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) Michael Jordan is set to move into his new 28,000-square-foot, $12.4 million home, which sits on 3 acres along Jack Nicklaus’ Bear Club, an exclusive golf course in Florida. A longtime cigar fan, the former NBA superstar and current majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats took his passion for the leaf into account when building his palace. According to TMZ, Jordan will have “a giant state-of-the-art home theater…outfitted with special equipment made to handle mass amounts of cigar smoke.” His property will also boast a pool house, a guest house, and a two-story guard house. Jordan previously had a $29 million home outside Chicago.

2) If you’ve ever been in the market for a humidor, you’ve surely noticed humidor retailers including estimated cigar capacities (60-count, 150-count, etc.) along with their product specs. And you’ve probably also come to learn that such estimates are typically inflated. To address this issue, the folks at HumidorDiscount.com have created a nifty humidor calculator that tells you how many cigars (you pick the brand/size) will fit in a humidor, given its dimensions. The calculator will even tell you if the cigars should be arranged vertically or horizontally.

3) Washington has had a smoking ban in place for years. But in light of the state’s recent legalization of marijuana, one bar owner in Olympia is telling patrons they can smoke—as long as they’re not smoking tobacco. He “appears to be the first restaurant or bar owner in the state to test the recently expanded limits on recreational marijuana use,” according to CNBC. “Federal, state, and local officials appear unsure” if he is breaking the law.

4) Inside the Industry: CAO is reportedly releasing a “Left Coast” regional cigar (although the “left coast” region apparently includes pretty much everything west of the Mississippi river). The unusual cigar (6.75 x 72) will be trapezoidal-shaped and come in boxes of 14.

5) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews the Crowned Heads Four Kicks Mule Kick. Nice Tight Ash checks out the Dona Flor CC Bahia Blend. Casa Fumando smokes the Crémo Classic Maduro. A Cigar Smoker lights up the Rocky Patel 50th Anniversary.

6) Deal of the Week: A few people noticed that when Corona Cigar launched their new website, the link to the Corona Stogie Guys Sampler was broken. Now it’s fixed. And it’s still a great deal, with 7 cigars for just $29.95, including limited Davidoff and Avo cigars.

–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) Yesterday, North Dakota’s draconian smoking ban took effect—the same one that passed via ballot referendum and includes no exemption for cigar shops. We most recently wrote about this egregious powergrab from the perspective of Todd Pryor, owner of the Great Plains Smoke Shop in Minot. But now another impacted businessman is grabbing headlines: Dana Coulter, proprietor JT Cigarro and Skky Bar in Fargo. “Coulter said he runs an owner-operator business out of a separate room in the JT Cigarro building, and he is the only employee,” according to the Grand Forks Herlad. “He plans on letting customers smoke inside that room” to take advantage of what he perceives as a loophole in the law. Enforcement of the regulation is expected to be “complaint-driven,” so it isn’t clear if Coulter’s move will be challenged by the state.

2) Drew Estate has just launched a sharp new monthly newsletter to keep its fans updated on what’s happening at the popular cigar maker. One of the industry’s savviest users of new media, Drew Estate’s publication incorporates video, photos, and a monthly giveaway of a box of cigars. To sign up, simply visit DrewEstate.com.

3) Still time to enter to win a free Punch tailgating six-pack. Every day through December 28th, Punch is giving one prize pack away, including six cigars, a cutter, and a bottle opener.

4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Fan fires up a Flor de Las Antillas. Stogie Review reviews a Diesel Grind. Stogie Fresh rates the La Aurora Guillermo León Family Reserve. Tiki Bar kicks back with the Montecristo Epic.

5) Deal of the Week: Corona Cigar has launched a new website. While you’re there, check out their “12 Days of Deals” specials, for a new deal every day.

–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) Davidoff is celebrating 2013 being the year of the snake with a Davidoff 2013 “Year Of The Snake” Edition. The Churchill (7 x 48) features an Ecuador “701” wrapper around a San Vicente Seco binder and a combination of Piloto Seco, San Vicente Ligero, Piloto Viso, and hybrid 192 Seco/Yamasá filler. The cigar sells for $29.90 or $240 for a box of 8. Only 4,500 boxes are being produced.

2) Once again, Tampa’s cigar history comes alive with a festival celebrating the city’s rich heritage. Cigar makers, retailers, and food and drink vendors will be among those on hand for the Tampa Cigar Festival tomorrow at Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park downtown. It lasts from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a $5 admission fee. Part of the proceeds go to Southeastern Guide Dogs.

3) Inside the Industry: This year Nicaragua is expected to supplant the Dominican Republic as the top exporter of premium cigars to the U.S. despite lagging far behind the Dominican and Honduras only a decade ago. Habanos SA has named Walfrido Hernandez Mesa a co-president to serve alongside Buenaventura Jiménez Sanchez-Cañete.

4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Fan fires up an Ashton ESG 22 Year Salute. Stogie Review reviews La Musa by Emilio. Nice Tight Ash checks out a La Zona Espinosa. Tiki Bar kicks back with an Oliva Serie V Melanio. Cigar Inspector inspects a Fuente 8-5-8 Rosado.

5) Deal of the Week: Emerson’s Cigars is featuring a “Deal of the Year” with 20 cigars and a humidor for $99. Included are four each of the Vega Fina Fortaleza Toro, Trinidad Paradox Toro, Vega Fina Toro, Montecristo Platinum Toro, Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Toro, and Montecristo Platinum humidor.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Davidoff

With football on the TV, turkey in your stomach, and family gathered, Thanksgiving is a great day to enjoy a fine cigar (or several). So, as we have for the previous five years, today the StogieGuys.com team tells you what cigars we’ll be firing up after our big meals.

Patrick A: One cigar I’ve been enjoying lately is the Emilio Cigars Series H Maduro Robusto. Its profile of dark coffee, creamy nut, and cocoa will pair well a little bourbon outside on what should be an unseasonably warm day in Chicago. And since the cigar only costs $7, I won’t mind handing it out to interested family members for a post-meal celebration. I won’t feel guilty, either, since it’s a fantastic smoke.

Patrick S: It may be Thanksgiving, but my choice is equally inspired by Halloween: the Tatuaje Mummy (Halloween 2012). I picked up a 10-count box of these without trying one first, and I’m glad I did. The large Churchill (7.75 x 47) with a closed foot utilizes a Nicaraguan sun-grown criollo wrapper around Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. The result is a nuanced, medium- to full-bodied cigar with coffee, cedar, cream, and just a bit of clove and pepper spice. With a cup of coffee and maybe some bourbon, it seems like the perfect way to digest a heavy turkey dinner.

George E: I didn’t really have to think twice about what I’ll light up on Thanksgiving. I haven’t had an Aging Room F55 for several weeks, and I’m looking forward to what I’ve found to be a truly great cigar. As a vegetarian, I won’t be full of turkey and ham, but I’m sure I’ll be plenty full nonetheless. The Concerto (7 x 50), with its bold flavors and nice burn, will go perfectly with an after-dinner cut of coffee and easily last for the first half of the Patriots-Jets game.

Previous cigars the StogieGuys.com team designated as Thanksgiving smokes include:

Not a bad list, eh? If you’re so inclined, feel free to let us know what you’ll be smoking tomorrow in the comments below. And be sure to have a safe and joyous Thanksgiving.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: N/A

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) The 14th annual Ybor City Heritage & Cigar Festival takes place tomorrow from 10am to 5pm in the historic Ybor City neighborhood of Tampa. The event will include craft beer, food, cigar rolling, and representatives from such cigar companies as Arturo Fuente, J.C. Newman, San Lotano, Rocky Patel, and Alec Bradley. Tickets are $5 in advance and $10 at the gate with proceeds benefiting the Ybor City Museum Society. If you’re within driving distance and looking for something fun to do tomorrow, we’d highly recommend it. The Stogie Guys team has enjoyed visiting Ybor City in the past, and this is a great opportunity to take in the best the neighborhood has to offer.

2) In other cigar event news, tickets are now on sale for the 2012 Big Smoke in New York City, which will be hosted by Cigar Aficionado on Thursday, November 29 at Pier 92. The $240 ticket price includes drinks, food, and cigars from some of the biggest names in the industry, including Padrón, General Cigar, Arturo Fuente, Oliva, and Rocky Patel.

3) Inside the Industry: Best Cigar Prices is releasing a new house blend called 2012 Limited that features a Habano Jalapa wrapper and is made by Alec Bradley. Archie Mishkin, former president of the Bayuk Cigar Co., passed away on October 30 at the age of 94. The details aren’t clear, but proceeds go to a good cause so check out this charitable giveaway.

4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Brief smokes the Inch by E.P. Carrillo. Cigar Fan fires up a T.L. Johnson Tempio Extreme Box Press. Nice Tight Ash checks out a Montana Azul. Stogie Review reviews an Alec Bradley Fine and Rare 2012. Cigar Inspector inspects a Cohiba Siglo VI Reserve. Tiki Bar kicks back with an Avo 25th.

5) Deal of the Week: Stuffing vs. dressing may be the debate for Thanksgiving dinner, but when it comes to cigars humidor stuffing is a no-brainer. This Humidor Stuffing Sampler features 10 cigars for $30 including CAO Cameroon, Don Pepin JJ Maduro, CAO Gold, and Perdomo Lot 23.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: cltampa.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) Tuesday’s outcome at the polls had decidedly mixed results for the plan to bar the Food & Drug Administration from regulating premium cigars. First, the good news. The sponsors, both Floridians, were reelected: Sen. Bill Nelson (D) and Rep. Bill Posey (R). And only one Senate cosponsor was lost: Nebraska’s Ben Nelson retired. But that’s tempered by the fact that, even with him, the bill had only 14 supporters. In the House of Representatives, where cosponsors constituted more than a majority, the hit was far more substantial. What this likely means is a long fight ahead. Consider that only a tiny fraction of bills introduced in the House get enacted, and that Congress faces large, contentious issues. So it’s hard to not be discouraged about the prospects for targeted legislation like protecting premium cigars, even with strong bipartisan support.

2) This week an appellate court upheld a St. Louis suburb’s outdoor smoking ban. A citizen of Clayton, Missouri, had “asked the federal courts to recognize smoking as a fundamental right and argued that any law restricting tobacco use deserves the utmost scrutiny from judges,” according to the Wall Street Journal. But the court decided it “need not determine whether outdoor secondhand smoke exposure actually causes harm. Because the City reasonably could believe this to be true, the Ordinance survives.”

3) Inside the Industry: Over two years ago we exclusively reported the introduction of the Tatuaje Anarchy, a Tatuaje cigar made only for the Smoke Inn stores in the Palm Beach area. Now, Smoke Inn and Tatuaje are following up that release with the Tatuaje Apocalypse. While Anarchy featured an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, the Apocalypse features a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper. Pre-orders begin Thanksgiving Day and the cigar, which retails for $8.95 or $134.25 for a box of 15, will officially be released on December 14th.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews a Rocky Patel Burn. Cigar Fan fires up a T.L. Johnson Tempio Extreme Box Press. Cigar Brief checks out the J. Fuego Edición de Familia. Cigar Inspector inspects a Joya de Nicaragua Antaño. A Cigar Smoker smokes the Alec Bradley Fine and Rare 2012.

5) Deal of the Week: You may only have hours to grab this “Kitchen Sink Sampler” with 50 cigars for just $90. Highlights including CAO Gold, Griffin Maduro, San Cristobal Maestro, Cabaiguan Guapos Maduro, Avo Signature, CAO LX2, Casa Miranda, Tatuaje Hav VI Artistas, and Zino Platinum.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: FDA

Tomorrow, millions of Americans will head to the polls to decide which politicians will make the laws that, for better or worse, we will live under in the coming years. While there are many reasons to vote and many issues to consider, we hope you’ll keep your cigar rights in mind when you decide who to support.

Unfortunately, enjoying a cigar is under attack from legislation and regulation at all levels of government. Who is elected tomorrow could well make the difference when it comes to which cigars we enjoy, and where we are free to enjoy them in the future.

When it comes to presidential candidates, the stances of the major candidates on cigars comes down to a known and an unknown. One of President Obama’s first acts in office was signing into law the largest tax increase on cigars in American history. Not long later he signed into law the bill to regulate tobacco under the FDA, which includes authorization for the FDA to regulate cigars without any further act from Congress, a bill which could in the long run be far more damaging to the cigar industry and the choices cigar smokers have. When cigar smokers petitioned the White House for an official answer about its plans to regulate cigars under the FDA, their calls were answered with a deafening silence.

Obama’s Republican opponent, Mitt Romney, doesn’t have much of a record on theses issues. But considering Obama’s positions and that Romney has been attacked for his criticisms of SCHIP (the tax hike on cigars that Obama signed into law), it’s hard to think he could be much worse. If you’re having trouble pulling the lever for either major party candidate, you also might consider Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson, former Governor of New Mexico, whose philosophical beliefs make him the most likely to keep government’s hands off cigars, even if he has zero chance of getting elected.

But while most of the attention is likely to be paid to the top of the ticket, the races further down the ticket are more likely to have an impact on cigar rights in the years to come. After all, it is Congress that makes the laws, and only Congress has the power to fully repeal the FDA’s authority to regulate cigars.

When it comes to House and Senate races, Cigar Rights of America has a voter guide that every cigar smoker should take a look at before heading to the polls. In a few races, like the Florida and Nevada Senate races, both candidates are co-sponsors of the bill to stop the FDA from regulating (and devastating) the cigar industry. In most races, only one candidate is on record in favor of cigar rights. (In a few races, like Arizona Senate candidate Jeff Flake vs. former Surgeon General Richard Carmona, CRA has gone out of its way to endorse the pro-cigar candidate. In that race, it’s Flake.)

When it comes to local and state races, you’ll need to do your own investigations. But please take the time to do so, since when it comes to smoking bans and state tax rates, these local races make all the difference. And, of course, know if there are referendums on your ballot that would increase taxes or smoking bans.

Ultimately, we’re not going to tell you how to vote because we think you’re smart enough to make that decision for yourself. Just remember that the decisions you make in the voting booth have consequences, and the future of cigar rights (smoking bans, taxes, and anti-cigar regulations) could depend on who is elected tomorrow.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: N/A