The Stogie Guys

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) Davidoff has announced a limited edition cigar called Chinese Year of the Monkey 2016. The toro (6.5 x 50) will feature a pigtail cap, a Habano Rojiza Corte 3 wrapper, a Mexican binder, and a blend of filler tobaccos from Nicaragua, Peru, and the Dominican Republic. It will be packaged in bamboo boxes of 10 (only 8,500 boxes) and be available at tobacconists starting in November for $340, or $34 per cigar. “Davidoff found its inspiration for this new 2016 Limited Edition in the character traits of the Chinese zodiac sign of the Monkey and in the noble material associated with the cultures of South and East Asia—bamboo,” said Charles Awad, senior vice president of marketing and innovation at Oettinger Davidoff AG.

2) Earlier this week the e-cigarette trade group Tobacco Vapor Electronic Cigarette Association (TVECA) caused a stir by leaking what it claimed was a draft of the FDA’s deeming rules, which includes regulations for cigars. Although the FDA refused to confirm the document’s authenticity (they didn’t deny it, either), the group claims the draft is what was submitted by the FDA to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for final approval. Notably, the document includes option 1 for regulating cigars, which means no exemption from the FDA’s pre-approval process for any cigars introduced since early 2007, a prospect industry insiders say would be devastating. If authentic, the document seems to confirm what we’ve been hearing throughout the rulemaking process, which is that the FDA wants to take a hard line against premium cigars, while the OMB has been pushing for an exemption for handmade cigars. Since the rule is now in the hands of the OMB, cigar enthusiasts can only hope OMB will continue to push back against FDA’s overreach in this step of the review process.

3) Two Guys Smoke Shop, a three-store chain in New Hampshire, has begun a cigar box drive for Cigars for Warriors, a charitable organization dedicated to providing premium cigars to active duty U.S. military members serving overseas. Two Guys Smoke Shop is collecting boxes (and matching each box up to 500) from October 30 until Thanksgiving. There is a donation box set up at each Two Guys Smoke Shop location, and you may even donate online at 2GuysCigars.com (by leaving a message in the comment box) or by calling 1-(888)-2-CIGAR-2.

4) Deal of the Week: Smoke Inn currently has a very limited number of the annual Tatuaje Halloween cigar in stock. It’s called The Hyde, a follow-up to last year’s The Jekyll. If history is any guide, you should move very quickly if you’re interested.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Davidoff

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) Inside the Industry: Fratello Cigars has announced its first limited edition offering. Called “The Boxer Series,” it’s an offshoot of the Fratello Boxer cigar, a vitola in the original Fratello line that came out last year. “We tweaked the Fratello blend, box-pressed the cigar, and people loved it,” said Fratello owner Omar de Frias of the original Boxer. The Boxer Series will only be available as a wooden five-pack that resembles a cigar mold, and only 3,000 packs will be made. Each has four new sizes—Boxeador (6 x 54), Boxero (5.5 x 50), Boxista (5 x 48), and Boxerito (4.75 x 46)—along with one original Boxer (6.25 x 52). The packs will retail for $45 and begin appearing at retailers in mid-November.

2) Even though the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only formally submitted its final rule regulating cigars and other tobacco products to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) last week, a group of eleven anti-tobacco senators are already agitating for the rule to be rushed through this final step. By statute, OMB has up to 90 days to finalize the rule, but the process can take longer if extensive discussions between agencies become necessary. Instead of letting the process take place at a normal pace, the Democratic senators sent a letter to OMB demanding the rule be implemented “as soon as possible.”

3) Trying to track down a bottle of the ever-elusive Pappy Van Winkle now that the annual release of the Van Winkle bourbons has arrived? Good luck. The folks over at Bourbonr may not be able to find you a bottle, but they’ve developed a release map in the spirit of bourbon enthusiasts trying to help each other. They also have a helpful guide on how to hunt bourbon.

4) Free Cigar Giveaway: StogieGuys.com readers who register at CigarsFor.Me this week will once again be registered to win a free five-pack of cigars. CigarsFor.Me specializes in recommending premium cigars after visitors fill out a Palate Profile. It’s fun, easy, and this week you can win free smokes. Click here. And congrats to last week’s winner: Darrylyn B. from Hickory, North Carolina.

5) Deal of the Week: Looking to stock up on lots of cigars for as low as $2.50 each? Check out these mystery grab bags. While you don’t know exactly what will be included, given this list of cigars, you can be sure you’ll be getting your money’s worth.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Fratello Cigars

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) Steve Saka has announced the “Select Purveyors” of his highly anticipated Sobremesa brand will be receiving their first shipments towards the end of the first week of November. Initially, Sobremesa—the first cigar from Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust—will be sold at about 170 tobacconists spread across about 35 states. You can see the full list of retailers at the Dunbarton website here.

2) Antillian Cigar Corporation, also known as Sosa Cigars, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with the reintroduction of the Macabi USA brand. According to a press release: “Macabi started in 1995 and was made in Miami… Macabi USA will be the ultimate boutique cigar. It is made by one cigar roller who will be making the entire production. This roller is a ‘Level 9’ roller with 10 years of experience at the famous H. Upmann Factory, and a total of 20 years of rolling experience” Production will be limited to 25,000 cigars per year. The Ecuadorian Habano-wrapped line will come in 5 sizes and be sold in the $7-8.50 range.

3) Inside the Industry: The newest CAO offering, CAO Honor, is a salute to the troops. The limited cigar, which is an offshoot of the CAO America line, not only features patriotic branding, but a portion of proceeds benefits wounded military heroes.

4) Contest: StogieGuys.com readers who register at CigarsFor.Me this week will once again be registered to win a free five-pack of cigars. CigarsFor.me specializes in recommending premium cigars after visitors fill out a Palate Profile. It’s fun, easy, and this week you can win free smokes. Click here. And congrats to last week’s winner: Randy T. from Tulsa.

5) Deal of the Week: Every year Tatuaje fans try to hunt down the elusive Tatuaje Monster Series, which is released before Halloween. Starting Monday (and running through Friday) at 6 PM Eastern, Smoke Inn will “hiding” seven boxes per day on its site. For all the important details, click here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust

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) Add the premium tobacco growers in Connecticut to the list of groups who are interested in dismantling the longstanding trade embargo with Cuba. According to a recent article, “Connecticut tobacco farmers are looking for new markets in Cuba” now that diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba have taken steps towards normalcy. “Tobacco is Connecticut’s fifth largest agriculture product by market value, at $35.7 million, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The crop is grown on 49 farms and accounts for 6.5 percent of total agricultural product sales in the state.” Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) is co-sponsor of the Freedom to Export to Cuba Act.

2) Carmel, California, is on the verge of passing one of the strictest smoking bans in the nation. “With unanimous support for the ordinance Tuesday, it would appear the ban will be approved,” reports the Monterey County Herald. “It covers all tobacco products, and includes e-cigarettes, medical marijuana, and smokeless tobacco. Smoking would only be allowed inside a residence or in a car… Smoking, should the ordinance be approved, would be considered an infraction. After three infractions, it could be charged as a misdemeanor.”

3) Contest: StogieGuys.com readers who register at CigarsFor.Me this week will be registered to win a free five-pack of cigars. CigarsFor.me specializes in recommending premium cigars after users fill out a Palate Profile. It’s fun, easy, and this week you can win free smokes. Click here.

4) Deal of the Week: Smoke Inn just got the highly anticipated El Güegüense (pronounced “el-way-wen-say”) by Nick Melillo’s Foundation Cigar Company in stock. You can use coupon code “stogie10” to knock ten percent off the price.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

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) U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI, pictured) this week introduced legislation to raise the national minimum tobacco purchase age to 21. His bill has nine cosponsors, all of whom are Democrats: Dick Durbin (IL), Sherrod Brown (OH), Ed Markey (MA), Barbara Boxer (CA), Jack Reed (RI), Elizabeth Warren (MA), Mazie Hirono (HI), Richard Blumenthal (CT), and Sheldon Whitehouse (RI). A companion bill is being introduced in the House. “We know that the earlier smokers begin their unhealthy addiction to nicotine, the more likely they are to suffer from tobacco-related diseases or die,” wrote Senator Schatz on his website. “This year, Hawaii became the first state in the nation to raise the minimum smoking age to 21. It was an historic public health achievement that we should adopt nationwide. By raising the minimum tobacco age of sale to 21 across the country, we can cut the number of new smokers each year; build a healthier, tobacco-free America; and save lives.” The current national minimum age to buy tobacco is 18, though Hawaii and several counties have already raised the age to 21.

2) Carlos Fuente Sr. is commemorating his 80th birthday by releasing his private blend, the Don Carlos Personal Reserve, which is expected to be available later this year. A Robusto (5 x 50), the cigar will retail for $14 and feature a Cameroon wrapper around Dominican tobaccos. Arturo Fuente is also introducing the Eye of the Shark (5.75 x 52, $12) but has not yet made public that cigar’s makeup.

3) Cigar Giveaway: Congrats to the five winners of our recent cigar giveaway. Darrylyn B. of Hickory, North Carolina; Jarrod L. of St. Augustine, Florida; Mark V. of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Tim M. of Buffalo, New York; and Chase A. of Saginaw, Texas. Each will be receiving a five-pack of cigars courtesy of Acme Cigars.

4) Deal of the Week: My Father fans should check out this deal from Cigar Place. Just $50 lands you six cigars—two each of the original My Father blend, My Father Le Bijou, and My Father Connecticut, all in a belicoso size—plus a lighter, cutter, and My Father Cigars ashtray in your choice of blue or red.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: MauiNow.com

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) On Tuesday, J. Glynn Loope of Cigar Rights of America issued an open letter to the presidential candidates. “Twenty-nine—that’s the magic number. That’s the number of electoral votes represented by Florida, and the path to twenty-nine is with the approximate 11,939,889 registered voters in the Sunshine State,” the letter reads. “Our message is simple. In light of the planned effort by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration to regulate cigars, you need to be talking to our industry—the premium cigar industry. We are Florida… and a few other places you need, as well.” Loope goes on to point out how FDA regulation would damage other states, including Connecticut (where some of the most prized tobacco is grown), Pennsylvania (the nation’s cigar distributor), and Nevada and Louisiana (where the annual cigar trade shows are typically held). “We’ve never had to reach out like this to candidates like you,” the letter continues. “Then again, we’ve never been threatened like this… Not a candidate or victor has ever advanced laws or regulations upon this industry, as in this moment in history. But make no mistake. We will educate, and we will listen. Then, we will vote.” You can read the letter in its entirety here.

2) Residents of Casper will soon vote on whether to allow smoking in the Wyoming city’s bars. “The council moved last week to repeal the ban on smoking in bars, which only went back into effect earlier this month,” reports the San Francisco Gate. “The council was forced by state law to suspend the amendment allowing smoking in bars despite the city’s ban on smoking in other establishments after city officials verified signatures on a petition that would have sent bar smoking to a public vote. Those signatures had originally been thrown out in 2013.” Casper is the second-largest city in Wyoming.

3) Inside the Industry: Cuba doesn’t produce many maduro cigars, so it is notable that the first Cuban Partagas maduro, the “Maduro No. 1,” is now arriving in cigar shops worldwide (except, of course, in the United States). Nicholas Melillo’s Foundation Cigar Company is now shipping its highly anticipated debut cigar, El Güegüense. Nate McIntyre, who works in sales for Cubanacan Cigars, has announced he will be launching his own brand called Percy Ray Cigars, which will be an annual limited edition manufactured at Cubanacan.

4) Deal of the Week: Cigar Place is offering an additional 40% off its already discounted clearance section by using the promo code “clearance.” Use it to score a five-pack of Quesada Oktoberfest 2013 Das Boot for just $18, or the CAO OSA Sol Lot 54 for just $12.50.

5) FREE CIGAR GIVEAWAY: Last call for our giveaway of multiple five-packs of Acme Cigars. To enter, all you have to do is follow @akajaylundy on Instagram and post a comment here to say you’ve done so. We’ll be selecting the winners in the next few days, so enter right away!

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Cigar Rights of America

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) Despite a two-year-old campus-wide smoking ban, smoking is still taking place at the University of Miami and the ban is “unenforced” and “unemphasized,” according to the student paper. Enforcement is supposed to take place as follows: “The Dean of Students Office said that any faculty member can inform them of an infraction, and students instructed by a faculty member to report to the office must adhere. These students then meet with Muhammad Asad, the director of the campus’s quit smoking program, and a ‘certified tobacco treatment specialist,’ according to the university website. Sanctioned students must complete the entire program with Asad.”

2) This year’s Ybor City Cigar Festival in Tampa will be held Nov. 7. The event, which has no admission charge, features numerous vendors selling cigars, beer, food, and more. Sponsors expect 10,000-15,000 visitors. For a look at last year’s festivities, check here.

3) Inside the Industry: Six exclusive cigar sizes have been announced for the Drew Estate Lounge at Corona Cigar Co.’s Sand Lake, Florida, location. The sizes are all presented in a toro format (6 x 50), with half featuring a soft-press and half a box-press. The blends include Undercrown, Liga Privada No. 9, Herrera Estelí, Natural, Tabak Especial Dulce, and Tabak Especial Negra. “The introduction of the world’s first Drew Estate Lounge has been a rousing success at Corona Cigar,” said Corona Cigar owner Jeff Borysiewicz. “We have a large contingent of diehard Drew Estate fans among our customer base and the addition of the new Drew Estate Lounge has caused quite a bit of excitement around the shop. These exciting new offerings from Drew Estate will add another dimension to the cigar smoking experience in Corona’s Drew Estate Lounge and guaranteed to excite our customers.”

4) FREE CIGAR GIVEAWAY: In case you missed it, we are giving away several five-packs of Acme Cigars. To enter, all you have to do is follow @akajaylundy on Instagram and post a comment here to say that you’ve done so. We’ll pick the winners at random in a week.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Wikipedia