Kudos to Mr. Koodray and The Metropolitan Society

Last night, I had the extreme pleasure of joining The Metropolitan Society in Fairfield, NJ for their monthly cigar dinner. This is the fourth year I've attended as a representative for Famous Smoke Shop, and it's always a great time accompanied by good food, drink, cigars, and warm friendship. As always, I brought cigars for the gang to smoke - a brand exclusive to Famous Smoke Shop, of course - and last night was no exception as I presented the Famous 70th Anniversary Private Selection by Plasencia Cigars.

But unlike the former events, last night I brought something, or more appropriately, someone extra: Famous Smoke Shop president, Arthur Zaretsky. The Metropolitan Society are good FSS customers, and their president, George Koodray, has been asking me to bring Arthur to the club for years. So, in light of this being Famous' 70th year in the cigar business, I finally convinced Arthur to come and meet some of his biggest fans in person. Joining us, too, was Famous Smoke Shop cigar sampler manager, Humberto Gonzalez, who is also a Metro Society member.

Arthur was given a dignitary's welcome, including an honorary membership. After some obligatory business announcements by Mr. Koodray, he turned the microphone over to Arthur who talked briefly about the history of Famous Smoke Shop and took questions. (Later, I overheard Arthur tell George what a wonderful time he had.)

One of the highlights of the evening was a presentation of Don Julio Tequilas which the members got to sample. (Try the 1942. Wow! Smooth as silk, too.) But there was also another nice surprise last night. Two lovely young ladies from Luba Cigar Corporation - company founder, Ruth Elizabeth Batista, and Juanny Dominguez - brought samples of their Capadura cigars to share.

So once again, on behalf of Arthur, Humberto, myself, and everyone at Famous Smoke Shop, our sincere thanks to George Koodray, John Cito, Ben Amoruso, Rich Camy, Pasquale Agatone, "Uncle Nick" Verdi, and the many other Metropolitan Society members for making last night another memorable evening. Until next year, or until I'm in the neighborhood to stop by for a good cigar...Ciao amigos!

~ Gary Korb
(Above photo L-R: Gary Korb, Arthur Zaretsky, George Koodray)

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In other news: The "brewing" shifts to Nicaragua
If you remember my blog of September 30, Something may be brewing in the Dominican Republic, and it's not coffee, in which our source in The D.R. told us about the sighting of Guillermo Leon, Jaime Garcia, Pepin Garcia and Nestor Miranda in Santiago, another piece of the puzzle may be about to fall into place. Well, although we can’t tell you what brought those major cigar figures together; after receiving another report from our source, I can say it's safe to assume that something really is brewing.

According to our "correspondent," Guillermo León (León Jimenes cigars) will make his very first trip to Nicaragua, and we’re hazarding a guess that he will be visiting the Garcias. Although all of these intertwining relationships exist; Guillermo León and La Aurora is the new addition to the equation.

Whatever is going on, it's significant and only a matter of time before it becomes public. In the meantime, our man in Santiago, and our contacts in Estelí are keeping their eyes open. As soon as there is something to report, you’ll hear about it first on CigarAdvisor.com.

Stay tuned.