Cigar Aficionado’s Post

Mayor of Tokyo’s Shibuya Asks Halloween Revelers to Stay Away Upcoming Halloween the first since Japan reopened its borders Drinking on streets to be banned, liquor sales restricted The mayor of Tokyo’s Shibuya district asked Halloween party goers to avoid its streets this year, fearing the post-pandemic return of tourists may lead to chaotic mobs and crowd crushes like the fatal incident in Seoul last year. “This year we are making it clear to the world that Shibuya is not a venue for Halloween,” Ken Hasebe said in a news conference on Thursday. People should avoid gathering in the area for festivities around Oct. 31, and drinking alcohol near the station will be banned for a few days around that time, he said. Stores in the area will also be asked to restrict liquor sales. As Japan began embracing Halloween traditions over a decade ago, Shibuya’s streets, including its famous pedestrian crossing, became the unofficial party venue for young, costumed revelers. As the number of partygoers increased along with complaints about rowdy drinking and vandalism, authorities began ramping up security. Large gatherings were discouraged during the pandemic years, and crowds in recent Halloweens have been smaller and quieter than in 2019, when around 40,000 attended and some were arrested for overturning a vehicle. Worries about crowd safety are running particularly high this year as this is the first Halloween since Japan fully lifted its Covid-related border restrictions. The return of foreign visitors has also prompted concerns over what some see as overtourism. Around 2.2 million people visited Japan in August, near pre-pandemic levels, according to Japan’s National Tourism Organization. #business #finance #financialservices

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Is there a market and favourable business environment for high-end champagne in African countries? #LinkedInNewsAfrica Certainly, as a DJ and music producer in South Africa, the role of high-end champagne brands like Veuve Clicquot is definitely noticeable, both in the club scene and during studio sessions. The club scene is where these luxury products find a natural fit. High-end champagne is often associated with celebration, status, and indulgence. Many club-goers, especially in the more affluent scenes, enjoy the prestige that comes with ordering a bottle of a well-known luxury brand. Veuve Clicquot's potential expansion could therefore be met with enthusiasm in South Africa's lively nightlife culture. Moreover, there has been a growing trend for clubs to offer VIP sections and bottle service, further enhancing the demand for high-end products like champagne. This also influences the perception of the brand, making it a symbol of success and aspiration, which further drives its appeal. In terms of studio sessions, the impact might be slightly different. While the celebration and prestige elements still apply, the usage might be less frequent than in clubs. Yet, it's not uncommon for artists to enjoy a glass of high-end champagne during a session, as it can contribute to a luxurious and relaxed atmosphere that can enhance creativity. In summary, high-end champagne brands have made a noticeable mark on South Africa's club scene and, to some extent, the music production industry. As an artist, I can attest to the fact that these brands often resonate with the lifestyle and aspirations associated with this line of work. South Africa's growing middle class, combined with the aspirational allure of these brands, suggests a favorable market environment for their continued success. However, it's always important for these brands to stay connected to their customers and understand the evolving market dynamics, to ensure their offerings remain relevant and appealing.

Tomorrow, one of the most sought-after and rare bottles of whisky, The Macallan Valerio Adami 1926, will come to auction at Sotheby's “The World’s Most Valuable Whisky + The Epicurean’s Atlas” sale in London.   This limited-edition release was aged in sherry casks for 60 years and has fetched extremely high prices at auctions, setting records for the most expensive whisky. Only 40 bottles were ever produced and it's estimated that only 11 bottles remain in existence today. As you’ll see, the uniqueness of this whisky also comes from the label designed through Macallan’s collaboration with Italian artist #ValerioAdami.   The Cask100 Wine & Whisky Fund by Artory/Winston is watching the whisky market closely and monitoring trends in the market. Stay tuned for more market insights and learn about Cask100 at cask100.com. #MacallanValerioAdami1926 #sothebys #wineandwhiskymarket #whiskymarket #alternativeassets #artorywinston #macallan

The Chesapeake Bay Balloon Festival is this coming weekend! August 25-27. Everything is better in the country, and The Chesapeake Bay Balloon Festival is held at Triple Creek Winery. Get some grass between your toes, have a glass of wine, listen to live music from Bird Dog & The Road Kings on Friday night from 5-7, Jimmy Charles on Saturday night from 5-7 AND Pressing Strings to wrap it all up on Sunday 5-7p! Barbara Watkins, 410-310-2021 Benson and Mangold Real Estate, 410-822-1415 www.EasternShoreHomes.com #easternshorehomes #easternshoremdhomes #realestate #bensonandmangold #maryland #homesforsale #buyersagent #sellersagent #secondhomes #vacationhomes #realestateagent #openhouse #open #weekend #events #waterfront #luxuryhomes #secondhomes #buy #sell #move #retire #family

🫡How much are investors willing to pay to complete the set (instantly)?🫡 One of the most collectible gin sets is from the Kyoto distillery. The Kyoto Distillery’s “Ki Noh Bi” Dry Gin is also the first Japanese gin to collaborate with the Noh Theatre, like the legendary Karuizawa distillery did before it. Noh is one of Japan’s traditional performing arts. At the moment the set consists of 26 bottles. 23 of them have been listed individually over time. However, editions 4,8 & 19 have never reached any auction yet. Even though the outturn is not low [374 bottles for edition 4, 786 bottles for edition 8 and 600 bottles for edition 19], the supply is dry. Ironically, this honors its own name of "dry gin" 🌵🤭. In sum the 23 bottles represent a latest market value of £ 4749. On 8 January 2024 it was the first time that one could buy the whole collection instantly. All 26 gin bottles were hammered for £ 8600. Implicitly, this means that the 3 missing bottles are valued at £ 3851 total (average £ 1284 per bottle). In comparison, the 23 remaining bottles are valued at £ 206 each, a difference of £ 1078❗ The fact that these 3 bottles never popped up before, creates a rush from collectors who either miss these 3 bottles yet or want to save time to collect the complete set instantly. Do you like the hunting journey more yourself or would you just put sufficient money on the table to save yourself some sleep? 😉 #collectororinvestor #alternativeinvestment #kyoto #kinohbi #spiritsstats #gin #spiritsindex #index #gincollector #spiritsinvest #collectorjourney #hunting

The “most sought-after” whisky in the world, The Macallan Adami 1926 sold at Sotheby's in London for £2.2m, well exceeding the pre-sale estimate of £750,000.   Rare wines & spirits like The Macallan Adami have long been sought after by collectors for personal enjoyment, but the passion assets market is evolving, with many investors now recognising its potential.   To find out more about this unique market, Fladgate LLP surveyed over 320 UHNW & HNW Investors and 171 UK based advisers, culminating in our guide to unlocking the world of passion assets.   The survey showed several key reasons why investors find this asset class so promising: - 82% of investors consider passion assets an excellent way to diversify an investment portfolio. - These assets offer relatively low-risk opportunities with the potential for high returns. 77% of those surveyed believe passion assets offer a chance to obtain “super returns”. - There is notable appetite among investors to leverage their passion assets with 68% of investors either already borrowing or wanting to borrow against them. For the full set of results of our Unlocking the World of Passion Assets survey please click here https://lnkd.in/eTsahu5Q https://lnkd.in/egHANNTn  

Often misunderstood and misrepresented, Cinco de Mayo holds significant historical and cultural importance beyond the margaritas and sombreros. Let's dive into some common misconceptions, do some myth-busting, and explore how to celebrate this day. Myth #1: One prevalent myth about Cinco de Mayo is that it signifies Mexico's Independence Day. However, it actually commemorates the Battle of Puebla in 1862, where Mexican forces achieved victory over the French army. Mexican Independence Day is celebrated on September 16th, marking the country's liberation from Spain in 1810. Myth #2: Another misconception is that Cinco de Mayo is a major holiday throughout Mexico. While significant, especially in Puebla where the battle occurred, it's not widely celebrated. In fact, it's not a national holiday in Mexico, and its observance varies regionally. Myth #3: Despite its reputation as a day of revelry, Cinco de Mayo is much more than just a party. It's a day to honor Mexican heritage, culture, and resilience, paying tribute to those who defended their country. Beyond the festivities, it's a reminder of the strength and spirit of the Mexican people. The best way to celebrate is by exploring Mexican cuisine, music, art, and literature, and most importantly, avoiding harmful stereotypes while honoring Mexican culture with authenticity. By honoring the true spirit of the holiday, we can foster greater understanding and unity across all communities. 🇲🇽 #CincoDeMayo #CulturalAppreciation 🌐 Here are a few ways to celebrate in the Bay Area from the Mercury News: https://lnkd.in/ghUxpYpi

💹 After the record is before the record! 💹 Just about two month after the famous Macallan Adami 1926 set a new record high selling at £2,187,500 (US$2,714,250) at Sotheby's, the Emerald Isle Collection from The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. sells for a staggering $2.8 million to American collector Mike Daley. Interesting enough, that Irish Whisky has been flying under the radar for years, but Mike see's a great furtune in Whisky from the green island. Even though, Daley made his fortune in pharmaceuticals, not spirits, he has a track record of predicting trends. He believes that Irish whiskey is on the same path as luxury scotch. I do believe that #IrishWhisky can an interesting option for those who like to invest in Whisky long-term. If you would like to know more about the current record sale, please find my blog post below: https://lnkd.in/d6sXdepw #whisky #investment #newrecord

👁️🗨️ How to evaluate a product at an exhibition? (Dubai Shisha World, Inter Tobacco, ShishaMesse, Hookah Club Show, etc.) It is probably only marketing and conditional budgets of a brand that can be honestly evaluated at an exhibition. And it is very difficult to give an objective assessment of the product in the conditions of the festival. Smoking hookah at the stand ≠ smoking hookah at home or in a lounge. Here not only the product, but also you and I find ourselves in unusual conditions. Intense smoking, overheating, underheating, weather conditions, dozens of flavors on our receptors, physical condition - all this and more affects both the product and you and me. 🔘 For consumers: Make sure you've smoked a quality smoke before you rate the product.  You can objectively tell if a particular flavor caught your attention, but putting your stamp of approval on the evaluation is best to take your time. If you don't think you liked the product at the show - don't discount the chances of trying it again at home or in the lounge. Remember that you are smoking a hookah in unfamiliar conditions for him and for yourself. The author created this hookah blend for your comfort smoking alone with your hookah, in a cozy environment, not for a hardcore "festival hookah orgy". (read in a good way) 🔘 For manufacturers: If you want to collect more positive feedback: - Monitor hookahs as much as possible: train the makers, put timers, control the heat, use good charcoal and clean hookahs - put hookahs in the right order for the guest's receptors to taste well - give samples to those who need to come back - provide at least minimal lounge areas - create comfortable conditions for the product and the consumer. This is possible, even in a small booth environment. A tasting area at the booth ≠ a quality focus group. ⬆️ #obvious_facts that many people forget about. By the way, I appreciate trade shows for their opportunities for our market. This show put on by organizers, brands and guests is highly motivating. #hookah_club_show #dubaishishaworld #shishamesse