Stogie Guys Friday Sampler LXIX

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) The following quote from San Jose City Councilman Forrest Williams says a lot about California’s ridiculous holier-than-thou attitude toward smoking: “I think we ought to eliminate cigarettes altogether. Let’s just get rid of them.” That’s what he said, according to the Mercury News, after San Jose passed a prohibition on smoking in parks and inside private cars. The invasive law was approved on Tuesday—just a few days after similar outdoor ordinances were passed in Oakland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego.

2) For a fascinating discussion on taste, objectivity, and “expert” ratings, check the Nov. 3 entry on science writer Jonah Lehrer’s blog, The Frontal Cortex. Though it deals with wine (sparked by a recent dust up between two leading wine critics), you’ll find it sounds familiar. And don’t skip the reader comments; they are equally intriguing.

3) The Wall Street Journal reports that an article in New Scientist relates the concerns by a Boston University researcher that “the antismoking movement has gone overboard” with its claims about the danger of secondhand smoke. All this is from a public health physician who’s testified on behalf of indoor smoking bans!

4) Around the Blog: Cigar Beat smokes the Casada Connecticut. Cigar Inspector inspects the H. Upmann 46. Cigar Jack tries the Casa Toraño Maduro. Matt enjoys the Oliva Serie V. Stogie Review reviews the Avalon Honeyboy (and if you haven’t already offered Jerry your thoughts and prayers, we suggest you do so).

5) Deal of the Week: This week we’ve found yet another great deal from Tinderbox.com. Their “Cuba Libre Sampler” features ten cigars for just $20! It includes La Aurora, Gispert, Cuba Aliados, Don Thomas, and two Don Pepin Cigars. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys