlie Palmer Cooks Breakfast. Start the day with a real Cigar Aficionado's breakfast. Charlie Palmer, owner of Aureole, Las Vegas; Charlie Palmer Steak and many other fine restaurants in New York and California, has again created a breakfast menu specifically designed for this cigar-loving crowd. He will share some of his cooking tales as well as his techniques. Of course, we will find the perfect cigar to match this breakfast.
10:45 - 11:45 a.m. Roll Your Own, SeminarNo. 12. Mike Giannini of El Credito Cigars brings everything you need to create your own cigar including real tobacco filler and wrapper as used in a premium cigar factory. Follow along with one ofLa Gloria Cubana's most experienced premium cigar makers. Whether you've done this before or you area new roller, everyone enjoys the opportunity to roll and create his own cigar and perhaps win a prize.
12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m. Bourbon Rules! Back by popular demand, Bourbon is the focusof our drinks pairing seminar. Spirits editor Jack Bettridge demonstrates why America's signature whiskey is also a fabulous smoking partner as we introduce bodacious Bourbons to the finest cigars.




This costs $550. If you just want to go to the "Big Smoke" Evening on either Friday or Saturday, it is $250.

Even if you just go to one of the evenings, its a great time. Whether you attend the whole weekend, or just the evening, it is a chunk of change. I can't say that you'll get dollar for dollar cigar value, but the experience is worth the money, IMHO. You can meet guys like Jorge Padron, Rocky Patel, the Fuente family, and other figureheads from all the great cigar companies. Plus, there are usually other cigar events going on around the city at shops.

As a final note, if you have a Costco card (the warehouse store), check out their travel section at costco.com. I was able to save about 25% off what I normally woul've paid for the flight and two nights hotel. And yes, I'll be attending. This will be my 10th straight, I believe.

[Mirrorlure7m]

Thank you Criminal for posting some more info . I just thought the link I provided would be all the info needed. But now we can just look here for the complete schedule.

[azpostal]

I'll be there! Just got my hotel for Friday-Monday.

[Criminal]

azpostal, are you going for the Friday night smoke, Saturday night, or the whole weekend seminar? I'll be there for the whole weekend seminar and also Saturday night's smoke. Also have plans for Casa Fuente several times.

[azpostal]

Originally Posted by Criminal

azpostal, are you going for the Friday night smoke, Saturday night, or the whole weekend seminar? I'll be there for the whole weekend seminar and also Saturday night's smoke. Also have plans for Casa Fuente several times.

I still haven't purchased the Big Smoke tickets. I'm still trying to decide what night to go to and if I want the weekend seminars or just hang out at Casa.

[Criminal]

My tickets have arrived for the entire weekend seminar!

Who else is going?

[DaReallyPoGigolo]

Sounds like a blast! I can't make it this year, but maybe next year?

[Criminal]

Less than a month away!!

[JamesY]

I'm already going to be there for another thing (Pacquiao fight) but I won't be making it to this event. I'm such a noob at this that i probably will be wasting my $$. have fun to those that are going.

[caborocker]

I will be there all weekend. Attending the friday night Big Smoke. Arriving Thrusday afternoon leaving Monday morning. We are staying at the Flamingo.

[Criminal]

I'll be there for the weekend program, getting there on Friday and leaving Sunday. I'll be attending the Saturday night Big Smoke.

[Mirrorlure7m]

Its almost time everyone !!! So who will be at the Big Smoke for sure ? And what evening are you going to be doing the Dinner .. Saturday is the night I picked.