Miami has always had a relationship with cigars. From the city’s Cuban influence to its private clubs, restaurants and luxury hospitality scene, cigar culture has remained part of South Florida even as the industry around it has changed.
That was on full display at Big Smoke Florida, where Cigar Aficionado and Whisky Advocate brought some of the biggest names in the premium cigar business to the Eden Roc Miami Beach.
The Godfather of Cigars Tony Pec with Florida Governor Ron Destantis
Tony Pec, better known in the cigar world as the “Godfather of Cigars,” flew in from New York for the event and took Miami Business inside the annual gathering.
“Miami has a cigar culture that you really don’t find in many other cities,” Pec said. “People here understand cigars. You have longtime smokers, collectors, great lounges and a lot of people who genuinely know the brands and the history.”
Big Smoke Florida brought together more than 20 premium cigar brands alongside whisky and spirits producers, with guests able to smoke new releases and meet many of the people who actually make them.
For Pec, much of the night was spent catching up with people he has gotten to know through his work in the industry. He was joined by names including Rocky Patel, Litto Gomez, Pete Johnson, Christian Eiroa, Tim Ozgener and Michael Herklots.
Pec has built his own following around cigar culture while working with brands on digital marketing and audience growth. More recently, he partnered with La Aurora, the Dominican cigar company founded in 1903, and has been representing the brand through events and content in the U.S.
Tony Pec with the La Aurora team at Big Smoke Florida, celebrating a shared passion for premium cigars, tradition, and one of the industry’s most iconic brands.
Big Smoke also offered a look at where the cigar business is today. While premium cigars remain rooted in tradition, the way consumers discover brands has changed significantly. Social media, younger consumers and a growing crossover between cigars, spirits, restaurants and luxury hospitality have given companies new ways to reach people outside of the traditional cigar shop.
Tony Pec, known by many as the “Godfather of Cigars,” was among the industry leaders and tastemakers attending Big Smoke Florida, along with Shawn Abreau of Sushi | Bar Miami representing one of Miami’s standout culinary destinations.
Miami is particularly well suited to that crossover.
The city has become one of the country’s busiest markets for luxury hospitality and nightlife while maintaining a cigar culture that predates much of it. For brands looking to reach both serious cigar smokers and a broader lifestyle audience, South Florida offers both.
“People think of cigars as very old school, and there is obviously a lot of tradition behind them,” Pec said. “But there’s also a new generation getting interested in cigars and learning about the brands. Miami is one of those places where you see both sides of it.”
For Pec, Big Smoke Florida was less about making an appearance and more about seeing where those two sides of the industry are meeting.
And in Miami, they increasingly seem to be meeting in the same room.