Stogie Guys Friday Sampler CLII

As we have since July 2006, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other items of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) Today’s excessive taxes and wide-reaching bans, coupled with the ramifications of the economic crisis, have created a perfect storm of problems for many cigar makers. While industry-wide particulars are hard to come by, this recent USA Today article sheds some light on the fallout to date. It also profiles Flor de Gonzalez, a Miami-based manufacturer that recently saw its tax bill shipment increase by 700%. Of the government, company president Yadi Gonzalez had this to say: “They don’t realize that…if we start losing jobs, and imports begin to drop, they’re not going to accomplish their bottom line, which is to collect these taxes.”

2) Inside the Industry: CAO announced it would debut a new brand at the upcoming IPCPR Trade Show called La Traviata, a full-bodied blend complete with an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, a Cameroon binder, and two different ligero filler tobaccos. Other pre-convention announcements include the planned unveiling of the Padilla Dominus—Ernesto’s strongest blend to date—and a new Casa Magna Colorado vitola called the Extraordinario (7 x 58).

3) Around the Blogs: Keepers of the Flame compares both versions of the Padilla Signature 1932. The Velvet Cigar tries a Felipe Gregorio Moroccan Series. Nice Tight Ash reviews the El Triunfador. Cigar Inspector sparks a Quintero Londres Extra. Stogie Review fires up an A. Fernandez Maduro.

4) Deal of the Week: Cuban Crafters is home to one of our favorite Cameroon blends, making this a can’t-miss deal. You get a cedar chest of 25  handsome Cameroon Torpedos for only $85. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr