Stogie Guys Friday Sampler No. 361

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) La Sirena, a brand that has been under the Miami Cigar & Co. umbrella since it was created in 2009, will be independently owned and operated in 2014. Arielle Ditkowich will remain head of La Sirena. “Ditkowich is extremely grateful for everything Nestor Miranda and the entire Miami team has taught her during their partnership and will always look at the Miranda family as an extension of her own,” reads a press release. “La Sirena Cigars will continue to work with the Garcia Family at My Father Cigars and Guillermo León at La Aurora Cigars to make the current Sirena and Merlion Blends, respectively.” More news about the future of La Sirena is expected to be announced soon.

2) States will take in about $25 billion in tobacco-related taxes and settlement funds from tobacco in 2014, but will spend only about $481 million on programs to reduce or eliminate use, according to news reports. Many states allocate much of the money for other programs, such as Medicaid, and only two—Alaska and North Dakota—will meet federal tobacco-reduction spending recommendations that total $3.7 billion for all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

3) Inside the Industry: Drew Estate’s Herrera Estelí line is adding a Lancero size. For the first time ever, Padrón is shipping its highly-acclaimed 1926 blend in four-packs. Boutique Blends/Aging Room is releasing a new box-pressed Dominican puro called the Quattro T59 that’s described as similar to the Aging Room Quattro F55, but with an eight-year-old Dominican Criollo wrapper.

4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Inspector inspects the Punch Sir John. Stogie Review reviews Nica Rustica. Tiki Bar kicks back with the Nomad S-307. Stogie Fresh lights up the Casa Fernandez Miami Maduro. Cigar Fan examines the San Cristobal Elegancia.

5) Deal of the Week: E.P. Carrillo is offering a sampler that includes two never-before-released cigars through the subscription service Bespoke Post. Included is a special edition of the 2013 Limited Edition with a natural Ecuadorian wrapper (as opposed to the regular San Andreas wrapper), a five-year-old Inaugural Limitada 2009, and a cigar called “Family Blend #809” that has an Ecuadorian wrapper, Dominican binder, and Nicaraguan filler. You also get a wooden ashtray, a candle, a cutter, and cedar spills, all for just $45. To get your hands on these exclusive cigars sign up here, then select their “Churchill” box. (After you receive your E.P. Carrillo cigars, you can pass on future boxes you don’t want, or simply cancel.)

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: La Sirena Cigars