The Stogie Guys

All of us at StogieGuys.com would like to wish you a very happy Fourth of July. America’s 236th birthday is a wonderful occasion to spend time with friends and family. So we’ve decided to take our own advice and barbecue, see some fireworks, and smoke more than our share of celebratory cigars. We’ll return to our coverage of the world of cigars tomorrow. Until then, have a safe, relaxing holiday.

–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) Anti-tobacco lawmakers and groups have been trying to pass a comprehensive statewide smoking ban in Indiana since 2007. In March, Governor Mitch Daniels finally signed a ban into law that criminalizes smoking in most workplaces in the Hoosier State, and that law goes into effect on Sunday. But it’s safe to say the anti-smoking zealots are less than satisfied since the law provides exemptions for bars, cigar shops, private clubs, and gaming facilities. They’d prefer smoking to be banned outright. So keep an eye on Indiana, as the new law expressly allows local governments to enact more stringent smoking regulations.

2) On the heels of the defeat of Prop. 29, more good news out of California. A bill that would have criminalized smoking in cigar shops and private clubs that are licensed to sell alcohol has died in committee. “Working with our state lobbyist, key area IPCPR retailers, and the Cigar Association of America, we worked with and educated the committee chair and leadership on this issue,” reads a press release issued by the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association. “The chair of the committee will not bring this bill back up for further consideration.”

3) Inside the Industry: La Aurora is producing another 20,000 cigars in the 100 Años blend in three sizes. Cigar Aficionado has announced its 17th Big Smoke Las Vegas will be held November 9-11 at the Mirage. Oliva’s newest line, the Serie V Melanio, will be the most expensive Oliva yet at $8 to $14 per cigar, and it will hit U.S. tobacconists in September.

4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Fan fires up an Oliva Serie V Lancero. Stogie Review reviews the Inferno by Oliva. Cigar Inspector inspects a Montecristo No. 4. Cigar Brief smokes the Perdomo 10th Anniversary Champagne Noir. Nice Tight Ash checks out the Arturo Fuente Solaris Microblend.

5) Deal of the Week: Here’s a rare Tatuaje blend that Tat fans should grab up before it (inevitably) sells out. The limited edition cigar features a dark San Andreas wrapper and sells for for $108 for a 15-cigar bundle, or $40 for a 5-pack.

–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) Though many believe California’s Prop. 29, the misguided proposal to dramatically raise tobacco taxes in the Golden State, was defeated at the polls June 5, victory is far from certain. In fact, the margin is now a razor-thin 15,852 votes—less than a half of a percentage point—out of almost 5 million counted at the time of this writing. Election officials aren’t likely to finish completely checking provisional and mail-in votes for a week or two. About 280,000 ballots remain uncounted, with three counties comprising nearly 65% of the uncounted ballots: Los Angeles (131,177), Fresno (24,500), and Sonoma (23,350). On election night, LA was split almost evenly, Fresno was about 60-40 against, and Sonoma the reverse. If the yet-to-be-counted ballots in those three counties break that way again it would likely be enough to ensure Prop. 29’s defeat. But it’s almost certain to be tight right to the end, and a recount is nearly assured.

2) This week, a widely circulated Associated Press article appeared in top newspapers across the country entitled “Cigar lovers to FDA: A cigar isn’t just a cigar.” As its title suggests, the piece outlines the industry efforts to protect premium handmade cigars from disastrous FDA regulations. Bill Spann, CEO of the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association, was quoted heavily. “If you’re going to focus your efforts on regulating tobacco products to meet the spirit and intent of the Tobacco Control Act, where is best to spend those scarce resources—on a tenth of a percent of the market or on a huge chunk of the market?” he asked. “You don’t have a middle-schooler or high-schooler standing on the corner with a $15 Davidoff sticking out of their mouth.”

3) Inside the Industry: In addition to Christian Eiroa’s own brand, CLE Cigars, his Tabacaleras Unidas factory will also be producing Asylum Cigars. Asylum will be launching with three blends, due out in cigar shops soon: Asylum (a medium-bodied Nicaraguan puro), Asylum 13 (a full-bodied smoke), and Schizo (a mixed-filler bundle smoke). Meanwhile, Eiroa’s former brand, Camacho, has launched a new website that the brand is calling “the most dynamic and fully integrated brand website our industry has ever seen.”

4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Explorer explores an E.P. Carrillo Short Run No. 4. Nice Tight Ash checks out the Partagas 1845 Corona Extra. Stogie Review reviews a Romeo by Romeo y Julieta. Cigar Inspector inspects an H. Upmann Magnum 48 2009 EL.

5) Deal of the Week: Certain cigars are rarely if ever discounted. But by using some of the coupons on this page you can get 15% off any purchase over $150, including on brands like Illusione, Tatuaje, Viaje, and La Flor Dominicana. (Hurry, the discount expires in 2 days.)

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Defeat Prop. 29

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) S. 1461, the U.S. Senate bill that would protect premium cigars from disastrous FDA regulations, is now up to 12 cosponsors as Kelly Ayotte (R-NH, pictured) signed on this week. Meanwhile, H.R. 1639, the sister bill to S. 1461 in the House of Representatives, now has 203 cosponsors, according to the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR). Fifteen more cosponsors would result in a majority in the House. It bears repeating that FDA regulation of premium cigars would be devastating, particularly to boutique brands and new blends. If your Representative or Senators have not yet cosponsored their respective bills, please contact them and urge them to do so. And thank you for your continued vigilance.

2) The Michigan Senate recently approved a bill that would install a 50-cent tax cap on cigars. Currently, Michigan taxes cigars at 32% of the wholesale price. The IPCPR expects the State House to consider this bill when lawmakers return from their summer recess.

3) Inside the Industry: The IPCPR Trade Show is less than two months away, and the show floor plan is online (pdf). Notable is that Cigar Rights of America’s (CRA) booth is right in the front by the IPCPR’s own booth for its political action committee. This is a big difference from last year when, either intentionally or unintentionally, the CRA booth was way in the back, and it’s a good sign of cooperation between two important groups that work to safeguard the rights of cigar smokers.

4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Fan fires up a La Tradicion Cubana Chulo. Cigar Explorer explores the EloGio Serie Habano. Stogie Review reviews an Ortega Serie D Natural. Cigar Brief smokes the Chateau Real. Cigar Inspector inspects a Hoyo de Monterrey Short Hoyo Pyramides LE 2011.

5) Deal of the Week: Having trouble finding the new Tatuaje Little Monsters sampler? Corona Cigar has them available for pre-order with the cigars due to be shipped out later this month. While you’re there, check out the new CRA Sampler featuring ten exclusive cigars from some of the most sought-after lines (and you also get a one-year membership in CRA).

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Wikipedia

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) Most media outlets are still calling the vote too close to call, but California’s Prop. 29—a dangerous proposal that would increase already-high cigar taxes in the Golden State by a whopping 73%—appears to be headed towards defeat. “The measure was losing by just under 53,000 votes as updated tallies continued to trickle in from county elections offices,” reported the Los Angeles Times last evening. “A spokeswoman for the opposing campaign, Beth Miller, said her side does not anticipate ‘a big vote swing one way or another. But obviously we are watching it closely.’” Thanks again to everyone who voted “no” and to those who encouraged their friends and family in California to do the same.

2) H.R. 1639, the U.S. House bill that would protect premium cigars from disastrous FDA regulations, is now just 20 votes shy of a majority as Donald Manzullo (R-IL) signed on. And as if anyone needed more proof that cigars are the Great Equalizer, consider two of the latest cosponsors: C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, a Baltimore-area Democrat, and Louie Gohmert, a Republican from east Texas. You’d be hard-pressed to find two more divergent members of Congress. Ranked on ideology, Gohmert scored a 10 from Americans for Democratic Action and a 100 from the American Conservative Union, while Ruppersberger got a 90 from the ADA and a 4 from the ACU, according to The Hill.

3) Inside the Industry: In the company’s 35th year, Dona Flor Cigars has announced a re-introduction to the American market. Longtime readers will recall that StogieGuys.com was a fan of Dona Flor back in 2006, with several of the company’s blends earning high praise in reviews. Since then, legal issues have prevented the Brazilian brand from competing in the U.S. But now, Chris Edge—a Denver-based cigar enthusiast and businessman—will be bringing Dona Flor back to North America. Expect the company to generate some buzz at this summer’s industry trade show in Orlando.

4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Explorer explores the Arturo Fuente Solaris. Cigar Fan fires up an Alec Bradley Black Market. Cigar Brief smokes the Rocky Patel Edge Candela. Nice Tight Ash checks out the Alec Bradley American Classic Blend. Stogie Review reviews the El Primer Mundo La Hermandad.

5) Deal of the Week: This “Big Brand Bonanza” sampler includes 10 quality smokes for just $35 (or double up and get 20 cigars for $60). Highlights include such blends as Liga Privada Undercrown, Gurkha Ninja, Montecristo Platinum, La Aurora Preferido, Romeo y Julieta, Casa Fernandez Miami, Toraño Virtuoso, and Art Deco by Nestor Miranda.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

Ever since we got back ,we’ve been sharing videos and photos from our recent trip to Estelí, Nicaragua, with Drew Estate’s Cigar Safari. Today we wrap up our coverage of that awesome adventure with what we think is the most interesting video yet.

In the following footage, Jonathan Drew of Drew Estate talks about the challenges of building his brand and maintaining consistency. A big part of those challenges was a sabotage of his factory in 2002 at the hands of one of his former employees—an employee who was paid off by another cigar maker who didn’t want Drew Estate to succeed.

We’ll resume our normal coverage of the world of cigars tomorrow. Meanwhile, if you haven’t already seen them, you can check out photos from our trip here. And for videos, please see Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4.

Finally, we’d like to once again thank everyone at Drew Estate for an unforgettable time.

–The Stogie Guys

video credit: Stogie Guys

Today we are sharing the sixth and seventh installments in our series of videos from our recent trip to Estelí, Nicaragua, with Drew Estate’s Cigar Safari.

In today’s first video, Steve Saka, president of Drew Estate, discusses how tobacco is prepped before it is actually made into a cigar. First, from one of Drew Estate’s tobacco storage and processing facilities, he discusses Drew Estate’s philosophy on fermenting wrapper, with the goals being taste and flavor. Then, at the Drew Estate factory, he shows how tobacco is prepared immediately before it is rolled into cigars.

In today’s second video, Steve Saka takes us onto the factory floor. There, he talks about how Drew Estate chooses to have buncheros make cigars before finally bringing us into the special humidified room where Liga Privada cigars are rolled.

We’ll resume the video coverage of our Nicaraguan adventure tomorrow. Meanwhile, you can check out our previously published coverage of the trip at your convenience. Photos are here. And for videos, please see Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.

–The Stogie Guys

video credit: Stogie Guys