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) As we mentioned in the latest edition of our free email newsletter yesterday, May marks the six-year anniversary of StogieGuys.com. It has been our privilege and honor to bring you daily content from the world of cigars (over 2,100 unique posts and counting). Loyal readers will recall that we launched a complete site re-design last year at this time in celebration of our fifth anniversary. We think the new layout continues to provide a cleaner look, easier access to our vast archives of articles and reviews, upgraded search capabilities, and more reader interaction. And while we’re not planning another site overhaul anytime soon, we continue to welcome your comments and feedback so we can help make the next six years even better. Feel free to contact us anytime with your comments or suggestions. And thank you for your continuing readership!

2) If you’re attending the PGA’s The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, this weekend, be sure to pick up a copy of Ponte Vedra Life magazine. The latest issue is a guide to watching the tournament, known as “the fifth major,” and it features an article by the Stogie Guys about golf and cigars.

3) Inside the Industry: Litto Gomez has officially trademarked the Chisel, protecting the cigar shape he invented for La Flor Dominicana in 2003. Ernesto Perez-Carrillo is launching a new line called “Inch” that will feature three sizes with ring gauges of 60 or higher. Miami Cigar & Co. is expanding its La Sirena series with a new blend called “Merloin” that will be offered in three sizes and sell in the $9-11 range. Alec Bradley is releasing the American Sun Grown as a bang-for-your-buck smoke that will sell for around $5.

4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Explorer explores a Padron TAA 2012. Nice Tight Ash checks out a PG Reserva Exclusiva. Stogie Review reviews a Room 101 San Andres. Cigar Brief checks out an Ortega Serie D No. 8. Cigar Coop smokes an Avo XO. Cigar Inspector inspects a Viaje Double Edged Sword.

5) Deal of the Week: This mega-sampler includes 20 cigars for just $60. Included are such cigars as a Romeo y Julieta Habana Reserve Corona, a La Aurora Preferido Cameroon, a Gran Habano Corojo #5, a Don Pepin JJ Maduro, Carlos Torano 1959, CAO Cameroon, Rocky Patel Vintage 1990, an Entubar Double Corona Natural, an Oliva Series G Churchill Cameroon, Gurkha Raider, a Gurkha Gold, Sungrown, Intensa (from Raices Cubana) and a House Resolution (by JC Newman).

–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) A recent government report found smokers in the U.S. have shifted away from cigarettes and towards cigars and pipes over the last three years. The trend follows federal tax increases on cigarettes in 2009. Even though cigar taxes have been on the rise at the state and federal levels, cigarettes are still taxed at a higher rate. “The shift [away from cigarettes] cost the federal government $615 million to $1.1 billion in uncollected tax revenue from April 2009 to September 2011,” according to USA Today. From January 2009 to September 2011, “monthly sales of large cigars more than doubled, from 411 million pounds to more than 1 billion pounds.”

2) With the recent petition drive to stop FDA regulation of premium cigars, it seemed like a good time to check in on HR1639, the legislative proposal to do the same. George Cecala in the office of U.S. Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL), the author, said they continue working on it and anticipate more cosponsors, with under 50 now needed for a majority. Typically, narrow bills like this are attached to broader measures, and that remains a possibility. Another possibility is that, in the face of massive House opposition, the FDA will drop its plan. Either way, now’s not the time to decrease pressure. If your representative or senator isn’t signed on, get in touch and urge them to support this vital legislation.

3) Inside the Industry: Aging Room is introducing two new cigars: Sumatra Cuatro (notable for an aged Indonesian binder) and Havao (Dominican). Toraño has announced a Master Blend Maduro featuring a Nicaraguan Habano wrapper.

4) Around the Blogs: Tiki Bar tries the Rodrigo La Fortaleza Elegante. Cigar Brief smokes the Swag Lavish Robusto. Cigar Explorer explores a Nat Sherman Timeless. Cigar Inspector inspects a God of Fire. Stogie Review reviews a Partagas 1845.

5) Deal of the Week: This “Two Dons Make Ten” sampler scores you 10 robustos for just $30. You get five Don Pepin Black Cuban Classics and five Don Tomás Sungrowns.

–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) In just 15 days, over 25,000 people signed an online petition asking President Obama to instruct the Food & Drug Administration not to regulate premium cigars. This is a major accomplishment. Any petition that gets 25,000 signatories in twice that time is guaranteed to receive an official response from the White House. Ultimately, since Obama was a supporter of the FDA bill as a senator and later signed the bill into law as president, it’s unlikely that he’ll come out and announce the FDA will no longer consider regulating cigars. Still, the forthcoming official response will put the president on record and draw attention to all the jobs that would be destroyed by FDA regulation. A response may even lead to more attention for the two bills in Congress that would protect handmade cigars from the FDA once and for all. Thanks to all StogieGuys.com readers who signed the petition!

2) Florida officials seized $200,000 in counterfeit Cohiba cigars on Monday in a raid that hit Miami’s Little Havana district. But these cigars were not purporting to be Cuban; instead, their bands were marked with “Rebublica Dominicana” underneath the Cohiba name. Tobacco giant General Cigar owns the Cohiba trademark in the U.S. “Protecting cigar consumers from counterfeiters and maintaining the integrity of our products is a top priority for the company…” said Dan Carr, president of General Cigar.

3) Inside the Industry: A hailstorm in Jalapa, Nicaragua, did significant damage to Padrón’s wrapper crop for their 1964 Anniversary Series. Jorge Padrón told Cigar Aficionado that 9o% of the crop was rendered unusable, but because of Padrón’s extensive tobacco inventory and aging, the impact, if any at all, won’t be felt for years.

4) Around the Blogs: Nice Tight Ash checks out a Roma Craft Intemperance EC XVIII Faith. Cigar Fan fires up a Jameson Red Label. Cigar Inspector inspects the E.P. Carrillo New Wave Connecticut Short Run 2012. Cigar Explorer explores a Tatuaje Lil’ Drac.

5) Deal of the Week: Famous Smoke Shop is offering some valuable coupon deals on its wide selection of cigars. Click here and enter coupon code “SAV15IMPRD” at checkout to save $15 on orders of $100 or more, or click here and enter coupon code “FRSHPIMPRD” to get free shipping on orders $50 or more.

–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) Oklahoma currently outlaws smoking in most indoor workplaces unless there is a separate air ventilation system. Exceptions to this regulation include bars, private clubs, and tobacco shops. But anti-tobacco zealots in the Sooner State are pressing for more restrictions on private business owners and consenting adults, pressing for a law that would enable cities within the state to pass stricter smoking laws than those already imposed by the state. A bill that would have accomplished just that passed the House but has since been killed by Senator Brian Crain, who chairs the Health and Human Services Committee. He told an Oklahoma news outlet that he’s “concerned we’re slowly taking away the rights of smokers.”

2) The spring launch of Lit Lifestyle for Women, which bills itself as “the first independent magazine whose editorial is proudly focused on the interests of the New Aficionada,” can be seen at Joomag. Features range from a spread on cigar smoking in London, a Q&A with athlete Milani Malik, and an article on the influences and style of Cuban culture.

3) The latest winner at StogieGuys.com is Scott M. from Rancho Santa Margarita, south of Los Angeles. Scott, 48, has been smoking cigars for about three years. He does most of his herfing on his backyard patio, enjoying that great Southern California weather and such favorites as the CAO La Traviata and My Father Le Bijou 1922. Scott’s email was chosen at random from among the entrants in our recent contest encouraging purchases at B&Ms. He’ll receive a five-pack of Di Fazio Picoso Torpedos. Stay tuned for our next giveaway.

4) Inside the Industry: Rocky Patel has announced the “re-release” of the Decade Limited Edition 2012. Camacho is now packaging its Corojo and Connecticut lines in handsome four-pack boxes. The Señor Solomon Cigar Company recently announced an industry first, a certified Kosher cigar, made by Kiki Berger.

5) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews the Fugitive. Cigar Explorer explores the Tatuaje Mini Mum. Cigar Brief smokes the Avo LE 2012 La Trompeta. Cigar Obsession looks at the Alec Bradley American Classic. Cigar Inspector inspects a La Aurora Sublimes.

6) Deal of the Week: This “King of the Jungle” sampler scores you 10 robustos for just $2.50 a stick. You get five La Aurora 107s and five Red Lions by Heavenly 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) Ever since June 2009 when President Obama signed the “Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act,” my colleagues and I have written ad nauseam about the severe dangers of granting the Food & Drug Administration jurisdiction over handmade cigars. We’ve also vociferously supported the “Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act of 2011,” a bill that would protect premium cigars from FDA oversight. Now Cigar Rights of America and the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association are also looking to the Executive Branch for protection, filing a petition with the White House to designate premium cigars outside the jurisdiction of the FDA. Please click here to sign this petition.

2) New York City already has a ban on smoking in city-run parks, but now the state is also moving to criminalize smoking in some outdoor areas. A bureaucracy called the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation—which operates 178 parks and 35 historic sites across the Empire State—is now calling many outdoor spaces smoke-free, supposedly to protect people from secondhand smoke.

3) Inside the Industry: Oliva is launching its 2012 Studio Tobac tour (details here). Altadis is introducing a new modern-looking “boutique” Romeo y Julieta cigar called “Romeo,” which features an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper that will be available in four thick sizes. The Pepin Family is shipping its new box-pressed Flor de los Antillas Nicaraguan puro, which is available in four sizes, selling for $6.60 to $8.70. Now is your last chance to buy tickets to the Midwest Smoke Out, held on April 19 at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews the Morro Castle. Cigar Inspector inspects a Padilla Studio Tobaco. Cigar Fan fires up an Alec Bradley American Classic. Velvet Cigar smokes a CAO La Traviata Maduro. Tiki Bar kicks back with a Sosa Classic.

5) Deal of the Week: Smoke Inn has the new Ortega Serie D in stock (we reviewed the No. 12 here). Both 5-packs and boxes of 10 are available for $5.85 to $7.10 per stick.

–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) A ban on outdoor tobacco advertising, instituted by officials in Worcester, Massachusetts, was declared unconstitutional this week by a federal judge. “In his decision, [U.S. District Judge Douglas Woodlock] said the city has no legitimate interest in prohibiting ‘non-misleading advertising’ to adults to prevent them from making decisions of which the city disapproves,” reported CSNews.com. “The judge also ruled that the city failed to show that the outdoor advertising regulations are more extensive than necessary to advance its substantial interest in preventing underage tobacco use.… Worcester City Solicitor David Moore said city officials were disappointed by the ruling, but hadn’t yet decided whether they would appeal the case.”

2) From now until the end of June, everyday cigar enthusiasts have the opportunity to help select the next new CAO blend. The “Last Stick Standing” promotion makes three-pack tins available at select cigar shops, each comprised of three different blends that have been in development (and each one named “C”, “A”, or “O”). After sampling each, CAO fans can vote here to decide which cigar will be released later this year, or in early 2013.

3) Inside the Industry: Rocky Patel is introducing a Candela version of the Edge blend in a toro size. La Aurora is launching a Salomon  (7.25 x 52, the same size that was used for the Puro Vintage 2003) to its 107 line that will begin shipping next month and will retail for around $12 and come in boxes of 8.

4) Around the Blogs: Tiki Bar kicks back with a RoMa Craft Intemperance EC XVII Faith. Cigar Brief smokes the Punch Rare Corojo and Rare Corojo Limited. Cigar Brief fires up a Room 101 San Andreas. Cigar Fan lights up a Padilla Artemis. Nice Tight Ash checks out the La Traviata Luminoso. Stogie Review reviews a Quesada Q D’Etat Molotov.

5) Deal of the Week: Famous Smoke is offering offering some valuable coupon deals on it’s wide selection of cigars. Click here and enter coupon code “SAV15IMPRD” at checkout to save $15 on orders of $100 or more, or click here and enter coupon code “FRSHPIMPRD” to get free shipping on orders $50 or more.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Google Maps

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) Since February, we’ve been covering Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley’s misguided attempt to boost state coffers by raising his state’s excise tax on cigars from 15% to 70%. There are currently bills before the state Senate and House that would bolster premium cigar taxes, and a joint committee is set to meet to reconcile the two different proposals. “Surrounding jurisdictions such as Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., already tax premium cigars less than Maryland’s current 15 percent levy,” according to the Gaithersburg Gazette. In the same article, Stephen Castro, owner of seven cigar shops in the state, said “the current legislative push…could drive shops such as his out of business.”

2) Officials in Elk Grove were considering a ban on smoking inside private apartments in the Northern California town. They have decided not to pursue the restrictive proposal, for now. “After hearing the comments, the council agreed that the apartment smoking issue seemed to be confined to [one apartment complex] and were reluctant to ban smoking outright at all complexes within the city,” reports the Sacramento Bee.

3) Inside the Industry: General Cigar is launching a new Partagas line called 1845 with an Ecuadorian Habano-seed wrapper, Connecticut binder, and rum barrel-aged filler tobaccos. Manny Ferrero, senior vice president of sales for Ashton Distributors, passed away on Tuesday. Wicked Indie is the first cigar release under the East India Trading Company, a subsidiary of the newly renamed Gurkha Cigar Group, Inc.

4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Fan fires up a Padilla Artemis. Cigar Explorer explores a Patoro Vuelta Abajo Limited. The Tiki Bar kicks back with a 262 Paradigm Lancero. Cigar Inspector inspects a Tatuaje TAA. Half Wheel smokes a Second Growth. Stogie Review reviews an Ashton ESG.

5) Deal of the Week: This weekly special features two top-notch blends for just $30. Included are five Boris 11 Connecticut Perfectos (created in partnership with Avo) and five Nestor Miranda Dominicana Piramides (made by the Garcia family).

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr