2016-04-23 The Keg Cigar Gathering

Photographer:

Friendship is one of the sweetest joys of life. Many might have failed
beneath the bitterness of their trial had they not found a friend.
- Charles Haddon Spurgeon

This year and coincidentally right before my birthday I had the unique opportunity to enjoy cigars with a special group at the Keg. I nicknamed the event "the gathering of formers". That is, former bosses, employees, students, and clients with professional relationships going as far back as 2001. Today, they are all great friends. To have such an event was historical in more ways than one. As of this writing US relations with Cuba is finally opening up. To celebrate a future of normalized relations (including gorgeous beaches and mojitos) we symbolically enjoyed the news with cigars from a variety of brands along with lots of alcohol. One of the highlights of the event was distinguished guest Andres Santiago, a local distributor of fine cigars. He generously educated the attendees in the art of cigar smoking, and for hours he commanded silent attention. In between great laughs and conversations my buddy Sam and I also presented our own collection of cigars for the group to experience. You can see in the pictures, heads tilted back, blowing out steady streams of smoke, eyes closed. They are savoring every minute. Even though I am not a smoker, I want to light up right away and join them. At least for one night, guys could just be guys.

Note: Sincere thanks to the team of Keg for taking care of a group of alphas all under one roof.

Attendees: