Stogie Guys Friday Sampler No. 324
15 Feb 2013
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) Yesterday, the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) announced it would be increasing its annual dues by $100, in recognition of the mounting issues facing cigar rights and the “substantial financial resources†required to engage those battles. “We must not relent in our fight to guarantee the safety of our industry,†said IPCPR CEO Bill Spann. “Our House and Senate bills have gained immense support, and we must not lose this momentum and prominence while we still have it.†Spann also said the recently unveiled plans to debut a “Consumer Day†and “Roast†at this year’s IPCPR Trade Show—plans we wrote about here—have been “tabled†due to negative feedback from various members. StogieGuys.com is an online media member of IPCPR.
2) General Cigar’s new website went live this week. Victoria McKee Jaworski, General’s director of public relations, likens it to a “digital cigar lounge†with “interactive features like a virtual humidor and a cigar bomb component.†General Cigar is one of the world’s largest manufacturers with blends like Partagas, La Gloria Cubana, and Punch in its portfolio.
3) Just because you haven’t heard much lately about the FDA’s proposal to regulate cigars doesn’t mean the idea is dead. The FDA recently posted a notice on its website that it “intends to propose a regulation†that would extend its authority to “all products that meet the statutory definition of ‘tobacco product’…†That’s virtually anything made from tobacco. The FDA gave no timeframe and did note that the public would be able to comment on any proposal.
4) Inside the Industry: La Palina is dropping prices on its El Diario and Maduro lines by 10% to reflect supply chain savings and to demonstrate its dedication to consumers and retailers. Davidoff is introducing a new size in its Puro d’Oro line, a Gordito (3.75 x 58) that will sell for $56 for a 4-pack or $350 for a box of 25. The new Puro d’Oro Gordito is also part of Davidoff’s new “Short Pleasures” assortment pack along with Davidoff’s Grand Cru No. 5, Entreacto, and Millennium Blend Short Robusto.
5) Around the Blogs: Nice Tight Ash checks out the Alex Bradley Maxx Brazil. Tiki Bar kicks back with a Nestor Miranda Special Selection Connecticut. Stogie Review reviews the Davidoff Royal Salomones. Cigar Inspector inspects the Inception 518.
6) Deal of the Week: StogieGuys.com recommends Bespoke Post, a monthly collection of awesome items delivered to your door. Past boxes include fine bar accessories, shaving kits, coffee, and more. You can skip or purchase every month. Click here to sign up.
photo credit: IPCPR
Patrick Ashby
Co-Founder & Editor in Chief
Patrick Semmens
Co-Founder & Publisher
George Edmonson
Tampa Bureau Chief
The attitude by the "industry" to not allow consumers into the IPCPR is nothing short of a slap in the face to the very people who drive their business. How short-sighted can they be? We consumers are the ones who ultimately buy their products! What better way to drive demand for new offerings than by sampling them to the consumer first. If we find something new that we like, don't you think we would go to our local B&M and ask them to stock up? Sampling has long been an effective way of building retail consumer demand. As consumers, we don't ask for much. Why not include us at your biggest venue and gain from our support in return?
Sorry, but I have to disagree. IPCPR is a trade show, a gathering whose purpose is business transactions between retailers and manufacturers for the benefit of their livelihood. It's not some sort of Big Smoke. There are numerous other events — like the Big Smokes, the ones held by CI and Smoke Inn, etc. — where smokers can meet manufacturers. Those are for consumers. The IPCPR show isn't. There are zillions of trade shows that admit only members and accredited press. I would have no problem if IPCPR decided to have a consumer day, but I can certainly understand why they've elected not to.