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) Sindicato, a new cigar company created “by the retailers for the retailers,” has announced the hiring of Jim Colucci as president and CEO. Colucci is the former executive vice president of sales and marketing for Altadis, and he will oversee the development of Sindicato’s first two blends, which are slated for debut at the 2013 IPCPR Trade Show. “Sindicato Cigars was officially launched January 16 when a group of passionate, cigar-loving tobacconists decided to extend their cigar knowledge and experience into making cigar brands,” reads a Sindicato press release. “Their goal is to create a cigar company whose mission is to put the tobacco retailer and its customers first.”

2) Punch Rare Corojo, an Ecuadorian Sumatra-wrapped smoke from General Cigar, is coming back to the market on May 31 with a new Perfecto size (7 x 48) that will retail for $7.39. “Punch Rare Corojo started the trend toward seasonal offerings, and we are pleased to continue the tradition,” said Gus Martinez, director of marketing for Punch. “Between the breadth of frontmarks and the addition of the Perfecto to this year’s lineup, we are confident that Rare Corojo will be the go-to, springtime smoke for cigar lovers across the country.”

3) Inside the Industry: Camacho and Room101 are introducing the new Room101 Namakubi Ecuador. The cigar is billed as “a fusion” between the Namakubi and One Shot One Kill lines (though, curiously, OSOK isn’t mentioned in the marketing materials by name). Available in four sizes (three different perfecto sizes and the small Papi Chulo (4 x 42)) with a total production of just 100,000, the cigars should be arriving in shops now where they will retail for $6-12 each.

4) Event: DC-area cigar fans should strongly consider attending the DC Cigar Tweet Up. The two day event features gatherings at shops all over the Capital area with over twenty cigar makers participating and providing cigars, including the Ortega Serie D Lancero made especially for the 2013 DC Tweet Up. Proceeds benefit two charities.

5) Deal of the Week: Looking for Flor de Las Antillas, Cigar Aficionado‘s “Cigar of the Year”? The Pepin-made classic is on sale at Mike’s Cigars.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Sindicato

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) Yesterday, the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) announced it would be increasing its annual dues by $100, in recognition of the mounting issues facing cigar rights and the “substantial financial resources” required to engage those battles. “We must not relent in our fight to guarantee the safety of our industry,” said IPCPR CEO Bill Spann. “Our House and Senate bills have gained immense support, and we must not lose this momentum and prominence while we still have it.” Spann also said the recently unveiled plans to debut a “Consumer Day” and “Roast” at this year’s IPCPR Trade Show—plans we wrote about here—have been “tabled” due to negative feedback from various members. StogieGuys.com is an online media member of IPCPR.

2) General Cigar’s new website went live this week. Victoria McKee Jaworski, General’s director of public relations, likens it to a “digital cigar lounge” with “interactive features like a virtual humidor and a cigar bomb component.” General Cigar is one of the world’s largest manufacturers with blends like Partagas, La Gloria Cubana, and Punch in its portfolio.

3) Just because you haven’t heard much lately about the FDA’s proposal to regulate cigars doesn’t mean the idea is dead. The FDA recently posted a notice on its website that it “intends to propose a regulation” that would extend its authority to “all products that meet the statutory definition of ‘tobacco product’…” That’s virtually anything made from tobacco. The FDA gave no timeframe and did note that the public would be able to comment on any proposal.

4) Inside the Industry: La Palina is dropping prices on its El Diario and Maduro lines by 10% to reflect supply chain savings and to demonstrate its dedication to consumers and retailers. Davidoff is introducing a new size in its Puro d’Oro line, a Gordito (3.75 x 58) that will sell for $56 for a 4-pack or $350 for a box of 25. The new Puro d’Oro Gordito is also part of Davidoff’s new “Short Pleasures” assortment pack along with Davidoff’s Grand Cru No. 5, Entreacto, and Millennium Blend Short Robusto.

5) Around the Blogs: Nice Tight Ash checks out the Alex Bradley Maxx Brazil. Tiki Bar kicks back with a Nestor Miranda Special Selection Connecticut. Stogie Review reviews the Davidoff Royal Salomones. Cigar Inspector inspects the Inception 518.

6) Deal of the Week: StogieGuys.com recommends Bespoke Post, a monthly collection of awesome items delivered to your door. Past boxes include fine bar accessories, shaving kits, coffee, and more. You can skip or purchase every month. Click here to sign up.

–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) Swisher International, a Jacksonville-based company that manufactures Swisher Sweets and other machine-made cigars, yesterday announced its intention to start making premium cigars. The new premium division of Swisher will be called Royal Gold Cigars after Alex Goldman, a 20-year veteran of the industry. “As a fourth-generation tobacconist, I have cemented relationships that will enable Royal Gold Cigars to develop, source, and market an array of premium products that customers will enjoy at competitive price points,” Goldman told CSN. The inaugural lineup from Royal Gold Cigars is expected to debut at this summer’s IPCPR Trade Show in Las Vegas.

2) Governor Steve Beshear is calling for a smoking ban in certain public places in Kentucky, the state with the highest percentage of smokers. “Our addiction hurts productivity, jacks up health care costs, and kills our people,” he said in a public address on Wednesday. “Yet we’ve never instituted a statewide law to protect Kentuckians from second-hand smoke.”

3) Around the Blogs: Nice Tight Ash checks out the Elogio Habano Crescent City Cigars Exclusivo, and so does Stogie Review. Cigar Inspector inspects a Vegas Robaina XV Aniversario. Tiki Bar kicks back with My Uzi Weighs a Ton +11. Cigar Brief smokes a Foundry Talbot while Cigar Fan fires up the Foundry Wells.

4) Deal of the Week: Pinar del Rio makes some nice cigars, and if you’re in the market you might want to take advantage of this special offer. Purchase any box and you get this sampler of six Pinar del Rio smokes for free.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Royal Gold Cigars

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) Cigars Direct, an online retailer based in Tampa, scored big when it brokered the sale of a 1,600-pound cigar to an undisclosed buyer outside the U.S. for $185,000. The 19-foot-long Gran Habano #5 El Gigante was owned by a Miami collector, according to the Tampa Tribune. The ring gauge is about 2,160 (3 feet) and 16,000 wrapper leaves were used, according to the paper. The headline: “How big is your humidor?” The buyer reportedly also bought 100 other high-end cigars costing $750 apiece.

2) We’re pleased to announce Chris G. of Pleasanton, California, as the winner of our latest giveaway. Chris’ entry was chosen by Ron “Jaws” Jaworski himself. He won two tickets to Jaws’ Super Bowl Cigar Party ($1,000 value), an event that took place last night at the Bourbon Vieux on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. We hope you had a great time, Chris!

3) Inside the Industry: Ortega Cigars has released its first three “Wild Bunch” cigars. Cusano Founder Mike Chiusano, now reunited with his brother at C&C Cigars, recently rolled out his new Loose Cannon line in two blends, one with an Indonesian Sumatra wrapper and one with a Dominican Habano wrapper.

4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Fan fires up an Avo Heritage. Nice Tight Ash checks out the Nicaraguan Cigar Co. Condega Maduro. Cigar Brief smokes Headley Grange. Stogie Review reviews a Dunhill Aged 2003. Cigar Inspector inspects La Gloria Cubana Torpedo.

5) Deal of the Week:  The Annual Cigar Family Charitable Foundation cigar pack supports the children of the Dominican Republic. This special and very limited $50 gift pack includes one special edition each of the Fuente Fuente Opus X Figurado and Julius Caesar by Diamond Crown Figurado.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Cigars Direct

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) With the new year well underway, state legislatures across the U.S. are reconvening—and you can bet a wide variety of cigar-related bills are up for consideration. In Washington, a smoking ban exemption has been introduced on behalf of tobacco shops and cigar lounges (yes, it’s currently illegal to smoke inside tobacco shops or lounges in Washington). In Virginia and New Jersey, cigar tax hikes are in the works. In Oregon, some lawmakers are hoping to enable municipalities to place additional excise taxes on tobacco. And in Hawaii, banning smoking on beaches, tobacco display regulations, and excise taxes are all being considered. Be sure to keep an eye out for threats to cigar rights in your neck of the woods.

2) Anti-tobacco zealots also continue to push for outdoor smoking bans. The latest fight is in Marshall County, West Virginia, where officials will be voting on a measure that would criminalize smoking in parks, playgrounds, outdoor dining areas, fairs, and festivals. West Virginia does not currently have a statewide ban, but Marshall County prohibits smoking inside restaurants. For now, county bars, tobacco shops, and private clubs are still afforded the freedom to choose their own smoking policies.

3) Inside the Industry: Alec Bradley’s candela-wrapped St. Patrick’s Day cigar is changing names. Originally called the “Dirty Hooligan,” the cigar is now called “Filthy Hooligan,” a move designed to ensure no trademark issues with Drew Estate, purveyors of the Dirty Rat. According to Alan Rubin of Alec Bradley, “I had to make a decision that was based on integrity. The product is good enough to sell on its own, no matter what we called it.”

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews the Tatuaje Apocalypse. Tiki Bar kicks back with a La Gloria Cubana Trunk Show LR-1. Nice Tight Ash checks out an Emilio Series H Maduro. A Cigar Smoker smokes the 601 La Bomba. Cigar Coop fires up an Asylum 13. Cigar Inspector inspects a Ramón Allones Superiores.

5) Deal of the Week: In case you haven’t checked it out yet, here’s a deal created just for StogieGuys.com readers. The “Stogie Guys Cigar Sampler”—offered by longtime supporter Corona Cigar—contains seven cigars for $29.95 (plus free shipping on your entire order). It includes limited edition cigars from Avo and Davidoff, plus cigars from by Rocky Patel, J.C. Newman, Casa Fernandez, and two Corona “house” blends. Pick yours up here.

–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) There’s still time to win a pair of tickets ($1,000 value) to Ron “Jaws” Jaworski’s Super Bowl cigar party in New Orleans, and Jaws will personally be selecting the winner. The former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst’s event will feature top-notch premium cigars, single-malt scotch, and plenty of NFL and ESPN celebrities. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post about your favorite cigar-related sports celebration.

2) Many StogieGuys.com readers know Matt Krimm and John Anderson (right) as the proprietors of W. Curtis Draper, the oldest tobacconist in the District of Columbia. On Monday, the duo opened the doors of their newest venture—Civil Cigar Lounge, a new smoke-friendly locale in Washington’s Friendship Heights neighborhood. Civil is equipped with a state-of-the-art air ventilation system, plush seating for over 90 patrons, 125 personalized cigar lockers, a full bar, and a menu designed by an adjacent restaurant.

3) Remember our “Win a Big Box of Cigar Swag” contest? We’re pleased to announce David of Kirkville, New York, has been randomly selected as the winner. Please join us in congratulating David, who soon be the proud owner of a bunch of cigar T-shirts, hats, playing cards, cutters, and other memorabilia.

4) Inside the Industry: Florida-based retailer Smoke Inn is introducing its sixth installment of the MicroBlend Series™, this time made by Room 101. The “Big Delicious” cigar will be a Torpedo (6.25 x 42-54) with a shaggy foot and will retail for $8.95. The binder/filler tobaccos from Brazil, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic will be adorned with a “very special and limited high grade” Habano 2000 wrapper.

5) Deal of the Week: A good ashtray is hard to find, and Drew Estate makes some of the best at their Subculture Studios. If you’re in the market for a new place to rest your ash, you’d be well advised to check these out.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Civil Cigar Lounge