On Tuesday, July 24, 2012, 300 guests assembled at the Water’s Edge Restaurant in Long Island City to help support the New York Tobacconists Association. This sold out event — dubbed The Stogathon — was the first time the NYTA put on such a show.

The night was nothing short of spectacular. For the first time since April 2003 smoking was legally allowed in the restaurant and guests enjoyed an incredible views of the Manhattan skyline. Those in attendance enjoyed plenty of cigars, drink, food and great conversation all in the name of raising money for the NYTA’s legislative efforts thoughout the State. 

The event also attracted New York State and New York City elected officials. On hand that night were:

New York State Senator Martin J. Golden

New York State Senator Lee M. Zeldin

New York State Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel

New York State Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis

New York City Councilman Dan Halloran

All this would not have been possible without the contributions and support of the NYTA Board, the NYTA Advisory Committee, Gotham Government Relations and an army of volunteers.

This video was shot by Sony NEX-7 & HDR-CX580V, Sony E 18-55mm Zoom Lens.

URL:

newyorktobacconist.org

cigarrights.org

BOTL Cigar Event at Casa De Montecristo, Cigar Shop/Lounge at Chicago (Countryside), IL. UF4 & Radzilla launched and introduced by Jonathan Drew, Owner of Drew Estate Cigars.

This video was shot by Sony NEX-7 and CX580V and 18-55mm Zoom Lens.

<Bonus Clip> This is interview video of Drew Estate Ambassadors!

URL:
casademontecristo-chicago.com
topqualitycigars.com
drewestate.com
cigarsafari.com
botl.org
cigarpress.com

Cigar Event at Casa De Montecristo, Cigar Shop/Lounge in Chicago (Countryside), IL on June 7, 2012.
Davidoff Cigar, Dinner event!! Guest: Jeff Stone, Davidoff National Brand Ambassador
This video was shot by Sony NEX-7 & CX580V, Sony 18-55mm Zoom Lens.
URL:
casademontecristo-chicago.com
davidoff.com
cigarexplorer.com

The First Annual Stogathon Eventto benefit the New York Tobacconist Association‘s Legislative Initiatives

The First Annual Stogathon Eventto benefit the New York Tobacconist Association‘s Legislative Initiatives in Albany is taking place Tuesday, July 24, 2012 from 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM at Water’s Edge Restaurant (4-01 44th Drive, Long Island City New York)

300 guests will enjoy 10+ Cigars*, Cocktail Hour, Passed Hors d’Oeuvres, Carving & Pasta Stations, Multi-Course Sit Down Dinner, Silent Auction & Raffles, Waterside View of the Manhattan Skyline, Cigar Models, Live Music and Complimentary Valet Parking for only $250.00 Per Person. However, you can purchase your ticket at an Early Bird Price: $225 until June 30. Tables of 10 are also available at $2,000. to purchase your tickets Visit http://nyta.eventbrite.com/ to purchase your tickets!!

Ticket still avaialable!! Buy Now

Cigarexplorer will be there to film entire event!! see you there!

*Cigars Courtesy of:

Alec Bradley, Camacho, Cusano, Davidoff, Drew Estate,
La Aurora, La Flor Dominicana, Nat Sherman, Nestor Miranda,
Pepín García, Perdomo, Quesada, Rocky Patel & Tatuaje

…more brands to be announced!

*Featured image courtesy of Water’s Edge

Download a PDF of the Stogathon Flyer

Download a PDF of the Dinner Menu

"Cigar Shop turned to Cigar Restaurant at night! in the middle of Manhatten

Interview with Jorge Padron, President of Padron Cigars and Ron Melendi, General Manager of De la Concha, New York City on April 18, 2012. This video was shot by Sony HDR-CX580V & Nikon D7000, Nikon 50mm F1.2 AIS Lens.

URL:

Padron.com
delaconcha.com
davidoffusa.com
cigarrights.org

It's time to hit the road again and go on another Cigar Adventure. This time, Mario and I are both traveling to Nicaragua to attend the Drew Estate Cigar Safari. We were lucky enough to do this trip once before in 2011 and I must say that it was a hell of a good time. This trip will be different though because unlike last time, we actually know all of the other guys who are "Safari-ing" with us..

The list of people attending this trip (and their twitter accounts) so you can follow them for updates:

Dan Reeve @reeve11
Mario Takeyama @cigarexplorer
Ben Lee @NTA_Ben
Thor Nielsen @cigarpress
Tony Casas @tonycasas
Brooks Whittington @elbrooksie
Charlie Minato @elninodiablo
Jay Luto @jerseyjay
Jerry Cruz @jcruz
Brian Hewitt @brianhewitt

(sorry if I missed someone)

Since all of these guys (except Thor) are bloggers, I'm sure this trip will be covered at great lengths over the next month or so. I'm really looking forward to getting back to Nicaragua, as it's a country that I have grown to love. It feels like my home away from home.

Catch you all next week.

Dan and Mario

Avo Uvezian 86th Birthday - - Grand Havana Room, New York, NY on March 22, 2012.

Event Video for AVO's 86th Birthday unveiling AVO's La Trompeta cigar (LE12)

*** This video is 15min long but we captured everything for the night. Enjoy! ***

This video was shot by Sony HDR-CX580V & Nikon D7000, Nikon 50mm F1.2 AIS Lens.

All music are from Avo's album "Legacy".

Buy this music at iTune Music Store

URL:

www.davidoffusa.com
www.davidoffnewyork.com
www.delaconcha.com
www.cigarrights.org

Free live streaming by Ustream

Tonight Mario and I are broadcasting live from the New York City Grand Havana Room. It's a special night at the Grand Havana Room as we are celebrating the 86th birthday of Avo Uvezian with members from all the Davidoff retail shops NYC, and De La Concha. Enjoy the feed and smoke a Avo if you have one.  

(full production video to follow in the next few weeks)

URL:

http://www.davidoff.com
htttp://www.davidoffmadson.com
http://www.delaconcha.com

  Facebook page:

http://facebook.com/davidoffcigar
http://facebook.com/avocigar

So as one of my last posts stated, I recently made my way down to Esteli, Nicaragua with Pete Johnson (owner of Tatuaje Cigars), KC Johnson (Pete's brother), Dan Welsh (owner of New Havana Cigars), Casper (Owner/ Managing Partner at GoMerch, who does all of Tatuaje's swag/media), and a few great shop owners from lower Florida. (Smoke on the water, Prime Cigar, Harbor Cigars) It was a fantastic trip and, like every time I visit the country, I learn so much. Below is a break down of what we did and where we went on each day. I'm not including all the details because I'm sure I've forgotten some in the late nights of partaking on the rooftop of hotel Los Arcos. I also took a bit of video that, as soon as Mario has chance to edit it together, I will post up. I think I got some really nice footage of the factory and the farms, but we'll see.

Anyway, on to the trip recap.

I know we just got back from ProCigar last week, but I'm off again on cigar adventure number two for 2012. Next week I am heading down to Nicaragua with my good friends Pete Johnson (owner of the Tatuaje brand of cigars), Dan Welsh (owner of New Havana Cigars) and KC Johnson (Pete's brother who I hung out with a lot last year at the IPCPR tradeshow.) I'm not sure what to expect on this trip because it's my first trip to the country that is not a formal "blogger" tour. I do know that when I asked Pete last week at ProCigar what we would be smoking, he had the best answer. He told me, "When we get up, you tell me what we're smoking that day." I'm sure he saw the big sh*t eating grin appear on my face. So, like the trip last week, the best way to get updates from me on my trip and to find out what we end up smoking, is via twitter (reeve11)(cigarexplorer). Also, you should follow Dan Welsh (NHCDAN) and Pete (tatuajecigars) if you don't already.

While I am gone Mario will continue with the updates from last weeks ProCigar festival. He's working hard on the videos and we've got a ton of footage so check back often. 

I'm very excited for this trip and haven't stopped thinking about it since Pete asked me if I wanted to go. Wish me luck and see you in a week.

Dan