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| Cigar Aficionado Hall of Fame Dinner | May 21, 1997 |
Long evening gowns and black ties were the fashion for CA's First Annual Hall of Fame Dinner held in the Ballroom of the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Manhattan. The well appointed crowd enjoyed an elegant evening of fine dining and cigars while honoring six of the cigar industry's greatest contributors: Edgar Cullman, principal of General Cigars since 1961; Carlos Fuente Sr., the heart of Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia; Frank Llaneza, master cigar maker of Villazon & Co., Stanford Newman, patriarch of the American cigar business and of the JC Newman Co.; Zino Davidoff, the world's greatest cigar ambassador; and Angel Oliva Sr., world renowned tobacco grower. The latter two gentlemen were inducted posthumously.
The gala event was attended by the who's who of the cigar industry and by numerous cigar enthusiasts from across the country. The festive spirit of the Reception set the tone for the entire evening as we enjoyed libations and smoked from a wide array of cigars including: Arturo Fuente 8-5-8, Cuesta-Rey Centennial, Davidoff Aniversario No. 1, Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. III, Macanudo Vintage No. IV, Partagas Limited Reserve Epicure, and Punch Super Rothschilds. The Dinner itself was a culinary treat that included two cigar courses: Fuente Fuente Opus X Perfexcion No. 2 and Partagas 150th Anniversary Series B.
Each of the inductees delivered wonderful speeches upon receiving their lifetime achievement awards. Particularly touching was John Oliva Jr.'s speech in honor of his father who passed on in 1996, "My father worked very hard all his life to make his name synonymous with integrity and hard work. This would of been his proudest moment, as it is ours."
The entire evening was full of applause, standing ovations, toasts, and a heartfelt camaraderie as we enjoyed ourselves amongst our dearest friends. The Hall of Fame Dinner was not only a wonderful tribute and peer acknowledgement of the Inductees' contributions to the revitalization of the cigar industry , but also a joyous celebration of the good life and the cigars we smoke.
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