Stogie Guys Friday Sampler CLIII

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) Starting tomorrow, StogieGuys.com will be reporting on location from the 77th annual International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers (IPCPR) Trade Show in New Orleans. Be sure to check back frequently for live updates from the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (pictured at right). You can also follow our twitter feed for more coverage. In the meantime, click here for pre-IPCPR information about many of the new cigars that are set to debut in the coming days. And feel free to leave a comment below if you have a burning question you’d like us to ask any of the cigar makers who will be in attendance.

2) With anti-tobacco laws sweeping the nation, it’s worthwhile to look at the tactics anti-smoking zealots use to push smoking bans.  This  document (pdf), created by a coalition of anti-tobacco groups, details their strategy. It includes fighting against exemptions for private clubs and cigar shops, not agreeing to so-called hardship exemptions (for businesses that suffer from bans), and avoiding ballot initiatives where citizens get a vote (in favor of less transparent legislative strategies).

3) Inside the Industry: According to a Cigar Insider poll, this year Tatuaje eclipsed Padrón and Opus X as the most requested cigar brand in America.

4) Around the Blogs: Keepers of the Flame tests an aged Cubao. Stogie Review lights up a Graycliff. A Cigar Smoker checks out the Corona Cigar Company 10th Anniversary. Cigar Choice reviews the Benchmade. Perfect Draw smokes the Fuente Opus X.

5) Deal of the Week: The robusto is the most popular cigar size, and this “World Famous Robusto Sampler” has some fine examples of the vitola. Included are  robustos by Cohiba, Rocky Patel, CAO, Gran Habano, Padilla Hybrid, Toraño, and Fonseca. In all, you get ten robustos and free shipping for $45. Get yours here.

-The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Morial Convention Center