Stogie Guys Friday Sampler CCI

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) The communist isle of Cuba, reeling from highly centralized mismanagement, is ironically turning to private investment to slow its economic decline. Raúl Castro (pictured) announced this week a plan to allow some business licenses that would get redundant workers off the government payroll. While it remains to be seen if such licenses would extend to Cuba’s cigar industry, we have every reason to believe that tobacco privatization would yield positive results—as it did for the late Alejandro Robaina, whose family-owned farm consistently outperformed state-operated plantations.

2) Following New York’s ridiculous tax hike on cigars, lawmakers on Tuesday approved a new state budget without a cigar tax cap. “The only ‘good’ news from Albany is that the state’s budget office may be willing to reconsider a cigar tax cap,” reads a press release from the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR). “The budget office wants to review available empirical data demonstrating the impact of taxation on cigars and how it impacts state revenues, including revenues lost to surrounding states.”

3) Inside the Industry:  Arturo Fuente of Tampa Sweethearts is bringing two brands to market: Flor de Ybor City and Ybor Gold, both made by Carlos Fuente. Next week in New Orleans, General Cigar will present a check for $20,000 to Ducks Unlimited to restore wetlands in the Gulf Region. For a report on the new cigars expected to be released at next week’s IPCPR Trade Show, check back Monday for our exclusive preview.

4) Around the Blogs:  Smoking Stogie smokes an Opus X Chili Pepper. Stogie Review reviews an El Primer Mundo Liga Miami. Cigar Inspector inspects a CAO Sopranos. The Tiki Bar kicks back with the CAO La Traviata Maduro. Toasted Foot is giving away a box of the new Berger & Argenti Mooch.

5) Deal of the Week: Not long ago 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