February 11th, 2010
I have recently had the pleasure of partaking in some friendly poker games with friends. I really enjoy these gatherings. Some nights the cards fall my way, some nights they don’t. Regardless, the camaraderie, food and cigars are good.
There is something very enjoyable about getting together with friends and smoking cigars. For me, I enjoy having five or six people get together and seeing what smokes they all bring. It always runs the gamete. Sometimes I see someone pull out a cigar that I have not tired before, or have not smoked in a while. It always prompts me to want to try one.
Even in the midst of our friendly card game, a good share of the conversation turns to cigars. That is a good thing. I encourage you to get together with friends. Enjoy the company and enjoy a few good cigars. It will do you good!
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
October 24th, 2009
I will not use this blog for personal reasons very often, but this morning I felt it was necessary. As many of you know, my father is very ill. This past week, his condition worsened considerable. I have been completely blown away by the support and words of encouragement I have received from my employees, UPtown’s customers and a lot of people in the cigar industry. It really hit home with me a sales rep stopped in one day this past week and learned of what my father was going through. Instead of giving his sales pitch to the guys who were working, he left the store. A few minutes later he returned with a card for me and a vert heart-felt note to me. That, coupled with all the well wishes I have received this week have made me aware that I have an extended family at UPtown’s.
My staff at UPtown’s is simply awesome. While I was out most of this past week, business went on as usuall without a glitch. THANK YOU GUYS! Jeff, Jim, Marcus, Trey, Joe, Arron & Kevin…I could not ask for a better crew!
Hope you all have a wonderfull weekend, and enjoy some fine cigars!
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
July 29th, 2009
The following is a guest blog by UPtown’s Joe Zike
Perhaps considered an untraditional blog, the purpose of this post is to help those less familiar with the Oliva Cigar Co. to become more acquainted with “Nicaragua’s second largest grower of Cuban-seed tobacco” (olivacigar.com).
The Oliva family’s relationship with tobacco began over 120 years ago in Pinar Del Rio, Cuba, and it has been the family’s determination to persevere in spite of circumstance which has allowed them to produce the fifth most requested cigar brand, Oliva Serie V, by customers of various retail shops throughout the nation (Cigar Insider; Vol 13, No. 13).
Forced to leave Cuba because of a tyrannous government, Gilberto Oliva Sr. worked in Nicaragua until, once again, he was forced to leave because of a country’s unstable political conditions. From there he went to Honduras and was growing and brokering tobacco. He would not make cigars until he moved to Panama in 1984. His stay in Panama was fairly short due to a storm that ruined his entire tobacco operation. He went to a few other countries before landing back in Honduras where he ran a factory for Nestor Plasencia. While this was happening, some of his children were in Miami trying to generate income by boxing, labeling, and, on consignment only, selling cigars. In 1994 the first cigar bearing the Oliva family name was produced. It was called Gilberto Oliva and consisted of Dominican and Honduran filler with an Ecuador/Connecticut wrapper. Within eight months the Oliva family had generated enough capital to open their own factory in Ocotal, Nicaragua, which was later moved to Esteli, where they have since produced cigars that have received accolades from nearly all of the major and minor critics and trendsetters in the industry. (abbreviated history based on Smoke Magazine’s 2005 summer issue).
For more information visit olivacigar.com where one can read descriptions of the cigars and various press releases, or stop in at UPtown’s on Saturday, August 1 and speak with Allan Buelvas, who has been their account executive since January and has been involved with cigars since the early 90’s.
Posted in Cigar talk | No Comments »
July 26th, 2009
What a busy week I had! It is Sunday afternoon now, and I am finally relaxing at my cabin and trying to wind down with some coffee and a smoke.
Tuesday night, I was invited to dinner with a cigar rep and his boss who was in town. The company was one of the “big boys” in the industry. Dinner was great, Morton’s Steak house. But the evening was somewhat disappointing to me by the tone of conversation. I am not impressed when one company feels the need to bash their competition. Enough said.
Wednesday brought another busy day for us at UPtown’s. Rocky Patel was in town for a big event at the shop. I knew it would be a good one with Rocky being there. But I was not expecting it to be so huge on a Wednesday night. But the place was packed. Rocky spent four hours shaking hands, signing autographs and having pictures taken. The food was great, the wine was great and the live music was outstanding! The event ended shortly after 9:00 PM, and by the time we cleaned up the shop and closed, it was my second night in a row of not getting home until after midnight! But it was a pleasure to host an event with Rocky.
All this was leading up to a huge Saturday for UPtown’s. The annual Music City Brewers Festival which takes place in downtown Nashville. UPtown’s teams up with CAO every year and sponsors the “Cool Zone” at the festival. This year’s festival was broken into two four hour sessions. Afternoon and evening. Both sessions were packed and we had non-stop cigar sales for the entire eight hours of the festival. Micro brewed beer and cigars are a good combination! We had a full staff including myself, Big Jim, Handy Dandy Andy, Smoking Joe Zike, CAO’s Jeff “The Animal” Tinnell, and our very own “Good Old Democratic Advice” man, Arron. Even with all of us there, we could have used more! And I will tell you, with all the beer that was flowing, there was no shortage of entertainment! After starting the day at 7:30 AM at Pancake Pantry, and finally getting home around midnight, we had another very long day. But as busy as we were, it was a day of laughter and enjoyment. On my drive home to the cabin, I could not help but reflect on what a great staff I have at UPtown’s. With two major events in one week, Rocky Patel and Brewer’s Fest, they pulled it off with ease and enthuthiasm. Now onto next Saturday. Our big Oliva day at UPtown’s. See the events calander for details.
In closing today, I would like to ask each of you to keep another one of our great employees in your thoughts. As many of you know, Marcus had back surgery on Thursday. All indications are that the operation was a success, and we hope for a speedy recovery and look forward to having him back at the shop.
Posted in General thoughts | No Comments »
July 21st, 2009
Note: The following is a guest blog by Andy Whitaker
In contemplation of writing this “guest blog” many ideas come to mind. Typically, cigar reviews, recent holiday celebrations and current events come to mind. However, the subject that continually keeps my interests busy is the commonality and camaraderie that the cigar brings to a gathering. I am fortunate to recently have been invited to a celebration of the birth of a beautiful baby girl. This celebration consisted of smoked meat, fine cheeses, libations, and wonderful cigars. This celebration which was informal, brought forth some feelings which I believe everyone who has smoked premium tobacco products with a group has experienced. Events with cigars can often times “Bridge the Gap” between many people, who on the surface, might feel they have nothing in common. When smoking in a time when smoking is often done in a selected area. Look at it as a opportunity to develop a bond with whom you are fortunate enough to share that moment with. Smoking can help broaden your interest and help develop valued friendships into the future.
Posted in General thoughts | No Comments »
June 30th, 2009
I am sitting here this morning thinking about the upcoming July 4th weekend. I am planning to get together with a few good friends and enjoy good food, drinks & cigars. I am grateful that I live in a country where I am free to do what I enjoy. So as I am enjoying our country’s Independence, I am going to remember those who have fought to make sure America remains the greatest country in the world. Don’t ever take that for granted. Remember the brave young men and woman who have given their lives for us.
In the coming weeks, I plan to have some “guest blogs”. Be looking for them. Enjoy the holiday weekend.
Posted in General thoughts | No Comments »
June 25th, 2009
I will admit it, I have been well aware of Cigar Rights of America for a while now, and never got involved. Recently it has been on my mind. A few lines in the opening paragraph of their brochure sums it up. “Unfortunately for cigar enthusiasts, the age-old pleasure of enjoying a cigar is under attack. On a daily basis, your freedom to enjoy a cigar is being stripped away by an overzealous, anti-smoking movement.”
There could come a day where you and I could not go into a smoke shop and sit down and enjoy a cigar. Or enjoy a cigar on the golf course, or event sit on our back porch and enjoy a fine cigar with a glass of wine. It could happen folks. Not to mention the possibility of cigars becoming so expensive due to increased taxes that most people could not afford them!
I became a member today. You should too. We need to band together to fight the fight that has been launched against us!
Click for link to CRA
Posted in Cigar talk | No Comments »
June 23rd, 2009
Well, day 1 of the new website launch went well with just a few minor glitches. I hope you are enjoying it. I wanted to talk a little bit about some great events we have coming up here at UPtown’s. On Thursday, July 9, we have Bobby Newman coming in from the J.C. Newman company. A free event with beer and BBQ! You will enjoy meeting Bobby. Then on Wednesday, July 22, we will welcome Rocky Patel…yes the real Rocky Patel. This will be another great event. Saturday, August 1, we will hold a big Tap Into Oliva event. Someone will win the kegerator! We have other cool events coming up later this year as well. Keep checking our events calendar for details.
Posted in Cigar talk | No Comments »
June 15th, 2009
Welcome to the brand new uptowns.com. Iam glad you found us and hope you will visit often. Also, thank you for taking a look at my blog, “Scott’s Corner”. I will use this blog for general cigar & pipe talk, reviews, and other thoughts that are on my mind. You comments are welcome!
Posted in General thoughts | No Comments »
