Happy birthday Fidel – 84 last week and looking rather good for a chap of his age. Incredible that he still wants to be involved in teaching the world about how to solve its problems but hey ho – as long as he’s happy – I’m happy 🙂

I’m in the USA for the rest of month and I understand the weather is better than London, so far – so good. 🙂 so, I arrived in New Orleans for the annual IPCPR/RTDA trade show after a 3 hour stop in Chicago which was a welcome break as one of my cigar buddies collected me from the airport raced over to Starbucks for a Frappucino and a couple of large cigars in the blazing hot sunshine before another 2 ½ hour flight to New Orleans.

Staying at the Hilton Riverside was perfect especially on the first evening as I needed somewhere to smoke, so I bunked into the Camacho party, fired up a nice big piramides and was promptly rumbled by Christian 🙂 who was as always more than welcoming. Camacho are great cigars and it’s a shame they are not in the UK. I’m terribly pleased that Christian has been so successful as I remember him well from the old ASC newsgroup days in the mid 90’s.

The annual show is a great opportunity for me to catch up with so many friends from suppliers to retailers to Guys who just like to hang out at the trade show and herf whist checking out what new products are being launched.

New Orleans was rather hot and very humid – to say the least but I must say that everywhere I went the ‘Southern Hospitality’ was very impressive indeed.

The show was quieter than previous shows I have attended but that just made it easier for me to zoom round and place orders 🙂 Of course my first stop was Palio as we are the Distributors for Palio and I just love these cutters as they are perfect. Light, sharp and stylish as well as great value and an incredible guarantee. Well done to Palio for winning the European Cigar Journal award (see photo) Moving on the various humidor importers and placing test orders in rapid succession I can tell you we will be filling all the new warehouse space rather rapidly!

My retail shops will be happy as I bought a few hundred Meerschaum pipes that seem to be ever so popular again.

We sell literally 1000’s of humidors a year through our cigar stores and our various websites, the numbers are almost mind boggling but we have always had a gap in our range at the mid to top end. With that in mind: If you want a custom made humidor of any size, shape, finish please visit our partner Arlin Liss who will create the humidor of your dreams large or small www.arlinliss.com mention C.Gars Ltd for a 15% discount as well as a free upgrade welcome pack.

If your budget doesn’t extend to a custom built humidor you will be pleased to hear that we are adding Elie Bleu to our range in the next few weeks. The Rolls Royce of humidors – truly pieces of furniture that should last a life time. Classic designs, funky colours, pop art – something for everyone who really wants something special

We are also delighted to be adding the Daniel Marshall range of humidors in the next few weeks. Daniel makes some wonderful humidors that combine quality with functionality as well as great value.

I had a smoke or two with my buddy Ludo from Xikar whose stand seems to be getting bigger every year as their range increases continually. Great designs, great guarantee and a great company all round – we are proud to be associated with them. I particularly like their ashtrays and cigar cases – completely different and very cool.

Strolled down Bourbon street to take in the atmosphere whist smoking a Belicosos or two and ended my last night at ridiculous’o ‘clock at Café la Monde eating doughnuts and iced coffee – adios diet – hello sugar rush 🙂 Thanks to brothers Joe and David for driving in from Houston to herf with me.

So my N’Awlins trip was mega fun and I’m already looking forward to next year’s show in Las Vegas.

Now off to the sunshine of Los Angeles 🙂

Have a great weekend.

Peaceful puffing

Mitchell