Archive for category Cigar Events

‘JJ for JJ Day’ Tribute

Jul 21

Posted by admin in JJ for JJ Day | 14 Comments

We are deviating from cigar photography today to recognize a special day – ‘ JJ for JJ Day.’ Cigar community gathers every year on July 22nd to honor the memory of the ‘Little Robusto.’ For those who are not familiar with this tribute, ‘Little Robusto’, who passed away at the age of 3.5months from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), is the son of widely recognized and respected cigar blogger – Jerry Cruz (stogiereview.com). This special day is recognized by smoking a cigar made by Don Pepin Garcia, appropriately called ‘Series JJ.’

In 2010, my fellow blogger and a friend – Barry Stein from acigarsmoker.com has initiated a generous fundraiser to recognize the ‘Little Robusto.’ We are now in 2011 and I would like to echo Barry’s generosity and continue with the tradition.

This year we are announcing a very simple contest. Tomorrow, on July 22nd, 2011, gather virtually with the rest of the cigar community and smoke a Don Pepin Garcia ‘Series JJ’ (* or one of the MyFather Cigars). Take a photograph of yourself smoking a ‘Series JJ’ cigar and submit it via email to jay at cigarphoto.net. Deadline for submissions is 11:59pm EDT on July 22nd, 2011. Random winner will be selected and announced on Monday, July 25th, 2011. All photographs will be posted on cigarphoto.net blog. Winner will receive a box of My Father Le Bijou 1922.

Take your time, enjoy your ‘Series JJ’ cigar and remember our ‘Little Robusto.’

Tags: barry stein, don pepin garcia, don pepin garcia series jj, jerry cruz, jj for jj day, little robusto, my father le bijou 1922, sids, stogie review, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Studio Tobac Tour

May 17

Posted by admin in Studio Tobac Tour | 7 Comments

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The Studio Tobac Tour finally made its appearance in the Garden State – New Jersey. Bryan ‘The Show’ Scholle – Studio’s Ambassador, Dave Wagner – Oliva’s VP of Sales, Richard Delia – regional Rep, and Special Edition 2011 Touring Corvette were all in attendance. In case you wonder about Studio Tobac project, please find a summary from Studio Tobac website.

Studio Tobac was born within the Oliva Cigar Company in 2007. It is a collection of the company’s most innovative minds. Studio Tobac consists of an Executive Board of Directors, A Studio Ambassador, an advisory board comprised of independent cigar enthusiasts around the world, as well as General Membership. For over three years the Studio has conceived innovative projects like the renowned NUB cigar. A cigar which introduced a complete new format in premium handmade cigars to the industry. The Studio also successfully produced the CAIN cigar. Cain is the only STRAIGHT LIGERO cigar in the world. These and many more projects exist within the portfolio of Studio Tobac. For 2011 the Executive Board decided to open the Studio to the cigar smoking world. The Board further moved to establish an advisory board to be selected by invitation, as well as a General Membership available to cigar enthusiasts from all over the world.

The Studio Tobac Tour was hosted by B&M shop in Montclair, NJ – ‘FUME.’ I have attended one of the NUB events a year ago so I had a certain level of expectation. Fortunately, Studio Tobac crew exceeded that expectation. All around great, down to earth, opinionated yet open minded fellow cigar smokers. Weaseling doesn’t exist in my vocabulary but both Dave and Bryan were persistent and I was fortunate enough to walk away with few Cain F lanceros (Tour exclusive), ST-DS001 prototype, and Cain Daytona. THANK YOU !

What sets Studio Tobac Tour apart from previous tour is the innovation The Ambassador brings forward. Bryan ‘The Show’ Scholle is not only applying the wrapper but he is also blending, bunching, rolling, and innovating right on the spot. This ‘southern boy’ who is moving & grooving to the beat of Johnny Cash and drinking fine american beer, is extremely approachable and very talented. Bryan was a good sport and agreed to step into ‘model shoes’ for quick 15min photoshoot (*see below).

For those of you who are thinking about attending Studio Tobac Tour, I encourage you to do so. Definitely an event not to be missed. On the way out, don’t forget to ping Bryan for another Studio Tobac Tour exclusive – The Donkey Punch. This Nicaraguan puro is made up of W: Habano Fuerte, B: Habano Fuerte, F: 100% Estelí ligero and has one comical band – still in prototype phase. I wish Studio Tobac and Oliva much success with this tour and future endeavours. ’til next time.

Tags: Bryan Scholle, cigar, cigar images, cigar photographs, cigar photography, cigar photos, cigar pictures, cigar smoking photos, cigars, corvette, Dave Wagner, fume cigar shop, jose oliva, nicaragua, oliva, oliva cigars, photography, Richard Delia, Special Edition 2011 Touring Corvette, stogie, studio tobac corvette, studio tobac tour, the donkey punch cigar, tobacco

CigarPhoto in Jamaica

Apr 19

Posted by admin in CigarPhoto in Jamaica | 10 Comments

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Ya Mon ! …

CigarPhoto is coming back from a well deserved vacation in exotic and pleasantly warm – Jamaica. There is nothing more relaxing than laying on the beach, listening to the ocean, sipping on delicious caribbean rum and puffing on nutritious cigars. Simply … bliss. My trusty travel humidor was once again recharged with quality ‘ammunition’ ranging from classic Partagas, Montecristos, Padrons, Davidoffs, to latest releases from Tatuaje & Viaje. Although the hotel had some indoor smoking restrictions, I was able to freely enjoy few stogies on the ocean-front-view 4th floor balcony (*pix below). For those who had enough of water and/or sun, hotel had a cigar lounge with a decent cuban humidor and a bar. One was able to find your standard Cohibas, Montes, RyJs, H. Upmanns, etc. All bases covered !

Below you find continuation of my ‘The Cigar Smoker’ project and few extra photographs taken on the balcony and by the inifinity pool. Hopefully you will enjoy this Cigar/Jamaican recap as much as I did the actual trip. As they say in Jamaica … “No problem, Mon.“

Tags: andre farkas, cigar, cigar lounge, cigar photography, cigar review, cigar smoker, cigars, cohiba, cuba, cuban cigars, h.upmann, jamaica, montecristo, pete johnson, photography, romeo y julieta, stogie, stogie review, tatuaje, tobacco, viaje

New Jersey Cigar Festival

Apr 5

Posted by admin in NJ Cigar Festival | 3 Comments

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Cigar industry is blooming … period. Not only we are seeing quality products out on the market but cigar smokers and aficionados can now discuss those products in-person with manufacturers. On Sunday, 03APR2011, that opportunity presented itself in New Jersey. Riverfront Stadium, the home of the Newark Bears was the home of the 1st New Jersey Cigar Festival. David Mallow, mastermind behind this project and the owner of Barrister cigar shop, despite questionable weather and last minute obstacles, was able to pull of a pretty good event. In reference to manufacturers, one was able to chat with few of the heavy hitters in the cigar industry: Miami Cigar & Company; Alec Bradley; Drew Estate; Joya de Nicaragua; Reinado; Rocky Patel; Los Blancos; Maraya; Martin Family; Villiger; Xikar as well as CRA; The Guayabera Lady; The Metropolitan Society; Smoke N Lounge.

David Mallow approached me couple weeks before the Festival and asked if I was interested in coming over and photographing the event. Perfect opportunity to catch-up with fellow Brothers/Sisters Of The Leaf, chat with the manufacturers, and last but surely not least, expand my personal photo project – ‘The Cigar Smoker.’ I believe I have accomplished all three. I was able to catch up with my friend – Barry Stein from acigarsmoker.com. In manufacturer department, I finally met David Lafferty – Regional Manager at Drew Estate. We have exchanged few laughs and talked about a very ‘sensitive’ subject – ‘Liga accounts’ (* LoL !!!). It is always a pleasure to chat with Miami Cigar crew – Chris Lenzo & Arielle Ditkowich (La Sirena). To get to Arielle, one has to walk through/around couple other ‘sunday’ photographers. Next time ! A day wouldn’t be complete without chatting with a good friend of mine, Antonio – the head of ‘Reinado‘ empire. I admire Antonio’s passion and wish him all the best. If you live in North Jersey and you are a cigar smoker looking for a cozy place with great camaraderie, there is nothing better than The Metropolitan Society private club. George Koodray (President) and Nick Verdi (Vice President) were present at the festival and it was a pleasure to catch up with a ‘bada bing’ crew.

Below is a visual summary of the event and contribution toward my ‘The Cigar Smoker’ project. Enjoy !