Cigar Companero Premiere Edition 2008 Cigar Saturation

      First of all, I'll describe the Big Smoke 2007. Held this year in the Venetian Hotel, with the doors opening at 6:30 pm and closing at 9:30 pm. Two nights of smoke (Friday and Saturday), plus breakfasts, lunches, seminars, roll-your-owns,,, a complete weekend for the cigar aficionado, or for us who are 'in training!'

     Now, you're $200 entry ($275 at the door) lands you a coupon book. Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to match each cigar vendor with their coupon. Each coupon is good for their smoke. At least 75 cigars in all, along with a multitude of food and drink vendors. Great, top-shelf booze!!! Notso good, lotsa fried food!!

     So, is there an art to smoking a bunch of cigars. And, what kind of science plays part? Well, if we're talking a one-day smoke out, you really have nothing to worry about. Give it another day, and your senses will start acclimating…. But what about a two, three, or four-day smoke out? Most folk who attend the Big Smoke usually stay more than one day, with lot's arriving Thursday night and going home Monday morning. So, are there steps a brother can take to keep the smoke fresh? Is there a way to keep clear of Cigar Saturation?

     Here are a five key points that I've learned:

1. Make sure you sleep! This is a very important step, and usually goes unheeded when you're in Vegas. But I'm telling ya, your senses need this break!! Our first night, I was out around 4:00 am. Up at 10, down at 4:00 am Friday morning. Up at 10, down at 1:00 am Sunday, up at 7 am, drove home at noon. Not enough sleep! Repeat, Not Enough Sleep!! I awoke each morning with the odor of smoke burning in my nostrils. I awoke each morning with the feeling of smoke burning my eyes. I awoke each morning with the taste of smoke irrating my throat.

2. Know what you're smoking! Lot's of folk tell you not to bring any cigars with you. I mean, you're getting so many free smokes, you don't need to bring any. I disagree. There are a lot of cigars that I do not like. And, on more than one occasion, I have smoked a cigar that has ruined any chance of smoking another one. I have smoked a cigar that gave me an immediate 'hang-over' effect. I have smoked a cigar that made me consider 'kissing the porcelain goddess.' I have smoked a cigar that was so harsh, it destroyed my taste buds without regard to me or my plans. Why chance it! You'll have plenty of opportunities to smoke all them freebies! And, I'm sure you'll be gifted several smokes that are already part of you staple. For instance, an Arturo Fuente Double Chateau, a Zino Dadivdoff, and a LFD Double Ligero. My mistake, CAO lighted up a Crillio for me. I knew it wasn't my cup of tea, but I smoked it anyway. Then, my next smoke (which I brought with), a well-aged DC Max DC, tasted like the CAO. Just couldn't get rid of that taste!

3. Drink! Drink!! Drink!!! Lot's of water, Lot's of Water, LOT's OF WATER!!!! Keep your system up! You should be pissing AT LEAST every hour. Standard social rules apply to alcohol intake: Stop before you get stupid.

4. It's okay to carry around an unlit cigar. It's okay to chew on it and suck on it, but you don't have to light it. You are going to have a lot of opportunities to smoke. I mean, it's Las Vegas, where you still (sort of) have that right (don't hold your breath). For instance, I played about 4 hours of Blackjack. Now, how many cigars can you smoke in 4 hours? A lot (4 for me)! You don't have to, but it's oh-so tempting…. You have a selection of quality smokes. You know each one of them on site. You've smoked boxes of them in the past. So, what could possible go wrong? Just keep spark'n 'em up, right?? Cigar Saturation!!!! My finale of that night was a Monte EL 06 robusto. An absolutely phenomenal cigar! But, not that night! I could not detect anything but tobacco and smoke! Certainly not to my expectations, and what a waste of a great cigar!

5. Plan your smokes accordingly and in advance. A good rule of thumb is to start light and gradually increase the strength. The main reason for this would be similar to #2. There are some really great smokes that are very heavy in flavor and strength. If you're smoking these early, you may reach your saturation point much earlier. Another thing to consider, the Big Smoke was an indoor event, thus, not much relief if you're a spitter, which I am! So, be prepared to swallow a lot more nicotine than you may be used to.

     Here are a few 'must-haves' to keep on hand during your
Smoke-Outs:

    "Eye drops: Your eyes will become very dry, burning,
itching, and red! If there weren't 3000 other cigars smokers
around, I'd think some of ya'll were smoking something else.
Eye drops will feel sooooo good, soothing the burn and
dryness. Keep a bottle with you!
    "Saline nasal spray: Your nostrils will become very dry,
burning, itching, perhaps even bleeding. Simple inhalation
will irritate your already inflamed nasal passages. And, with
the addition of smoke, lots and lots of smoke, you'll find
yourself breathing through your mouth, just to subside the
sharp pains into the brain. A saline nasal spray will moisten
the nostrils inner tissue, resulting in immediate relief. Keep
a bottle with you!
    "Aspirin/Tylenol: Too much smoke causes headaches. For
reals! Take 'em when you need 'em.
    "Accessories: Always carry a good cutter and lighter! I like
to have a cigar savor as well. Never know when you'll need to put it out!
    "Water: Can't tell you how much this will help! Flush that system!!

     Enjoy what you smoke! And, if Cigar Saturation becomes an issue, slooooowwwww doooooowwwwnnnnn. If they all start tasting the same, you've reached saturation. Take a break; drink lots of water; use your eye drops and your nasal spray; and plan accordingly.

Jeff Winton