Stogie Guys Friday Sampler No. 303

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 spread of government-imposed smoking bans is not limited to only North America and Europe. In Lebanon, smoking was criminalized in restaurants and bars starting on Monday. “Restaurant owners and employees have staged a sit-in to protest the new smoking ban in closed public places,” according to the Washington Post. “A recent study showed about half of Lebanon’s adults are smokers,” though most choose cigarettes or water pipes over cigars. Nonetheless, the issue of smoking freedom is expected to become a more prevalent discussion at the global level over the coming years, especially as the populations of emerging market economies start to amass the disposable income required to smoke cigars.

2) An interesting article in the New York Times this week profiled Ana Pérez, a Cuban-born 26-year-old based in New Jersey who works part-time as a cigar roller. “She is one of eight young and attractive cigar-rolling women employed by a company called Cigar Dolls (website here), which is based in Miami,” reads the article. “Though its roots are in Cuba, cigar rolling is big business in New York, Florida, and many places around the world where Cubans have popularized the craft at Cuban restaurants, weddings, and other events.”

3) Inside the Industry: Avo is adding a “Special Toro” to its Heritage line, although it will only be available in limited quantities. The cigar will be 6 inches long with a 60 ring-gauge, a first for the Heritage blend, and will sell for just under $10. Like the other four Heritage sizes, the Special Toro will use Dominican ligero, Dominican seco, and Peruvian seco fillers, along with a Dominican San Vicente binder and a Cuban-seed wrapper from Ecuador.

4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Fan fires up an Aging Room M356. Nice Tight Ash checks out a Bonita Smoke Shop Time Warp. Cigar Brief smokes a La Perla Habana Black Pearl. Stogie Review reviews a Herederos de Robaina. Cigar Inspector inspects a Fuente Fuente Opus X. A Cigar Smoker smokes the Hoyo de Tradición.

5) Deal of the Week: Here’s a deal literally created just for Stogie Guys readers. The “Stogie Guys Cigar Sampler”—offered by longtime supporter Corona Cigar—contains seven cigars for just $29.95 (plus free shipping on your entire order). The sampler includes limited edition cigars from Avo and Davidoff, plus cigars from by Rocky Patel, J.C. Newman, Casa Fernandez, and two Corona “house” blends. Pick yours up here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr