Stogie Guys Friday Sampler No. 341

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) In the past two weeks, the StogieGuys.com newsroom has received literally dozens of press releases from cigar makers both established and new. All are announcing new blends, new sizes, new packaging, new brands, new partnerships, new prices … the list goes on. Pretty much all of these introductions will be unveiled at the 81st IPCPR Trade Show, which this year takes place in Las Vegas. This annual convention of cigar makers, retailers, journalists, and other industry professionals is always a great preview of everything that will be coming to a cigar shop near you in the future. And the StogieGuys.com team will be on hand to cover it all. Starting Sunday, check back here often as we provide live updates from the IPCPR Trade Show floor, followed by impressions, analysis, wrap-ups, summaries, interviews, and videos. Hopefully all three of us can leave Vegas with a ton of information for you—and without losing our shirts.

2) Two researchers from Columbia University have found little justification for outdoor smoking bans, which have unfortunately become more prevalent across the country, particularly in California. The risk of secondhand smoke, cigarette butt pollution, and exposing children to poor role models have all been used as arguments to advance outdoor bans. “Our analysis of the evidence for these claims found it far from definitive and in some cases weak,” the wrote the researchers. What’s more, they find the weak claims to be “hazardous for public health policymakers, for whom public trust is essential.”

3) Inside the Industry: Cigar Insider‘s 2013 survey of 77 shop owners/managers revealed some interesting results. According to those surveyed, the four “hottest” cigars (requested most by customers) were, in order: Drew Estate Liga Privada, Tatuaje, Padrón, and Flor de Las Antillas (each being named by over 22% of respondents). The best-selling cigars were, in order: Padrón, Fuente, Davidoff, Romeo y Julieta, and Ashton. Robusto and Toro were far and away the most popular sizes, followed by 6 X 60. It should be noted that these are not fully verified scientific results, but they do give an interesting insight into the perceptions of those who run brick and mortar cigar shops.

4) Deal of the Week: Just prior to the IPCPR Trade Show is a good time to scour clearance sections for deals on your favorite cigars, as retailers clear out space for new releases. To that end, Smoke Inn currently has deals on Cubao, Black Market Filthy Hooligan, Alec Bradley Family Blend, and many more.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: IPCPR