Stogie Guys Friday Sampler CCXII

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) La Aurora’s new Guillermo León blend is finally beginning to hit tobacconist shelves beyond Florida. The four-vitola line first appeared at the industry trade show in August and later at select shops in the Miami area. This week, however, it was launched in New York City with special events featuring Guillermo León and Rene Castañeda, vice president of sales for Miami Cigar & Co. “Obviously, this cigar is personal for me,” said León (pictured) in a press release. “It is part of my family’s legacy for the past 107 years. In this cigar, I wanted something with deep complexity yet also a stronger smoke than most of our offerings.”

2) In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, ABC Action News in Tampa recently featured Arturo Fuente and his contributions to Ybor City, the cigar industry, and community service. “My father is such an intellectual person, but also a generous person at the same time,” says Kristin Fuente. “He has a warm heart and…he tries to make a difference.”

3) Inside the Industry: Gran Habano announced the new limited edition Gran Reserva No. 3, which uses extremely old Nicaraguan and Colombian filler tobaccos. The Cuban Ramón Allones brand is expanding to include a new Corona Gorda that will only be available at official La Casa del Habano stores.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews the Illusione 888 Slam. Smoking Stogie smokes a well-aged Liga Privada No. 9. Cigar Fan lights up two Saint Luis Rey Maduros.  Nice Tight Ash checks out the Toraño Single Region. Cigar Inspector inspects a Ramón Allones Superiores.

5) Deal of the Week: This Rocky Torpedo Sampler features 14 torpedos for just $50 (that’s about $3.50 a stick). Included are two each of the Decade, Vintage 1992, Vintage 1990, Edge Maduro, Edge Corojo, Connecticut, and Sun Grown blends.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Miami Cigar & Co.