Largest cigar events America canceled. Where Europe and Asia are slowly starting to get back on their feet when it comes to events, America is still canceling shows. The Cigar Smoking World Championship qualifier in Kuala Lumpur took place last week. Several events are planned in Slovakia. And a Brothers of the Leaf vs Corona party is scheduled in The Netherlands. In sharp contrast, three of the largest cigar events in the USA were canceled this week.

Cigarfest

The largest online retailer of the United States, Cigars International, had to cancel the annual Cigarfest. Originally the event takes place in May. Because of the pandemic, it was postponed to mid-October. The retailer, part of the STG family just as General Cigars, Cigar.com, Cigarbid, and Thompson, canceled the event for 2020. 

Pennsylvania state policies don’t allow gatherings the size of Cigarfest. Sarah Santos, president of Cigars International said: “After much deliberation, we have made the difficult decision to cancel CIGARfest this year. While it was a tough call to make, we needed to consider the expected state regulations and prioritize the health and safety of all who participate in the CIGARfest event. We are deeply disappointed because CIGARfest is an exciting weekend of comradery amongst old and new friends alike and a highlight on the calendar for many. We would like to thank our customers, vendors, and members of the cigar community for their continued support. We look forward to resuming the event next year, better than ever.” Ticketholders can get a refund or exchange tickets for the 2021 edition of Cigarfest.

Cigar Aficionado’s Big Smoke

Since 1993, Cigar Aficionado is hosting the Big Smoke weekend. It started in New York, but in the last 25 years, Las Vegas is the place to be for cigar smokers in mid-November. It’s the largest of all the Cigar Aficionado Big Smoke events, with meet & greets of cigar manufacturers, seminars, and much more. This year, however, is the first time in the history of the Big Smoke Las Vegas that the event is canceled. It will be moved to 2021, but the dates have to be determined. 

After New York and Las Vegas, Miami is the third city where Cigar Aficionado Magazine is hosting a Big Smoke. And this year another Big Smoke would see the light in Florida. The inaugural collaboration with WhiskyFest Florida. The Big Smoke Meets WhiskyFest Florida was scheduled for October 31st at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. The event is rescheduled to April 17, 2021.

Big Smoke meets WhiskyFest Florida will be a wide-range pairing of cigars with Scotch, Bourbon, Rye, Canadian whisky and a host of other spirits. The biggest names in both the cigar and the alcohol industry will be around for seminars, meet & greets, and to offer their knowledge to the participants.

“Cigar lovers look forward with great anticipation to the Big Smokes and have for more than 27 years. It brings them together with the world’s leading cigarmakers for an evening of fun, relaxation, and incredible cigars,” said Marvin R. Shanken, editor and publisher of Cigar Aficionado magazine. “This is something that we all look forward to, and regrettably we have to miss this year. I have no doubt that next year’s events will be bigger and better than before.”