A Visit to CIGARfest 2016

CIGARfest 2016 occurred on April 27 through May 1, 2016, at the Split Rock Resort in the Poconos, PA. CIGARfest is hosted by Cigars International, one of the largest online and brick and mortar cigar retailers in the U.S. Smokey Butts, c.gar, and our special guest, V-Cut, attended the event. Tickets for the event we’re $160 for General Admission, $200 for Very Important Herfer, and $250 for Cigar Nut. What did the extra cash for the ticket get you? The Very Important Herfer ticket holder was able to enter the event two hours before the General Admission ticket holders. Cigar Nuts entered the event four hours early, received a full breakfast before the event, a JC Newman Bloody Mary, and Cigar Nut only raffle giveaways. All attendees received 30 cigars at entry, more than 50 cigars during the event, CIGARfest 2016 humidor, CIGARfest ashtray, liquor and beer samples, live music, raffles and prizes, and a variety of other events.

This was our first visit since 2010 and the event did not disappoint. Cigars, alcohol, cigar brethren, off duty strippers manning various cigar booths, and a hokey resort in the Poconos. . . what else could we ask for? Truth be told, this is not The Big Smoke, and it ain’t supposed to be. Smokey Butts and I like to call this the blue collar version of The Big Smoke. We don’t mean this in a negative way. Hell, we grew up in a blue collar town. In many ways, we like this event more than The Big Smoke.

We attended the Altadis In It To Win It, CIGARfest Friday, Drew Estate Pipe, and the Alec Bradley and Rocky Patel events. The Alec Bradley and Rocky Patel event was fantastic. CIGARfest 2016 representatives asked questions to both Alan Rubin of Alec Bradley and Rocky Patel. Rubin and Patel were open, honest, guttural (aka they cussed a lot), and inspired the audience to help fight government regulation of our hobby. After the event, I had the opportunity to chat with both Rocky and Alan. They are both great guys.

Below is a video highlighting our visit to CIGARfest. This is our first video with narration and I sound like a dork. I just realized I still have a Midwest accent. Crap!

For those who have never attended this event, this is a must attend. Get your butt to CIGARfest 2017!