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Stogie Guys Friday Sampler CLXXXV

16 Apr 2010

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.

Taxed!1) Cigar taxes, already excessive at the federal level because of SCHIP, are being increased in two western states. Utah passed a hike that skyrockets cigar taxes from 35% of the manufacturer’s sale price to 86%—among the highest in the country. A 51% inventory tax for tobacco retailers was also included in the legislation. Meanwhile, in Washington, state politicians boosted the cigar tax cap from 50 cents to 65 cents per stogie. “The only consolation in this tax increase,” according to a press release from the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association, “is the fact that no floor stocks provision was included in the approved legislation.”

2) Noteworthy Events: The Texas Cigar Festival will be held on April 24 and feature the likes of Eddie Ortega, Tim Ozgener, Rocky Patel, Pete Johnson, Litto Gomez, Sam Leccia, Don Pepin Garcia, and many others. Cigar Connection, a B&M in Northern Virginia, will host J. Fuego on April 30. The Tennessee Cigar & Brew Fest has been announced for October.

3) Inside the Industry: There’s been online speculation that, with the introduction of the Ambos Mundos line, Tatuaje would be discontinuing its Series P blend—a medium-filler cigar made with the same tobacco as the Havana VI line.  When asked, Tatuaje creator Pete Johnson told StogieGuys.com this week: “Haven’t made it in a long time. Just using older inventory. Still not sure what I am going to do with the line.”

4) Around the Blogs: Matt’s Cigar Journal is holding a cigar giveaway to benifit Ride for Kids and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Stogie Review lights up the El Tiante La Leyenda. Nice Tight Ash checks out the La Traviata Favorito. Keepers of the Flame smokes a Punch Upper Cut. A Cigar Smoker checks out the Paradigm 262. Cigar Inspector inspects a Fuente Hemingway Short Story.

5) Deal of the Week: Tax Day is as good a reason as any for Cuban Crafters to have a sale. There are a number of deep discounts on our favorites like the Cupido Tuxedo, J.L. Salazar, Cubano Claro, and Miami Medina. The best deal is a box of 25 Don Kiki Brown Label Torpedos for just $55. Grab yours here.

The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Stogie Guys

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