Stogie Guys Friday Sampler No. 280

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) Indiana currently has no statewide smoking ban, but that’s for a lack of trying. Anti-tobacco lawmakers and groups have been trying to pass a comprehensive ban in the Hoosier State since 2007. And now they’re incredibly close to passing a law that would violate cigar smokers’ rights, as well as the rights of most private business owners. As of yesterday, Indiana lawmakers had agreed to a bill that included exemptions for bars, private clubs, and at-home businesses. The American Cancer Society is lobbying against passage since the group considers any smoking ban that includes exemptions for bars to be too weak.

2) Several new cigars were announced at Cuba’s 14th annual Habanos Festival, which concluded on March 2. Among them was the Cohiba Pirámides Extra, an aluminum-tubed pyramid that will feature some of the medio tiempo tobacco found in the ultra-exclusive Cohiba Behike. In addition, three Edición Limitada cigars are planned for 2012, one each from the Montecristo, Partagas, and H. Upmann brands.

3) Inside the Industry: Michael Giannini, the longtime face of General Cigar’s La Gloria Cubana brand, is taking an expanded role with the company and will now be responsible for new product development for all of General’s premium cigars brands. One month from today, General is introducing a new Partagas line called the “Partagas 1845” that will feature an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. Avo’s 86th Anniversary cigar will be “La Trompeta,” a pyramid with three circular cutouts in the Ecuadorian wrapper that resemble a trumpet’s valves.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews the Fuente Hemingway Short Story Maduro. Tiki Bar kicks back with a Fuente Don Carlos Lancero. Cigar Brief smokes a Vegas de Santiago Secretos del Maestro Don Luis. Cigar Inspector inspects a José L. Piedra Nacionales.

5) Deal of the Week: This “Cigar Obsession Sampler” features ten cigars selected by cigar blogger (and excellent photographer) Bryan Glynn. Included in the $90 sampler are such StogieGuys.com favorites as the Illusione 88, Oliva Serie V, Padrón 1926 Natural, Rocky Patel Decade Robusto, San Cristobal Selección del Sol Robusto, and Tatuaje Anarchy.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr