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) On June 5, Californians will vote on Prop. 29, a measure that would increase already-high state cigar taxes by 73%. California Citizens Against Wasteful Taxes issued a press release on Tuesday citing that “the estimated $735 million raised annually by these tax increases will be spent on cancer research, but spending decisions will be made by a bureaucratic committee that will not be accountable to voters or to the state legislature.” The International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) is “committing significant financial resources” to help defeat the proposition, and Cigar Rights of America is also said to be involved.

2) In last month’s “Question of the Month,” we asked readers, “Which cigar-producing country would you like to visit most?” Cuba topped the poll with 58% of the vote, followed by Nicaragua (22%), the Dominican Republic (15%), and Honduras (5%). Be sure to weigh in on this month’s question by voting in the sidebar to the right. And feel free to contact us if you’ve got suggestion for a future poll.

3) Inside the Industry: Javier Plantada, a longtime industry veteran who worked with Altadis/Imperial Tobacco Group, has been appointed the first senior vice president of global production of the Oettinger Davidoff Group. Toraño Family Cigar Co. teamed up with the Charley Foundation earlier this month to help the Nashville-based non-profit raise funds to provide support to charitable agencies addressing the critical needs of children. Urbano is introducing handmade mixed-filler bundle cigars that will sell for less than $1.50 apiece. Carnero, J.M. Tobacco’s first premium cigar, is now available in a Cameroon wrapper.

4) Around the Blogs: Tiki Bar reviews the Emilio Series H Maduro. Cigar Explorer explores La Dueña by My Father Cigars. Cigar Fan fires up a Gurka Cellar Reserve Prisoner. Nice Tight Ash lights up a Puros Indios Siembra de Oro Short Maduro in honor of Don Rolando. Cigar Inspector inspects a Hoyo de Monterrey Short Robusto. Stogie Review reviews an Emilio AF Suave.

5) Deal of the Week: Cain and Nub fans will want to check out this sampler. $30 gets you eight cigars: one each of the four main Nub blends (Cameroon, Habano, Connecticut, and Maduro), and one each of the four main Cain blends (Habano, Maduro, F, and Daytona).

–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) Cigar Rights Alerts: Legislation has been proposed in Kansas that would increase the state tax on cigars by 30%, and proponents concede the move has little to do with increasing revenue and much to do with discouraging the use of tobacco among consenting adults. Meanwhile, in Maryland, the Senate passed a bill that would criminalize smoking in cars that carry passengers younger than the age of eight. And at the College of DuPage, a two-year community college outside Chicago with a student population of 30,000, administrators are considering a campus-wide smoking ban.

2) The Beach Cigar Group has officially changed its name to the Gurkha Cigar Group to reinforce the connection between the company name and its cigars. “This is a natural and progressive move for the company as we link our identity even more with the Gurkha brand,” said Gary Hyams, president of Gurkha Cigar Group. “The new name is also appropriate to further signal the positive direction the company is taking and will be a tremendous help as we position the Gurkha brand internationally.”

3) Inside the Industry: Two Guys Smoke Shop in Nashua is now the 55th Diamond Crown Cigar Lounge in the nation and the first in New Hampshire. The Midwest Smoke Out, an event planned for April 19 at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana, announced a partnership with Cigar Rights of America. La Aurora is expanding its popular 107 line with a new Salomon (7.25 x 52) vitola.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews a La Flor Dominicana Double Claro No. 42. Cigar Inspector inspects a Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Robusto. Cigar Explorer explores a Quesada Q D’Etat Molotov. Cigar Fan fires up a Rocky Patel Edicion Unica 2011.

5) Deal of the Week: This weekly special features ten top Dominican smokes for just $3 per cigar. In addition to five Montecristo Platinums, you get five Hammer & Sickle cigars, which are made by Davidoff master blender Henke Kelner.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: 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) Indiana currently has no statewide smoking ban, but that’s for a lack of trying. Anti-tobacco lawmakers and groups have been trying to pass a comprehensive ban in the Hoosier State since 2007. And now they’re incredibly close to passing a law that would violate cigar smokers’ rights, as well as the rights of most private business owners. As of yesterday, Indiana lawmakers had agreed to a bill that included exemptions for bars, private clubs, and at-home businesses. The American Cancer Society is lobbying against passage since the group considers any smoking ban that includes exemptions for bars to be too weak.

2) Several new cigars were announced at Cuba’s 14th annual Habanos Festival, which concluded on March 2. Among them was the Cohiba Pirámides Extra, an aluminum-tubed pyramid that will feature some of the medio tiempo tobacco found in the ultra-exclusive Cohiba Behike. In addition, three Edición Limitada cigars are planned for 2012, one each from the Montecristo, Partagas, and H. Upmann brands.

3) Inside the Industry: Michael Giannini, the longtime face of General Cigar’s La Gloria Cubana brand, is taking an expanded role with the company and will now be responsible for new product development for all of General’s premium cigars brands. One month from today, General is introducing a new Partagas line called the “Partagas 1845” that will feature an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. Avo’s 86th Anniversary cigar will be “La Trompeta,” a pyramid with three circular cutouts in the Ecuadorian wrapper that resemble a trumpet’s valves.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews the Fuente Hemingway Short Story Maduro. Tiki Bar kicks back with a Fuente Don Carlos Lancero. Cigar Brief smokes a Vegas de Santiago Secretos del Maestro Don Luis. Cigar Inspector inspects a José L. Piedra Nacionales.

5) Deal of the Week: This “Cigar Obsession Sampler” features ten cigars selected by cigar blogger (and excellent photographer) Bryan Glynn. Included in the $90 sampler are such StogieGuys.com favorites as the Illusione 88, Oliva Serie V, Padrón 1926 Natural, Rocky Patel Decade Robusto, San Cristobal Selección del Sol Robusto, and Tatuaje Anarchy.

–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) The price of premium cigars increased by 25 cents per stick in Chicago yesterday. The president of the Cook County Board, Toni Preckwinkle (pictured), had originally proposed a 30-cent tax on cigars in November. When she did, Bill Spann, chief executive officer of the IPCPR, fired back in a press release. “This is wrong on so many levels,” he said. “First of all, Cook County and Chicago residents and consumers are already paying high taxes on all tobacco products. If the County Board or City Council increase those taxes, consumers will take their business elsewhere. In addition, bootlegging of tobacco products will be encouraged, as will their purchase over the internet, neither of which generates taxes.”

2) As the 2012 Habanos Festival rolls on, Cuban officials have released figures that show a 9% increase in sales in Cuban cigars in 2011, adding up to over $400 million. Spain remains the top listed market with emerging markets like China, Russia, Brazil, and the Middle East gaining pace. The U.S. is the world’s consumer of cigars, though it is difficult to tell how much money Americans spent on Cubans last year since the 50-year-old trade embargo relegates those purchases to the black market.

3) Inside the Industry: Only available for a few months, General Cigar is releasing the Punch Rare Corojo and Punch Rare Corojo 10th Anniversary in limited quantities. Tickets to the Midwest Smoke Out, held on April 19 at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana, are being sold here for $150 apiece.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews a Paul Stulac Angel. Cigar Brief smokes a La Gloria Cubana Retro Especial. Cigar Obsession obsesses over a St. George Sumatra. Cigar Fan fires up a Casa Magnus Domus Magnus Limitada. Cigar Inspector inspects a Juan Lopez Maximo (RE Switzerland).

5) Deal of the Week: This “Petite Elite Sampler” features ten corona-sized cigars for just $25. Included are two-each of the Romeo y Julieta Habana Reserve, Punch Elite Natural, Carlos Toraño 1916, Cielo Eros, and Puros Indios.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Examiner

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) Today is the final day of the 2012 ProCigar Festival, a showcase of the top cigar makers in the Dominican Republic. Since Sunday, when the festival began, cigar enthusiasts have flocked to the country to sample unreleased cigars, tour nearby tobacco fields and factories, chat with cigar makers, and attend gala dinners. As the 5th annual ProCigar Festival ends, the 14th annual Habanos Festival is set to begin on Monday. This Cuban event will likewise feature tours, seminars, tastings, and a preview of new cigars to come. It will also include a dinner to mark the 520th anniversary of the discovery of tobacco in Cuba by the Europeans.

2) New Releases: The new VegaFina Sumum Edición Especial 2010 will include an Ecuadorian wrapper and be solid in one size (5 x 54) for $6.75 apiece. This year’s limited edition release of the Punch Rare Corojo will be available starting March 1. The San Lotano Oval will soon be available in a maduro variety.

3) Inside the Industry: La Flor Dominicana’s Premium line will henceforth be known as “La Flor Dominicana Light” and the packaging will be different, but the blend remains the same. Avo has added a new size (3.6 x 43) to its full-bodied Heritage line.

4) Around the Blogs: Tiki Bar kicks back with the Pedro Martin Fiera. Stogie Fresh rates the Dignity Black Gold. Nice Tight Ash checks out the Illusione 68. Stogie Review reviews the La Sirena Prince. Cigar Brief smokes the God of Fire Carlito Double Corona. Cigar Explorer tours the ProCigar Festival.

5) Deal of the Week: Good for only three more days, this “Silver Plate Special” features six Alec Bradley sticks and a butane lighter for just $45. Included are such highly-rated Alec Bradley smokes as the Prensado, Family Blend, Black Market, and Tempus.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: ProCigar

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) Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (pictured) is proposing to raise his state’s excise tax on all cigars from 15% to 70%. “Advocates of this tax hike say it’s necessary to decrease teen cigar use, but both the facts about youth cigar use and the tax design indicate this rationale is simply a smokescreen,” writes Marc Kilmer of the Washington Examiner. “Instead, the tax hike seems a clever way to manipulate concern about youth tobacco use to funnel more revenue to the state government… If O’Malley is really concerned about the cheap cigars being sold to youth, why penalize all tobacco products if the real problem is with only a small subset of the cigar market?”

2) As anti-tobacco forces continue to push for a statewide smoking ban in Indiana, a similar battle is brewing in Indianapolis to expand the city’s smoking regulations. Last week, Mayor Greg Ballard vetoed a bill that would have criminalized smoking in hotel rooms, most bars, bowling alleys, and private clubs because he objects to the idea of banning smoking in private clubs. But now a similar bill is expected that would allow smoking in private clubs as long as the only minors present are members’ children or grandchildren. No word yet on whether Ballard would support this bill.

3) Inside the Industry: E.P. Carrillo will begin shipping its newest Short Run cigar in the next two weeks. The “New Wave Connecticut Short Run 2012” uses the same Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper as the New Wave Connecticut, with a Connecticut broadleaf binder (same as the wrapper on the Core Maduro line) around Dominican and Nicaraguan filler (also from the Core Maduro line).

4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Brief fires up an MK Ultra. Cigar Explorer explores an Ortega Serie D. Cigar Fan fires up a Santos de Miami by Jameson. Nice Tight Ash checks out a Paul Stulac Phantom. Stogie Review reviews the Drew Estate Liga Privada Unico Serie L40.

5) Deal of the Week: CroMagnon fans will want to checkout the new cigar “Intemperance” by the team behind CroMagnon. Currently available as a pre-release, this sampler features all eight new cigars and is discounted to just $39.

–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) The U.S. embargo against Cuba turned 50 years old this week. The law was signed by President John F. Kennedy in 1962, several days after he hypocritically ordered his press secretary to buy him as many H. Upmann Cuban cigars as possible. At the time, it was assumed the embargo would cripple Fidel Castro, but half a century of evidence suggests that logic is flawed, as the oppressive regime Castro established carries on to this day (now with Fidel’s brother, Raúl, at the helm). The 50th anniversary of the failed embargo is an appropriate time to reconsider the law.

2) As smoking bans make it harder and harder to find a place to enjoy a cigar, Forbes has noticed an interesting trend: Luxury hotels around the globe are building cigar-friendly havens and using technology to bypass regulations. One London venue boasts a unique “all-weather cigar terrace,” and another has a cigar garden with a retractable roof. Several Florida hotels have indoor cigar lounges that are made possible by high-tech air filtration systems.

3) David Hockney, renowned artist and tobacco supporter, struck again this week with a letter to Britain’s Guardian newspaper. He suggested that if an anti-tobacco crusader is so concerned about children, he should consider the ramifications of three million of them in the U.S. taking Ritalin. “I intend to stick with my far more natural, delicious, pleasure-giving tobacco,” he wrote.

4) Inside the Industry: Over half a century since nationalizing its cigar industry, Cuba is removing the names of the original brand owners from its cigar bands. Tatuaje is preparing to release a new 2012 Cojonu line that will be box-pressed and available in three wrappers: Ecuadorian Habano, a “Reserva” Connecticut Broadleaf, and a “Capa Especial” Sumatra.

5) Around the Blogs: Tiki Bar reviews the Rocky Patel Edición Unica. Cigar Obsession checks out the Drew Estate Natural Limited Pimp Stick. Cigar Coop smokes the La Aurora 107. Cigar Inspector inspects the Don Pepin Serie JJ Little Robusto. Cigar Brief fires up the Crowned Heads Four Kicks.

6) Deal of the Week: Tatuaje fans—we know you’re out there—should consider these two Brown Label samplers [link fixed]. The first six-cigar sampler lets you try the same “7th” size with three different wrappers: Habano, Reserva (Broadleaf), and Capa Especial (Sumatra). The other lets you try all four of the original sizes, plus the broadleaf-wrapped Petit Cazadores Reserva. (Also, check out this deal for a leather and cherrywood Colibri cigar case  for just $12 including shipping.)

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr