2010 Texas Cigar Festival @ Serious Cigars

This just went down Saturday April 24th. I knew it would be a great event because of who was putting it on and everybody that was going to be there. It cost $100 and you got 20 cigars total (1 each from the vendors there), they had plenty of great food, and a open bar (I was drinking Woodford Reserve). The list of Vendors and who would be there was a whos who of cigars. The listed included EO Brands - Eddie Ortega, CAO Cigars, Rocky Patel - Rocky and Nish, Drew Estate - Jonathon Drew, Alec Bradley, Camacho - Christian Eiroa, Carlos Torano - Carlos Llaca, El Rey de los Habanos (Pepin)- Pepin, Jaime & Janny, EP Carillo - Ernesto and son Ernie, Nub/Cain - Sam Leccia, LFD - Litto Gomez, Perdomo - Arthur Kemper, Tatuaje - Pete Johnson, J Fuego - Jesus Fuego, Esteban Carreras - Craig Cunningham, Partagas - Benji Menendez, Xikar/HC - Kurt Van Keppel, Pardon - Orlando Padron, Reyes Family Cigars - Jose Ortega, Oliva - Dave Wagner, Ashton. Of and crashed by Dion Giolito (Illusione).

Yes the list was crazy. Ok best thing about the event was when you got there you got a bag with all your cigars already in it! Didn't have to run from table to table to get them. So there was plenty of time to walk around and really talk to these guys that make the cigars we love! I have spent some tim in the past with the likes of Eddie Ortega, and Sam Leccia along with a few of the reps there. These guys are great straight up people who love talking cigars or just BSing period with you. As alwasy it was great talking to them. I have also meet Pepin a couple times but was awesome to see the whole family there with him. Pepins, Pardons, and Carillo all had family there with them, to me having them work together and be a family is just awesome. I got to meet a few I have never before and talk to them. Of the guys I just meet Saturday two standout the most. Jonathon Drew and Dion Giolito. Had some good heart to heart talk with both this guys and how what they do means a great deal to the cigar business. What a blast!!

Before I bore y'all to bad here are some pics.

Texas Cigar Festival


Nub Cain F, Illusione Nosotros, and Dirty Rat by Drew Estate


Me and Sam Leccia


Me and Kurt Van Keppel


Me and Ernesto & Ernie Carillo

Me and Benji Menendez


Me and Dion


Me and Christian Eiroa


Me and Pete


Me and Carlos Llaca

Me and Craig Cunningham


Me with Rocky and Nish


Me and Jonathon Drew


Me and Jesus Fuego


Me and the Pepins

Me and Litto Gomez


Me and Eddie Ortega

[kydsid]

Wish you had seen my posts on this earlier. Coulda had a smoke. The event was great, although some more seating would have been in order for 500+ people.

Sorry Jason, I haven't been on the forums to much the last couple weeks. I didn't sit down till it was almost over, the wife wasn't to happy about that LOL.

[kelmac07]

Great pics Frank...thanks for sharing. Looks like a great time. That Cain F Nub and Dirty Rat look scrumptious!!

[icehog3]

Quite a line-up of awesome cigar makers, thanks for sharing the pics Frank.

[Goldie]

Looks like a good time for sure. Cool pics.

Is Dion really that tall? He looks like a giant.

sounds like a great time. Was the Padron family there and
Avo Uvezian?

[ScottieM]

Sweet! Looks like a good time! I'll be seeing most of those fellas this weekend at Cigarfest.

Thanks for Sharing!

[Superbad]

Looks like a great time.

Originally Posted by Goldie

Looks like a good time for sure. Cool pics.

Is Dion really that tall? He looks like a giant.

Yes Dion is that tall! I'm 6 ft, don't know how tall he is but my neck was hurting LOL.

Originally Posted by whodeeni

sounds like a great time. Was the Padron family there and
Avo Uvezian?

Orlando Padron was there with Padron Cigars. The wife was taking pictures with my BB. I guess she didn't do something right and I can't find the pic. But hey I keep her on her feet in high heels almost the whole time we where there so she did a great job!!!

Avo wasn't there.

[68TriShield]

Awesome event! They don't do that stuff in the DC burbs.

[Adriftpanda]

Sounds like good event, great line up! Thanks for sharing.

[kydsid]

Originally Posted by 68TriShield

Awesome event! They don't do that stuff in the DC burbs.

Maybe not that big but yes they do Dave. And there are the sponsored events all year round in the area too. You live in one of the best places to go to events in this country. Just ask my girlfriend how much money I spent at events while living in NoVA.

[maninblack]

Damn that looks like a great time!! And those cigars look tasty also.Glad you had a great time and met some of the greats in the cigar business.Very jealous.

[Homebrewer]

Wow! I knew nothing about this event, but I'd like to go next year. Might be worth the trip to Texas.

Looks like a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing the pics!