Popular Post Drguano Posted June 15, 2018 Popular Post Posted June 15, 2018 Ever since Agnes and I returned from Lugano, I have been trying to put together a post that describes AmiCigar and the annual gathering of the Italian Cigar Brotherhood. When people hear the word brotherhood, they say, "oh, like the Mafia?" It is except for the extortion, violence, prostitution, drugs and criminal activity. Well, I guess the only similarity is Italy. So no, not like the Mafia. AmiCigar is a group of cigar smokers who truly enjoy being together and sharing good cigars, food and drink. Gino (known on the forum as Mr Japan) is the person I think of when asked who came up with this "BUT," I can hear him saying, as he shrugs with both hands to the heavens, "it is not about me! It is about everyone who takes pleasure in a cigar and friendship!" He is right. There is a core group, Giuseppe, Fernando, Antonello and a lot of guys whose names end in 'O' who work like fiends to assemble the badges, package the wonderful gifts, translate into English the many questions a Minnesotan might have and generally keep things going. They do a great job. The party changes location. My first experience of AmCigar was 2014 in Dublin when James Fox Cigar and Whiskey (aka Rob and Stuart) sponsored the event 5 years ago. Mixing Ireland and Italy is a marvelous thing. Then add Germans, Japanese, British, Canadians etc. and see what happens. The next year it was in Maori on the scenic Amalfi Coast. Wow! Add Serbians, Croatians, Russians and some guy from Australia and things really begin to cook. I recall going back to the hotel from the bar on the beach just in time for breakfast and a shower and start again. Three days of that and things were finally getting weird enough for me. 2016 we all met in Havana and a lot of you joined in. 2017, back to Amalfi where we smoked cigars in Pompeii. This year, our hosts in Lugano were Alaine and Sofia and the cheerful staff of their LCDH, Cigar Must. They threw open the doors, kept the snacks, espresso, prosecco, grappa and cigars flowing. For the vintage cigar tasting, they provided a couple boxes of Upmann Monarch Tubos from 1998. A wonderful smoke accompanied by champagne and a taste of the Havana Club Tributo for 2018. A tasty rum aged in Islay barrels. If I understood correctly, there are only 250 bottles made for the entire planet and we got to open one that fell off the truck. In 2019, we will meet again in Amalfi. 2020 we will gather in Antwerp. I hope Gino does not mind if I say to put the middle of June on your calendars and come see what it is all about. Relax and share a love of cigars, good food, drink and above all, friendship. Thanks to Armando who does not know I borrowed a couple of his photos. 10 4
Puros Y Vino Posted June 15, 2018 Posted June 15, 2018 Great pics and writeup. An AmiCigar event is on my bucket list. 2
El Presidente Posted June 15, 2018 Posted June 15, 2018 Fantastic write up Pete Di and I will see you in Amalfi next year. 3
Drguano Posted June 15, 2018 Author Posted June 15, 2018 1 minute ago, El Presidente said: Fantastic write up Pete Di and I will see you in Amalfi next year. I am looking forward to that!
Bartolomeo Posted June 15, 2018 Posted June 15, 2018 Good stuff and thanks for sharing, was nice meeting you back in 2016 and I look forward to attending another one of these down the road
Mr.T Posted June 15, 2018 Posted June 15, 2018 Brilliant! From one Minnesoootan to another thank you for sharing your thoughts and great memories on your visit and what it means to be a part of an incredible community of friends and lovers of the leaf! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Ryan Posted June 15, 2018 Posted June 15, 2018 Sorry to have missed you this year Peter. I know Rob had a great time. I'll be in Amalfi next year and Belgium the next. See you later this year! And I love Reza's shirt/blouse. Looks like he took a fall in a postcard factory. 1
Drguano Posted June 15, 2018 Author Posted June 15, 2018 1 hour ago, Ryan said: And I love Reza's shirt/blouse. Looks like he took a fall in a postcard factory. Yes, Reza made it himself. He is well known in the fashion world of les Pays Bas. 1
madandana Posted June 15, 2018 Posted June 15, 2018 So jealous. We had it on the calander until we found out my 2nd grandson was due that week. We will be in Italy next year for it.
Drguano Posted June 15, 2018 Author Posted June 15, 2018 2 hours ago, madandana said: So jealous. We had it on the calander until we found out my 2nd grandson was due that week. We will be in Italy next year for it. Did the grandson make an appearance?
Popular Post madandana Posted June 16, 2018 Popular Post Posted June 16, 2018 14 hours ago, Drguano said: Did the grandson make an appearance? Yes sir, Franklin David arrived safe and sound .Once again Grandpa and Grandma' hearts were stolen. 6
Drguano Posted June 16, 2018 Author Posted June 16, 2018 3 hours ago, madandana said: Yes sir, Franklin David arrived safe and sound .Once again Grandpa and Grandma' hearts were stolen. Congratulations! I believe a cigar is in order... Better keep the kids from fooling around until at least November if you want to make Amalfi next June... 1 1
Mr. Japan Posted June 22, 2018 Posted June 22, 2018 Thank you Peter for the nice words and photo's . Next year please come earlier so you can work for the event while Agnes will relax on the beach/terrace ... ....we are looking for sponsors for 2019.
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