Gordon Mott

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Big Smoke Season

Posted: 01:06 PM ET, November 20, 2007

It’s Big Smoke day in New York. After 14 years, I know that means the holiday season is on us too. It’s always been the perfect kick-off to that time of year.

For starters, we get a parade of our favorite cigar manufacturers coming through the city. I’ve seen my favorite Yankee fan, Jose Blanco of La Aurora; Mike Chiusano of Cusano cigars, Micky Pegg and Jon Huber of CAO spent some time here yesterday; and members of the Cigar Aficionado staff have been out to events with the Fuente family and many others. It really is a festive time for all cigar smokers in New York City because they can attend events at retail stores throughout the weekend before and the week of the Big Smoke.

Then, of course, Thanksgiving is right around the corner. One year, we tried to do the event in October, and in November, we had dozens of calls from people asking, “OK, when is the Big Smoke this year?” For them, the event had become synonymous with Thanksgiving, too.

Tonight, more than 3000 people will descend on the Marriott Marquis Hotel, enjoy more than 30 cigars and sample some of the best spirits in the world. I know I’m already looking forward to that glass of Flor de Cana rum from Nicaragua. There’s nothing quite like it. Yes, the New York Big Smoke is more crowded than any other event we do during the year, but that’s part of its charm and energy. People are excited to be around their favorite cigar makers, and enjoying the camaraderie of their friends.

So, tune in over the next few days for an updated New York Big Smoke gallery, and more blogs from the Cigar Aficionado staffers. Maybe we can tempt you to put the event on your calendar for 2008.

And join all of us in giving thanks for another Big Smoke in New York.

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Reader Comments

User Name: Jose Blanco Posted: 09:56 AM ET, November 22, 2007

Gordon as always great to see you and all the guys at Aficionado,I got to meet the Red Sox bear and it was kind of you not to make me kiss it like Savona had to do, but next year Yankees all the way.

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