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The Great Smoke 2015

Smoke Inn's Ninth Annual Mega Cigar Event in South Florida
February 21, 2015

Video By: Gary Manelski

More Videos From The Great Smoke:

Breaking News from Cigar Rights of America

Bill Paley on La Palina Cigars and Brian Williams of NBC

Carlos Llaca Torano on Gurkha Cigars

Delicia the Cigar Vixen
 

 

The Great Smoke 2015 was held at a new venue this year. The American German Club in Lake Worth, Florida was an excellent location to accommodate the largest crowd ever to attend a TGS. More than 2,500 cigar enthusiasts enjoyed a cloudy day in the great outdoors with temps in the 70's.

I came to the event early to watch the live broadcast of Kiss My Ash Radio from 10AM to noon. If you had a VIP ticket, you were able to enter the TGS event area right after the broadcast. However, base ticket holders had to wait until 1PM, with not much to do other than stand in line or sit on a folding chair (and perhaps smoke a cigar, if you brought one). There were not even any toilet facilities available outside of the event area for those who came early to watch the broadcast.

Once inside the event area, the real fun finally began. After hitting the restroom, it was time to collect cigars, chow down and drink to excess (well, almost). There were four food stations, each with a different cuisine: Cajun, Asian, Italian, and Barnyard (hamburgers & fries). There was also a good variety of booze, wine and beer. The entertainment included a dunk tank, featuring the Cigar Vixen who came all the way from San Diego to attend the TGS. She was also interviewed on Kiss My Ash Radio before the event. We caught up with her later to record a short video. The main entertainment was a live performance by Foghat, a rock band from the 70's. The bass player was the only original member of the band, but they still put on a great show which we all enjoyed (talking about my generation, that is).

Inside of the cigar tent, there were 45 cigar companies represented, and I was able to personally collect 51 cigars from some of the best cigar makers in the business. We won't mention them all, but during all the excitement, we were able to record a couple of short videos with Bill Paley of La Palina, and Carlos Llaca Torano, who is now with Gurkha. I also briefly chatted off camera with Jim Colucci (Sindicato), George Rico (Gran Habano), Erik Espinosa, Matt Booth (Room 101) and many others. Overall, a very good deal for $135, which also included all you could eat and drink, as well as the entertainment. And by the way, there were also some nice amenities included in your tote bag at check-in, such as a can of Xikar butane, some cedar spills, a flashlight, sunscreen and a few other small items. A really nice touch!

Next year, we anticipate that The Great Smoke will be bigger and badder than ever, in celebration of the Smoke Inn's 10th annual TGS mega cigar event. Abe Dababneh (owner of the Smoke Inn) really knows how to throw a cigar party!

View Photos from The Great Smoke 2015





LATEST UPDATE: The Great Smoke 2019

 

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