big smoke show in Las Vegas

[slee87]

Anyone in the states or out of the states gonna attend the big smoke show in Las Vegas?

[MIKA27]

We'd never get anything like this in Australia. I need to see Vegas one day.

Attending the big smoke event is something I'd really love to do.

[dochowl]

A group of us guys used to go to this every year. The food is good, the booze is good. Unfortunately, the quantity and quality of cigars has been dropping for years, while the price of the event has been going up. That said, I haven't actually been to the show since 2006. We still make the trip to Vegas on that weekend, but rather than spending the $$$ on the Big Smoke, I choose to contribute the money to the college fund of some 19 year old "exotic dancer". I feel like I am doing my part to make the life of one student just a little better.

[aes8]

Save your money. The sticks are crap, the food has declined every year and the price continues to go up. Also there is very little seating, few ashtrays, and the food is "bar food" at best.

Just my two cents worth.

[cigcars]

Save your money. The sticks are crap, the food has declined every year and the price continues to go up. Also there is very little seating, few ashtrays, and the food is "bar food" at best.

Just my two cents worth.

I went to the smoke show in Atlanta in around 1998 or so. They gave out a set of tear-off tickets (raffle style) for you to redeem them for cigars and drinks (liquor). As I don't drink (anymore) I gave away all my drink tickets swapping them for cigar tickets, which all the persons I approached were more than happy to oblige. Ehh - you're right, the cigars weren't all that much, but then they weren't havanas!!!

[slee87]

thanks for the review i was gonna buy the 2 day ticket package for 500ish ill just save my money and buy some CC on czar instead.

[lemmycaution]

I went one year in NYC and ended up giving most of the cigars away. I also found it to be kind of hectic with everyone rushing around trying to get cigars. The food was good and it was kind of fun but just not worth the money.

[PigFish]

A group of us guys used to go to this every year. The food is good, the booze is good. Unfortunately, the quantity and quality of cigars has been dropping for years, while the price of the event has been going up. That said, I haven't actually been to the show since 2006. We still make the trip to Vegas on that weekend, but rather than spending the $$$ on the Big Smoke, I choose to contribute the money to the college fund of some 19 year old "exotic dancer". I feel like I am doing my part to make the life of one student just a little better.

Jesus Christ... I could have not said it better myself. They might as well give out t-shirts that say "victim" on the front and "I am a sucker with bad taste" on the back. What a waste of time!

Much, much better to a handful of Habanos, a couple of mates and a wad of bills to, "Play it Again Sams." ... right Rob? -LOL

[laficion]

Absolutely not for me

A high price to pay for only 3 hours of a cigar event with bad bar food, poor drinks and very mediocre cigars

When I go out for a cigar night, real food and real drinks, plus, I get back home the following morning

[thechenman]

I've often thought about doing the one in NYC or CT, but the price of admission liek laficion says is a bit to high considering what they are offering.

The one in Vegas that you mentioned seems a bit more interesting, although more expensive, but when I ask around...it seems like many cigar lovers do what Dochowl does and they just hit Vegas during the same time the Big Smoke is in town and they mix and mingle with other cigar lovers in between and after their planned activities.

And the cigars they give away, are truly for the most part crap.

[CanuckSARTech]

I've seriously thought about doing this in the past. I won't be this fall, though.

Two cigar things I definitely want to do - Big Smoke Las Vegas, and the Festival Habano.

For the Festival Habano, been to Cuba before, and my wife and I are always going back and forth into the carribean, there and other islands as well. But, I just haven't been in Cuba during the Festival - definitely on my priority list to do, before I turn 40 (I'm 31 now).

But, for the Big Smoke Las Vegas, I've never been to Vegas. My close buddies, we've all said we need to do Vegas sometime before we're 40 as an extended "guys weekend". And, they know me - the thought has been brought up many times to do it during the Big Smoke, so we can do 'er all in one shot. And yes, I'm Canadian, so I wouldn't really be going to experience the liquor or the NC cigars. But, it's the experience that would make it worthwhile.

And, on a bit of a side note - I'm not an overly huge James Suckling fan, and I know we're discussing this on another thread, but I don't think the Big Smoke will be as good this year. I think there will be more proverbial crap hitting the fan over whatever happened with him leaving CA, and that might end up dominating the town hall discussions. He brought a lot to CA, and to the Cuban cigar community, and with that loss, I think that the Big Smoke might end up taking a bit of a hit, for this year and next year's too, maybe. And when I say "hit", I mean attendance wise, but also in the general good spirit and comraderie of such an event. Just my hypothesizing, anyways.

[Habanakane21]

I went one year in NYC and ended up giving most of the cigars away. I also found it to be kind of hectic with everyone rushing around trying to get cigars. The food was good and it was kind of fun but just not worth the money.

That's what I kinda of heard too. Been wanting to go since they began the Big Smoke. Almost pulled the trigger for the Vegas one. Decided to go the week after instead. My actual 40th birthday weekend.

[phxkev]

I've been a few times. If you go, go for the fun of being with a group of cigar buddies, not just for the Big Smoke evening or seminars. I did just the Big Smoke evening one year and also did the seminars three other years. But comments on this board are correct. The cigars given away at the evening event are getting smaller, fewer and lower end. The lines are long at some booths. You don't get much of an opportunity to speak with the manufacturers because it's just adult trick-or-treating. The food has declined in quality and many other "toys" they use to have on the floor (golf clubs, cars, etc.) are no longer part of the event.

The three day weekend needs to be re-invented. The seminars are being replayed, are mostly commercials for some CA advertisers, and lack educational value. The luncheon use to be fun as each table had a host that brought cigars. Now the whole luncheon is hosted by General Cigar this year and I can't think of very many smokable cigars from General. You get some more cigars when you attend the seminars but for an extra $310 I would say buy a couple of boxes from Rob and get what you'll like rather than spending $550 plus accomodations and travel expenses and going home with 25 to 40 crappy smokes.

[CanuckSARTech]

I've been a few times. If you go, go for the fun of being with a group of cigar buddies, not just for the Big Smoke evening or seminars. I did just the Big Smoke evening one year and also did the seminars three other years. But comments on this board are correct. The cigars given away at the evening event are getting smaller, fewer and lower end. The lines are long at some booths. You don't get much of an opportunity to speak with the manufacturers because it's just adult trick-or-treating. The food has declined in quality and many other "toys" they use to have on the floor (golf clubs, cars, etc.) are no longer part of the event.

The three day weekend needs to be re-invented. The seminars are being replayed, are mostly commercials for some CA advertisers, and lack educational value. The luncheon use to be fun as each table had a host that brought cigars. Now the whole luncheon is hosted by General Cigar this year and I can't think of very many smokable cigars from General. You get some more cigars when you attend the seminars but for an extra $310 I would say buy a couple of boxes from Rob and get what you'll like rather than spending $550 plus accomodations and travel expenses and going home with 25 to 40 crappy smokes.

Wow. Well said then.

I guess that Cigar Aficionado should stand up and take notice, especially if this is the sentiment being expressed by someone who has gone to this event 4 TIMES! Sounds like they need to pull their laces tight, and gear up for some improvements then.

[LeafLover]

A group of us guys used to go to this every year. The food is good, the booze is good. Unfortunately, the quantity and quality of cigars has been dropping for years, while the price of the event has been going up. That said, I haven't actually been to the show since 2006. We still make the trip to Vegas on that weekend, but rather than spending the $$$ on the Big Smoke, I choose to contribute the money to the college fund of some 19 year old "exotic dancer". I feel like I am doing my part to make the life of one student just a little better.

Dochowl, you are an unselfish, good man!

[LeafLover]

Wouldn't participate for the Te Amo and Cusano cigars or the Glenlivet.

Now, if Big Smoke would merge with the AVN and a barbecue contest....I'm all over it.

[Leopolis Semper Fidelis]

Little point in going if Havanas aren't on the menu.

[CanuckSARTech]

...Now, if Big Smoke would merge with the AVN and a barbecue contest....I'm all over it.

That gives a whole new meaning to, "Sir, you have some sauce on your tie."

[Loki]

My close proximity to NYC gave a group of us the opportunity to attend a few of the big smokes. The first one was good but subsequent

shows have just blown, **** cigars , over crowded and so on. The FOH get togethers in NYC are killer. Save your money watch the forum and attend one of these. Rob is always generous , oh and Lisa too, and if unable to fly over always sends cigars to sample in his stead.

Plus you get to meet the King or Queen in person.

[CanuckSARTech]

My close proximity to NYC gave a group of us the opportunity to attend a few of the big smokes. The first one was good but subsequent

shows have just blown, **** cigars , over crowded and so on. The FOH get togethers in NYC are killer. Save your money watch the forum and attend one of these. Rob is always generous , oh and Lisa too, and if unable to fly over always sends cigars to sample in his stead.

Plus you get to meet the King or Queen in person.

Just may have to look into that.

Say, besides the pending Cuba trip, I say we have the next FOH Gathering in either Toronto or London, Ontario. Both beautiful cities, and both places where I have some connections to make some sweet arrangements.

Offer's out there, Rob.

[cigcars]

Little point in going if Havanas aren't on the menu.

!!HERE HERE!!! *** Hell, I'd go to every one of 'em if that were the case!!!

[Ellery]

Ive been to a couple of cigar events. For the price of admission, I'd rather get a couple of boxes from Czar, and have my own get together.