JC's Cigar Travels
October 2008
Las Vegas Cigar Lounge - October Special - All during the month of October, Cigar Lounge will give you a 15% discount on your purchase when you mention LASVEGASH. Some restrictions may apply.
September 2008
Monday, September 29th - Cigarbox - has moved to their new location at 1900 Western Ave. their humidor will feature a larger variety of cigars. (near Cheetah's Nightclub).
Friday, September 26th - Havana Club Lounge - Had their grand opening over the weekend. Nice looking shop with lots to seating to hang out and enjoy a cigar. They have a walk-in humidor stocked with a good selection of premium cigars. They will be having a cigar dinner on October 15th. For more info on the dinner, call 702-856-3120.
Saturday, September 6th - Las Vegas Paiute Tribal Smoke Shop - Nice thing about shopping there is that there's no sales tax and most of their prices are comparable to buying mail order or online. But BUYER BEWARE - Their customer service leaves a lot to be desired and they have serious humidification issues. All the cigars I purchased were rock hard. I would suggest leaving them in your humidor for at least a month before smoking them.
Saturday, September 6th - Justin & I recorded our 9th Episode of Las VegasTV.com at Bad Habits, downtown Las Vegas. It was an nteresting episode and one of the topics we touched on was feamales in the Cigar Insustry. Very seldom to we see a female clerk at a cigar store. And of the few that we do see, rarely do we come across one who is knowledgable on cigars. But yet there are several women who work in the industry and many as cigar reps who do know their cigars.
Wednesday, September 3rd - Stinky Wednesday After Work Herf at the Artisan Hotel - Nice event, No Stinky. Sad to say I'm the only one who showed up. But that didn't stop me from enjoying some good cigars and taking advantage of their happy hour specials. Special times for me and my cigars. I love that place!
August 2008
Saturday, August 30th at the Las Vegas Cigar Lounge - We had an event there with Justin from LasVegashTV.com and Chris from CigarAlliance.com When I walked in the shop I was greeted by Eddie that I was in the new Las Vegas Cigar Lounge. Ramon has sold his store to the gentlemen pictured below. The new owners are collecting input from customers on how to improve the store.
I met Chris from Cigaralliance.com, a website that features cigar related podcasts. We had a great conversation and found that we enjoy many of the same cigars.
I finally got to try the new Macanudo 1968 and was impressed. "Finally, a Macanudo cigar I can enjoy!"
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Eddie, Doug & Rob - new owners of the Las Vegas Cigar Lounge |
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NUB - Habano Toro
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Wango Tango - Perfecto
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Cuvee - No.151
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Trinidad - 100th Anniversary Limitado
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Devil's Weed
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El Tiante
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Padilla - Golden Bear
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La Flor Dominicana - Cameroon Cabinet
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Reyes Family - Premier
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Te-Amo - World Selection Series Nicaragua Blend
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Te-Amo - World Selection Series Honduras Blend
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Costa Rica Cigars - Signature
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Canimao - Maduro
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Pinar Del Rio - Oscuro
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July 2008
July 31st -Las Vegas Cigar Lounge - July ended on an up note with a Trinidad event sponsored by Altadis. The featured cigar was the 100th Anniversary Trinidad Limitado. It's by far the best domestic Trinidad I've ever had. Medium to full bodied with an earthy taste to it. Ramoñ says he plans on having 2 events a month at the Cigar Lounge.
July 14th-17th IPCPR CIGAR TRADESHOW - At the Sands Expo. Justin & I taped some great video for LasvegAshTV.com. In the future we'll be telling about some of the new cigars that we tried and some of the interesting products that were featured. Next year the event will be in New Orleans and we're not sure if the show will be returning to Las Vegas.
Some of the interesting products we saw:
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HAVA CUBE - A temperature & humidity controlled humidor that features a 3/4-inch glass door.
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SHARPEYE FRAMING - A framing company that sells the "Sigaromanzia" artwork to cigar stores. It's a poster with pictures of people holding cigars and describing what kind of person they are by the way they hold their cigar.
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CIGAR MECHANIC - Bead humidification system that uses nanobead technology.
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Wednesday July 16th Cigar Tasting at the Artisan Lounge. - We sampled the Bahia Gold White Label and got to meet Tony Borani, owner of Bahia Cigars. The folks from CigarTV.com were there to video tape what we thought of the cigar.
Saturday, July 12th Las Vegas Cigar Lounge - It was a great event featuring Padilla Cigars and we got to meet Ernest Padilla and Ramoñ provided us with some authentic Cuban Food. You can always tell when you've had a good time when you look at your watch and realize you've lost track of time and you should have left a couple of hours ago.
Saturday, July 12th Casa Fuente Cigar Lounge -We recorded Episode #8 for LasvegashTV.com in the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace. Manager Michael Farverger was a gracious host and provided us with a special Casa Fuente Cigar to review and it was excellent!
Wednesday, July 2nd Artisan Lounge - We got July Cigar smoking off to a good start at the Artisan Lounge and we'll be back there again next week. Lots of events coming up for the IPCPR (formerly the RTDA) the week of July 18th. Watch for a couple of Grand Openings in August. Cibarbox is moving to 1800 Western Ave. near Cheetah's on August 1st and Havana Club will be opening next month on Rainbow near the I-215.
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June 2008
Saturday, June 14th at Phil's Cigars was a great event. It was Jim's birthday, Stinky brought in a cigar-shaped birthday cake and Ron from Troya Cigars gave away a lot of prizes.
Wednesday, June 18th at the Artisan Lounge - A great turnout of about 35 people from the Las Vegas Cigar Posse. We were able to take advantage of the special happy hour prices, Stinky made arrangements to have appetizers served and we were treated to a complimentary cigar by Quintero & Saint Louis Rey, compliments of Xclusive Cigars and Altadis. The Artisan is a great place to enjoy a cigar. I brought the last of my box Graycliff Presidentes that I bought over 5 years ago and had been aging in my humidor. Wow! What a smoke!.I
Friday, June 20th XIKAR Defiance Cigar - On the band it says "Do Not Remove." I thought that was odd, so I removed it and found the message pictured above.
The first one I tried, the Renegade Robusto wasn't that great. Probably because I was outside and it was 105 degrees. Because of the unique label and what they're trying to do for us cigar lovers, the next day I tried the Sentry Lonsdale at the Havana Cigar Co. This one was much better, a good cigar that I was able to enjoy.
Saturday, June 21st Havana Cigar Company - We made episode #7 for LasvegashTV and it can be viewed at www.lasvegashtv.com
June 29th Sean's Birthday - He turned the big 4-0 and his wife made him a wonderful looking cake in the shape of a humidor with cigars made out of tootsie rolls on top. See the picture gallery.
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May 2008
May got off to a jump start. May 1st - at Casa Fuente with some friends from Detroit.
May 2nd Bad Habits Cigars, we met up with some of the guys from Herfer's Paradise and I had no idea that the Gay Pride Parade would be coming down 4th street right in front of the Bad Habits Cigar Store.
Saturday, May 3rd, met up again the guys from Herfer's Paradise. I enjoyed the Grand Habana Corojo #5 ...what a great cigar! Sinky donated a Herf Edition Stinky Ashtray to Herfer's Paradise.
Sunday, May 4th we got together at Dave's place (known as Sin Loi on the Herfer's Paradise Board. We enjoyed a Rocky Patel Edge Batalian Corojo and then for desert, Dave made his famous Banana Fosters for us.
Thursday, May 22nd, we discovered a great cigar-friendly bar inside the Aristan Hotel located at W. Sahara & I-I5. Great atmosphere and the bar is open 24/7. Watch the events section for a cigar event coming there soon!
Thursday, May 22nd, Las Vegas Cigar Lounge featured a Gurkha cigar event featuring special pricing and prizes. Pictured above is Mako & Cigar Lounge owner Ramon with the special limited edition CAO Gold humidor that Mako just won in a special drawing.
May 24, Cigar Pass Herf at the Road Runner was a nice event with a lot of giveways Gene Arganese of Arganese Cigars gave away 4 trips to the Dominican Repuplic to visit his cigar factory. Every one receive a good bag including with cigars including the new Devil's Weed that was a pretty decent smoke.
Sad to hear that TinderBox on West Sahara & Fort Apache is closing their store. They stocked a bigger variety of cigars than any other cigar store in Las Vegas. They will be missed.
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April 2008
There's a new cigar store in Las Vegas
Sunday, April 27th Hatuey Cubinican Cigars - located at 4750 W. Sahara (Norheast corner of Sahara & Decatur, across the parking lot from Von's) They have their own line of reasonbly price cigars. And if I may add pretty decent smokes. They have a beautiful smoking lounge with a big screen TV and comfortable seating. They're open Monday thru Saturday from 11am - 7pm.
JC with the Arganese Girls |
Friday, April 25th Las Vegas Cigar Lounge - A great turnout for the Arganese Cigars event. Arganese has been around for about 5 years and coming into its own. They use Cuban seed tobacco grown in the Dominican Republic. They have about 12 different cigars featuring Honduran, Nicaraguan, Brazilian & Cameroon wrappers. I was pleasantly pleased with their cigars. You can see the video interview with owner Gene Arganese on LasVegashTV.com
Wednesday, April 23rd Hemingway's Cigar Lounge - A packed house for the Rocky Patel Event with Rocky Patel's brother Nish Patel on hand to sign boxes. There was a great spread of food catered by Maria of J Laurens Catering. I tried the new Rocky Patel Edge Batallion maduro - a tasty 60 righ gauge smoke. Melanie, formerly with Tinder Box is now with Hemingway's. |
March 2008
Thursday, March 20th Phil's Cigars - The New Playboy cigar was featured at this event that was co-sponsored by Altadis. We met their new area rep, Tommy who used to be with Havana Republic that used to be in the Desert Passage at the Aladdin. Since Planet Hollywood took over the Aladdin they renamed their mall the Miracle Mile of Shops are ther are no cigar stores to be found.
Anyway, getting back to the Newly blended Playboy Cigar, I give it a Thumbs Up. Medium bodied and not harsh and smokes smooth. I remember being very fond of the old Playboy cigar when it first came out and then after about a year they just went downhill. Let's hope this new Playboy will stay consistent over the upcoming years because it certainly is a winner.
To go along with the Playboy theme, Justine was there wearing her Bunny Outfit. Check out the pictures in the gallery.
Saturday, March 15th Las Vegas Cuban Cigar Factory (formerly Smokin's Ass) Paradise & Flamingo - We recorded our 4th episode for LasvegashTV and talked to store owner German who also owns Bad Habits Cigars. Justin & I review the new CAO Maduro cigar.
We also announced the winner of the La Aurora Cigar / Stinky Ashtray contest. It took about 10 months and 1,375 cigars to fill up the ashtray. Congratulations to the winner Richard of Tallahassee, FL. He missed by 2 guessing 1,373. |
February 2008
Saturday, February 23rd Hemingway's - We did our 3rd episode for LasvegashTV and had a nice turnout. We talked to Paul, owner of Hemingway's along with Sam & Michelle. Justin & I sampled the Rocky Patel Decade Toro. Great cigar, similar to the Rocky Patel Edge but not as strong or demanding on the palate. Also on hand was Marlo & Edga from Lovo cigars. Edga was demonstrating the art of cigar rolling.
The Las Vegas area Cigar Stores page has been updated and there is a new Picture Gallery for 2008 Cigar Events.
Saturday, February 9th Cigarbox - We recorded our 2nd episode for LasvegashTV that can be viewed at www.lasvegashtv.com. Store manager Jason provided us with a lot of information about the store and cigars along with a tour of their humidor. Justin & I smoked the new Fuente Opus X Double Robusto ...needless to say a great cigar. |
January
2008
Saturday, January 19th Phil's Cigars - We did our first taping for our new cigar webisodes that you will be able to watch from your computer. We reviewed the new Perdomo and I also tried the Pre-release Premier Puros Indios by Rolando Reyes. Nice full-bodied smoke that kicked my ass. I didn't realize it until after I smoked it. Also tried the new Ghurka Shaggy which was an interesting smoke.
Thursday, January 10th Timbers - Our first herf of the new year. Stinky, Jim, Paul, Justin and myself met some of our fellow cigar lover who were in town for the Consumer Electronics show. Timbers at Maryland & Wigwam is smoker friendly and a great place to have a meal and enjoy a cigar. One of the cigars I had was a Gran Habanos Corojo that had a rich flavor. I don't recall them being that good before.
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