Big Smoke Las Vegas 2024: A Halloween Treat for Cigar Enthusiasts

The Paris Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip buzzed with excitement this past weekend as over 3,000 cigar enthusiasts gathered for the 28th annual Big Smoke Las Vegas event. Organized by Cigar Aficionado magazine, the three-day affair was marked as a triumphant event at the Paris Hotel. Hosted over the Halloween weekend it was a Cigar enthusiasts treat or treat dream. They gave coupons to the vendors and they gave cigars in return, fantastic!

The weekend was star-studded, featuring appearances by celebrity chef and television personality Guy Fieri, who promoted his Knuckle Sandwich cigar line alongside Erik Espinosa. Actor Mark Wahlberg participated in seminar sessions, while attendees spotted Michael Cudlitz and musician Ray Parker Jr. mingling in the crowd.

Anticipation was high on Friday night as guests formed lines well before the 5:30 p.m. VIP admission. The queue stretched past the conference hall, winding through casino areas designed to evoke the charm of the French Riviera. Inside the opulent ballroom—adorned with chandeliers, mirrors, and reminiscent of the Palace of Versailles—attendees were greeted with an array of cigar and spirit stations.

The atmosphere was festive as attendees compared their cigar hauls, traded favorites, and enjoyed drinks ranging from single-malt Scotch to fine wines. The mark of seasoned attendees was clear as they had a game plan in place from the moment they walked through the doors. Whereas those that it was their first time attending were bewildered by the shear size of the event.

A main highlight of the event was the J.C. Newman display, featuring a replica of their El Reloj factory and showcasing the newly released Diamond Crown No. 9 Belicoso. Attendees had the unique opportunity to sample these cigars before their official release to retailers.

The general admission crowd joined the festivities at 6:30 p.m., infusing additional energy into the venue. The event attracted a diverse group of attendees, including a noticeable increase in younger enthusiasts and women. Creative attire was definitely the dress code of each night, everything from matching uniforms to matching dinner jackets were everywhere and if you were brave enough to stand out from that crowd you were in a league of your own and would be complimented by each booth's representative. A novel idea would be for Cigar Aficionado to host a contest for best dressed each night to allow for entrants to strut their stuff at the chance of winning the top 5 cigars of the previous year.

Participants traveled from across the United States and beyond, hailing from states like California, Florida, New York, and international locations such as Canada and Mexico. The gathering featured an impressive lineup of cigar brands, including Alec Bradley, Arturo Fuente, Cohiba, Drew Estate, La Flor Dominicana, Montecristo, My Father Cigars, Padrón, Rocky Patel, and many others.

Complementing the cigars were offerings from spirit companies like Oban, Crown Royal, Johnnie Walker, PATRÓN, and Bacardi, providing ample opportunities for guests to pair their cigars with premium beverages. Vendors of cigar accessories and related products, such as Boveda humidification solutions and Accutron watches, also showcased their wares.

A major draw was the chance to meet renowned cigar makers and industry leaders. Notable figures included Carlos Fuente Jr. and his son Carlos Fuente III, Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, Jorge Padrón and his son Jorge Luis Padrón, the Gomez family of La Flor Dominicana, Rocky Patel and his team, and many others who engaged with fans throughout the event.

Saturday continued with sold-out afternoon seminars for VIP ticket holders, featuring informative sessions led by industry experts. Despite a full day of activities, guests eagerly lined up well before the Saturday evening session began. Guy Fieri's presence on Saturday night added to the excitement, with many attendees queuing for a chance to meet him and receive a Knuckle Sandwich cigar.

The 2024 Big Smoke Las Vegas was deemed a resounding success, celebrating the camaraderie and passion of the cigar community in the heart of the entertainment capital. With its blend of premium cigars, fine spirits, celebrity appearances, and enthusiastic attendees, the event reaffirmed its status as a must-attend gathering for aficionados worldwide.

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