Big Smoke Las Vegas Returns to the Paris Hotel and Casino
It was a lively, cigar-filled weekend at the Paris Hotel and Casino for the 28th Big Smoke Las Vegas weekend. Cigar Aficionado last held the Big Smoke at the famous venue in 2005. It was quite the star-studded return, with appearances by Mark Wahlberg and Guy Fieri on Saturday and sightings of Michael Cudlitz and Ray Parker Jr. in the crowd over the two-day event. The stars were joined by industry luminaries and more than 3,000 aficionados from all corners of the country and beyond to celebrate cigars and fine spirits in the entertainment capital of the world.
The Big Smoke Las Vegas weekend started Friday afternoon at a small, exclusive party reserved for the All-Access attendees. Angel’s Envy poured drinks while Agua Caliente Casino/Pívat Cigar Lounge and J.C. Newman Cigar Co. gave away cigars. J.C. Newman debuted the new Diamond Crown Belicoso No. 9, a cigar that had yet to ship to retailers.
Before the party was over, a long line of eager cigar lovers had formed well before the Big Smoke evenings start time, stretching around the corner of the new Montecristo Cigar Bar. As guests entered the chandelier-lined main ballroom, it was as if they had stepped into the world-famous Palace of Versailles, complete with many cigar and spirits exhibitors ready to offload their supply. The majority of guests, however, brushed past the alluring ambience as they focused on the mission at hand: quickly filling Cigar Aficionado tote bags with smokes from the multitude of cigar brands in attendance. Many of the world’s most famous cigarmakers personally handed out their cigars to the zealous guests, who proceeded to pair their smokes with a bite to eat or a slew of refreshing beverages, like a single malt Scotch or a glass of wine, as they mingled amongst their like-minded peers.
The festivities continued Saturday with a brunch hosted by Flecha Azul Tequila and Oliva Cigars. Usually, a hearty meal, Paloma cocktails and an Oliva Serie V Melanio Toro would be a more than sufficient way to start the day. But guests received an extra, surprise treat, with an appearance by Wahlberg, who discussed Flecha Azul, his Tequila brand.
That was just the start of the seminars. After, more cigars were distributed, including the top three of 2023: the Fuente Fuente OpusX Reserva d’Chateau (No. 1), Padrón Serie 1926 No. 48 Maduro (No. 2) and another Oliva Serie V Melanio Toro (No. 3). The cigars coincided with seminars that included the cigarmakers behind them: Carlos Fuente Jr., Jorge Padrón, José Oliva and Cory Bappert. Guests also received a Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Edición Diamante Toro from Altadis U.S.A., which was enjoyed during a pairing seminar with three Scotches from Dewar’s: 12 Year Old, 18 Year Old and 19 Year Old Champion’s Edition. Plus, the OZ Family Aramas A52 Toro and an E.P. Carrillo Sumatra Toro were handed out alongside three small puritos (simply-rolled samples of one tobacco) during a seminar that illustrated the cigar-blending process. There was also a lively seminar about the new world of $100-plus cigars, which included three cigarmakers who’ve recently dipped their toes into this market: Rafael Nodal, Rocky Patel and Nestor Andrés Plasencia.
Cigar Aficionado’s editors—executive editor David Savona, senior features editor Jack Bettridge, managing editor Gregory Mottola and senior contributing editor Gordon Mott—moderated the panels, with Savona serving as host for the seminars.
Saturday evening delivered much of the same scene as familiar faces learned more about one another. Big Smoke Las Vegas brought another increasingly diverse crowd that saw an influx of first-timers amid the many dependable veterans, all of whom came from a host of places: California, Florida, New York, Connecticut, Oregon, Idaho, Texas, Arizona, South Dakota, Hawaii, Missouri, Canada, Mexico and other areas.
