Stogie Guys Friday Sampler CC

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) Politicians in Savannah aren’t satisfied with Georgia’s statewide smoking ban, enacted in 2005. So they’ve proposed a city ordinance that would close the “loopholes” of the existing law, criminalizing smoking in all workplaces including cigar bars, tobacco shops, and outdoor sections of restaurants and bars. “What no one needs is more of government telling people what they can and cannot do,” said Chris McCalla, legislative director of the IPCPR. “Jobs and businesses truly are at stake here, as well as the rights of business owners to declare whether smoking should be allowed in their establishments.”

2) The final blend has been selected for the Padrón Family Reserve No. 46, a box-pressed corona gorda (5.5 x 56) that honors the company’s 46 years of business. It will debut at the IPCPR Trade Show in August and hit retailer shelves on September 8. Each cigar is made in Estelí, Nicaragua, and will carry a price tag of approximately $25.

3) Inside the Industry: A.J. Fernandez (who has blended cigars for such names as Padilla, Rocky Patel, Graycliff and Gurkha) is releasing  his first solo nationally distributed release, San Lotano. The New York City edition of Cigar Aficionado’s Big Smoke has been announced for December 1 at Pier 92. Cuba’s new Romeo y Julieta Wide Churchill is now available. Cigar Rights of America has improved its website by adding a members-only dashboard, RSS feeds by state, member discounts, and an event calendar.

4) Around the Blogs: Smoking Stogie lights up a San Cristobal O’Reilly. Stogie Review reviews a Don Pepin Series JJ. Nice Tight Ash checks out a Liga Privada Flying Pig. Keepers of the Flame fires up a Nestor Miranda Special Selection Coffee Break. Cigar Jack torches a La Gloria Cubana Artesanos de Tabaqueros.

5) Deal of the Week: This “One Stop Shop Sampler” has 20 top smokes for just $75 with free shipping included. Included are cigars by Rocky Patel, Graycliff, Padilla, Gurkha, and many more. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr