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Stogie Guys Friday Sampler No. 241

3 Jun 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) The generosity of the cigar community knows no bounds, and that charitable spirit is in fine display in the wake of the deadliest tornado season in 50 years. The Montecristo Relief Organization, established in 1999 by Altadis after devastating hurricanes swept through the Caribbean, is donating $25,000 in vital aid to the victims of last month’s tornado in Joplin, Missouri. It is also matching the first $75,000 donated by Altadis employees, vendors, and customers. If you’d like to contribute, you can send a check to: Montecristo Relief Organization, Joplin Tornado Relief, c/o Altadis U.S.A., PO Box 407179, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 33340.

2) La Aurora is now an independent company owned by its president, Guillermo León Herbert. “The purpose of buying all [of La Aurora’s] stock from E. León Jimenes is to concentrate in cigar production and commerce, maximizing the growth of the company and the international development of its high quality cigar brands, for which we have clear goals and exciting plans,” read a press release. “We are proud and excited to maintain this family tradition that started over a century ago, and we will honor it by continuing to offer the best cigars to our clients and to consumers.”

3) Inside the Industry:  CAO’s blends haven’t changed, but as part of the company’s recent consolidation with General Cigar, all CAO cigars previously made at the STG Danlí factory in Honduras are now made at General’s Honduras American Tabaco S.A. (HATSA) factory, which is also in Danlí (other CAO blends that are made at Scandinavian Tobacco Group’s Estelí factory in Nicaragua, like La Traviata, have not been moved). Berlin Wall, a new cigar by the makers of Hammer + Sickle, is launching a tour featuring an authentic three-ton piece of the Berlin Wall. [Note: The CAO/STG item has been updated with new information from CAO brand manager Ed McKenna.]

4) Around the Blogs:  Stogie Review reviews the La Gloria El Perrito. Smoking Stogie lights up a Guillermo León Robusto.  Cigar Choice smokes a Knuckle Dragger. Cigar Inspector inspects the Viajae TNT. On Your Cigar Ratings, the Avo LE 10 Compañero rates a 91.

5) Deal of the Week: While supplies last, box purchases of the Padrón 1964 Anniversary SI-15, a Smoke Inn exclusive, now include four-packs of Padrón tumblers.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Altadis

4 Responses to “Stogie Guys Friday Sampler No. 241”

  1. dmjones1009 Friday, June 3, 2011 at 7:14 am #

    "None of the CAO blends have changed"…except they are all being made in different factories by different rollers, sometimes in different countries…so the reality is that because a handmade product cannot be made the exact same way especially when so many new variables are introduced, ALL CAO blends have changed to some degree (except Vision which is still made in the same place by the same people as it always was). Am I the only one feeling a bit lied to by some tobacco conglomerate?

    • Adam Ferguson Friday, June 3, 2011 at 11:41 am #

      I think its definitely safe to say that we'll see some differences in CAO cigars (I'm nervous, because I really like this brand), but I think the chose their words carefully, in that the actual "blends" won't change. Here's to hoping for the same good construction and consistency we've experienced from them in the past.

      • dmjones1009 Friday, June 3, 2011 at 5:14 pm #

        Noting the update that "only blends made in Honduras have been moved," I would add that moving a blend means a very good chance of changing it. For instance, CAO' Anniversaire Maduro was originally produced in Costa Rica (one or two years) before being moved to Honduras. Despite the new factory supposedly using the same blend, everyone I have ever talked to that had the original Costa Rican Maduro says it is by far the better of the two and many people consider it CAO best cigar ever. Also, I talked to one shop manager recently who swears that his latest shipment of CAO Gold is definitely different than what he's been selling for years. I wish I could trust General more, but I have seen their track record in companies they've acquired and it doesn't inspire much trust.

  2. Stogie Guys Friday, June 3, 2011 at 1:17 pm #

    Note that the the CAO Industry News has been updated. Only CAO blends made in Honduras have moved, and only from one factory in Danli to another.