Stogie Guys Friday Sampler No. 294

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) Though many believe California’s Prop. 29, the misguided proposal to dramatically raise tobacco taxes in the Golden State, was defeated at the polls June 5, victory is far from certain. In fact, the margin is now a razor-thin 15,852 votes—less than a half of a percentage point—out of almost 5 million counted at the time of this writing. Election officials aren’t likely to finish completely checking provisional and mail-in votes for a week or two. About 280,000 ballots remain uncounted, with three counties comprising nearly 65% of the uncounted ballots: Los Angeles (131,177), Fresno (24,500), and Sonoma (23,350). On election night, LA was split almost evenly, Fresno was about 60-40 against, and Sonoma the reverse. If the yet-to-be-counted ballots in those three counties break that way again it would likely be enough to ensure Prop. 29’s defeat. But it’s almost certain to be tight right to the end, and a recount is nearly assured.

2) This week, a widely circulated Associated Press article appeared in top newspapers across the country entitled “Cigar lovers to FDA: A cigar isn’t just a cigar.” As its title suggests, the piece outlines the industry efforts to protect premium handmade cigars from disastrous FDA regulations. Bill Spann, CEO of the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association, was quoted heavily. “If you’re going to focus your efforts on regulating tobacco products to meet the spirit and intent of the Tobacco Control Act, where is best to spend those scarce resources—on a tenth of a percent of the market or on a huge chunk of the market?” he asked. “You don’t have a middle-schooler or high-schooler standing on the corner with a $15 Davidoff sticking out of their mouth.”

3) Inside the Industry: In addition to Christian Eiroa’s own brand, CLE Cigars, his Tabacaleras Unidas factory will also be producing Asylum Cigars. Asylum will be launching with three blends, due out in cigar shops soon: Asylum (a medium-bodied Nicaraguan puro), Asylum 13 (a full-bodied smoke), and Schizo (a mixed-filler bundle smoke). Meanwhile, Eiroa’s former brand, Camacho, has launched a new website that the brand is calling “the most dynamic and fully integrated brand website our industry has ever seen.”

4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Explorer explores an E.P. Carrillo Short Run No. 4. Nice Tight Ash checks out the Partagas 1845 Corona Extra. Stogie Review reviews a Romeo by Romeo y Julieta. Cigar Inspector inspects an H. Upmann Magnum 48 2009 EL.

5) Deal of the Week: Certain cigars are rarely if ever discounted. But by using some of the coupons on this page you can get 15% off any purchase over $150, including on brands like Illusione, Tatuaje, Viaje, and La Flor Dominicana. (Hurry, the discount expires in 2 days.)

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Defeat Prop. 29