Stogie Guys Friday Sampler LXIII

In our ongoing effort to make StogieGuys.com as entertaining and reader-friendly as possible, each Friday we’ll post a selection of quick cigar news and stogie-related snippets. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) Before the year is out, General Cigar plans to release Stradivarius de los Maestros, a $34 stogie with a 15-year-old Connecticut Shade wrapper. Named for the famous, expertly-crafted violins, Stradivarius will come in three sizes – Churchill, Lonsdale, and Robusto Major – each in its own wooden coffin. (I guess a cellophane wrapping would be inappropriate for a cigar that costs as much as 17 Don Kiki Brown Labels.)

2) From the same big-government state that brought us the Calabasas calamity comes one of the most obtrusive smoking bans yet. Starting November 8, it will be illegal to light up near children in Belmont, California. The senseless law also forbids smoking in apartments, townhouses, and condominiums that share a common floor or ceiling. What’s next?

3) Around the Blogs: Matt lights up a Tatuaje Havana VI. Cigar Command smokes the Cuvee Rouge. Cigar Jack tries the 601 Blue. Keepers of the Flame torches a Fuente Don Carlos. Cigar Inspector inspects a Chateau Fuente Maduro. Stogie Review reviews a Primer Mundo Rosado Obscuro.

4) Deal of the Week: This Papi Sampler from Tinderbox.com has nine great sticks for the very reasonable price of just $49.95. Included is a Montecristo Classic, a Cohiba XV, and the box-pressed, Pepin-made 601 Blue. Grab yours here (and while you’re there, check out the ridiculous photo they have with the sampler).

–The Stogie Guys