Stogie Guys Friday Sampler No. 261

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) Ohio’s statewide smoking ban, which prohibits smoking in any indoor establishment that has at least one employee, is being reviewed by the state Supreme Court. This week, the seven justices heard arguments from the state and from a bar in Columbus called Zeno’s that has been issued $33,000 in fines for refusing to comply with the law, which went into effect in 2007. “The justices seemed interested in the process that led to the citations and particularly the fact that no individual smoker ever has been cited, while numerous bars such as Zeno’s have,” reports the Toledo Blade. “After struggling to collect the fines it imposed, the state shifted gears in recent months by going after the liquor licenses of repeat offenders.”

2) Pennsylvania-based retailer Famous Smoke Shop is preparing to launch a new cigar auction site (www.CigarSniper.com) based on the penny auction model where you can “snipe” items for extremely low prices, but each bid costs money. To get a feel for it at no risk, Famous is conducting an open beta test this weekend (starting 10am today and ending 6pm Monday). By filling out a brief survey afterwards (and mentioning StogieGuys.com when you register) you can win prizes including bids worth over $100 and a sampler pack.

3) Inside the Industry: Walter “Lilo” Santiago is reviving Crémo Cigars with a new line that’s made at the El Titan de Bronze Cigar Factory. Starting on November 1, GarVino’s of The Villages, Florida, will become the newest Diamond Crown Cigar Lounge. Luis Tiant has teamed up with Don Pepin Garcia to launch new Habano Oscuro and Habano Rosado blends, both made at the My Father Cigars Factory.

4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Fan fires up a La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor Magnifico. Smoking Stogie smokes the Padrón Family Reserve 85 Years. Stogie Review reviews the San Lotano. Stogie Fresh checks out a Don Ramon Maduro. Nice Tight Ash checks out the CroMagnon.

5) Deal of the Week: Smoke Inn is featuring some hard-to-find Tatuaje smokes, including the TAA edition, The Old Man and the C, the Black Label Petit Lancero and their exclusive Tatuaje Anarchy.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr