Stogie Guys Friday Sampler CLXXV

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) Indiana’s proposed smoking ban, despite the persistence of anti-tobacco activists, appears dead—at least for this session. While the House passed a “diluted” bill on Tuesday that includes exemptions for bars and tobacco shops, the Senate is unlikely to consider the measure “amid worries that it could hurt some businesses.”

2) Davidoff is moving its U.S. headquarters from Connecticut to Tampa—presumably to be closer to the Switzerland-based company’s operations in the Caribbean. The cigar maker also plans to hire “up to 90 people” at the new location.

3) Inside the Industry: Pete Johnson is launching El Triunfador, formerly a “secret” lancero, as a new six-vitola line in March. Ronson, maker of some of the best butane lighters available for $3-4, has been acquired by Zippo. Bypassing the crippled airport in Port-Au-Prince, the Dominican-based Cigar Family Charitable Foundation is trucking water, food, medical supplies, tents, and blankets to needy Haitians.

4)Around the Blogs:  Stogie Review lights up a Mederos Fifty 3. Keepers of the Flame smokes the Perdomo Habano Corojo. Cigar Inspector inspects a Partagas Serie D No. 3 2006 LE.  A Cigar Smoker reviews the Tatuaje Verocu Tubo.

5) Deal of the Week: This Valentine’s Day Sale has deep discounts on some top smokes. Best buys include the La Carolina (box of 25) for $75 and the J.L. Salazar Robusto (box of 25) for $60. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr