Please click on the links below to view an announcement of particular interest or scroll down the page to view all recent announcements:

»  An Evening with Don José 'Pepín' Garcia ~ World Renowned Master Cigar Maker and Blender (7/26/10)
»  The Passing of a Local Dignitary - Joseph H. Milan, Jr. (5/21/10)
»  Private Club Aims to Keep Cigar Smoking Sociable - The Commonwealth Cigar Club Offers a Comfortable Setting for Tobacco Aficionados (5/10/10)
»  An Afternoon with Erik Nording, Famous Danish Pipe Carver and Namesake of Rocky Patel's Nording Cigars (3/10/10)
»  Milan Tobacconists Sponsors a Tour to Rocky Patel Premium Cigars in Honduras (4/2/09)

 

An Evening with Don José 'Pepín' Garcia ~ World Renowned Master Cigar Maker and Blender (7/26/10)
On Thursday evening, Don Pepín and his entourage arrived at Milan Tobacconists in Downtown Roanoke to spend time with his fans, and the turnout was spectacular. Numbering over a hundred, people waited patiently for the opportunity to speak with Pepín (through his translators Jose and John or directly if they were fortunate enough to know some Spanish) and have their picture taken with the cigar legend.

Even with the language barrier, it was obvious to anyone who spent even a little time with Pepín that he is a genuine, unassuming gentleman who has handled his success in the cigar industry with grace. We learned that 1) Pepín's favorite cigar is his son's Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial, 2) if you are walking around with an unlit cigar, he will magically appear with a lighter to fire it up, 3) he always looks good in pictures (we took zillions), and 4) he absolutely loves cigars, which, of course, came as no surprise.

Pepín's "brother from another mother" Rene was our master cigar roller for the evening, although Pepín did step in to make a couple of beautifully rolled cigars himself. Rene was trained in Cuba under Pepín's tutelage and has been rolling cigars for 48 years. John said Rene could make a cigar with his eyes closed, which seemed completely plausible to onlookers. Rene's artistry was spellbinding.

Door prizes included My Father Cigars t-shirts, lighters, and a cigar ashtray, but our grand prize winner Matt A. received a Savoy humidor signed by the cigar master himself!

Thanks to everyone who joined us for a memorable evening with Don Pepín Garcia and the My Father Cigars group!

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The Passing of a Local Dignitary - Joseph H. Milan, Jr. (5/21/10)
Joe Milan passed away on Tuesday at the age of 87, and he was laid to rest today.

From all accounts, Joe led a full, productive, and happy life. Wherever we saw Joe, he was laughing, joking, and giving out hugs and pats on the back. He was never without an entourage of family and friends.

Joe (at far right in picture) and two of his five brothers, Ellis and Herb, joined Milan Tobacconists (then Milan Brothers) in 1938, and ran the shop until 1994 when it was purchased by Don and Myriam Roy. We met Joe in 2000, about the time we purchased Milan Tobacconists from Don and Myriam. He was always supportive of the directions we took with Milan Tobacconists, including attendance at the grand opening of our relocated store and several subsequent events. He may not have stayed long, but his presence always caused a stir similar to that of an important dignitary entering the room. Upon reflection, Joe really was a dignitary in our small town.

Famous and infamous, witty, sarcastic, and charming, Joe Milan had a style all his own. Roanoke will never be the same without him. We offer our sincere condolences to Joe's family, and hope that they will find peace and comfort in the knowledge that he lived an amazing life.

— David and Renee Meyer

Private Club Aims to Keep Cigar Smoking Sociable - The Commonwealth Cigar Club Offers a Comfortable Setting for Tobacco Aficionados (5/10/10)
Duncan Adams, reporter for The Roanoke Times recently visited with David Meyer, co-owner of Milan Tobacconists, and Kelly Morrison, Milan's digital media manager, to learn about the Commonwealth Cigar Club, a members-only club in downtown Roanoke. The Commonwealth Cigar Club, brainchild of David and Renee Meyer, had just announced its official opening to new members. We have reprinted the full interview here -> Commonwealth Cigar Club Interview

An Afternoon with Erik Nording, Famous Danish Pipe Carver and Namesake of Rocky Patel's Nording Cigars (3/10/10)
It's 2:00 p.m. on a Tuesday, and fans await the arrival of famous Danish pipe carver Erik Nording. Right on time, and full of energy and enthusiasm, in he walks, one of the most personable, charming, and humble people you may ever have the pleasure of meeting. Our customers knew they were in for a treat, and so did we.

Erik introduced himself to each and every person in the store and chatted like old friends. In the meantime, his traveling companion Mark Rudacille of Rocky Patel Premium Cigars set up a display of Erik's hand carved pipes and Nording cigars at the tobacco bar. The oohs and aahs from those watching the pipes being taken from their cases drew everyone to the tobacco bar like magnets. (That, and the complimentary Nording cigars Mark was handing out.)

Between requests for autographs and questions from his in-store fans, we were able to squeeze in most of the questions submitted from those of you who were not able to join us. *Click here to read the interview!*

Milan Tobacconists Sponsors a Tour to Rocky Patel Premium Cigars in Honduras (4/2/09)
Hosted by Rocky Patel Premium Cigars, 15 lucky Milan customers signed up to spend 4 days in late March with Rocky at his guest house in Danli, Honduras. Day trips included sightseeing in Danli; tours of Rocky's Caribbean and U.S. cigar factories where guests created their own custom blend cigars; and tours of the tobacco fields, farm house, nursery, and drying barns. The evenings were filled with relaxation, cigar smoking, cocktails, dinner, and musical entertainment poolside at the guest house. Customers paid airfare and taxes; all other expenses were covered. *Click here to read a very informative journal written by one of the adventurers - Tom Curling!*

13th Annual MicroFestivus Micro & Craft Beer Festival

Milan Tobacconists will be at the 13th Annual MicroFestivus with a nice selection of premium cigars on hand, so be sure to join us! This micro and craft beer festival will offer a selection of over 50 beers from 20 micro and craft breweries in the Mid-Atlantic region. The Jordan Harman Band and The Pop Rivets will provide the musical entertainment at MicroFestivus, and there will be plenty of "beer food" available too.

For further information and to purchase tickets, please visit microfestivus.squaresociety.org.

Milan Tobacconists, Inc.  •  309 South Jefferson Street, Roanoke, VA 24011  •  Toll Free 877-70MILAN (64526)  •  customercare@milantobacco.com
Since 1912, Providing Premium Cigars, Quality Pipes, High Grade Pipe Tobacco, and Related Accessories to Discerning
Cigar and Pipe Smokers From Our Tobacco Shop in Roanoke, Virginia, USA.    International Orders Welcomed!
 

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