Cigar Weekly

August 9, 2009

Thomas Bender (TommyBB)

I saw a post somewhere just in the last couple days that said "Cigar smoke, the smell of freedom." I can't say "I'm Stinky" because Stinky has that line as his own, and that simply would not be right, either. I smell free, just about now, and have enjoyed my first day at the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers' Association trade show, here in New Orleans, Louisiana.  It was an easy day, for me, since I work at another task on Sunday mornings, I wasn't able to get downtown and into the show until nearly 2:30 this afternoon, with the show closing at 5:00 p.m.

My good friend, Michael Tusa (MTusa) joined me on my walk around the Convention Center this afternoon, and with time being short we ambled slowly around the entire three hall exhibit space to simply get a feel for the show, which exhibitors are where, and maybe meet a few friends on the way. I didn't want to take too many people's time, immediately so I said hello to folks where I could and moved along to allow some to do the business they're here to do. And they were doing business.

I learned this afternoon and tonight from three different representatives that business is, indeed brisk. Tim Wong (known to board members as easyt) is now working with Rocky Patel and he tells Cigar Weekly that he's already made orders for nearly half of his customers "the people who are here, are BUYING" he said. Joey Oliva (cheo malanga) who is now with Ernesto Padilla, said "we've sold nearly half of what we did last year just today." And Al Argenti (aja) said the same thing, that they'd sold half of what they'd brought, in the first day. Argenti and his brother Michael have entered into a partnership with Don Kiki Berger of Cuban Crafters called--appropriately enough--Berger & Argenti. There will be more from them in a bit.

But the sales discussion is quite surprising and encouraging from where I sit. So many of us are now so worried about this pursuit of ours, and it seems to be flourishing despite all the obstacles being thrown in our path; bans all over the place, SCHIP taxes, excise taxes (especially the foolish tax here in Louisiana that's forcing these manufacturers to pay taxes on "free samples" that they usually hand out during the show). These will be a bit more scarce this year due to the excise tax than they have been at previous shows.

I am fairly certain that many would like to hear about new cigars, however, we really didn't have a great amount of time on the show floor today, and with samples under threat of taxation, we were only able to smoke a couple. One of our first stops and first cigar of the day was at SAG/Quesada Cigars. Patricia Quesada of "Las Jovenes" the "Young Ones" and daughter of company founder, Manuel Quesada, greeted us and immediately made certain we had one of their recently released Quesada Thirty-Fifth Anniversary cigars. I profiled these in CW First Look not long ago, and I had tried one that they had sent me.  This is simply a great cigar, and the first effort by Las Jovenes is definitely a winner.

Patricia "Pachy" Quesada Vega

I spent some time meeting various people who I'd previously known only through e-mail contact, and simply reminded some of them, that we'd like to talk later in the week.

The second cigar of the day, was near the end, when I finally found my old CW buddy, and fellow football supporter Al Argenti. Since I had not tried one of he and his brother Michael's Exile Wired cigars,CW First Look, June 2008 I had to catch up and try one. This was another fine cigar, so far we're batting 2 for 2 on the day, and just as the cigar and my conversation with Michael Argenti are both getting good, the closing announcement is made and the lights are shut off. This isn't a huge problem, however. At the door to the show, Convention Center security is standing to ensure that all cigars are extinguished. In the 100 foot-wide lobby between the hall and the exit, smoking is not allowed. It's my luck that the guy standing right where I'm stubbing out (or pretending to) my Exile Wired belicoso has his Superman vision ramped up for ANY wisp of smoke. "Sir, that cigar is NOT extinguished." Oh SNAP, foiled. I keep stubbing and the damned thing wouldn't go out. Of course not, I don't want it out, I'd simply like to sprint across and outside and smoke the rest of it. No joy, had to cut the blasted thing, and relight in the great outdoors.

David "Yogi" Dean, Al "aja" Argenti and TommyBB

After quick supper with the family at home, it's back to "work." This time to Don Leoncio on Canal Street where it appeared half the show attendees were sitting enjoying themselves. There I made sure I met up with my dear friend J. D. Burns (Catdeddy) of this site and forum, who is working the show for Avalon Cigars out of Clarksdale, Mississippi. Their story is an interesting one.  A couple of fellows from "the Delta" in northwestern Mississippi--home of the Blues--decided to try their hand in the cigar business.  Without any Cuban heritage or cigar knowledge, they opened their company late in 2006. J. D. hands me a cigar, saying "this is blended to be strong, with a good core of ligero, but some balance." It's dark, I can't really see the wrapper or the band, but it's a new offering Torque Series from Avalon and it's a belicoso.

Well, I'm 3 for 3, now, and THIS cigar burned some hairs off of my mustache. I actually caught flavors in this cigar, and I can't always do that. There was a distinct cocoa  and coffee flavor hidden in this well-made cigar. It was a perfect accompaniment to some nice conversation with Catdeddy, and some fun Army stories from David "Yogi" Dean, sitting with his wife Vicki and Stinky Salviano.  Watching Don Pepin Garcia cut a rug to the salsa blaring through the house system was the topper of the night. The man is a rock star.

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