Organizers claim that this is the most important event of the year for tobacco lovers that will allow its participants to learn about exciting and new products and rub shoulders with cigar manufacturers. The Trade Show is closed for the public but offers free admission to members of the IPCPR so if you want to attend it you should probably join the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association.

This year’s convention will feature some interesting seminars on how social media can be useful in the marketing of cigars and what the steps for increasing job satisfaction and productivity should be. Plus, there will be a cigar blending demonstration by master blender Jose Blanco of LaAurora who will show how four fillers can be used in different ways to create a premium cigar. The blending demonstration attendees will have a chance to sample cigars and check their balance, strength, and flavor. There will be some entertainment as well – standup comedian Ron White is coming to IPCPR 79th Annual Convention and International Trade Show to entertain trade show participants.

Well, folks, this seems to be a perfect event, considering that it combines Las Vegas, cigars and entertainment.

Buying cigars online >>>

Join us February 10th at Casa Fuma Fine Cigars in Gilbert, Aizona for the release party of the New Gran Habano Azteca. The Azteca is a brand new maduro cigar featuring a San Andres Maduro wrapper and binder along with filler tobacco from Nicaragua and Panama. Casa Fuma is excited to be teamed up with Gran Habano Cigars to be the first to offer this new medium to full bodied cigar to the public!

We will also have margaritas provided by local tequila company Senor Rio, along with food from Cantina Laredo Gourmet Mexican Food in Gilbert.

Dollars For Dallas -
Dallas Francis has been an employee of Teakwoods Tavern and Grill for 3 years. Dallas and his wife Liz both work at Teakwoods full time to support their 5 children during these tough economic times. He has recently been diagnosed with colon cancer and has undergone emergency surgery. The cancerous cells are still in his body and he will have to endure 6 months of chemotherapy. During that time, he will be unable to work to provide for his wife and children.

We are pleased to have a Gran Habano one of a kind custom designed hand crafted humidor for raffle during this event. The humidor will be also be autographed by George Rico, President of Gran Habano Cigar Company who will be here to launch his new AZTECA Cigar and support the effort for Dallas and his family. Raffle Tickets are available NOW at Casa Fuma Fine Cigars and Teakwoods Tavern for $10.

**ALL PROCEEDS OF THE RAFFLE WILL BENEFIT DOLLARS FOR DALLAS**

When: Wednesday, February 10th 6:00 – 10:00pm

Location:
Casa Fuma Fine Cigars
1464 E. Williams Field Rd
Gilbert AZ 85295
480.794.1581

Officially sponsored by these great companies:
Casa Fuma Fine Cigars, Gran Habano Cigar Company,
Teakwoods Tavern, Cantina Laredo Mexican Food,
Senor Rio Tequila, puffingcigars.com

This is Glen Case of Kristoff Cigars.

Canimao Cigars President and Master Blender sat down with us (with the help of an interrupter) to discuss the passion and love that must go into the creation of a great cigar.

J. Fuego discusses the new cigar size that is to be released and the new special edition cigars that he has planed for the 09-10 years.

Victor Vitale of the Cigar Agency and creator of the Ortsac cigar.

George A. Rico of Gran Habano and G.A.R. Cigars introduces his new limited production, extra large cigar. He also confirms that his name has never been changed and he has always had the G.A.R. initials.

Moving along we came across a couple of interesting booths worth mentioning. First was Torque, a cigar company I wasn’t able to find information on. I went up to their booth but they just had some cool cars displayed. Maybe next time they will provide me with information.

Nearby was a company called Great Wall and as the name suggests this is a company from China. They were there to introduce us to a new, high-tech, more efficient, I got so bored I stopped listening, way to grow tobacco so cigars can be made for the U.S. market. I was unable to get a definitive answer on if they have found a way to somehow infuse lead into the tobacco products they will produce.

Next on my list was the CAO booth to check out the new La Traviata cigar and motorcycle. Caramelo Joe also made its introduction as a new flavored cigar in the CAO lineup. All the other cigars CAO offers were there making an appearance, absent from last year were the flavor girls.

General Cigar Company had a pretty big section on the convention square. They have a new “boutique” cigar they are introducing. General Cigar Company is specifically telling all the retailers that they are NOT supposed to place this near the other General products. It must sit with the other boutique cigars on the shelves. Sadly enough the cigar is still…. Just a general cigar that General would put out. Oh – and if you care the new cigar is called the Upper Cut.

On more pressing matters, and properly placed by the Arganese booth, we noticed that Notorious B.I.G. blunt wrappers are coming out.

Havana Humidor had the most interesting cigar shapes on the show room floor. Pipes. That’s right, they were rolling cigars shaped as pipes. I didn’t get the chance to smoke one, or even see one being smoked, but it was certainly cool looking. They also had a roller on hand putting on a good show.

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The first booth I made a point to seek out was from a company called Curivari. They are a European company that attended the 2008 event and were supposed to launch the same year. However after speaking with them it turns out they weren’t going to be able to meet the demand in the U.S.A. so held back for one additional year. I know you haven’t heard of this brand, heck they aren’t even launched yet, but let me tell you right now: This cigar is simply amazing. Additionally, the people behind the company are courteous and amazing to deal with.

La Aurora was the next stop so I could take a look at the 100 Anos limited production lancero. Everything looked great from behind the glass case but no samples were available so that we could verify the hype. Released in time for the holidays, Preferidos will come in boxes of 10 and boxes will be released with every cigar (if you collect) included. This collection package is called the Treasure Chest.

Does anyone like vodka? Or has anyone heard of a company called Hammer + Sickle? Okay, well Hammer + Sickle is a premium vodka brand that is entering into other luxury markets – cigars. I know, I know, I know, normally I wouldn’t care too much but they are doing some really cool things. First of all their boxes that the cigars are shipped in are glass. Yes, a thick, really nice glass case is sent every time your local B&M places an order. I was provided some samples of this cigar and will be doing a full review to see if it’s worth anything.

Perdomo is stepping up their cigar game by not only introducing some new cigars (I will get to that later) but by also releasing some very beautiful cases, humidors, lighters and cutters. The cases, lighters and humidors are made of this soft Italian leather that feels like butter melting in your hands. The most exciting thing is that it comes out with a very affordable MSRP that anyone can cope with. Cigars being introduced will be the Champagne Magnum 50 in a tube, new blends for the 10th Anniversary and some boxed pressed sizes. The most exciting thing would have to be their Patriarch cigars being released. The best way to describe the cigar was put to me like this: Using the same stuff, if not better, components as Davidoff without the crazy price tag. So what’s the price tag? Under 10 bucks (depending on your local taxes).

Prometheus Humidors easily caught my attention with a new limited edition God of Fire set. The theme for the collection is The Lost City. The humidors are bright and vibrant in red, blue and yellow and come with 50 unreleased Opus. This baby carries a MSRP of about $2,000 so save you lunch money.

Arganese sucks. That being said they are coming out with a cigar called SCHIP-This to help the cigar buyer with his taxes. Mr.Crafty, Gene Arganese, decided to tie cigars end to end with a thing leaf of tobacco so that it would technically count as one large stick. You pay tax on 1 cigar, when in reality you get two. The blends go unchanged, which is unfortunate because his cigars still suck. I would have taken a picture but I didn’t want to give them the impression that anyone would actually be interested in buying his cigar stuff.

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To make long story short – We finally arrived in New Orleans around noon local time ready to continue the party. You see on the plane I alone somehow managed to drink 4 Bloody Mary’s, well maybe 3 drinks, before I passed out and drooled allover myself (http://twitter.com/CASAFUMACIGARS was kind enough to take a picture to show the world). Upon landing we were ushered to a local bar, still in the airport, to have a Cajun Bloody Marry. Don’t worry though because everyone drunkenly ate two large roast beef sandwiches.

To get from the airport we decided the only way to “roll” would be in a limo that was smoke friendly. Six guys (met up with another group) all piled in and lit cigars. This would have been great if the windows actually rolled down and smoke wasn’t forced in your eyes for the 30 minute drive to the hotel (plus liquor store stop).

After getting to the hotel I lost track of everyone else in the group. I only had enough energy to crawl to my room and fall fast asleep. Hours later a bunch of drunk – cigar smoking – loud – excited – rowdy – people woke me up and informed me it was time to start drinking again before the IPCPR welcoming dinner. Still feeling a bit…worn out I lit a cigar and made my way on over.

Dinner consisted of some brief mingling with familiar faces, food, more cigars and more alcohol. Who would have guessed cigar smokers in visiting New Orleans would come to party? Food at the convention was plentiful but the spicy crab cakes were the only things I could stomach. After saying hello to everyone and making some new friends I went back to the hotel to rest…so I thought.

My phone just seconds after laying on the bed to inform me we needed to go see the UFC fight with a group of guys consisting of a popular cigar company president, cigar brokers, and some select shop owners. I propped myself up, redressed, and on my way I was – again. During the fight I was forcing myself, yes forcing myself, to keep the drinking going. Heck, you wouldn’t turn down a drink (and a shot, shot, another shot, and a beer) purchased for you and put in your hands.

“Ready to go?” I hear from the group leader as the fights finished.

With a simple smile I reply with a simple “Yes”.

Now “go” really meant “Let’s continue this party on Bourbon Street (and off some side streets)”. I won’t continue to bore you with all the details of the night that happened but you can follow them via http://twitter.com/cigarsmoking where I tried to chronicle the chaos.

Hours later I arrive home, pop two Advil, some more drunken food, ice cold water and prepare for the days to come at the 2009 IPCPR. You want to know the scary thing? This was just our first night and the group made a point to inform me that they “Couldn’t wait to really get going.”

Casa Fuma Fine Cigars
1st Annual Golf Classic

Saturday, September 19th 2009
Toka Sticks Golf Course
6910 E. Williams Field Rd.
Mesa, AZ 85212
(Power & E. Williams Field Road)

2 Person Scramble, 7am Shotgun
Check-in Starts at 6am

Registration payable to Casa Fuma.

Early Registration: $60.00 by September 10th, 2009.
Late Registration: $75.00

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Registration Includes:
Golf Cart, T-Shirt, Sleeve of Golf  Balls, Three Raffle Tickets, Lunch and Practice Balls.

Registration in person or by mail:
Casa Fuma
1464 E. Williams Field Rd. #105
Gilbert, AZ 85296

The Goods:
Prizes for 1st and 2nd place teams.
Longest drive and closest to pin contest.
Hole-in-one on hole #3 wins a car courtesy of Saturn of Tempe.
Awards , raffles & lunch following golf at Casa Fuma.
Lunch provided by “Righteous Barbeque”.

Download the Application Form

Proceeds to Benefit:
Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project

The cigar event was a used as a spring board to introduce the much anticipated Nub Maduro. On hand were the “special” Nub barber pole, Nub swagger, and even the “backstage pass kit“.

Sam put on a great show rolling the Nub Maduro on his well decorated rolling table. Smiles flashed across the hundreds of patrons as soon as the Nub Maduro was handed out for sampling purp0ses. However it could have been the Jack Daniels that was freely flowing.

The excellent event can also be attributed to Bob, the owner of Big Sticks, for setting up some other festivities not normally seen at your local cigar lounge.

These include:
Rock Band – A local rock band took over the shot providing great music and an eccentric custom changing performance.

Cars – There was a car show that really delivered the good stuff. Multiple Ferrari’s, Maserati, BMW’s, custom hot rods, crazy bikes, and trucks took over the entire back parking lot.

Beautiful Women – Just look at the pictures, do I need to say anything else?

Thanks to Big Sticks Fine Cigars and Nub for putting on a great show.

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Here are the Arizona cigar events for April 2009. If I am missing something that you feel needs to be included – please contact us!

Friday, April 3
Hiland’s Cigars Cigar Days Acid By Drew Estate
April 3, 11am – 7pm
Join us for Free cigars, Food and Drinks. 11am – 7pm 480-945-7050 or 1-800-777-4854 for more information!

Cigars for the Troops – Drew Estate Event
April 3, 4pm – 8pm
Cigar King 7830 E. Gelding, Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Come out for one of the best causes and smoke a Drew Estate cigar. This is a one-of-a-kind event as Cigar King and Drew Estate support the troops. For every cigar box sold, Cigar King and Drew Estate will send out a free box of La Vieja to the troops overseas. Come out and participate in this great cause and personalize your message to all those brave men and women fighting for our freedom. There will be lots of food and drinks along with great cigars. This is a can’t miss event. For more information, please call the store!

Saturday, April 4
Casa Fuma Fine Cigars
April 4th, 7pm-12am
The new cigar lounge in the East Valley, Casa Fuma Fine Cigars, is having the GRAND OPENING April 4th. Cigar events will start at 2pm with giveaways and prizes. The big party kicks off at 7pm and we won’t close down until the next day! Come by and get some free cigars, catered food, take pictures on the picture board, live music, more giveaways and tons of fun! This will be the best cigar event you have ever been to.

Stogie Cutter
April 4, 3pm-6pm
Join Alec Bradley, Sonoran Brewing at Stogie Cutter for a Cigar and Beer Tasting. The Tempus cigar from Alec Bradley will be paired up with the Cordillera Blanca from Sonoran Brewing. When you buy three Tempus cigars you get one free and when you buy a box you get 20% off and some free cigars.

Friday, April 10
Shades of Havana Host Ashton Blind Tasting
April 10, 4pm – 8pm
Mike Watman from Ashton Fine Cigars will be on hand to hold a special “Blind” Tasting of a new cigar. More details to follow!!

Saturday, April 11
Stag Tobacconist – Camacho Cigar Tasting
April 11, 12pm – 2pm
Camacho Cigars will be hosting a tasting event at Stag Tobacconist – Phoenix, AZ. Please join us for a fun filled evening tasting some of the world’s finest cigars.

Big Sticks Fine Cigars
April 11, 4pm-8pm
We are having a La Aroma de Cuba & San Cristobal event from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Mike from Ashton will be on hand to answer any questions you might have about these two cigar lines. Mike’s also bringing with him an Ashton humidor, an Ashton ashtray and an Ashton cigar case to be given away as prizes. Ashton will also be giving away three-packs of Ashton cigars as raffle gifts throughout the event. The first 15 customers starting at 4:00 p.m. who buy any three Ashton cigars, will receive TWO FREE Ashton cigars from Mike.

Friday, April 24
Tinder Box Oliva Jazz Event

Oggie’s Cigars has a message for you:
You’ve all heard about the “NEW CIGAR TAX”…THERE IS NO CIGAR TAX!!! DID YOU HEAR ME??? THERE IS NO CIGAR TAX!!!!! PLEASE ALLOW ME TO REPEAT MYSELF (SOMETHING I’M ACCUSED OF OFTEN ANYWAY) THERE IS NO CIGAR TAX……….AT OGGIES!!! THE LAST THING ANY OF THE HARD WORKING CUSTOMERS WHO COME INTO MY STORE NEED IS AN INCREASE OGGIES WILL MAINTAIN THEIR DAY TO DAY COMPETITIVE PRICES ON ALL FULL SIZE CIGARS (TINS ARE EXCLUDED) AND WILL NOT, I REPEAT  WILL NOT PASS ON THE CIGAR TAX ON ANY AND ALL FULL SIZE CIGARS. I WILL ABSORB IT!! I MAY BE WORKING ON SMALLER MARGINS AS A RESULT..BUT THAT’S LIFE. SO DON’T GO BUYING BOXES AND STOCKING UP NEEDLESSLY

Tinder Box Ahwatukee:

Hiland Cigars: Friday, March 13, 11am – 2pm
Drew Estate Event. Come out and blow some smoke with Drew Rep Jill Hoffman. She will be offering some great deals on all of your favorites and of course, giving you some free product!

Don’s Cigars: Friday, March 20, 12pm – 6pm
Camacho Cigars will be hosting a tasting event at Don’s Cigars – Phoenix, AZ. Please join us for a fun filled evening tasting some of the world’s finest cigars.

BB Smokes: Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009
Escape With CAO at BB Smokes. Escape with CAO in Scottsdale at BB Smokes. CAO featured cigars will include an assortment of CAO’s highly-rated cigars, including CAO Italia, CAO Cameroon, and more. Take advantage of one-day only special deals and door prizes. Meet CAO Regional Sales Manager, Budz Bedwan, and “Escape with CAO!” For more information, please call (480) 991-7833.

Oggie’s Cigars:
This week’s buy two and get one freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee….Just arrived, a “91” rated cigar by respected Cigar Afficionado Magazine. We all need a “deal” in this economic environment and here it is! So, drop in, put your feet up, relax, light up a Defiance (or whatever you choose), escape the problems of the world outside and enjoy. And remember that whatever our struggles, our service men and women are prepared to put their lives on the line for us everyday.