Victory in Big Alpine Smoke!
Unfortunately, this year I went to Switzerland for Big Alpine Smoke with a bit of mixed feelings. The reason is obvious, the painful incident at Atatürk Airport. For this reason, although I told you before, I do not broadcast live as in Big Smoke Paris.
After arriving in Zurich after a short trip, I take the train to Bad Ragaz. The contest is the next day, but it is important to have a conversation with old acquaintances the night before and meet for new acquaintances. We spend another pleasant night with about ten people, enjoying the weather outside and different cigars, in a slightly cool but warm weather for Switzerland.
The next day, on the day of the competition, this year, as I did the programs last year, we had a comfortable day at the hotel, thinking that I would hang out at the Swiss Seniors Open at the nearby golf course, and the phone rings and we agree with Gian Carlo and Marko for lunch. Gian Carlo says he will take us to the restaurant named Adler by the renowned gourmet chef Siggi Tschurtschenthaler from Südtirol. A restaurant in the narrow streets of Flaesch, one of the small villages right near Adler Bad Ragaz, but what a restaurant. Whether it is with its menu or with its wine cellar, in such a small village, this kind of place is a really nice surprise. The good thing is that such an unexpected flavor can come out in such a small place, in an unexpected corner. After a nice, tasty and fairly long meal and smoking, we break up again to prepare for the competition. The weather is still warm but occasionally the rain is snacking.
After completing my preparations at the hotel, while waiting for my vehicle at the reception, I meet the Scandinavia Tobacco International Marketing Chief. We met from Paris and attended the night with his wife. Road and chatted for quite a long overnight and the overall cigars, in particular the new tobacco law in the United States and of course we talked cigar in Turkey. We arrive at the place after a not very long drive.
This year, Big Alpine Smoke is hosted by Hotel Restaurant Weiss Kreuz Malans. First, a cocktail starts in the hall where the competition will be held on the cellar floor of this small hotel in Malans village. During the cocktail, you get information about their products and cigars from familiar or new sponsors and you have the opportunity to try the cigars. Among the cigars, there are also Brun del Re, Patoro and other small brands that the companies offer to the market. Brizard and Co., which has just entered the Swiss market. He found a small place for himself with his accessories. Announcement for the competition is made gradually after everyone is integrated and the recordings are started to be taken. I want to give bunsefer Marko a number of his own choosing while competing with number 8 each time, and thus, I register as number 5.