Stogie Guys Friday Sampler No. 345

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) Philadelphia just got a little more attractive for cigar enthusiasts. Next month will mark the debut of Ashton Cigar Bar, an upscale lounge in the Center City district that will be located atop Holt’s Cigar Company—a tobacconist that gave birth to the Ashton brand and has a large online retail presence. The bar will feature “a world-class selection of premium cigars, whiskey, and signature cocktails,” as well as two exclusive cigar lines: La Aroma de Cuba Noblesse and Ashton Crown. In addition, right across the street, the Club Adesso Lounge will occupy the second and third floors the Tira Misu Italian restaurant and also cater to the needs of cigar smokers. Philadelphia has been without a cigar bar since Mahogany on Walnut closed last year.

2) Yesterday the Associated Press published a widely circulated article about the promulgation of outdoor smoking bans—which have almost doubled in five years despite a lack of scientific evidence showing outdoor secondhand smoke is harmful. Almost 2,600 outdoor bans are in effect in the U.S. Simon Chapman, an Australian researcher who was once recognized by the American Cancer Society for his efforts to reduce smoking, worries the outdoor ban trend is a slippery slope. ‘‘Next you might say ‘Let’s not just stop there. Let’s not have people smoke anywhere they might be seen’’’ he says in the article. ‘‘And then is it legitimate to say that any behavior that people don’t like should be disapproved of because people might see it.’’

3) Inside the Industry: Connecticut retailer Butthead’s Tobacco Emporium is the exclusive home of the CLE Plus 11/18, an extension of the Christian Eiora’s CLE Plus line in the tapered 11/18 shape. At its annual Trade Show last month, the IPCPR held a silent auction to benefit the legislative efforts, and a few items are still available.

4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Inspector inspects a MUWAT Baitfish. Tiki Bar kicks back with a L’Atelier Maduro. Stogie Review reviews the Crowned Heads JD Howard Reserve. Stogie Fresh rates the Chinnok Cellars LE Terroir.

5) Deal of the Week: Smoke Inn is featuring a sampler with eight top-notch smokes for just $65 (free shipping on the entire order included). The sampler includes an EPC Inch Maduro No. 64, Ortega Serie D Maduro No.6, My Father Flor de Las Antillas Toro Gordo, Illusione Epernay Le Monde, Perdomo Champagne Robusto, Arturo Fuente Magnum Rosado R58, Kristoff Maduro Matador, and a Drew Estate Undercrown Belicoso.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Ashton Cigar Bar