1) Indiana politicians have again rejected legislation that would have criminalized smoking in Hoosier State bars, restaurants, and other “public” places. “Our Indiana association members and their customers had a lot to do with defeating this proposed legislation,” said Chris McCalla, legislative director of the IPCPR. “They contacted their state representatives and senators in opposition to the bill because it was discriminatory, unnecessary, and it would have cost jobs and tax revenues. The General Assembly did the right thing at the right time for the state of Indiana and for that we are grateful. If the issue is raised again in the future, however, we will be ready once again to defend our rights and the rights of all the state’s citizens and help defeat any such bills.”

2) A network of “smoke-easies”—nightclubs that allow patrons to smoke illegally—have sprung up in New York City. The New York Times reports that Manhattan’s popular M2 UltraLounge is at risk of being the first establishment closed by the city government for smoking violations.

3) Inside the Industry: Tobacco giant Swedish Match, owner of General Cigar, entered into an agreement with the Plasencia Group yesterday to form Caribbean Cigar Holdings.  To promote the new La Gloria Habana Serie R No. 3 size La Gloria is giving away five trips to Las Vegas and a high performance 2010 Lotus Elise sports car.

4) Around the Blogs: The Stogie Guys, via the Daily Caller, feature the La Flor Dominicana Mysterio Oscuro. Stogie Review lights up a Camacho Select. Nice Tight Ash fires up a Padilla Cazadores. Cigar Inspector inspects a Rocky Patel Winter Series 2009. Keepers of the Flame smokes the Brick House.

5) Deal of the Week: March Madness is nothing if not another opportunity for a unpublicized Cuban Crafters sale. There are a number of discounts but the best is a box of 20 Don Kiki “White Label” Harvest of 2001 Churchills for just $50. Grab yours here.

-The Stogie Guys

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1) It was announced this week that Mayor Adrian Fenty, a proponent of the DC’s three-year-old smoking ban, is granting a one-time special smoking pardon for the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. This group of Washington’s business and government elite will be allowed to smoke indoors at the Capital Hilton on March 17 to celebrate Irish-American culture. But Irish luck has nothing to do with the mayor’s newfound tolerance for tobacco. The Friendly Sons have close ties to the DC Council, including a member in Councilman Jack Evens (pictured). He sponsored the exemption legislation, a bill that also grants immunity to a St. Patrick’s Day professional boxing fundraiser in the city. Apparently you can occasionally smoke in DC if you have friends in high places. The rest of us are out of luck.

2) Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson signs a statewide smoking ban today that criminalizes smoking in bars, restaurants, most places of employment, and within ten feet of doors. The new law takes effect July 1 and exempts tobacco shops.

3) Inside the Industry: Cigar Rights of America released its second members-only sampler on Wednesday, a ten-pack of toros that were specially blended or sized for CRA. Cigars include the Alec Bradley Tempus, Camacho Limited Edition, Diamond Crown Maximus, Fuente’s Forbidden X, and La Aurora 100 Años. The sampler costs $100 and comes with a one-year CRA membership certificate.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review chats with Pete Johnson. The Tiki Bar reviews the Don Gonzalez Special Edition. Toasted Foot looks at the Vegas Cubanas by Don Pepin Garcia. Nice Tight Ash fires up a Graycliff 1666 Pirate. Cigar Rants rants on the Liga Privada No .9. A Cigar Smoker reviews the LFD Air Bender.

5) Deal of the Week:  With full-bodied spice and Cuban-like depth, people are turning to Nicaraguan smokes more and more, and this Nicaraguan Blends Sampler shows why. Included are two each from Padilla Habano, Man O’ War, Rocky Patel Fusion, and Gurkha Park Avenue, all for under $30. Grab yours here.

-The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

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1) Keith Meier, founder and CEO of Cigars International, took to the pages of the Allentown Morning Call to oppose the effort to increase Pennsylvania’s cigar tax: “My company, Cigars International, just announced a $10 million  investment on a brownfield site in Bethlehem. As a result, we will preserve 175  jobs and create more than 50 new positions…In 1996 we brought Cigars International to Pennsylvania to escape crushing taxes from neighboring New York and New Jersey. Since then we have grown and expanded, adding employees and generating ever-greater state tax revenues. This economic activity would not have happened had cigar taxes been in place, and we certainly would not have invested so heavily in Pennsylvania this year had Gov. Rendell’s call for cigar taxes passed last year. Like many small and mid-sized businesses in America, Cigars International is creating jobs.”

2) One week ago, members of the cigar community met with members of Florida’s Republican party to tell them of the government-created challenges to their industry. According to Cigar Rights of America, during the event, “members of the Florida legislature were provided a tour of the J.C. Newman Cigar Company, while being briefed on what the Florida cigar industry means for local employment, with over 250 retail establishments and 60 family-owned manufacturers, leaf dealers, importers, and cigar corporate headquarters operations throughout the state, equating to over 5,500 jobs. It was further noted that over 70% of the cigars sold in the United States are either made or imported through Florida.”

3) Inside the Industry: Don Pepin Garcia’s first-Dominican-wrapped cigar, Dominicano, debuts at the historic Racine & Laramie cigar shop in San Diego on March 12. Other in-store events in New York and Florida will follow. This new release, available in rosado or oscuro variations, is notable because it represents a collaboration between Garcia, Nestor Miranda, and Guillermo León of La Aurora. Dominicano will come in five sizes and retail for $6-8.

4) Around the Blogs: The Stogie Guys, via The Daily Caller, feature the Romeo y Julieta Short Churchill. Stogie Review lights up a Fuente Rosado Magnum 52. Cigar Inspector fires up a Liga Privada No. 9. The Cigar Nut smokes a Liga Privada T-52. A Cigar Smoker reviews the Gran Habano Azteca. Cigar Spy investigates the Perdomo Habano. Nice Tight Ash reviews the Don Pepin Garcia Blue.

5) Deal of the Week: They call it a Contraband Sale, but we call it just plain good deals. The best buys are on our favorites: the  J.L. Salazar box of 25 for $70 and the Cuban Crafters Cameroon box of 25 for just $60. Grab yours here.

-The Stogie Guys

photo credit: lehighvalleylive.com

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1) StogieGuys.com Exclusive: Through its Twitter account, Cigar Rights of America announced the first four cigars in the next sampler available only to CRA members: Alec Bradley Tempus, Cuba Aliados Miami Edition, Avo Classic, and La Aurora 100 Años. StogieGuys.com has since exclusively verified four other cigars that will be included: Camacho Limited Edition, Perdomo Patriarch, La Gloria Cubana Reserva Figurado,  and Diamond Crown Maximus. And now we hear rumblings (from those that would know) that the final two cigars will be the Vegas Cubanas by Don Pepin Garcia and a rare Fuente Fuente Forbidden X.  Contrary to a photo posted on twitter last week, we’re told the second sampler will not contain the Drew Estate Liga Privada No. 9, which was featured in the original sampler.

2) It was reported this week that Cuban cigar sales fell 8% in 2009 to $360 million. Predictably, the global economic downturn has taken its toll on so-called “luxury goods,” and Cubans are no exception. The disappointing performance of Habanos SA, Cuba’s state tobacco monopoly, is more specifically attributed to falling demand in Spain (reportedly the biggest importer of Cuban cigars) and fewer purchases at airport duty-free shops driven by less travel. “This is not what we were expecting, not what we hoped for anyway,” Habanos Vice President Manuel Garcia told the Associated Press. “It’s been a series of negative factors.”

3) Inside the Industry: Toraño continues its “Roots Run Deep Tour” in 2010 with events all around the country that will feature an exclusive Churchill-sized “2010 Tour”  cigar. Camacho has been selected as the official cigar of the Academy Awards Style Lounge, a Beverly Hills event that precedes the Oscars.

4) Around the Blogs: The Stogie Guys, via The Daily Caller, feature the Cuban Crafters Cubano Claro Churchill. Stogie Review fires up a La Herencia Cubana. Cigar Inspector reviews the Vegas Robaina Maestro RE. Nice Tight Ash tries the Oliva Connecticut. Keepers of the Flame smokes the Rocky Patel Renaissance.

5) Deal of the Week: This sale on various five-packs is a great way to try some terrific smokes at an affordable price. Bargain hunters will particularly want to check out the offerings from Fernandez, La Aurora, Rocky Patel, Oliva, and Padilla. Grab yours here.

-The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Habanos SA

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1) A disproportionate number of online cigar wholesalers call Pennsylvania home, including Famous Smoke Shop, Cigars International, and Holt’s. This isn’t a coincidence. Along with Florida, the Keystone State is the only one without a cigar tax. But Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell (pictured) recently proposed a budget that includes new excise taxes on cigars and smokeless tobacco. When a similar tax was proposed last year, Keith Meier, CEO of Cigars International, said his $90 million company with 150 employees might “swim to sunnier shores, such as Florida” if adopted.

2) Inside the Industry: In partnership with Nestor Miranda of Miami Cigars & Co. and Guillermo León of La Aurora, Don Pepin Garcia is making his first Dominican-wrapped cigar. Called “Dominicano,” it will include Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos and be made at Garcia’s My Father Cigars factory. The blend’s four sizes will retail for $6-8 apiece.

3) Around the Blogs: The Stogie Guys, via The Daily Caller, feature the EO 601 “Green” La Fuerza. Stogie Review lights up a Man O’ War Special Edition. Keepers of the Flame smokes a CAO La Traviata. Nice Tight Ash tries the Chateau Real Maduro. Cigar Inspector reviews the Tatuaje J21.

4) Deal of the Week: This unpublicized email sale has deep discounts on some top smokes. Our favorite pick is the Don Kiki Brown label for just two dollars per stick. Grab yours here.

-The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

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1) Seattle politicians are considering a new law that would criminalize smoking in the city’s parks. Washington already has a restrictive statewide ban on indoor smoking and within 25 feet of doors and windows. But this outdoor ban is justified, say anti-tobacco zealots, for very familiar reasons: preference of the majority, junk science, and the notion of legislating away “bad” habits.

2) Ron Jaworski, former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst, held a cigar and Johnny Walker tasting party in Miami during last weekend’s Super Bowl. Mike Ditka, Jon Gruden, and other ESPN personalities were among the attendees, all of whom helped raise money for the United Way.

3) Inside the Industry: In its latest survey of retail members, the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association found that the best-selling cigar size was a toro and the best-selling average price for a cigar was $7.The IPCPR also chose a new lobbyist to represent cigar smokers’ interests in Washington.

4) Around the Blogs: The Stogie Guys, via The Daily Caller, feature the Davidoff Millennium Blend Robusto. Keepers of the Flame lights up the H. Upmann Reserve Maduro. Nice Tight Ash fires up a Grand Habano Cabinet Selection. Stogie Review reviews the Tatuaje Boris. Cigar Inspector inspects the La Aurora 1495 Robusto. Stogie Fresh checks out the Mombacho Long Robusto.

5) Deal of the Week: They call it the “Rare Air” sampler because it includes ten smokes that are hard to find  for just $35. Included are the Man O’ War Ruination, Rocky Patel Puro Cubano, Cocinero, La Princessa de Cuba, and Gurkha Micro-Batch VH-7. Grab yours here.

-The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

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1) Indiana’s proposed smoking ban, despite the persistence of anti-tobacco activists, appears dead—at least for this session. While the House passed a “diluted” bill on Tuesday that includes exemptions for bars and tobacco shops, the Senate is unlikely to consider the measure “amid worries that it could hurt some businesses.”

2) Davidoff is moving its U.S. headquarters from Connecticut to Tampa—presumably to be closer to the Switzerland-based company’s operations in the Caribbean. The cigar maker also plans to hire “up to 90 people” at the new location.

3) Inside the Industry: Pete Johnson is launching El Triunfador, formerly a “secret” lancero, as a new six-vitola line in March. Ronson, maker of some of the best butane lighters available for $3-4, has been acquired by Zippo. Bypassing the crippled airport in Port-Au-Prince, the Dominican-based Cigar Family Charitable Foundation is trucking water, food, medical supplies, tents, and blankets to needy Haitians.

4)Around the Blogs:  Stogie Review lights up a Mederos Fifty 3. Keepers of the Flame smokes the Perdomo Habano Corojo. Cigar Inspector inspects a Partagas Serie D No. 3 2006 LE.  A Cigar Smoker reviews the Tatuaje Verocu Tubo.

5) Deal of the Week: This Valentine’s Day Sale has deep discounts on some top smokes. Best buys include the La Carolina (box of 25) for $75 and the J.L. Salazar Robusto (box of 25) for $60. Grab yours here.

-The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

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1) This week, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick announced plans to drastically increase tobacco taxes across the commonwealth. He aims to boost taxes on cigars from 30% to a whopping 110%. Patrick, a Democrat, is up for reelection this year, and Republican candidate Charles D. Baker criticized him “for relying on one-time revenues to help plug the [state budget] gap.” The tax hike still requires legislative approval, however, and the IPCPR said in a press release that it will deploy lobbyists in the State Capitol and “launch and disseminate a Legislative Action Alert.”

2) The Daily Caller, the new website of Fox News  commentator Tucker Carlson (formerly of MSNBC and CNN), now features weekly cigar reviews and occasional news commentaries written by the editors of StogieGuys.com. Click here for our first contribution: a review of the CAO La Traviata Divino.

3) Inside the Industry: Camacho is expanding its Room 101 line with a stronger four-vitola blend called the “Room 101 LTD.” New Ashton VSG and ESG tubos have begun arriving in cigar shops. The “New York Tobacconists Association” has been established to fight against the many anti-cigar laws of New York State and City.

4)Around the Blogs: Nice Tight Ash lights up an Ashton VSG. Keepers of the Flame reviews a Declaration by Jameson. Cigar Inspector smokes the Diplomaticos No. 2. Stogie Review checks out the My Father Le Bijou 1922. A Cigar Smoker fires up the Joya de Nicaragua Dark Corojo.

5) Deal of the Week: Cuban Crafters is having a Super Bowl Sale on some of our favorite smokes. Included are bargains on Cuban Crafters Cameroon, Cubano Claro, and Medina Miami 1959. But the best buy is box of 25 Cupido Criollos for just $47. Grab yours here.

-The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

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1) Washington is eying new legislation that would restrict outdoor smoking in the nation’s capital. The proposal, currently under consideration by the city council, would criminalize sidewalk smoking within 25 feet of participating businesses. “If store owners don’t want smoking in their places of business, they have the right to declare their property smoke-free. And if these property owners don’t want people to smoke outside of their places of business, they have the right to ask people not to smoke there,” said Chris McCalla of IPCPR. “But enacting legislation that gives the government authority over these individual property rights we do not support. Not only is it not justified from a medical standpoint, it is not a justified deprivation of our personal rights from a constitutional standpoint.”

2) Other Smoking Ban Alerts: Los Angeles is banning smoking in outdoor dining areas and around “mobile food trucks.” Indiana lawmakers are hoping to make their state the 39th with some sort of statewide ban. Montana’s new indoor ban contributed to an 18% drop in gambling revenue.

3) Inside the Industry: CAO will soon release two new sizes of their La Traviata blend: a corona (5.6 x 46) called “Favorito” and a belicoso (5.5 x 52) called “Animado.” Joya de Nicaragua is releasing its fifth line, a bundle cigar called the Fuerte Serie B that will be made in fours sizes and sell in the $2-4 range.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review fires up a Zino Platinum Crown Series Emperor Edition 2009. Cigar Jack smokes a Toraño Exodus 50 Years. Nice Tight Ash looks at the E.P. Carrillo Edicion Inaugural 2009. Velvet Cigar reviews the Room 101 by Camacho. A Cigar Smoker and Lindsay Heller smoke the Opus X “Love Affair.”

5) Deal of the Week: Looking for a few good smokes and a new humidor? This set includes three cigars each from  Gurkha, Cocinero, Liga Especial, Perdomo, and Victor Sinclair, plus a quality humidor, humidor solution, a double guillotine cutter, and a humidification disc—all for $59 including shipping.  Grab yours here.

-The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

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1) Shaking was felt throughout the Caribbean on Tuesday after a powerful earthquake struck Haiti. The tremor, measuring 7.0 on the Richter Scale, ravaged the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, leaving an estimated 50,000 dead, the capital of Port-au-Price in ruins, and survivors with severely limited access to medical attention. Much less significantly, while the quake could be felt in cigar-producing countries like Cuba and the Dominican Republic, no damage was reported and any impact on the cigar industry is expected to be trivial.

2) For those looking to make a charitable contribution to help the people of Haiti, the Montecristo Relief Organization and Altadis will match your contribution dollar for dollar and have pledged up to an additional $125,000. To have your donation matched, send a contribution to: Montecristo Relief Organization, Haiti Earthquake Relief c/o Altadis USA, PO Box 407179, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33340-7166.

3) Our StogieGuys.com Best of 2009 lists will be released soon. They are exclusive to subscribers to our  Free Email Newsletter,  so make sure you sign up—a smart move that will automatically enter you to win spectacular prizes like boxes of top brands and cigar accessories.

4) Inside the Industry: Two new private cigar clubs opened this week to cater to those otherwise ostracized by smoking bans. The Montecristo Lounge in Alexandria, Virginia, is a joint venture of Altadis and The Cigar Palace. Meanwhile, the first Cohiba Lounge opened as a partnership between General Cigar and Nice Ash Cigars near Buffalo, New York.

5) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review checks out the La Flor Dominicana Air Bender. Nice Tight Ash fires up an H. Upmann Magnum 50. Keepers of the Flame reviews a Casa Royale Crown. Stogie Fresh smokes the Padrón 1964 Diplomaticos. Cigar Inspector inspects the Montecristo Open Regatta.

6) Deal of the Week: With full-bodied spice and Cuban-like depth, people are turning to Nicaraguan smokes more and more, and this Nicaraguan Blends Sampler shows why. Included are two each from Padilla Habano, Man O’ War, Rocky Patel Fusion, and Gurkha Park Avenue, all for under $40. Grab yours here.

-The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

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