Stogie Guys Friday Sampler LXXX

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. Thanks to the crummy Chicago smoking ban, Cigar Aficionado reports that the previously scheduled Big Smoke Chicago is canceled. According to CA, “Local authorities told Hyatt representatives last spring that the 2008 Big Smoke event could go as scheduled. However, after reviewing a detailed copy of the law last week, the establishment’s lawyers concluded that there was no way to allow any smoking on the premises.”

2. Once again, those pesky politicians up on Capitol Hill tried to pass the SCHIP bill, which includes a massive increase in tobacco taxes. And thankfully, once again, Democrats failed to muster enough votes to override Bush’s veto, meaning that at least for now there won’t be a $3 per cigar federal tax.

3. Around the Blogs: Cigar Jack smokes a Camacho SLR. Stogie Review reviews the Indian Tabac 10th Anniversary. The Smoke Journal goes with the Graycliff PG. Cigar Inspector inspects a Padrón 5000. Keepers of the Flame lights up an Augusto Reyes.

4. Deal of the Week: This week we feature a sampler with some really special cigars. Don Pepin is just about the biggest name in cigars right now, and Victor de la Cruz once blended for Davidoff. With Tatuajes by Pepin, and Cocineros and La Princesa by de la Cruz, this sampler features ten excellent cigars for $50. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Cigar Aficionado