Smokes & Spirits Derby Soiree graphic
UPDATE 5/1: This event is officially sold out!
Join us for an evening of sips and smokes as our own Bluegrass Bourbon Baron Jason Brauner welcomes two very special guests — bourbon expert and founder of the BourbonBlog.com Tom Fischer and Cohiba Cigars blender and ambassador Sean Williams.
You’ll enjoy two special Cohiba cigars along with three tastings of Buzzard’s Roost Sippin Whiskeys plus light appetizers on the Bourbons Bistro patio.
We are thrilled to be the very first venue to taste Cohiba’s first full-time new collection since 2020 with Cohiba Riviera, a six-region blend that features the very best of Central American tobacco. This collection, released on May 1st, marks the first time a Mexican San Andrés wrapper has been used in a Cohiba blend and is the first box-pressed offering from the brand.
You’ll also enjoy the Cohiba Connecticut, released in 2019, and first Cohiba to be wrapped in Connecticut Shade. Cohiba Connecticut is handcrafted by artisans at General Cigar Dominicana and is a full-time addition to the Cohiba portfolio.
Paired with these premium cigars will be three expressions of Buzzard’s Roost Sippin Whiskeys selected by Master Blender and Bourbons Bistro’s founder Jason Bauner.
About Sean Williams:
Sean Williams
Long before he became blender and ambassador for Cohiba, Sean Williams created award-winning cigars and blazed his own trail in the competitive handmade cigar category.
While in real estate development, Sean responded to the siren call of handmade cigars, immersing himself in the intricacies of tobacco and never looking back. Sean founded the Atlanta Cigar Society in 2005 and a year later, without a family legacy in the industry to rely upon, or a network of contacts to help him navigate the business, Sean made the trip to Nicaragua to begin developing blends for his own line of cigars called El Primer Mundo. For more than a decade, Sean’s blends racked up one 90+ rating and award after another, and his brand became a cult favorite among retailers and cigar lovers in the know.
In 2017, Sean was approached about putting his expertise to work for Cohiba in a role that would add blend developer and brand ambassador to his resume. Today, Sean continues to relish the opportunity to share his passion with cigar lovers across the country.
About Tom Fischer:
Tom Fischer
As a renowned Bourbon expert and founder of BourbonBlog.com, Tom Fischer has captivated millions with his spirited expertise. Fischer founded the first-ever media outlet on Bourbon 17 years ago. He is the featured Bourbon authority in Netflix's hit series Heist and is known for hosting whiskey tastings and engaging appearances for audiences worldwide.
As a journalist, Fischer covers the Kentucky Derby extensively each year. This collaboration is perfectly timed, as Fischer brings together his knowledge of both cigars and whiskeys to join Jason Brauner in the pairings and educational elements of the event.
