Stogie Guys Friday Sampler CCXXIX
11 Mar 2011
As we have since July 2006, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other items of interest. Below is our latest Friday Sampler.
1) Illinois may become one of the first states to weaken its statewide smoking ban. Enacted in 2008, the current law criminalizes smoking in most indoor “public†places and workplaces, including bars, restaurants, private clubs, and gaming facilities. But, on Wednesday, a House committee approved proposals that “would allow smoking in segregated, ventilated rooms in licensed casinos†and “give local liquor control commissions the power to issue licenses.†The Illinois Casino Gaming Commission reports that casino revenues have dropped over 30% since the implementation of the statewide ban.
2) Xikar, the Kansas City-based outfit best known for manufacturing lighters and cutters, announced a price cut this week on its HC Series of cigars, dropping them an average of 18% per stick to put them in the $6-8 price range. Scott Almsberger, company vice president of product development, said there will be no changes in quality standards of tobacco blends.
3) Inside the Industry: Even though they likely won’t be available until 2014, General Cigar is so pleased with the 2010 Connecticut wrappers that the company plans to use them in a Macanudo Vintage line, which it only does for the best years. Meanwhile, the Quesada España is being introduced to the Spanish market.
4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews a Cain FF. Nice Tight Ash checks out a Tatuaje Havana VI. Cigar Fan fires up a Nacionales W. Smoking Stogie compares the Viaje WLP Candela to the Illusione Candela. The Barclay Rex 100th Anniversary Tatuaje broke into the top 10 at Your Cigar Ratings.
photo credit: public domain
Patrick Ashby
Co-Founder & Editor in Chief
Patrick Semmens
Co-Founder & Publisher
George Edmonson
Tampa Bureau Chief
Glad to see Xikar was able to bring a price drop, I think the HC Series are good cigars that were just outside of the buying sweet spot. In the 6-8$ range almost anyone will give it a go once and its a solid enough stick that it should maintain a spot in the rotation of most.
Funny how when the goverment loses revenue it turns in to an emergancy and the law needs to be changed.
I’d bet money that Illinois bill doesn’t get out of the state House. If it does, the Senate president will never allow it to come to a vote.
A few other states have modified their bans, BTW. Nebraska and New Hampshire did amend their laws to permit smoking in cigar bars.
The Your Cigar Ratings top cigars don't seem to mean much right now and, to me at least, appear narrow and biased. Maybe, a ways down the road and with more input the site's many "blank" cigars will be entered to help make the site somewhat useful.