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) According to reports, the new Padrón Serie 1926 cigars are finally hitting stores. The “Padrón 80” – which we initially reported on in September – is the first ever perfecto released by the company. If you’re fortunate enough to find them, they will cost you $30 each.

2) Remember that sad case of eminent domain we told you about in September? You know, the one where the city of San Diego seized and destroyed the Gran Havana cigar lounge to make way for a Marriott? Well the Union-Tribune reported yesterday that city officials are “now voicing regret over using eminent domain powers in the first place,” and the hotel’s developer is trying to short the former owner of the lounge by almost $3 million for his land.

3) Around the Blogs: Cigar Jack smokes a Camacho SLR Maduro. Leafy Times smokes three Macanudos. Velvet Cigar puffs a 5 Vegas Miami. Cigar Beat tries the Olde Word Reserve Maduro. Cigar Monkey reviews the Ashton VSG. And finally, on a sad note, the cigar blog community loses one of the good guys as Jerry from The Stogie Review steps down.

4) Deal of the Week: This “World Famous Sampler” from Tinderbox.com includes ten cigars from the biggest names like Cohiba, Montecristo, Macanudo, La Aurora, Don Tomás, La Gloria Cubana, and Arturo Fuente. And at just just $34, you get all ten for what it would normally cost for any five of these. Grab yours here.

-The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Photobucket