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The Mandalay Bay ballroom boasted more than 100,000 square feet of smoking space, which was soon brimming with some of the world's finest cigar makers and a crowd of more than 6,000 people breaking the weekend attendance record set last year. Some were Big Smoke veterans, while others were experiencing Cigar Aficionado's version of Las Vegas for the first time. Chris Rockey of Chicago reunited with friends from California and Oregon over dozens of cigars and free-flowing samples of fine spirits at Friday evening's Big Smoke. "Male bonding," was the goal, he said. His friend, Larry Arnold, joked that the Big Smoke was a good way to get away from the "nagging wives," while puffing on his cigar and toasting the libation of the moment.
The lure of the fragrant blue smoke even tempted retired Air Force chaplain Fr. Peter Otto, now a resident of Las Vegas, who came for his second straight year. "I love to try the different cigars," he said, "and drink some great liquors." Regina Wipper, of Brooklyn, New York, came with her son, Edward, a Manhattan attorney. "I bought the tickets after seeing Cigar Aficionado on a U.S. Air shuttle flight," said Regina. "I've been a cigar smoker for a number of years," said Edward. "My mother thought it would be a great idea to come out together."
The restaurants on hand included Del Frisco's, Charlie Palmer's Steak, Aureole, Valentino Las Vegas, Caffé Giorgio, Fiamma Trattoria, Mimmo Ferraro's, The House of Blues restaurant, Commander's Palace and Rumjungle. After three hours of cigar-smoking revelry, the lights dimmed and guests filed out to explore the nightlife of Sin City. But the Big Smoke Las Vegas had just begun. The Saturday and Sunday seminars were still to come as well as another evening of cars, booze and cigars. Filed by Michael Moretti |
Cigar lovers converged en masse upon Las Vegas this past weekend, puffing a trail of smoke through Nevada. The eighth annual Big Smoke Las Vegas had a new home, at the end of the Vegas Strip inside the cavernous golden and shimmering towers of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino. 
"This is my fifth year in a row," said Carlo Gallegos, who brought along four hometown buddies this year for the ride across the desert from San Jose, California. He said he had enjoyed the Big Smoke for so many years that he wanted his pals to join in the experience. 
The buzzing line stretched and puffed around the second-floor convention center before the evening's festivities began, looping into the back halls of the building. The gates opened at 6:30 to eager aficionados and wide-eyed new comers. Their empty bags were soon filled with premium handmade cigars from around the cigar-making world; the brands consisted of: Arturo Fuente, Ashton, C.A.O., Carlos Toraño, Cuesta-Rey, Felipe Dominicana, Flor de Copan, Gispert, Indian Tabac, Kahlua, La Aroma de Cuba, La Flor Dominicana, La Gloria Cubana, Montecristo, OneOff, Onyx, Padrón, Partagas Black Label, Perdomo Reserve, Punch, Romeo y Julieta, The Griffin's, Trinidad and Zino Platinum.
And what's a cigar event without a little — or rather, a whole lot — of spirits? Those wishing to sip a drink with their smokes had their pick, from Scotches such as Dewar's 12, Dalmore, Laphroaig and Glenfiddich, Bourbons Knob Creek and Woodford Reserve, Tennessee whiskey Jack Daniel's (including Gentleman Jack and Jack Daniel's Single Barrel), Fonseca Port, Château de Laubade Armagnac, Hennessey Cognac and Kahlua. Pilsner Urquell and Anheuser World Select handed out frosty beers, and Beringer, Chateau St. Jean, Ruffino and Casa Lapostolle supplied the fine wines of the evening. Toasts were made with Möet & Chandon Champagne. 
A convoy of sparkling automobiles rolled into the convention hall before the night began, and enthusiasts climbed into the cabs of muscle-bound SUVs like the new the Cadillac CTS and SRX, Hummer H1 and H2, Porsche Cayenne, Nissan Pathfinder Armada, Jeep Commander, Range Rover, Lincoln Navigator and Chevrolet SSR. Those dreaming of speeding down the Strip in a sports car held the wheel of the Maserati Spyder and Coupé, the Nissan 350Z, Chrysler Crossfire, Dodge Viper, Jaguar XJ8, Pontiac GTO and SRX, Ford Thunderbird and Corvette 2004, as well as, a classic Corvette from 1967 and Honda motorcycles. 
Keeping with the spirit of Las Vegas, guests could also test their skills at a play Blackjack table, dance to the live band Rhythm Nation and check out the latest in fashion and cigar accessories, including Diamond Crown and Puro humidors and Colibri lighters. Golf enthusiasts had a real treat — they were able to hit golf balls next to Senior PGA Tour veteran Jim Thorpe at the Callaway Golf booth. Weekend duffers were even invited to try to match drives with the cigar-loving golf pro.