Stogie Guys Friday Sampler CXCVIII

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) Toraño Cigars announced some big changes yesterday. Effective August 1, the company will take control of its own distribution back from a seven-month-old conglomerate that housed it under the same roof as General Cigar and CAO. Toraño is also adopting a new look (logo at right) and changing its name to the “Toraño Family Cigar Company” to, according to a press release, “capture the family legacy and emphasize that this is a family-owned company.” Charlie Toraño, the company’s president, said that he is “looking forward to seeing everyone at our annual [IPCPR] trade show and personally showing all the changes that are taking place.” StogieGuys.com will provide exclusive details on this development next week.

2) As San Antonio lawmakers mull expanding their smoking ban, an unlikely alliance has formed between the San Antonio Restaurant Association and two groups that have traditionally supported civil rights issues. The League of United Latin American Citizens and the NAACP recently joined in opposition to a comprehensive ban for the city. “The NAACP strongly believes that unless absolutely necessary, the government should not impose undue financial hardships, mandates, restrictions on private business, especially in these difficult economic times,” reads an NAACP statement.

3) Inside the Industry: Tatuaje’s La Vérité, a blend made entirely from the 2008 harvest of Don Pepin Garcia’s farm in Estelí, is expected to hit retailers next week. Ashton is the new U.S. distributor of Humidipak. In the latest ruling in the 13-year-old case over the U.S. rights to the Cohiba name, “Red Dot” Cohiba maker General Cigar won a ruling against Cubatobacco when the judge ruled that the lower court wrongly re-opened the case in 2005. James Suckling, European Editor of Cigar Aficionado, has left the magazine after 18 years.

4) Around the Blogs: Smoking Stogie smokes a Pinar del Rio BOTL Small Batch. Stogie Review reviews the Rocky Patel 15th Anniversary. Nice Tight Ash checks out the Oliva Serie G. A Cigar Smoker lights up an Old School GR8. Stogie Fresh smokes the El Baton. Keepers of the Flame tries a Por Larrañaga Cabinet Selección.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Toraño