Smoke Inn Blog
Smoke Inn’s annual event, The Great Smoke for the 2023 season launched under the theme, Mardi Gras Madness The festivities officially wrapped up with the Sunday Brunch event on March 19th hosted by Aganorsa’s Terence Reiley. But the Saturday Night beforehand at the South Florida Fairground was the main event. In this blog, we’ll recap that main event. The next blog will cover the extra events outside the big show and other details.
The Great Smoke 2023 Exclusive Interviews
One of our very favorite features of The Great Smoke events are the appearances from master blenders, manufacturers and assorted heavy-hitters from the industry. The opportunity to hear from and even meet the people behind some of your favorite cigars is a rare treat and we enjoy it every bit as much as the rest of you.
All our TGS 2023 interviews were graciously hosted by our good friend, Michael Herklots of Ferio Tego, who did a fantastic job resulting in some truly compelling conversation. The interview segments were sponsored by Yellowstone Bourbon Whiskey.
Note: You can click on the images to open each interview in YouTube.
Ernesto Perez-Carillo
We were fortunate enough to snag an interview with industry legend, Ernesto Perez-Carillo of E.P. Carillo CIgars for this year’s event. We discovered that Mr. Perez-Carillo and Michael Herklots have more in common than just being captains of industry in the premium cigar space. Both are also drummers and got their start in New York City working with Nat Sherman.
Steve Saka
The illustrious Steve Saka of Dunbarton T&T, a regular at The Great Smoke, was interviewed as well. They discussed Steve’s broad experience acquired through 30 years in the industry, including 8 years with his own shop, Dunbarton T&T and what goes into engineering a cigar. Naturally Dunbarton’s TGS 2023 exclusive smoke, DTT-EX-127 was discussed.
Robert Holt
Robert Holt of Southern Draw spoke about his reverence for cigar culture and how important is to remember the greats who came before us and how they influence what we do today in the premium cigar field and in life in general. Michael and Robert also talked about philanthropy and the responsibilities of being a business owner and touched upon how being a veteran and military life influences business.
Alec and Bradley Rubin
Alec and Bradley Rubin of Alec Bradley Cigars shared what it was like to grow up within the cigar industry, to finally enter the business officially and working with Ernesto Perez-Carillo. They wrapped up with the highly anticipated ritual shaving of Bradley Rubin’s mustache (since the $10,000 fundraising goal was hit).
Amanda Micallef
Amanda Micallef of Micallef Cigars, who we interviewed here in the Smoke Inn blog was the final TGS 2023 interview conducted by our friend, Michael Herklots. Amanda discussed how the brand was born and the importance of honoring tradition in cigarmaking. She also talked about how the brick-and-mortar cigar shop is essential to the future of the premium cigar industry and shared the story of Migdalia Sanchez, the namesake of the Micallef Migdalia Special Edition.
Other Highlights of TGS 2023’s Main Event
On-Stage Entertainment
When the main stage wasn’t being manned by the emcee or interviews, TGS 2023 attendees were entertained by a few fun acts and routines, including the Brown Bag Brass Band and the Jambalaya Jugglers.
Culinary Flair catering out of Lake Worth had a number of Mardi Gras themed food stations set up at the venue with some delicious cajun-style grub and an authentic New Orleans style beignet station.
Whiskey Row
We all know whiskey and fine cigars are a marriage made in heaven, so it was no surprise that the TGS 2023 Whiskey Row was a big hit. A number of world class whiskey vendors turned out so we could sample and purchase their wares. Yellowstone Bourbon Whiskey (sponsors of the Smoke Inn interviews) as well as Clyde May’s Alabama-Style whiskey.
Smoke Inn had bottles of our private barrel selection from Elijah Craig whiskey there. Casa Azul Tequila was also on hand with their classy añejos aged in whiskey barrels for unique flavor along with several others.
Event Vendors
There were no shortage of other cool vendors wares to check out in The Great Smoke 2023 venue. Drew Estate made a strong showing with “DE Land” with lots of their most primo limited edition stuff on offer. Drew Estate also had a dart board game, hosted by Willy Herrera himself and a Tabak cigar and coffee experience which was really a treat.
Altadis USA was there too with an event area with products and a plinko board game to win prizes. The sports memorabilia silent auction was packing them in. Rabbit Air made an appearance with their HEPA air purifiers, which a lot of us have at home. Integra BOOST™ was there too with their 2-way humidity packs that help keep our favorite smokes from drying out on us.
Virtual Event Coverage
We think the virtual The Great Smoke event coverage was especially on-point this year. Thanks in no small part to Honest Abe going all out on the production value and Paul DeGrocco and Kim Keeney doing a fantastic job as the roving event reporters for the folks following from home.
It’s very important to us all at Smoke Inn that our virtual event ticket holders get as much of the flavor of The Great Smoke as possible in the comfort of their own homes, or wherever they may be.
Smoke Inn is Your Cigar Shop
We hope you had a chance to attend this year’s The Great Smoke event, if not in person, then virtually at least. We’d like to take another opportunity to thank all the folks who generously donated their time to be interviewed. First, our good friend, Michael Herklots for interviewing and serving as a superb host. Ernesto Perez-Carillo, Steve Saka, Robert Hold, the Brothers Rubin (minus one mustache) and of course, Amanda Micallef of Micallef Cigars. Our awesome vendors and program sponsors like Yellowstone Bourbon Whiskey.
Most of all though, we want to thank all of YOU. The Great Smoke doesn’t happen without you all who buy tickets to attend! So we appreciate you all very, very much and hope to see you all again next year for The Great Smoke 2024: Year of the Dragon, which is sure to be off the chain. As always, if you’re local or happen to be visiting South Florida, be sure to reward yourself with a visit to one of the country’s best cigar shops in person. We’d love to see you.
Our South Florida Locations:
- Smoke Inn Palm Beach Gardens
- Smoke Inn West Palm Beach
- Smoke Inn Delray Beach
- Smoke Inn Boynton Beach
- Smoke Inn Pompano Beach
- Smoke Inn Tequesta
- Smoke Inn Port St. Lucie
- Smoke Inn Vero Beach
