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) U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI, pictured) this week introduced legislation to raise the national minimum tobacco purchase age to 21. His bill has nine cosponsors, all of whom are Democrats: Dick Durbin (IL), Sherrod Brown (OH), Ed Markey (MA), Barbara Boxer (CA), Jack Reed (RI), Elizabeth Warren (MA), Mazie Hirono (HI), Richard Blumenthal (CT), and Sheldon Whitehouse (RI). A companion bill is being introduced in the House. “We know that the earlier smokers begin their unhealthy addiction to nicotine, the more likely they are to suffer from tobacco-related diseases or die,” wrote Senator Schatz on his website. “This year, Hawaii became the first state in the nation to raise the minimum smoking age to 21. It was an historic public health achievement that we should adopt nationwide. By raising the minimum tobacco age of sale to 21 across the country, we can cut the number of new smokers each year; build a healthier, tobacco-free America; and save lives.” The current national minimum age to buy tobacco is 18, though Hawaii and several counties have already raised the age to 21.

2) Carlos Fuente Sr. is commemorating his 80th birthday by releasing his private blend, the Don Carlos Personal Reserve, which is expected to be available later this year. A Robusto (5 x 50), the cigar will retail for $14 and feature a Cameroon wrapper around Dominican tobaccos. Arturo Fuente is also introducing the Eye of the Shark (5.75 x 52, $12) but has not yet made public that cigar’s makeup.

3) Cigar Giveaway: Congrats to the five winners of our recent cigar giveaway. Darrylyn B. of Hickory, North Carolina; Jarrod L. of St. Augustine, Florida; Mark V. of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Tim M. of Buffalo, New York; and Chase A. of Saginaw, Texas. Each will be receiving a five-pack of cigars courtesy of Acme Cigars.

4) Deal of the Week: My Father fans should check out this deal from Cigar Place. Just $50 lands you six cigars—two each of the original My Father blend, My Father Le Bijou, and My Father Connecticut, all in a belicoso size—plus a lighter, cutter, and My Father Cigars ashtray in your choice of blue or red.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: MauiNow.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) On Tuesday, J. Glynn Loope of Cigar Rights of America issued an open letter to the presidential candidates. “Twenty-nine—that’s the magic number. That’s the number of electoral votes represented by Florida, and the path to twenty-nine is with the approximate 11,939,889 registered voters in the Sunshine State,” the letter reads. “Our message is simple. In light of the planned effort by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration to regulate cigars, you need to be talking to our industry—the premium cigar industry. We are Florida… and a few other places you need, as well.” Loope goes on to point out how FDA regulation would damage other states, including Connecticut (where some of the most prized tobacco is grown), Pennsylvania (the nation’s cigar distributor), and Nevada and Louisiana (where the annual cigar trade shows are typically held). “We’ve never had to reach out like this to candidates like you,” the letter continues. “Then again, we’ve never been threatened like this… Not a candidate or victor has ever advanced laws or regulations upon this industry, as in this moment in history. But make no mistake. We will educate, and we will listen. Then, we will vote.” You can read the letter in its entirety here.

2) Residents of Casper will soon vote on whether to allow smoking in the Wyoming city’s bars. “The council moved last week to repeal the ban on smoking in bars, which only went back into effect earlier this month,” reports the San Francisco Gate. “The council was forced by state law to suspend the amendment allowing smoking in bars despite the city’s ban on smoking in other establishments after city officials verified signatures on a petition that would have sent bar smoking to a public vote. Those signatures had originally been thrown out in 2013.” Casper is the second-largest city in Wyoming.

3) Inside the Industry: Cuba doesn’t produce many maduro cigars, so it is notable that the first Cuban Partagas maduro, the “Maduro No. 1,” is now arriving in cigar shops worldwide (except, of course, in the United States). Nicholas Melillo’s Foundation Cigar Company is now shipping its highly anticipated debut cigar, El Güegüense. Nate McIntyre, who works in sales for Cubanacan Cigars, has announced he will be launching his own brand called Percy Ray Cigars, which will be an annual limited edition manufactured at Cubanacan.

4) Deal of the Week: Cigar Place is offering an additional 40% off its already discounted clearance section by using the promo code “clearance.” Use it to score a five-pack of Quesada Oktoberfest 2013 Das Boot for just $18, or the CAO OSA Sol Lot 54 for just $12.50.

5) FREE CIGAR GIVEAWAY: Last call for our giveaway of multiple five-packs of Acme Cigars. To enter, all you have to do is follow @akajaylundy on Instagram and post a comment here to say you’ve done so. We’ll be selecting the winners in the next few days, so enter right away!

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Cigar Rights of America

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) Despite a two-year-old campus-wide smoking ban, smoking is still taking place at the University of Miami and the ban is “unenforced” and “unemphasized,” according to the student paper. Enforcement is supposed to take place as follows: “The Dean of Students Office said that any faculty member can inform them of an infraction, and students instructed by a faculty member to report to the office must adhere. These students then meet with Muhammad Asad, the director of the campus’s quit smoking program, and a ‘certified tobacco treatment specialist,’ according to the university website. Sanctioned students must complete the entire program with Asad.”

2) This year’s Ybor City Cigar Festival in Tampa will be held Nov. 7. The event, which has no admission charge, features numerous vendors selling cigars, beer, food, and more. Sponsors expect 10,000-15,000 visitors. For a look at last year’s festivities, check here.

3) Inside the Industry: Six exclusive cigar sizes have been announced for the Drew Estate Lounge at Corona Cigar Co.’s Sand Lake, Florida, location. The sizes are all presented in a toro format (6 x 50), with half featuring a soft-press and half a box-press. The blends include Undercrown, Liga Privada No. 9, Herrera Estelí, Natural, Tabak Especial Dulce, and Tabak Especial Negra. “The introduction of the world’s first Drew Estate Lounge has been a rousing success at Corona Cigar,” said Corona Cigar owner Jeff Borysiewicz. “We have a large contingent of diehard Drew Estate fans among our customer base and the addition of the new Drew Estate Lounge has caused quite a bit of excitement around the shop. These exciting new offerings from Drew Estate will add another dimension to the cigar smoking experience in Corona’s Drew Estate Lounge and guaranteed to excite our customers.”

4) FREE CIGAR GIVEAWAY: In case you missed it, we are giving away several five-packs of Acme Cigars. To enter, all you have to do is follow @akajaylundy on Instagram and post a comment here to say that you’ve done so. We’ll pick the winners at random in a week.

–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) Mark Mann, a veteran in the trade show/event industry, has joined the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) as the new exhibit and sponsorship account manager. “We are thrilled to have a professional of Mark’s caliber joining the staff team that serves the premium cigar and pipe industry,” said IPCPR CEO Mark Pursell. “He brings a wealth of experience managing the trade show floor and providing exhibitors with world class service.” Mann replaces Jeff Moran, who is expected to retire in October. Mann already resides in Washington and will join the IPCPR staff as soon as the new headquarters is completed on Capitol Hill. The IPCPR is currently based in Columbus, Georgia.

2) Speculation continues to bubble up from all corners of the industry about what will happen if/when Cuban cigars are decriminalized in the U.S. This week, Kaizad Hansotia, CEO of Gurkha, told Fox News he “believes the Cuban cigars do not pose a threat to U.S. companies because the quality of their product is lacking. When asked if he believes the Cuban cigar is the best in the world, Hansotia strongly dismissed it. ‘Absolutely not. In my opinion it isn’t.’ He believes American customers are now used to much more complex flavors today that simply can’t be matched by a Cuban cigar. ‘The flavor profile of a Cuban cigar is going to be very different than most of the American corporations because we can get tobacco from the U.S., Ecuador, Italy, Brazil, and it creates such a wide profile taste value,’ Hansotia explained.”

3) Inside the Industry: Many new releases that debuted at the show are now appearing at shops around the country. The much-anticipated Henry Clay Tattoo collaboration between Pete Johnson of Tatuaje and Altadis is due to arrive soon, as is the Tatuaje TAA 2015. Other recent arrivals include the Quesada Octoberfest, La Palina Red Label, and Padrón Damaso.

4) Deal of the Week: My Father fans should check out this deal from Cigar Place. Just $50 lands you six cigars—two each of the original My Father blend, My Father Le Bijou, and My Father Connecticut, all in a belicoso size—plus a lighter, cutter, and My Father ashtray in your choice of blue or red.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: IPCPR

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) Lawmakers in New York are considering a bill that would prevent Empire State hotels from offering smoking rooms. While many hotels are voluntary smoke-free, only four states—Vermont, Michigan, North Dakota, and Wisconsin—have passed laws preventing smoking in hotels. The measure has been introduced by Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski. According to CNN: “’I travel and spend a lot of time in hotel rooms,’ Zebrowski said. ‘I’ve noticed that if you’re above, below, or next to a smoking room, the smoke readily travels through the ventilation system.’ Zebrowski said the legislation was in line with the current focus on improving public health.”

2) Steve Saka, owner of the newly formed Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust (DTT), took to Facebook this week to share some details about the release of his first cigar, Sobremesa. A list of Sobremesa retailers will be posted on the DTT website next week. Given the overwhelming demand for Sobremesa—Saka says the IPCPR Trade Show orders were five times what he expected—these retailers will not be receiving their entire order initially, but will instead receive an equitable share with the balance fulfilled as soon as possible. “We are not ramping up our production schedule,” wrote Saka. “Great cigars are made with a steady hand on the tiller. My plan was always to make about 1,000 boxes a month until the second capa pilon was fully fermented and ready. DTT is not deviating from this plan.” In addition, Saka says he is scrapping the Belicoso Largo (6 x 52) vitola because something was off once the cigar aged out. Instead, he is introducing a Torpedo Tiempo (6 x 54). “Cigars are a funny thing sometimes, because I really preferred the Beli over the Torp prior to the 3-month mark, but after that I totally flipped.” Retailers who ordered the Belicoso Largo will have the option to receive the Torpedo Tiempo instead.

3) Read our Cigar Spirits articles and you’ll hear a lot about the bourbon boom. One result of the boom is a shortage of  barrels which are made from American oak trees. To give back, Angel’s Envy (which sells multiple bourbons and a rye) will be planting one American oak tree for every photo posted on social media of Angel’s Envy with the hashtag #AE4THETREES during September, which is National Bourbon Heritage Month.

4) Inside the Industry: Drew Estate has announced the Kentucky Fire Cured Fightn’ 69th. The new cigar is being produced exclusively for Alliance Cigar in Hauppauge, New York. “The new Fightn’ 69th is based upon the popular Kentucky Fire Cured blend, featuring Kentucky-seed tobacco, grown and fire-cured in Kentucky. The new size is a parejo (5.5 x 52) that will be presented in the typical ten-count soft pack packaging the Kentucky Fire Cured line is known for,” reads a Drew Estate press release. “The Fightn’ 69th will begin shipping in October 2015 and will have an MSRP of $74.95 per soft pack of ten. The cigar will be available to retail accounts exclusively via Alliance Cigar’s distribution network.”

5) Deal of the Week: Tatuaje fans may want to jump on the opportunity to pre-order the limited edition Tatuaje TAA 2015. Smoke Inn is taking orders now for shipping next week with boxes of 20 selling for $200 and 5-packs for $55.

–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) Fortune recently published an article about how a potential end to the trade embargo with Cuba might impact Cuban cigar prices. “Habanos… may be betting increased demand could drive up global prices on Cuban cigars in general. A sharp increase in purchases coming from the U.S. would be met by the country’s limited hand manufacturing capacity of about 150 million a year, which is about 1% of the world market. Basic economics and high demand for fixed supply could suggest rising prices.” On the other hand, “there is a question of whether Cuban cigars are as superior as memory and myth suggest. Experts often prefer them, but there can be quality control problems and some in the business say Cuban cigars are overrated. If that’s true, wider availability could actually hurt pricing.”

2) Please join us in congratulating Stephen S. from Woodbury, Connecticut, as the winner of our latest StogieGuys.com newsletter giveaway. Stephen has won a Boveda Acrylic Humidor along with some Boveda humidification packs simply for being registered for our newsletter. If you’d like to receive exclusive insights from the StogieGuys.com editors and be eligible to win future prizes, you can sign up for the free email newsletter here.

3) Inside the Industry: Paul Joyal’s Ocean State Cigars is adding a 4.25″ x 41 petit corona size to its J Grotto Silk line, which utilizes an Ecuadorian wrapper around dual Indonesian and Honduran-grown Criollo 98 binders and Honduran and Nicaraguan filler.

4) Deal of the Week: My Father cigar fans should check out this deal from Cigar Place. Just $50 lands you six cigars – two each of the original My Father blend, My Father Le Bijou and My Father Connecticut, all in a belicoso size – plus a lighter, cutter and My Father ashtray in your choice of blue or red.

–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 November, the MetWest International complex in Tampa will be home to the world’s largest Davidoff store. “The 5,000-square-foot location will be one of only two licensed locations in the U.S., with the other located in Las Vegas,” reports the Tampa Tribune. “The company has plans to open more stores in Atlanta, Houston, and New York… The Tampa Davidoff site will be a partnership with Jeff and Tanya Borysiewicz, owners of the Orlando-based Corona Cigar Co.”

2) Tickets are still available for the W. Curtis Draper Little Puff Weekend, which is held September 25-26 in Washington. The event is limited to 275 attendees, each of whom receive over 20 cigars, food courtesy of Charlie Palmer, and an open bar. Get your tickets here before it’s too late.

3) Inside the Industry: Two years after being announced, the Ray Lewis Legends 52 Cigar by Rocky Patel will finally debut in October. Davidoff has named Martin Kaufmann Senior Vice President of Europe and Global Travel Retail, which includes the responsibility for Davidoff’s presence in airport and duty-free locations.

4) Deal of the Week: Cigar Place is offering an additional 40% off its already discounted clearance section by using the promo code “clearance.” Notable deals include five-packs of the Quesada Oktoberfest 2013 Das Boot, Punch, La Gloria Cubana, Foundry, Dunhill 1907, and CAO.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Davidoff