Big Smoke Las Vegas 30th Anniversary: Speakers And Seminars
Las Vegas’ biggest cigar party is back for its 30th year. Cigar Aficionado’s Big Smoke Las Vegas 30th Anniversary takes place November 6 and 7 at the Horseshoe Las Vegas and will bring together cigar lovers from across the globe to attend smoky evening celebrations and daytime seminars with the industry’s biggest cigar luminaries. Along the way, guests will collect more than 25 premium cigars and indulge in top-shelf drinks and delicious food.
The event’s educational seminars are a major highlight of the weekend. They usually sell out early and attract more than 500 attendees. Here’s a list of the seminars and who’s speaking this year:
Guy Fieri Interview
Headlining the event is celebrity chef and cigarmaker Guy Fieri. The Cigar Aficionado cover star and host of “Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives” is known in the cigar world for his Knuckle Sandwich brands that he makes with Erik Espinosa of Espinosa Premium Cigars. The duo are planning on opening a cigar factory together in the Dominican Republic. Fieri is expected to talk about Knuckle Sandwich, spirits and more.
Cigar No. 1, Padrón 60th Anniversary Perfecto (97 Points)
Jorge Padrón, owner of Padrón Cigars, will take the stage to present Cigar Aficionado’s 2025 Cigar of the Year, the Padrón 60th Anniversary Perfecto. Each audience member will receive the award-winning cigar, and they’ll get the opportunity to smoke it while Padrón explains the story behind its creation. The chart-topping figurado celebrates the 60th anniversary of the company, founded in 1964 by José Orlando Padrón. The smoke can be difficult to find in stores, and is quite pricey, too (the cigar retails for $75).
Cigar No. 3, Tatuaje Black Petite Lancero (96 Points)
Pete Johnson, owner of Tatuaje Cigars, will rise to the podium to talk about the Tatuaje Black Petite Lancero, Cigar Aficionado’s No. 3 Cigar of 2025. Johnson started making cigars more than 20 years ago, and his “Black Label” Tatuajes were originally a private blend that he made for himself and handed out as gifts. The cigars eventually became part of Tatuaje’s regular-production portfolio and we’re happy they did. Made by the Garcia family in Nicaragua (of My Father Cigars fame) Tatuaje Black shines in the Petite Lancero format. The cigar is slim and elegant, measuring 6 inches by 38 ring gauge format. Every audience member will be given a Tatuaje Black Petite Lancero to smoke along with Johnson.
Cigar No. 4, Cuesta-Rey Centro Fino Sungrown Pyramid No. 9 (95 Points)
Drew Newman, fourth-generation owner of J.C. Newman Cigar Co. will step into the spotlight to introduce the Cuesta-Rey Centro Fino Sungrown Pyramid No. 9, Cigar Aficionado’s No. 4 Cigar of 2025. Newman’s family company acquired the Cuesta-Rey brand in 1958 and today it’s manufactured at Tabacalera A. Fuente (Arturo Fuente’s cigar factory) in the Dominican Republic. The Centro Fino Sungrown line was introduced in 2002 and these days it’s smoking better than ever. Audience members will be handed a pointy-headed Pyramid No. 9 to light up along with Newman.
30th Anniversary Panel
A powerhouse panel you won’t want to miss. Cigar industry legends Litto Gomez, co-owner of La Flor Dominicana, José Oliva, chairman of the board at Oliva Cigar Co., and Rocky Patel, owner of Rocky Patel Premium Cigars will join Cigar Aficionado executive editor David Savona and managing editor Greg Mottola to talk about the past three decades of the cigar industry, with a look to the future.
Brunch With Oliva Cigar Co.
Seminar attendees can expect a hearty meal and a premium cigar from Oliva Cigar Co. to kickstart their Saturday morning. The Nicaraguan cigarmaker is known for its award-winning brands such as Oliva Serie V Melanio and Oliva Serie O.
Cigars & Spirits Pairing
Rafael Nodal, owner of the Aging Room brand and vice president of product capability at Tabacalera USA, will team up with Gareth Howells from Bacardi Ltd. to lead a cigar and whisky pairing featuring Aberbeldy Scotch, moderated by senior features editor Jack Bettridge of Cigar Aficionado.
More details on Big Smoke Las Vegas 30th Anniversary are coming soon, but don’t wait to secure your tickets: seminar packages are selling fast and as this story was being posted only a few tickets remain. Get your tickets to the cigar world's biggest celebration here.
