As we speak now I am sitting in my hotel room still a bit stunned and trying to wrap my mind around the evening. I flew to NO this morning and after checking in to the hotel, I walked over to the convention center and registered. I then realized I hadn't eaten yet so I stopped at Mother's for one of there famous Po Boy sandwiches which didn't disappoint. There were still a few hours before the reception so I dropped in to Don Leoncio Cigars for a smoke. It was a nice enough place with nice people but I couldn't figure out why there were pushing Pinar Del Rio so hard when they had a house brand which a bought one of. I grabbed a quick catnap at the hotel and then headed out for the reception.
The reception was pretty big with plenty of food and drink. I met up with a BOTL named Harry from Churchill n Down in Deerfield, IL that I met on the airplane. We spent some time with a few of the reps when Nick Perdomo walked over. Seems that Harry had about 20 years in the business and knows Nick so we all chatted for a bit and he handed me a new Connecticut Patriarch. The reception ended and as we were leaving we ran into the Camacho gang with Christian Eiroa himself. Seems like Harry knows them as well and we were invited to go with them over to Harrah's Casino. Who am I to say no. When we are there Christian hands me a new Camacho 101 and proceeds to light the cigar for me himself. I must say this stunned me that he was so down to earth and easy to be around. The cigar was very good and I hope to have another. After a bit Harry and I decided that the casino bar was not really our scene so we left. I suggest we go back to Don Leoncio Cigars so we went over there.
The place was pretty busy. We walked into the humidor to look at their wares and Abe Flores of PDR came over with a big smile and shook our hands while handing us a new Sungrown lancero. We talked for awhile and then I understood why they were so popular at that shop. That shop is in Abe's family and is where PDR got it's start. At this point I was really wishing I hadn't left my camera at the hotel for this reception. I thought it was just going to be a bunch of retailers. We got a drink and sat down to enjoy our cigars. Abe kept coming by periodically to talk and I must say he is a fantastic guy. Then Dion came in. He also stopped to chat with us for awhile. It gave me a chance to play up the Leaf and attempt to set up an appearance. He said absolutely but especially for the Cruzado line. I didn't realize how tall he was in person but again a really personable guy. The place was really jumping then but the last kicker of the night was when Don Pepin came in for a smoke.
Unbelievable was all I could think. First Nick Perdomo was great. Then having Christian light my cigar for me was plenty for a night but then being in such an intimate atmosphere with Abe, Dion and finally Don Pepin put it way over the top. I couldn't have imagined such a night when I left the hotel room. I can't think now of what tomorrow will bring but I was assured a meeting with Litto and I will get to sample the Kane among other things. I will report back tomorrow night.
