Stogie Guys Friday Sampler No. 256

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) Sherwin Seltzer, General Cigar’s vice president of trade development and a 50-year veteran of the cigar industry, announced his retirement this week. “There comes a time when you have to stop and do something else. I’ve had a great run in this business but at this stage in my life, I want to devote my time to Iris, my wife of 51 years, and my children and grandchildren,” said Seltzer, who will vacate his position at the end of October. Dan Carr, president of General Cigar, says that Sherwin “made great contributions to General Cigar, particularly in developing relationships with our trade partners and as a mentor to people in all areas of the business.”

2) We’re happy to announce that Marty of Austin, Texas, has won the first week of the Stogie Guys NFL Pick’Em Challenge. For his outstanding ability to select the winners of the first week of football games, we’ll be sending him a nice package of cigars. Congrats to Marty and good luck to everyone in the second week.

3) Our favorite cigar manners maven, Patricia Rossi, has just released a new book called Everyday Etiquette: How To Navigate 101 Common and Uncommon Social Situations. And, yes, as you might have imagined, those situations include smoking cigars.

4) Inside the Industry: Yesterday, a number of cigar makers and cigar shop owners met with politicians in Washington to ask for their support of the Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act, which would protect handmade cigars from devastating FDA regulations. After spending the day on Capitol Hill, those in town joined others at the the 6th annual cigar dinner party hosted by the Ambassador of the Dominican Republic, which featured plenty of Dominican cigars and rum.

5) Around the Blogs: Tiki Bar kicks back with the Casa Fernandez Miami Reserva. Smoking Stogie smokes the El Credito War of Flavors. Stogie Review reviews the León Jimenes Maduro. Nice Tight Ash samples the Short Story Maduro. Cigar Fan tries a CAO OSA Sol.

6) Deal of the Week: Corona Cigar’s weekly deal features 10 big name cigars for just $30 (or 20 for $50). The cigars include Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, Punch, La Gloria Cubana, Macanudo, Hoyo de Monterrey, and Siglo.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: General Cigar