Stogie Guys Friday Sampler No. 292
8 Jun 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) Most media outlets are still calling the vote too close to call, but California’s Prop. 29—a dangerous proposal that would increase already-high cigar taxes in the Golden State by a whopping 73%—appears to be headed towards defeat. “The measure was losing by just under 53,000 votes as updated tallies continued to trickle in from county elections offices,†reported the Los Angeles Times last evening. “A spokeswoman for the opposing campaign, Beth Miller, said her side does not anticipate ‘a big vote swing one way or another. But obviously we are watching it closely.’†Thanks again to everyone who voted “no†and to those who encouraged their friends and family in California to do the same.
2) H.R. 1639, the U.S. House bill that would protect premium cigars from disastrous FDA regulations, is now just 20 votes shy of a majority as Donald Manzullo (R-IL) signed on. And as if anyone needed more proof that cigars are the Great Equalizer, consider two of the latest cosponsors: C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, a Baltimore-area Democrat, and Louie Gohmert, a Republican from east Texas. You’d be hard-pressed to find two more divergent members of Congress. Ranked on ideology, Gohmert scored a 10 from Americans for Democratic Action and a 100 from the American Conservative Union, while Ruppersberger got a 90 from the ADA and a 4 from the ACU, according to The Hill.
3) Inside the Industry: In the company’s 35th year, Dona Flor Cigars has announced a re-introduction to the American market. Longtime readers will recall that StogieGuys.com was a fan of Dona Flor back in 2006, with several of the company’s blends earning high praise in reviews. Since then, legal issues have prevented the Brazilian brand from competing in the U.S. But now, Chris Edge—a Denver-based cigar enthusiast and businessman—will be bringing Dona Flor back to North America. Expect the company to generate some buzz at this summer’s industry trade show in Orlando.
4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Explorer explores the Arturo Fuente Solaris. Cigar Fan fires up an Alec Bradley Black Market. Cigar Brief smokes the Rocky Patel Edge Candela. Nice Tight Ash checks out the Alec Bradley American Classic Blend. Stogie Review reviews the El Primer Mundo La Hermandad.
5) Deal of the Week: This “Big Brand Bonanza†sampler includes 10 quality smokes for just $35 (or double up and get 20 cigars for $60). Highlights include such blends as Liga Privada Undercrown, Gurkha Ninja, Montecristo Platinum, La Aurora Preferido, Romeo y Julieta, Casa Fernandez Miami, Toraño Virtuoso, and Art Deco by Nestor Miranda.
photo credit: Flickr
Patrick Ashby
Co-Founder & Editor in Chief
Patrick Semmens
Co-Founder & Publisher
George Edmonson
Tampa Bureau Chief
Also worth mentioning: 262 Cigars announced the name of the company's next cigar line yesterday. It will be called "Revere" in honor of patriot Paul Revere and his "Midnight Ride." No blend details have been made available yet, but we'll keep you posted.
Here's a positive note on the outstanding California votes. The Sacramento Bee reports that among the almost 800,000 outstanding ballots in 9 of the states 58 counties, more than half of those ballots are in 3 Southern California counties that voted against Prop. 29. The 3 Northern California counties on the list that voted strongly for the proposition had fewer than 200,000 outstanding ballots.
And this just came out from Cigar Rights of America:
"A vast bi-partisan coalition of 202 Members of Congress that spans 38 states has been built in an effort to send a message to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration that they have no business, in the cigar business, as additional members of the U.S. House of Representatives have joined H.R. 1639. We welcome the following to the war against government regulation of cigars: Ralph Hall of Texas; Tom McClintock of California; Phil Gingery of Georgia ; Jean Schmidt of Ohio; Dutch Ruppersberger of Maryland; Donald Manzullo of Illinois; and Peter King of New York. In addition, we welcome our first co-sponsor from the State of New Mexico, Representative Stevan Pearce, and our first co-sponsor from the State of Rhode Island, Representative James Langevin. 186,154 messages to Congress is Working!"