Introduction

If there’s one thing Drew Estate knows how to do, it’s throw a party. And at the Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival 2025, their Mega Herf wasn’t just another side event — it was a full-on celebration. Imagine cigar Mardi Gras, except instead of beads and masks, you’ve got glowing sticks of tobacco, laughter, and the smell of Liga Privadas drifting through the air.

As soon as I walked in, I knew: this wasn’t going to be a quiet night. This was going to be one of those “remember when” moments you look back on years later, cigar in hand, still laughing about the stories.

The Drew Estate Atmosphere

Drew Estate has always had a certain vibe — playful, bold, and unapologetically over the top. Their booth at the main festival already had energy, but the Mega Herf? That was another level.

The music hit first, thumping with bass that made you feel like you’d walked into a Havana street party. Then the sight hit you — rows of tables packed with cigar lovers, boxes of Drew Estate specials stacked like treasure chests, and clouds of smoke rolling up toward the ceiling.

I’d call it electric, but it was more than that. It was community with a pulse.

Strangers Who Became Friends

I found an open seat at a crowded table, sat down, and within five minutes I was swapping stories with two guys I’d never met in my life. One was from Texas, the other from Michigan, and there we were, passing lighters, comparing notes on cigars, and laughing like old friends.

That’s the beauty of a herf — no one cares where you came from, what you do for a living, or how much you know about cigars. You light up, you exhale, and you belong.

As a Chaplain, I’ve always believed presence matters more than words. That night at the Mega Herf, presence was everything. The cigars were good, the deals were great, but it was the simple act of being together — shoulder to shoulder, cigar to cigar — that made the night.

The Ash Disaster (And the Laughs That Followed)

Every event needs that one funny moment that people will talk about forever. Ours came when a guy at the next table tried to take a selfie with his impressively long ash. He got the angle just right, smiled big, and then — you guessed it — plop. Half his ash landed squarely in his lap.

For a split second, the whole table gasped. Then the guy started laughing so hard he nearly dropped the rest of the cigar. We all laughed with him, and in that moment, the ash disaster became the highlight of the night.

There’s a lesson there, too. Life drops ash in your lap sometimes. You can cry about it, or you can laugh, brush it off, and keep puffing. That guy? He chose to laugh. And honestly, that’s how more of us ought to live.

Deals, Specials, and Treasure Finds

Of course, no Drew Estate event would be complete without deals flying around like confetti. Boxes were marked down, samplers were stacked up, and I’m pretty sure my wallet groaned as I convinced myself I “needed” just one more set.

But here’s the thing — it didn’t feel like shopping. It felt like treasure hunting with friends. Each box was a discovery, each sampler a promise of future smokes and future stories. I left with more than I planned (doesn’t everyone?), but I also left with the sense that these weren’t just cigars. They were tickets to future herfs, future conversations, future memories.

A Chaplain’s Reflection: More Than a Party

Some people look at an event like this and see nothing but smoke and noise. But as I sat there, I saw something deeper.

I’ve been in plenty of places where people were hurting, broken, and needing peace. And I’ve learned that sometimes the best ministry doesn’t come with a pulpit. Sometimes it comes with presence, laughter, and shared silence.

That’s what the Drew Estate Mega Herf reminded me of. In a loud, crowded room, there were dozens of little moments of peace happening all at once. Men and women exhaling stress, inhaling comfort, and remembering that even in the chaos of life, there’s space to slow down together.

Why the Mega Herf Stood Out

Of all the events I attended at RMCF 2025, this one had the most energy. The Mega Herf wasn’t just about Drew Estate cigars (though believe me, they delivered). It was about creating an atmosphere where fellowship thrived.

It didn’t matter whether you were smoking an Undercrown, a Liga Privada, or even a flavored ACID. What mattered was that you were part of something bigger. The Mega Herf reminded me that cigars aren’t just a product — they’re a bridge. A bridge to friendship, to laughter, and sometimes even to healing.

Walking Out with More Than Cigars

By the time I left, my bag was heavier, my wallet lighter, and my heart fuller. I had cigars, yes, but I also had memories — of new friends, of laughter over a dropped ash, of music and energy and connection.

And as a Chaplain, I couldn’t help but think: if the world had more herfs, we might just have fewer fights. Because when you sit down, share a cigar, and laugh together, walls come down. People connect. And that’s something we all need more of.

Call to Action

If Drew Estate ever throws another Mega Herf at RMCF — or anywhere else — do yourself a favor and go. Don’t overthink it. Just grab a seat, light up, and let the night do the rest.

👉 You’ll walk in a stranger, but you’ll walk out part of a family. And that’s worth every puff.
#RMCF2025