Stogie Guys Free Newsletter

Subscribe today for a chance to win great cigar prizes:


Presented by:

Stogie Guys Friday Sampler No. 509

16 Dec 2016

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.

FDA-cigars-large

1) On Wednesday, the FDA issued the third edition of its Substantial Equivalence FAQ Guidance document. This new edition has been revised to reflect the decision that a modification to an existing product’s label does not result in a new tobacco product. As you may recall, back in August, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ruled a tobacco product shouldn’t be considered new—and therefore re-subject to FDA approval—simply because its label changes. “The ruling comes in a lawsuit filed last year by subsidiaries of Imperial Brands, Reynolds American Inc., and Altria Group over FDA guidelines clarifying what changes to a tobacco product require regulatory approval under the 2009 Tobacco Control Act, which gave the FDA authority to regulate tobacco products,” reported Reuters. The lawsuit specifically challenged how the Tobacco Control Act was being applied to cigarettes, but has significant implications for how the agency can apply its rules to cigars.

2) Cigar Aficionado has named the La Flor Dominicana Andalusian Bull its number one cigar of 2016. “First impressions are bold and savory with strong notes of hickory and leather,” according to the magazine. “But it continues to take on a complex spiciness of saffron and cumin as well as a slight tangy note that brings the strength and spice together quite gracefully—and it only gets better with every puff.” Rocky Patel, Partagas Serie E No. 2 (Cuban), E.P. Carrillo, Padrón, Arturo Fuente, Drew Estate, Oliva, Hoyo de Monterrrey Epicure No. 2 (Cuban), and Punch also grabbed spots in the top ten. Love it or hate it, there’s no denying this annual best-of list has a measurable industry impact.

3) The International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) announced this week it will launch a local reporting initiative in 2017. “One of the greatest challenges facing the premium tobacco industry is the proliferation of local laws and regulations in nearly 40,000 local governments across the United States,” said the IPCPR in an email. The organization is expected to “begin providing increased local reporting to our members in collaboration with the National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO) effective January 1, 2017. IPCPR looks forward to expanding legislative reporting to better serve and protect our members in the new year.”

4) Inside the Industry: In response to our Wednesday review of the Umbagog Toro Toro, and subsequent questions from consumers about Umbagog’s availability, Steve Saka announced the following on Facebook: “Umbagog will become more widely available in the very near future. First will be a small batch of Umbagog ‘Misfits.’ These are identical cigars, but due to a bonehead mistake on my part they were shipped to the U.S. without bundle labels and maybe bands… The next batch will be available in early February. Same ugly cigars, but with the correct rings and labels… These are very tasty Broadleaf cigars for $6 to $8 each. The ‘Misfits’ should be priced about $1 lower across the board.”

5) From the Archives: When you’ve been exploring and writing about cigars as long as we have (StogieGuys.com has been publishing for over a decade), not a lot of topics have gone untouched. Case in point: Stogie Guys Cigar University is a curated reference that provides easy access to coverage ranging from how to select a cigar to building a humidor.

6) Deal of the Week: Need a last-minute holiday gift? We recommend Bespoke Post, a monthly collection of awesome items delivered to your door for just $45. Past boxes include fine bar accessories, shaving kits, coffee, and more. You can skip or purchase every month. Currently available is “Churchill,” a box featuring four E.P. Carrillo cigars (including one exclusive blend), a reclaimed wood ashtray that doubles as a candle holder, a smoke-eating candle, cedar spills for lighting your cigar, and a cutter. Click here to sign up today.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Comments are closed.