Stogie Guys Friday Sampler No. 239
20 May 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) Following this year’s IPCPR Trade Show in Las Vegas, the show will move to Orlando in 2012. Jeff Borysiewicz, IPCPR Board Member and owner of Orlando’s Corona Cigar Company, confirmed the move for StogieGuys.com. The posh downtown Corona Cigar location, featuring an unparalleled collection of vintage whiskey and pre-embargo Cuban cigars will undoubtedly be one of the after-hour hot spots while the trade show is in town.
2) The two events we reported on last week aren’t the only demonstrations going on next week to protest the outdoor smoking ban going into effect next week in New York City. NYC CLASH (Citizens Lobbying Against Smoker Harassment) is holding a “Smoke in the Park” gathering in Brighton Beach (on the Boardwalk at Brighton and 6th Street) on May 28th at 2pm. Smokers of all kinds wanting to show their anger at this unjust law are welcome to join. In their press release, NYC CLASH says: “We smoked at these outdoor locations before May 23rd and we’ll damn well smoke there after May 23rd. When a law is just so wrong and enacted on the whim of the biased with the power to do so who cannot be reasoned with then it calls for civil disobedience.”
3) Inside the Industry: CAO is expanding its popular La Traviata Maduro blend with two new sizes: Favorito (5.5 x 52) and Animado (5.6 x46), both of which should begin arriving in stores this month. Alec Bradley is introducing a new size in its highly-rated Family Blend line which will be designated the GS57 (6 x 60).
4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews the Zino Platinum Z-Class. Smoking Stogie smokes the J. Fuego “Sangre de Toro.” Nice Tight Ash checks out the La Flordita Gold. Cigar Inspector inspects the Tatuaje 109 Federal Cigar 90th Anniversary. La Flor Dominicana Airbender Valiente has a 95 rating on YourCigarRatings.com.
5) Deal of the Week: Fans of full-bodied smokes should check out the Adrian’s CroMagnon Cigar—made with an oily Connecticut broadleaf wrapper, Cameroon binder, and three types of Nicaraguan fillers—exclusively available at Hava Cigar Shop. Use the coupon code “STOGIEGUYS” and receive a 15% discount through the end of the month.
photo credit: Corona Cigar
Patrick Ashby
Co-Founder & Editor in Chief
Patrick Semmens
Co-Founder & Publisher
George Edmonson
Tampa Bureau Chief
I am surprised the IPCPR would return to Florida. They used to hold many conventions there, but left after the state's smoking ban (which is still more lenient than many passed since) forbid smoking in convention facilities in 2003. They won't be able to smoke around indoor exhibits; I wonder what they'll do.
Actually, Jeff was on Cigar Dave about a week ago and stated on the air that he expected the contract to be signed this past week for IPCPR 2012. Jeff has pretty much been public on the air and the press for over a year on this one about wanting to bring the show back to Orlando. I know some folks may say he has a vested influence being the host city, but I don't have a problem with it – Corona Cigars will be a great host.
Just another comment….I believe that Jeff's motivation is greater than just IPCPR returning to his home field. If the show returns to Orlando, he's hoping that this will open up some of the restrictions for other conventions there. This helps everybody in the industry – manufacturer, retailer, and consumer. It's a win-win in the long term. Plus he's also said he hopes to alternate between Vegas and Orlando moving forward. This is good because it gives a East-West venue with world class convention facilities.