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Stogie Guys Friday Sampler CXCII

4 Jun 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.

Ybor Square1) The Church of Scientology paid about $7 million to buy what was once the world’s largest cigar factory, built in 1886 by the man who founded Tampa’s Ybor City. The three-building complex has housed offices since the 1970s. Scientologists propose using the buildings for offices, gatherings, and Sunday service. Although the church says that it plans to honor the building’s historical significance in its plans, the move is not without controversy. “Some business and civic leaders in Ybor City worry about the potential loss of property tax revenues due to the church’s tax-exempt status and the potential denial of alcohol licenses to future businesses opening within 1,000 feet of the church’s property,” writes the Tampa Tribune.

2) Ever dream of owning an un-smoked cigar from Winston Churchill’s personal collection? Well, here’s your chance: A Cuban that was given to the prime minister in 1963 is up for auction in London. The AFP reports the cigar is expected to fetch upwards of $2,100. Its current owner, Steve Forbes, is also auctioning off Churchill’s wartime diary and some of his letters.

3) Inside the Industry: Cuban Cigar Distributor Habanos S.A. announced its first-ever “Regional Edition” for Cuba, the La Gloria Cubana Deliciosos—a robusto-sized smoke that comes in an ornate porcelain jar. A new 58-page book, 27 Lessons To Help You Become A Cigar Expert, was recently published and made available through Amazon. CigarReader.com observes that Twitter followers of Eddie Ortega might have gotten a hint at the coming EO-Rocky Patel merger a month early by noting Ortega’s constant visits to Rocky’s headquarters on the location-based networking site Foursquare.

4) Around the Blogs:  Stogie Review reviews the Man O’ War Virtue. Keepers of the Flame lights up a Joya de Nicaragua Cabinetta. Cigar Inspector inspects a Tatuaje J21. Smoking Stogie smokes an E.P. Carrillo Short Run. The Tiki Bar kicks back with a Liga Privada T-52. Nice Tight Ash checks out a Casa Magna Colorado.

5) Deal of the Week: We noticed a price drop in this Don Pepin Elite Selection sampler, featuring some of the legendary cigar maker’s finest smokes. Included are two each of the Tatuaje Havana, 5 Vegas Miami, Cuban Classic, and San Cristobal—all for just $40. Grab yours here.

The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

3 Responses to “Stogie Guys Friday Sampler CXCII”

  1. Ethan K Friday, June 4, 2010 at 2:19 am #

    Maybe we need to form a Church of Tobaccology. "Brothers & Sisters of the Leaf, let us give thanks for the blessed plants bestowed on us that …."

  2. mighty Friday, June 4, 2010 at 7:00 am #

    Ethan, no kidding. Or, make a Medicinal Tobacco use group…

    Amazing how marijuana is allowed to be smoked indoors, at least in OR, but cigar stores have a very tough time to get their smoking permit. Seems kind of odd to me..

  3. bob dobbs Saturday, June 5, 2010 at 7:10 pm #

    L Ron Hubbard said, "not smoking enough cigarettes causes cancer" so this is fiitng in a way.