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) Most media outlets are still calling the vote too close to call, but California’s Prop. 29—a dangerous proposal that would increase already-high cigar taxes in the Golden State by a whopping 73%—appears to be headed towards defeat. “The measure was losing by just under 53,000 votes as updated tallies continued to trickle in from county elections offices,” reported the Los Angeles Times last evening. “A spokeswoman for the opposing campaign, Beth Miller, said her side does not anticipate ‘a big vote swing one way or another. But obviously we are watching it closely.’” Thanks again to everyone who voted “no” and to those who encouraged their friends and family in California to do the same.

2) H.R. 1639, the U.S. House bill that would protect premium cigars from disastrous FDA regulations, is now just 20 votes shy of a majority as Donald Manzullo (R-IL) signed on. And as if anyone needed more proof that cigars are the Great Equalizer, consider two of the latest cosponsors: C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, a Baltimore-area Democrat, and Louie Gohmert, a Republican from east Texas. You’d be hard-pressed to find two more divergent members of Congress. Ranked on ideology, Gohmert scored a 10 from Americans for Democratic Action and a 100 from the American Conservative Union, while Ruppersberger got a 90 from the ADA and a 4 from the ACU, according to The Hill.

3) Inside the Industry: In the company’s 35th year, Dona Flor Cigars has announced a re-introduction to the American market. Longtime readers will recall that StogieGuys.com was a fan of Dona Flor back in 2006, with several of the company’s blends earning high praise in reviews. Since then, legal issues have prevented the Brazilian brand from competing in the U.S. But now, Chris Edge—a Denver-based cigar enthusiast and businessman—will be bringing Dona Flor back to North America. Expect the company to generate some buzz at this summer’s industry trade show in Orlando.

4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Explorer explores the Arturo Fuente Solaris. Cigar Fan fires up an Alec Bradley Black Market. Cigar Brief smokes the Rocky Patel Edge Candela. Nice Tight Ash checks out the Alec Bradley American Classic Blend. Stogie Review reviews the El Primer Mundo La Hermandad.

5) Deal of the Week: This “Big Brand Bonanza” sampler includes 10 quality smokes for just $35 (or double up and get 20 cigars for $60). Highlights include such blends as Liga Privada Undercrown, Gurkha Ninja, Montecristo Platinum, La Aurora Preferido, Romeo y Julieta, Casa Fernandez Miami, Toraño Virtuoso, and Art Deco by Nestor Miranda.

–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) Cigar Rights of America (CRA) reports politicians in Springfield are “dangerously close” to drastically increasing the cigar tax in Illinois from 18% to 35%. “This will give Illinois the highest effective rate of any surrounding state, and drive purchases online and out-of-state,” reads a CRA Action Alert. “The bill passed the Illinois House [last week] and passed the Senate in April of 2011. It now is going back to the Senate for debate and voting on the House’s changes.” The move comes less than three months after the Cook County Board increased cigar taxes in Chicago.

2) On Tuesday, New York State announced it would temporarily stop enforcing a controversial law that criminalizes outdoor smoking at state parks. Before this week, violators were subject to a citation for disorderly conduct. But a smokers’ rights organization claimed that the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation failed to comply with state rules about new policies, so the office has decided to delay enforcement until the policy can be properly vetted. “There’s a state rule-making process that we’re undergoing that will take a couple of months and in that time we will not issue tickets,” Dan Keefe, a spokesman for the parks office, told Reuters. Meanwhile, the office “hopes smokers will nonetheless choose to voluntarily refrain from the habit even without the threat of a ticket or citation.”

3) Inside the Industry: Christian Eiroa, former president of Camacho Cigars, announced he is launching the CLE Cigar Co., and that the company’s first two blends, CLE Corojo and CLE Cuarenta, are expected to hit the market in July. Carlos Fuente Jr. was honored with the 2012 Dominican Distinguished Humanitarian Award in recognition of his charitable work in the Dominican Republic. CAO is extending its Last Stick Standing promotion to July 31 to make sure everyone has enough time to get their ratings in.

4) Around the Blogs: Congrats to Charlie at Stogie Review on the birth of his child, Chase—enjoy that well-earned celebratory cigar! Cigar Fan fires up a few Macanudo Gigantes. Nice Tight Ash checks out Flor de las Antilles. Doc Stogie unveils his Cigar Safari video. Cigar Brief reviews the Obsidian. Cigar Explorer explores the Viaje Exclusivo 2012.

5) Deal of the Week: This “Rocky vs. General” sampler features 10 old favorites for just $30. You get the Vintage 1990, 1992, 1999, Sungrown, and Olde World Reserve by Rocky to compare against the Partagas Classic, Partagas Black, Hoyo Excalibur, Don Tomás, and Punch from General Cigar.

–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) Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) are trying to ban flavored cigars at the national level, but officials in Miami-Dade County aren’t content to wait on that bill to move through the legislative process. This week commissioners voted 12-1 to preliminarily approve a measure that would criminalize flavored cigars completely in the south Florida county, which is home to 2.5 million residents. The supposed intent of the restriction would be to cut back on underage smoking, but it is already illegal for minors to purchase tobacco. While this law would not impact the legality of handmade premium cigars, defenders of cigar rights should keep an eye on the movement to restrict the sale of flavored cigars.

2) To mark the launch of the new Hoyo de Monterrey website, General Cigar is hosting a “Box a Day Giveaway.” From now through July 31, you can visit the website to enter to win a box of Hoyo de Monterrey Reposado en Cedros cigars. Winners will be announced every Monday on the website, as well as on Hoyo’s Facebook page and Twitter feed.

3) Inside the Industry: Davidoff’s Puro d’Oro line is getting a makeover, dropping the simple gold foot band for a band that more closely resembles other Davidoff cigars. Nestor Miranda and Miami Cigar & Co. have announced that a 2012 edition of their Nestor Miranda Grand Reserve will debut at the IPCPR Trade Show in August, featuring a stronger blend with Nicaraguan fillers and a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper.

4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Brief smokes a Swag Lavish Robusto. Cigar Explorer explores an E Doble by Erik Espinoza. Cigar Fan fires up a La Casita Criolla. Stogie Review reviews a Padilla Studio Tobac Special Edition Figuardo. Cigar Inspector inspects a Fuente Opus X Fuente Fuente 2001. Tiki Bar kicks back with a My Father Flor de Las Antillas.

5) Deal of the Week: Smoke Inn is taking pre-orders on the new Arturo Fuente Polaris. The cigar is a first from Fuente, a micro-blend, with only 550 boxes made. Boxes of 10 are just $89 and if you order now you get a free Fuente T-shirt.

–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) 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