Stogie Guys Friday Sampler CXLII

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) New Hampshire is one step closer to opening the door for cigar bars after a bill that would make tobacco shops eligible for liquor licenses cleared the Senate. But the proposed law comes with a catch: provisions that would limit cigar bars’ ability to compete with other bars and restaurants that have to deal with the Granite State’s smoking ban. That means no food, no cigarettes, and at least 50% of revenue must come from cigar sales.

2) On the smoking ban front, North Carolina—the biggest tobacco grower in the U.S.—became the latest state to criminalize smoking in bars and restaurants. And Michigan may not be far off, especially with some Lansing politicians aiming for “a total ban with no exemptions.” Previous efforts to impose a statewide ban faltered over disagreements on policies for casinos.

3) Inside the Industry: Don Pepin Garcia is adding sizes to the three lines he makes for Ashton Cigars: San Cristobal, La Aroma de Cuba Edición Especial, and Benchmade. Xikar, known best for its cigar cutters, has replaced its Defiance cigar line with the Xikar HC series, which will be made by Jesus Fuego.  Punch has launched a “Tax Relief” promotion where cigar smokers can download a coupon from PunchTaxRelief.com for one free cigar with two purchased.

4) Around the Blogs:  Her Humidor lights up a Carlos Toraño Virtuoso. Cigar Command fires up a La Aurora Preferidos Lancero. Cigar Inspector inspects a Romeo y Julieta Churchill. Keepers of the Flame smokes a Château Real. Stogie Review reviews an El Titan de Bronze Grand Reserve Cameroon.

5) Deal of the Week: Have you subscribed to our free email newsletter yet?  By signing up you’ll receive our regular newsletter, occasional updates, and be entered to win some great prizes. We’ve already given away a custom signed humidor full of El Tiante cigars, and today we’re selecting a winner to receive a box of Cubao Lanceros as part of our weekly drawing in celebration of our third anniversary. To be eligible to win all the great prizes we’re giving away, all you have to do is sign up.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr