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Stogie Guys Friday Sampler No. 276

10 Feb 2012

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 U.S. embargo against Cuba turned 50 years old this week. The law was signed by President John F. Kennedy in 1962, several days after he hypocritically ordered his press secretary to buy him as many H. Upmann Cuban cigars as possible. At the time, it was assumed the embargo would cripple Fidel Castro, but half a century of evidence suggests that logic is flawed, as the oppressive regime Castro established carries on to this day (now with Fidel’s brother, Raúl, at the helm). The 50th anniversary of the failed embargo is an appropriate time to reconsider the law.

2) As smoking bans make it harder and harder to find a place to enjoy a cigar, Forbes has noticed an interesting trend: Luxury hotels around the globe are building cigar-friendly havens and using technology to bypass regulations. One London venue boasts a unique “all-weather cigar terrace,” and another has a cigar garden with a retractable roof. Several Florida hotels have indoor cigar lounges that are made possible by high-tech air filtration systems.

3) David Hockney, renowned artist and tobacco supporter, struck again this week with a letter to Britain’s Guardian newspaper. He suggested that if an anti-tobacco crusader is so concerned about children, he should consider the ramifications of three million of them in the U.S. taking Ritalin. “I intend to stick with my far more natural, delicious, pleasure-giving tobacco,” he wrote.

4) Inside the Industry: Over half a century since nationalizing its cigar industry, Cuba is removing the names of the original brand owners from its cigar bands. Tatuaje is preparing to release a new 2012 Cojonu line that will be box-pressed and available in three wrappers: Ecuadorian Habano, a “Reserva” Connecticut Broadleaf, and a “Capa Especial” Sumatra.

5) Around the Blogs: Tiki Bar reviews the Rocky Patel Edición Unica. Cigar Obsession checks out the Drew Estate Natural Limited Pimp Stick. Cigar Coop smokes the La Aurora 107. Cigar Inspector inspects the Don Pepin Serie JJ Little Robusto. Cigar Brief fires up the Crowned Heads Four Kicks.

6) Deal of the Week: Tatuaje fans—we know you’re out there—should consider these two Brown Label samplers [link fixed]. The first six-cigar sampler lets you try the same “7th” size with three different wrappers: Habano, Reserva (Broadleaf), and Capa Especial (Sumatra). The other lets you try all four of the original sizes, plus the broadleaf-wrapped Petit Cazadores Reserva. (Also, check out this deal for a leather and cherrywood Colibri cigar case  for just $12 including shipping.)

The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

2 Responses to “Stogie Guys Friday Sampler No. 276”

  1. jimmy Friday, February 10, 2012 at 10:58 am #

    sounds like a great deal, but the link is for a leather case!

    • Patrick Semmens Friday, February 10, 2012 at 3:04 pm #

      jimmy-
      You're right.

      The link was to the incorrect deal. It is now fixed.