LA PALINA & GOLDIE PALEY CAPTURE NYC

New York City, 18 June…Thursday evening, 17 June, William C. Paley was the host at a Pre-launch Cocktail Party for his La Palina cigar. The event took place on the roof of The Empire Hotel, overlooking Lincoln Center.

 After acquiring the rights to his grandfather, Samuel Paley’s, more than 100 year old cigar from Max Rohr Co. (an entity owned by AltadisUSA), Paley collaborated with the late Avelino Lara of Cohiba fame, and Paolo Garzaroli of Graycliff – Lara’s last employer, in the Bahamas, to bring back the famed and highly successful turn of the century cigar.

 Commencing at 6:30 PM, Paley’s invited guests; retail tobacconists, The Wall Street Journal, Fox News, David Savona, Greg Mottola and Barry Abrams of Cigar Aficionado, Barry Stein of A Cigar Smoker’s Journal and friends and family gathered in delightful New York weather, to celebrate the rebirth of La Palina.

 Colin Ganley of European Cigar Journal arrived with Michael Herklots, General Manager of Davidoff of Geneva in NYC and his beautiful fiancee, Tiffany – and eagerly accepted a La Palina 1896 robusto. And, they eagerly accepted miniature crab cakes, mini-hamburgers and excellent libations.

 All present engaged in excited conversation about the new La Palina and Bill Paley was all smiles as he made his way through the throng greeting all and sundry. Paley was surrounded by friends, family and supporters. He was so pleased with the event and the crowd that he neglected to make his ‘welcoming remarks’, but, rest assured, everyone felt welcome.

 Courtney Smith, who is in charge of La Palina sales and has worked closely with Bill Paley since the beginning, was in attendance with her husband Tom, talking to retailers and the press. “Working the room,” is the phrase that comes to mind, but Courtney made it seem effortless and charming.

William C. Paley, Gary J. Arzt and Christian Aliperti – CRA Ambassador

Michael Herklots (Davidoff), Gary Korb (CigarAdvisor.com) and William C. Paley

Comments

[Barry Stein]

Thanks for the mention Gary.. great posting reads like a palm beach gossip colum, and I personally love it! Here is my take on the event...

http://www.acigarsmoker.com/2010/06/19/event-la-palina-launch/

[Christian Aliperti]

A great time was had by all and the weather was perfect. Great column as always Gary and best of luck Mr. Paley on his new smoke!

[William Paley]

Thank you, Gary, for the wonderful article about my launch party. The presence of a great cronicler of the cigar world such as yourself and others made the event a great success. I am currently in the Bahamas performing cigar alchemy with the fine folks at Graycliff. More will be revealed at IPCPR.