There was a great old country song titled Sunday morning coming down which was, of course, an anthem for those who had partaken of too much "spirit" on the previous evening.

 My Saturday morning coming down has nothing to with an over abundance of libations, rather it is focused on my body adjusting to not smoking 20 plus cigars per day, for the last week. As I recover from the IPCPR Trade Show in Las Vegas, I would like to reflect upon what was an amazing whirlwind of a week in Las Vegas.

 

The best part of the week was meeting with some old friends. It's not often I get to visit the factories outside the US and it's nice when they can come to you. It's also a great opportunity to talk with the blenders. It's nice to see the faces of the brands, the pictures you see in all the magazines, but it's special to speak with the folks who actually design the cigar. I love talking tobacco and there is nothing more pleasurable than picking the brains of these great artisans. Whether it's a question of why they used a particular blend or you just want to say "good job," it's always fantastic conversation.

 Also high on my list of accomplishments was the time I spent trying new items. We often get "pre-release" cigars throughout the year, but there is nothing like smoking a cigar for the first time and having the guy who made it staring at you and waiting for your feedback. What is so great about cigar people, is they are open to suggestion. If there is something you don't like, whether it be with the cigar or even the packaging, they want to hear it. Fortunately for me there was so much great stuff out there I didn't really have any bad experiences. The good far outweighed the bad.

 Another nice touch was the opportunity to have dinner each night with some of these fine folks. It's nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of the show and really talk tobacco. Here at ABC we have been studying the possibility of doing another private label cigar and I have been working on the blend for some time. It was interesting to discuss my tobacco choices with Juan Lopez of Gurkha Cigar. He thinks I should use my binder leaf for the wrapper, but I am really locked in on using my original recipe. I guess a few test sticks will decide what direction we go in.

 But in the end the cigar business is all about relationships. The cigar makers can make the most amazing cigars but it may get lost in the shuffle if there's not a friendly face behind the brand. For almost every cigar we carry at ABC, I can picture a face to go along with cigar. A unique personality that comes out in the blend and the taste of the cigar. Yuri Guillen, production manager of General Dominicana and blender of La Gloria Trunk Show, said it best, "This business is all about friendships, and you buy my cigars because you are my friend and there is a trust." Yuri, you hit the nail on the head and I can hardly wait until IPCPR 2014.

 Chris Gwaltney

@chrisgnole