I just went to two of the most amazing events this weekend. The first one, I had to do some schedule juggling to get to since I work second shift. But it was worth the effort! Sam Leccia brought his Nubs and his rolling table to the Tobacco Company Cigars. We frequent there but this was our first "event" there. It was a beautiful evening, and they had the doors open and people were standing outside by the Mini Cooper to be raffled off in the future and there was a small crowd inside watching Sam do his magic. We were greeted by our friend and owner, Dave, and each handed the Nub flavor he thought we'd like...he knows our tastes well! He handed Chris a Connecticut and he selected the Cami for me. We lit up and, as always, Dave had chosen accurately - that Cami was just plain yummy! There was no waiting for the first 1/2 inch....it was awesome right from jump. Sam had rolled a few cigars by then and when he was in a convenient spot to interrupt, i walked over and introduced myself. Ladies, his picture does NOT do him justice and he is just a sweet as he is party for the eyes! He was working on a custom barber pole design and after we had talked a bit about SC, C4W, and his Nubs, he offered the barber pole to me. i was so flattered! It was still pretty damp, so I left it on his table with the others he had rolled. He had spoken of the different designs he could do with the wrappers, one of which was a pool cue style. Well one observer decided he had to see that. So he commenced to creating another work of art. We had an appointment to go pickup Chris' new truck, so we explained that we had to leave for a bit, but we'd be right back. Well, don't you know while we were gone someone walked over, picked up the barber pole and lit it right there! We returned and Sam told us what had happened, and promised to make another special one for me. Now, he didn't have to do that, but dag he's sooo sweet! I later found out that the person that took it had just come in from 5 hours away...so I couldn't hardly be mad - not that I was, just disappointed. Well let me tell ya, I definitely faired out better in the long run! Before he started rolling again, he came out with me to see our new truck and was genuinely excited for us. He told me how cool our truck was, and gave us a huge static tobacco leave for the back window. We had gotten the little ones with the little Nub booklets, and some other little things....but this was definitely not your "free" promo item that everyone got!!! He then went to start rolling my "special" cigar. BTW, the pool cue cigar was absolutely fab! He joked that he didn't know how well it would actually burn, that it was more for show. Chris and I decided we really wanted to smoke another Nub, he absolutely loved the Conn. and although I was thoroughly enamoured by the Cami, I wanted to try the Conn. too. So Chris picked two out and I stood there smoking my Conn. watching the magic unfold. Now, folks, I gotta tell ya, I was the ONLY girl there smoking a cigar. I got casual hellos, smiles, and nods from many, but mostly they sat there just kinda trying to figure out who the cigar-smoking chick was standing there chatting with Sam Leccia like we knew each other! LOL
Sam finished the most amazing barber pole cigar I'd ever seen and handed it to me. You should have seen the chins drop! Well, let me tell ya, now they wanted to talk to me!!!! There I was, double gunning - smoking a delicious Conn. with one hand, gently cradling that beautiful work of art in my other. Is that not a vision of hard core cigar dedication???? LOL I had guys coming up to me with they're cellphone cams asking to take pictures! All of a sudden, all the scrutiny disappeared and I found myself in a room full of new friends!!! That was confirmed today, but that story comes later...... So we finished our second Nubs and decided that we need to take a few home. Now bear in mind, we had just layed out a downpayment we hadn't planned for for our replacement truck and it was the day before payday. A box purchase was not happening as much as we would have loved to. We scraped our pennies from the bottom of my purse and came up with enough for 2 Conns and 2 Camis. By this time I nearly needed a grin-ectomy! Then as I was standing by the counter, Dave asked me if I'd like a Nub box. Well of course I did! I was standing there holding a "custom" wrapped cigar in my hand, trying to avoid over-squeezing, running into someone/thing, or any other horrible tragedy! So I now had a "Hut for my Custom"! Woo Hoo! We all had a good laugh over that. We decided that it was probably time to roll out; I still had to go back to work and finish up. So we said our goodbyes to Dave and the guys and got my usual hug from Dave. I then went over to say goodbye to Sam and thank him for my "custom". Now I knew he was a PA boy, but after all the Nub success, I'm happy to say he's still very down-to-earth. I got a hug goodbye from him and at that point, there was no point in getting that grin-ectomy.....it was stuck there!!!! So there ya have it.....A great looking guy, with a great smile, a sincerely great personality, and he makes some damn fine smokes! Definitely someone to add to your "must meet in my lifetime" list!!!!
Be sure to check out !
Oh, and more about the cigars...The Conn. Nub was as amazing as the Cami. Flavor from start to finish, as promised. For all you "Conn's have no flavor" peeps, you NEED to try a Nub Conn. That little baby is packed full of flavor! Sam definitely has hit the mother load in his recipes!!! For all you hard core, full flavor lovers, Dave told us that the Habano will give you all the flavor you can handle. The Habano may have to wait until my palate has a bit more patina! Perhaps I'll get a wild notion and pick one up sooner....
Sam did confirm that they are working on a maduro Nub. They're still working on the blend, but once it meets their mark it'll be out and most likely he'll be on the road again. (Count down to the Maduro Tour......)

My husband took pics with his cell cam also.....however, he neglected to clean the lens. I am working on trying to un-crud the pics....will post whatever I can soon....