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CigarWeekly - Magazine & forums - Places & People https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people Wed, 02 Apr 2025 03:38:28 -0400 Joomla! - Open Source Content Management en-gb StogieFest 2018 https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people/571-stogiefest2018 https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people/571-stogiefest2018

March 23-25, 2018
Published April 9

Another year gone, and another STOGIEFEST!

This has been a very hard article for me to pen in 2018. For the past 2 years, I had attended the festival with stogiefest 2018 attendee goodiesmy good friend Gary ‘Doc’ Laden, creator of (and, honestly, the soul of) the Smooth Draws Radio Show. Frequent readers of the Cigar Weekly Magazine know that we did all we could to help spread the word. I was a regular guest on the show, and was also honored to be a frequent co-host.

Gary passed on the 26th of January, 2018, just one day before I was to see him and co-host what I think would have been episode 147 of the show. I was shattered by his passing. His wife Susan (who he affectionately called Wee Wee) messaged me on Thursday, and told me he was in intensive care. I broke down, and started praying. Yet God still chose that time to take him home.

In honor of his commitment and contributions to cigar life, it was decided to wrap up the show with a final episode at the festival he loved most. So, for one last time, we did a live remote from StogieFest in Jacksonville, FL. It was great to be with Chad ‘The Hangman’ Potier (the show’s producer and engineer) and Nick Syris (regular co-host and a colleague of ‘Doc’) for the memorial show. But that's enough background and commiseration for the moment. Thank you for allowing me to share that moment

Now on to StogieFest!

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john@stegenga.net (John Stegenga (BigJohn)) Places & People Mon, 09 Apr 2018 04:14:35 -0400
A Look Back at the IPCPR 2017 https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people/516-ipcpr-2017 https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people/516-ipcpr-2017

IPCPR 2017 1July 20th, 2017

The 2017 International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Convention has come and gone. While it took place in Las Vegas like last year, there were significant differences – and these not all due to the fact that the venue had changed from the Sands Expo to the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Once again, we covered all four days, as well as the seminars the day before the show. And we’re very glad we did. While we didn’t hit absolutely every vendor (and some of them we had really wanted to see), we got really good coverage.

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pegndoug@sympatico.ca (Jeff (jefslat) & Brenda Slatton) Places & People Thu, 20 Jul 2017 13:39:05 -0400
The 10 Most Compelling People from Day 3 of the IPCPR 2017 https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people/515-ipcpr-2017-day-3 https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people/515-ipcpr-2017-day-3

Day 3 1July 13th, 2017

Before we get into the Top 10, there is one person who stands above all the rest - Victoria McKee Jaworski from General Cigar. You know that person who makes you feel like a close friend (but that you see only once a year), that offers you coffee (and even knows how you take it) and asks about your children (then remembers their names)? That's her. She had the company’s booth running as smoothly as clockwork, and made customers feel right at home. Plus she promoted their new products – Macanudo Black & White, Hoya de Amistad Silver, CAO Amazonia Anaconda and Partagas 1845.

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pegndoug@sympatico.ca (Jeff (jefslat) & Brenda Slatton) Places & People Fri, 14 Jul 2017 14:25:47 -0400
Novel Pairings from the IPCPR 2017, Day 2 https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people/514-ipcpr-2017-day-2 https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people/514-ipcpr-2017-day-2

Day 2 10July 12th, 2017

1. El Chapo and Sausage. Jeremy Jack Cigars went out on a limb with some unique looks. Their El Chapo is in a three-count box, and is on the lam. The Salchichas, or ‘sausages’, is a good link.

2. Oscar and Island Jim. Yes, Island Jim really looks like his cigar band, and he even has a BBQ pineapple snack sausage with a cigar-like package.

3. Sakasquatch and ‘Everyday’. Steve Saka introduced Todos Los Dias, and apologizes for his poor Spanish translation, but promises happy smokers if they try the stick. He also has a new mascot – the cigar-smoking big-foot Sakasquatch.

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pegndoug@sympatico.ca (Jeff (jefslat) & Brenda Slatton) Places & People Thu, 13 Jul 2017 18:02:00 -0400
The Top 10 Things We Learned on Day 1 at the IPCPR 2017 https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people/513-ipcpr-2017-top-10 https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people/513-ipcpr-2017-top-10

IPCPR 2017 Top 10 1July 11th, 2017

1. The former mayor of NYC, Rudy Giuliani, is a bad-ass. In light of the recent FDA regulations, his keynote speech was exactly what the cigar industry needed to hear from a politician. “President Trump realizes regulations are killing businesses,” he said. “Let businesses operate like businesses instead of government-regulated organizations.”

2. The IPCPR knows how to party. ‘Light up the Night’ with General Cigar was the best ever, with food, drinks, cigars, drinks, T-shirt screening, cigars, drinks and cigars. And Mombacho parties – enough said about that.

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pegndoug@sympatico.ca (Jeff (jefslat) & Brenda Slatton) Places & People Wed, 12 Jul 2017 18:25:19 -0400
Cigar Magic https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people/460-cigar-magic https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people/460-cigar-magic

Cigar Magic 1March 23rd, 2017

It's been my experience that cigar people are some of the nicest I've ever met, and that ‘cigar magic’ happens whenever they come together to enjoy ‘the leaf’ with one another.

A fairly short time ago, I once again saw this truth in action. A friend of mine is a blender and brand owner. Her name is Paula Hernandez, and she owns Paula Cigars. Over several months and visits at Cigar and Tobacco (a shop & lounge in Berlin, Connecticut), I’ve also became friends with Ray, the shop owner, and some of his patrons.

Until last year, I hadn't known Paula or Ray. But over the course of 2016, one cigar at a time, our relationships formed and grew. And now, as with so many other ‘brothers & sisters of the leaf’ I’ve met, Paula and Ray seem like old friends.

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pegndoug@sympatico.ca (Anthony Toland) Places & People Thu, 23 Mar 2017 04:00:03 -0400
The Old Havana Cigar Bar in Trinidad and Tobago https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people/400-old-havana https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people/400-old-havana

Old Havana Cigar Bar 1October 13th, 2016

About two months ago, I was trying to organize a cigar get-together for a bunch of my fellow cigar loving friends, or what we call hanging out – a lime.

I called a friend with the hopes of getting together with him for a smoke, and he told me that he had heard of a new place opening – a cigar bar! I was immediately intrigued. The place is called Old Havana, and I was immediately impressed by it upon my first visit.

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pegndoug@sympatico.ca (Patrick Grell) Places & People Thu, 13 Oct 2016 04:00:03 -0400
A Woman’s Perspective on the World of Cigars https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people/389-awpotwoc https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people/389-awpotwoc

AWPOTWOCOctober 6th, 2016

I began smoking cigars almost three years ago. I'm sure the way in which I got started isn't uncommon. I was driving home, and wanted to relax after a particularly long and exhausting day at work. Then, I saw something. It was sign that said ‘Cigar Lounge’. Something just clicked in me. I pulled in.

I walked into the lounge, my heels clacking on the dark wood floor and my laptop in hand, quietly sat down, and ordered a coffee. But I’m an adrenaline junkie. So I looked at the humidor. It was scary and exciting all at once. I ventured in, and immediately fell in love. The humidity in the humidor made my curls three inches bigger, but I took my time. After forty minutes, I had picked my cigar.

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pegndoug@sympatico.ca (Lisa Mejorado) Places & People Thu, 06 Oct 2016 04:00:04 -0400
2016 IPCPR Wrap-Up https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people/354-ipcpr2016-3 https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people/354-ipcpr2016-3

IMG 54791The 2016 IPCPR in Las Vegas was probably the most spectacular yet. Vendors and retailers were literally everywhere. It was a great thing that we decided to cover all four days, or we would have missed several interviews with more popular vendors on the floor.

The most encouraging aspect of the show was the overwhelming response of the vendors and retailers to the FDA information seminars. There was standing room only, and some people had to wait outside because the room was at fire marshal capacity.

As for the FDA, the language of its new guidelines, which force manufacturers to get approval for anything released after Feb. 15, 2007, is so vague that a lot of the industry is concerned about what exactly the guidelines mean. At best, it’s the FDA trying to get deeper into the pockets of the industry. At worst, it’s an aggressive attempt to destroy the industry as we know it.

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pegndoug@sympatico.ca (Jeff Slatton (jefslat)) Places & People Sat, 30 Jul 2016 21:28:17 -0400
Day Two - IPCPR Top 10 https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people/353-ipcpr2016-2 https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people/353-ipcpr2016-2

More 'Top 10' impressions, courtesy of Cigar Weekly's 'on-the-floor' Jeff Slatton (jefslat), from the second day of the (2016) International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers 84th Annual Convention & Trade Show. Have a look!

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pegndoug@sympatico.ca (Jeff Slatton (jefslat)) Places & People Wed, 27 Jul 2016 14:46:53 -0400
Day One - IPCPR Top 10 https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people/352-ipcpr2016-1 https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people/352-ipcpr2016-1

Cigar Weekly's own Jeff Slatton (jefslat) offers up his 'Top 10' impressions from the first day of the (2016) International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers 84th Annual Convention & Trade Show. Savor the moment!

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pegndoug@sympatico.ca (Jeff Slatton (jefslat)) Places & People Tue, 26 Jul 2016 23:59:37 -0400
RIP Martin Gastanaga, AKA Skullsucker https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people/320-ripmartin https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people/320-ripmartin

martinMartin Patrick Gastanaga (49) died May 14, 2016 in a tragic motorcycle accident. Martin lived a life of great adventure, excitement, love and laughter. Born June 24, 1966 in Reno, Nevada, Martin was proud to be a fourth generation Nevadan. He spent his childhood in Lake Tahoe, moved to Reno in high school and graduated from Reno High in 1985. He attended UNR but got sidetracked opening his first business, Aztech Cyberspace (which later became Twelve Horses) with his dear friend Jay MacDonald. He held various positions in the technology industry, and was most recently employed with Renown Medical Center.

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jason@Clabaugh.org (BigO) Places & People Thu, 19 May 2016 19:20:37 -0400
Heavenly Hand-Rolled https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people/273-cigar-angels https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people/273-cigar-angels

(sponsored content)

Heavenly Hand Rolled 1Who are these beautiful women?

Cigar aficionados, please allow me to introduce you to the Cigar Angels! Headquartered out of Portland, Oregon, the Cigar Angels is the most beautiful and unique group of women to offer hand-rolled cigars and first-class cigar concierge services.

Formed in early 2015, and the brainchild of Head Angel Ruth Rosebery-Wegner, the Cigar Angels has since taken the cigar culture in Portland by storm, and can often be found hosting events ranging from charity fund-raisers and golf tournaments to weddings and luxurious dinner parties.

Each Cigar Angel is individually trained to provide the best personal service as hostess, cigar roller or cigar concierge, and all are skilled at introducing your guests to the world of cigars. Their knowledge and beauty are sure to leave a lasting impression.

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pegndoug@sympatico.ca (Mark Williamson) Places & People Mon, 21 Mar 2016 04:00:02 -0400
Where To Smoke In San Antonio https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people/270-smoke-san-antonio https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people/270-smoke-san-antonio

If you’re like me, and neither smoke in the house nor have the disposable income to convert the garage or basement into a ‘man cave’, the weather is eventually going to force you to find a place to smoke. Fortunately for me, there are several in San Antonio.

Where To Smoke In San Antonio 1Starting with the ‘elephant in the room’, The Humidor (now Club Humidor) has a shop downtown in the Menger Hotel, the flagship store on San Pedro Avenue, a location at the Shops at Stone Oak, a very nice store at Huebner and Vance Jackson, and the store on Thousand Oaks – the last mentioned being my personal choice on most occasions, as it is closest to my house. Run for years by the Rumbo family (who were up for a Davidoff award at last year's IPCPR), The Humidor is a great example of a brick-and-mortar cigar store.

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pegndoug@sympatico.ca (Jeff Slatton (jefslat)) Places & People Mon, 14 Mar 2016 04:00:03 -0400
A Cigar's Tale V https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people/262-rob-hahn https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people/262-rob-hahn

An article by Nathan Hale with Rob Hahn of HaVé Cigar Company

A Cigars Tale V 1“Start The Journey!” That’s not only the motto on the band of every HaVé cigar, but also something Rob Hahn has personal experience with.

Rob currently owns and operates a cigar shop, factory and cigar rolling school. As a matter of fact, while we were talking, he was actually rolling cigars. Now, this all sounds like a lot of work (and something that may make you cringe to think about any person running). But Ron is doing exactly what he loves and wants to do.

Rob retired years ago. When he did, he was ready to do something else – something he loved. He wanted to make cigars. Within a matter weeks of making that decision, Rob was on his way to, of all places, Alamogordo, New Mexico.

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pegndoug@sympatico.ca (Nathan Hale (nhale1300)) Places & People Mon, 22 Feb 2016 05:00:03 -0500
How I Became A L.O.L.A. (Lady of the Leaf Aficionado) https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people/219-l-o-l-a https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people/219-l-o-l-a

How I Became A L.O.L.A. 1I began smoking cigars in 2007 when my dear friend, Eric, introduced me to a divine Maduro by Rocky Patel. I am a very social person, and I love the camaraderie of cigar culture. The folks who are drawn to cigars like to engage in deeper conversations and in exchanging ideas rather than trivial small talk. Every cigar smoker I have met in my eight years as a L.O.L.A. (Lady of the Leaf Aficionado) has been an educated, well spoken, thoughtful person. Each of these individuals has also maintained a type of laid back cool and zest for life unique to cigar people. Hang around a few of us, and you'll see what I mean.

A fine cigar is a living, breathing work of art, and it is to be savored like anything of similar caliber – be it wine, coffee, chocolate or food. Cigars are a labor of love. From the skilled farmer who grows and cures the tobacco, to the master blender who lovingly chooses leaves for just the right balance and flavor profile, to the torcedor who ensures perfect construction, and finally to you and me (consumers who treasure that smoke like a wide eyed kid at Christmas), it's all about love. Cigars are like relationships. They must be treated with respect, maintained and cared for in order to retain their qualities.

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pegndoug@sympatico.ca (Cheryl Vaimoso-Adams (StepfordBunny)) Places & People Mon, 12 Oct 2015 04:00:03 -0400
Cigars in Stuttgart https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people/210-cigars-in-stuttgart https://cigarweekly.com/cigarticles/places-people/210-cigars-in-stuttgart

Stuttgart, Germany – August, 2015

Bob 1

Bob 3The last several times I had visited Germany on business, the US dollar to Euro exchange rate was painful - very painful. It wasn’t quite two to one, though it wasn’t far from it either. But once I'd found my way to the Brauhaus in Boblingen and tasted that glorious dark German lager, the pain of an exchange rate eased. Now, flash forward a number of years to the current day, and the exchange rate is almost one to one... almost. Thank you Greece!

On a lazy Saturday afternoon, I found myself sitting comfortably on a 747-8 jumbo jet - a behemoth of a plane, operated by Lufthansa - flying over the Atlantic. I was knee deep into Hangover II, having just finished the original Hangover and with Hangover III queued up. It was a mindless way to pass the time, and to periodically fall into uncontrollable laughter.

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jason@Clabaugh.org (Dan Wright (jeepdad)) Places & People Mon, 31 Aug 2015 04:00:03 -0400