IPCPR convention
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The International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association annual convention and trade show is being held here in New Orleans this weekend. It's only open to members in the trade, so I spent the last several days trying to find my 'in'. Found out today that I'll have a floor pass for the trade show! Sweet.
Because of the event, the local shops are having events this week with some big names. Pete Johnson and Jose Seijas will be at my favorite local shop. Unfortunately, I'm supposed to work both of those nights, so I'm still working on how I'm going to attend. I want to get Seijas to sign my Mi Dominicana humidor box, but I really want to meet Pete Johnson, so I'm torn as to which to go to if I can only get away for one.
Anyway, I'm just excited so I wanted to pop in and share.
Because of the event, the local shops are having events this week with some big names. Pete Johnson and Jose Seijas will be at my favorite local shop. Unfortunately, I'm supposed to work both of those nights, so I'm still working on how I'm going to attend. I want to get Seijas to sign my Mi Dominicana humidor box, but I really want to meet Pete Johnson, so I'm torn as to which to go to if I can only get away for one.
Anyway, I'm just excited so I wanted to pop in and share.
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Today I went to the convention for a little while, to hear the seminar on legislative action. I missed the CRA seminar because I was on a photo shoot. The trade show opens tomorrow morning, so I'll definitely be there. I'll take my camera.
Andrew, not a native New Orleanian. I moved here 2 years ago this month. This is home now, though. I love the city, so I bought a house and settled in.
Puro, if you score a box of those halloween sticks let me know. I'd love to trade for one.
Just got home from the cigar show. The coolest part was being introduced to guys like Paolo Gazaroli of Graycliff, Joe Chuisano of Cusano, and Kevork Garmirian of P.G.
Unfortunately a lot of the companies were only giving samples if you were placing orders for a shop, and some like Fuente and P.G. weren't doing samples at all because Louisiana is charging them the 20% state tobacco tax on all the samples given away.
I did get over 20 cigars, smoked several while I was walking around. I would smoke them long enough to get a feel, then lay them down to light up something else. Here are a few of the bands I remembered to keep.
Here are all the cigars that made it home.
And these are by far the coolest samples I managed to get. A new, not yet named, Graycliff blend. They only brought 240 of these to give away.
I also got a sample of a new Graycliff chocolate. They're working on developing a line of chocolates to pair with cigars. The one I got is 70% cacao, with tobacco flavoring.
I want to head back to the host hotel in a couple hours to check out the hospitality suite, but I have a final exam and a term paper due tomorrow, so it might have to wait for another night. I'm gonna try to go back tomorrow on my lunch break.
I think it's cool to have smokes that are either exremely rare or a new "Project" that no one else really has!!! SWEET!
bbc, you've been looking for a Tat Black for months, still haven't gotten your hands on one?
My apologies Josh...you're still top notch in my book...even though I have the wrong name listed...JK
It's all good man, I just had to give you a hard time, you know. We all make little mistakes...though I think he should divert that Tat Black my way since at least I can remember his name.
I dunno, I've heard some bad things about you lately. I don't know if you could really appreciate such a nice cigar. (lol)
I don't believe I've mentioned this before but ol' Josh is helluva bbq-er. I do believe I ate some of the best pulled pork I've ever eaten in my life at his house.