Stogie Guys Friday Sampler CXXXI

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) While the battle over SCHIP may be over and lost, the anti-tobacco crusade to punish cigar smokers isn’t over—especially at the state level. Maryland and Pennsylvania politicians, among others, are eyeing drastic cigar tax increases to boost government revenue. According to Luxist, the owner of Davidus Cigars, the largest B&M chain in Maryland, said the proposed “90 percent tax rate would put him out of business.”

2) Approved by the House and up for debate in the Senate, the $410 billion spending bill is spurring debate on Capitol Hill over America’s antiquated policies towards Cuba. The would-be law includes provisions that ease U.S. travel restrictions to the forbidden island nation. Proponents, as reported by the New York Times, “hailed the measures as a small but significant first step in changing the relationship between Washington and Havana.”

3) Inside the Industry: Habanos, S.A. is releasing a limited edition Gran Reserva Cohiba Siglo VI that will be sold for at least twice the price of the already expensive regular Cohiba Siglo VI. Avo will be holding a special cigar dinner in New York celebrating his birthday and the release of a new limited edition cigar. When asked about his new Winter Collection Blend, Rocky Patel says its “the most full-bodied smoke I’ve ever made.”

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review smokes an Ambos Mundos Sumatra.  Stogie Info reviews the Tex Cigars house brand. Velvet Cigar tries the Marco V. Cigar Inspector inspects the Fuente Epicure.

5) Deal of the Week: These deals from Cuban Crafters are just a few of the many cigar stimulus specials we expect to see. We particularly recommend the 4.5 stogie-rated La Carolina or the 4 stogie-rated J.L. Salazar, both selling around an amazingly low $50 per box of 25. Get yours here while these bargains last.

-The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr