Stogie Guys Friday Sampler CXXVI

In our ongoing effort to make StogieGuys.com as entertaining and informative as possible, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other items of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) By an almost party-line vote of 66 to 32, the Senate approved the contentious SCHIP legislation this morning. The large cigar tax cap increased from the House version of 40 cents per stick to 40.26 cents. Obama is expected to sign the final bill into law as early as next week.

2) With its faux typewritten February cover lines addressed to President Obama, Cigar Aficionado garnered some major publicity this week when The New York Times took note. After discussing the magazine’s Cuba coverage, the reporter got in a light-hearted zinger. First she asked executive editor Gordon Mott if he was worried about alienating some readers, then whether he was worried about “boring some readers.” For the record, Mott said he wasn’t.

3) The Dallas City Council’s attempt to prohibit certain stores from selling “loose” cigars hit a snag on Wednesday. The proposed law, allegedly intended to curb drug use, was delayed pending further research.

4) A cigar-friendly brother of the leaf is seeking higher office. Kendrick Meek, a Democratic representative from Miami, has declared his candidacy for the Senate seat now held by retiring Republican Mel Martinez. Meek was featured last year in Cigar Aficionado and was cited by the cigar industry as being helpful in the fight to push down proposed taxes in SCHIP legislation.

5) Inside the Industry: Rocky Patel is releasing a new Nicaraguan puro called the Havana Corojo. Tatuaje will now be distributed by J. Garcia International, headed by the son of Don Pepin Garcia. Many Super Bowl parties in Tampa will be featuring cigars,  including Altadis’ new Trinidad Habana Reserve. A new Toraño Tribute, the first since 2004, is now available at select retailers.

6) Around the Blogs: Doc Stogie has an ambitious petition that urges cigar manufacturers to divulge detailed information about their products. Cigar Inspector is giving away CAO five-packs to comment-happy readers.

7) Deal of the Week: If you like Padilla cigars, then you’ll want to check out this Padilla Limited Batch Sampler. It features 15 sticks for under $4 apiece: 5 top-rated Padilla Miamis, 5 Padilla 1968s, and 5 Padilla Achilles. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: The New York Times