Stogie Guys Friday Sampler No. 245

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) At 75 percent, New York has the highest state tax on cigars, a sad fact that explains why so many Empire Staters buy their smokes online or through the mail. Politicians in Albany had the opportunity to provide some relief to local tobacconists and consumers when the State Senate passed a modest tax cap at $1.00 per cigar. But this week the Assembly adjourned without addressing the bill, leaving it dead (at least) until the January 2011 session. “I know many of you are upset because we didn’t get the cap passed into law this time around,” wrote Ron Melendi, president of the New York Tobacconist Association, in an open letter. “With one house securely in place, we can now focus all our energy on the Assembly over the coming months.”

2) Anti-tobacco politicians in Texas have been pushing hard, including Rodney Ellis, a Democrat who introduced statewide ban in the Senate, and Myra Crownover, a Republican who introduced a sister bill in the House. On Thursday, though, the legislature ended its special session without voting on either proposal, marking the sixth time the Lone Star State has rejected a statewide ban.

3) Inside the Industry: Camacho and Room 101 have announced a new limited edition cigar called Namakubi. Officially due out at this month’s trade show, Tatuaje has begun shipping a new cigar called the “7th Capa Especial,” which boasts an oily Sumatran wrapper. Tatuaje owner Pete Johnson also officially confirmed that the next Tatuaje Halloween monster series cigar will be “Wolfman,” a torpedo with an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper and a shaggy foot. Florida-based retailer Smoke Inn is releasing an exclusive blend of Don Pepin Garcia’s My Father called “El Hijo,” which features a box press and an unfinished foot.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews Devils Weed. Smoking Stogie smokes a Litto Gomez Small Batch No. 1. Cigar Coop fires up a Monte Pascoal. Toasted Foot toasts a D’Crossier Imperium Class Vintage. Tiki Bar kicks back with a Los Imperialistas. Casas Fumando lights up El Primer Mundo Liga Miami.

5) Deal of the Week: Smoke Inn is featuring pre-release five- and ten-packs of the new Drew Estate/Joya de Nicaragua creation called “My Uzi Weighs a Ton.”

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr