Stogie Guys Friday Sampler No. 464

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) Relations between Cuba and the United States continue to make incremental progress toward normalization. This week, the “Obama administration announced new Cuban regulations that allow financing of authorized exports to the island and more exceptions to the embargo,” reports the Miami Herald. “The new regulations, which went into effect Wednesday, not only allow financing of authorized exports but also expand the types of exports that will generally be approved as well as those that may be sent to the island on a case-by-case basis if Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control determines such products meet ‘the needs of the Cuban people.’” This development follows the formal restoration of diplomatic relations, including the re-establishment of embassies in Washington and Havana, and an executive order from President Obama making legal travel to Cuba easier. Obama has also called on Congress to end the trade embargo. Currently, legal visitors to Cuba are allowed to bring up to $100 worth of Cuban cigars back to the U.S.; an outright end to the embargo, however, would unquestionably herald drastic, long-lasting changes for the cigar industry, as well as present new challenges and opportunities.

2) Altadis has announced Yargüera H. Upmann, a blend named for a new hybrid tobacco seed that’s exclusive to a Honduran farm of the same name. Three sizes will be available in the $8.50 to $9.25 range, each with a Yargüera ’13 Tapado wrapper, Criollo ’98 binder, and sun-grown Yargüera ’13 and Criollo ’98 fillers. “We are thrilled to announce Yargüera H. Upmann, as the first project for this Honduran Estate Tobacco,” said Altadis in a press release. “There is such a heritage connection between both Yargüera and H. Upmann as they both originated from Cuba. Cigar enthusiasts will enjoy not only Yargüera H. Upmann, but the tobacco brand in general as this is just the start.”

3) Wild Turkey’s label has undergone a remake to show off a more mature fowl. The Wall Street Journal reports the turkey—known internally as Jacob—is “really front and center” along with the slogan “Crafted With Conviction” on new bourbon bottles. It’s all part of a push by owner Campari to increase sales. “We acquired a rather dusty brand, but we also felt that it was a real hidden gem,” says Melanie Batchelor, Campari’s vice president of global strategic marketing. On the old packaging, “our turkey is kind of in the background, more of a watermark, and he looks a little sad. He’s not proud,” Ms. Batchelor says. Also, “a lot of consumers know a lot about turkeys,” she says, adding that customer research found that the young-looking turkey conflicted with the idea that the bourbon is aged.

4) Inside the Industry: Drew Estate announced it has entered into an exclusive U.S. distribution agreement with Debonaire Cigars and Indian Tabac, both of which produce cigars in the Dominican Republic and are run by Philip S. Zanghi III. Drew Estate founder Jonathan Drew said the partnership was a natural pairing: “Phil Zanghi has been a dear personal friend of mine for two decades… Phil is old school and has been a presence in the Central American and Caribbean tobacco worlds forever.” Zanghi, who is licensing the Indian Motorcycle name from its owner, Polaris, was partners with Rocky Patel in the original Indian Tabac until he sold his share to Patel in 2002. Patel later re-branded his company as Rocky Patel.

5) Deal of the Week: Want an easy way to try some of the hottest new blends? Check out this five-cigar sampler at Smoke Inn. Included are one each of the Flor de D’Crossier Selection No. 512, Camacho American Barrel-Aged, El Güegüense by Foundation Cigar Company, Drew Estate Undercrown Shade, and Steke Saka’s Sobremesa. Use our exclusive coupon “Stogie10” to knock the price down to just $41.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr