2012 Big Smoke Saturday Seminars—Industry Veterans

Carlos "Carlito" Fuente Jr., president of Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia., maker of Arturo Fuente and Fuente Fuente OpusX cigars.
Photos/Sjodin Photography

Andrew Nagy
Posted: November 14, 2012

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"Because of the way the leaf grows, it's easiest to blend to a 43 or 44 ring gauge," said Quesada. "That way, you can go up or down. Going up is a lot easier, as you have more room in the gauge. I like to say we, as blenders, blend in solids, as opposed to winemakers who blend in liquids. Adjust a tiny quarter of an inch there in the leaf, adding an inch here, that is far easier than subtracting."

The four tobacco men continued their discussion, and the audience listened intently. With so many pearls of cigar wisdom hitting the brain at once, it was easy for some to get overwhelmed. But, like most of the Big Smoke cigar seminars, audience members that were able to remember even the tiniest nugget of information were excited.

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Comments 1 comment(s)

Armando Padron — Tampa, Florida, USA, — November 14, 2012 10:40pm ET

I have been reading Cigar Aficionado for quite sometime and when I saw the Big Smoke event in Las Vegas, I could not resist. I will turn 50 in 2 months so my family decided to send me all expenses paid for me and my wife to the event of the year celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Cigar Aficionado. I had the greatest privilege to speak with a true pioneer in the Cigar industry, Mr.Benjamin Menendez-Benji.. When I spoke to him it was like I had known him all my life. I will always treasure the moment.. Thank you Benji for being an inspiration, a pioneer, a visionary..y un gran orgullo de ser cubano.. Gracias amigo... Armando Padron

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