SEMINAR HIGHLIGHTS

Saturday, November 5
Saturday morning program is from 9 a.m.- 12:15 p.m., followed by a buffet lunch lasting until 3 p.m. Gordon Mott, executive editor, Cigar Aficionado and David Savona, senior editor, Cigar Aficionado are the co-moderators for the weekend program.

9–9:15 a.m.
"Big Smoke, Las Vegas" 10th Anniversary Cigars Tasting. Throughout the morning you will be given cigars to smoke that celebrate the 10th anniversary of the "Big Smoke" in Las Vegas. All the cigars have been specially produced for Cigar Aficionado to mark this occasion. This is the theme for all the single cigar tastings. Each cigar producer will talk about the properties of the specific cigar. The first cigar of the day will be announced.

9:15–10:00 a.m.
How to Blend a Cigar. Learn the mysteries of blending tobacco to make a consistent and wonderful smoke. The discussion is led by David Savona, senior editor and a panel of experts including Ernesto Perez-Carillo, El Credito (La Gloria Cubana) and others to be announced.

10:00–10:15 a.m.
Second Cigar will be announced.

10:15–11:00 a.m.
Collecting Cuban Cigars. A "how-to" for collecting Cuban and other fine cigars on the market today presented by James Suckling, European editor, Cigar Aficionado. On the panel are Brian Abbesen, Christie's, London and Thomas Bohrer, Hong Kong.

11:00–11:15 a.m.
Third Cigar will be announced.

11:155–12:00 noom
Ask the Experts. Back by popular demand, your chance to ask and hear answers to your questions about cigars, the cigar market, Cuba, tasting panels, storage, counterfeit and any other cigar issues you've been wondering about. A question and answer format with Cigar Aficonado's panel of experts including Gordon Mott, David Savona, James Suckling and Jack Bettridge, senior editor.

12:00 noom–3:00 p.m.
Buffet Lunch and your time to continue to "Ask the Experts" now on a more personal level. At lunch, an executive from each cigar manufacturer exhibiting at our "Big Smoke," will host a table. Lunch becomes a face-to-face meeting where you can questions, comment and share viewpoints on cigars. It's a casual venue to "ask your own expert" while you sit and share a wonderful meal together. Each table "host" will bring cigars for you to enjoy.

Sunday, November 6
Sunday's program from 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. are three cigar seminars on a lighter note...involving a hands-on approach. Each are led by an expert.

9:30–10:30 a.m.
Charlie Palmer Does Breakfast. Start the day with a real cigar aficionado's breakfast. Charlie Palmer, owner of Aureole, Las Vegas, Charlie Palmer Steak and many other fine restaurants in New York and California, will prepare a "manly" breakfast combination especially for this cigar-loving crowd. Of course, we will find the perfect cigar to go along with this breakfast.

10:45–11:45 a.m.
Roll Your Own, The Graduate Seminar, No. 8. Ernesto Perez-Carillo, President, El Credito, Miami, brings everything you need to create your own cigar including real tobacco filler and wrapper as used in a premium cigar factory. Follow along with one of La Gloria Cubana's most experienced premium cigar makers. Whether you've done this before or you are a new roller, everyone enjoys the opportunity to roll and create his own cigar and perhaps win a prize.

12:00– 1:00 p.m.
Rum and Cigars. Rum, the sugary, but fiery, spirit of pirates and princes, evolved in the Caribbean hand in hand with the tobacco culture. Spirits editor Jack Bettridge talks about why great rum makes such an excellent partner with a fine cigar and shares some tastes of both.