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) Illinois may become one of the first states to weaken its statewide smoking ban. Enacted in 2008, the current law criminalizes smoking in most indoor “public” places and workplaces, including bars, restaurants, private clubs, and gaming facilities. But, on Wednesday, a House committee approved proposals that “would allow smoking in segregated, ventilated rooms in licensed casinos” and “give local liquor control commissions the power to issue licenses.” The Illinois Casino Gaming Commission reports that casino revenues have dropped over 30% since the implementation of the statewide ban.

2) Xikar, the Kansas City-based outfit best known for manufacturing lighters and cutters, announced a price cut this week on its HC Series of cigars, dropping them an average of 18% per stick to put them in the $6-8 price range. Scott Almsberger, company vice president of product development, said there will be no changes in quality standards of tobacco blends.

3) Inside the Industry: Even though they likely won’t be available until 2014, General Cigar is so pleased with the 2010 Connecticut wrappers that the company plans to use them in a Macanudo Vintage line, which it only does for the best years. Meanwhile, the Quesada España is being introduced to the Spanish market.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews a Cain FF. Nice Tight Ash checks out a Tatuaje Havana VI. Cigar Fan fires up a Nacionales W. Smoking Stogie compares the Viaje WLP Candela to the Illusione Candela. The Barclay Rex 100th Anniversary Tatuaje broke into the top 10 at Your Cigar Ratings.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: public domain

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, we summarized some of the anti-tobacco bills that are under consideration in state capitals across the country. While many federal and state politicians continue to restrict cigar rights here in the U.S., their work pales in comparison to the draconian new law that recently took effect in Honduras. The law bans smoking in most public places throughout the country—one of the world’s leading exporters of cigars—and also encourages people to report individuals who smoke inside their homes. “Families or individuals may complain to law enforcement authorities when smokers expose them to secondhand smoke in private places and family homes,” reads a clause in the law.

2) Details are emerging about Crowned Heads LLC, a new cigar company that was announced by Jon Huber and other former employees of CAO in February. Huber and his team are currently in talks with tobacco growers and factories to produce a new five-vitola blend before the end of the year. Huber says his goal is to focus on quality and balance, not volume or sales figures.

3) Inside the Industry: The Jameson Cigar Co. is releasing Santos de Miami, a box-pressed Dominican puro with a corojo wrapper. La Palina El Diario, a more affordable version of the La Palina line, is being made at the Raices Cubanas factory in Honduras and will sell for about $10 per cigar.

4) Around the Blogs: Smoking Stogie smokes a Cuban Partagas 165th Anniversario. Stogie Review reviews the Nub San Andreas Maduro. Nice Tight Ash checks out the Reinado Torpedo. Cigar Inspector inspects the Casa Magna. The top cigar on YourCigarRatings.com is the Tatuaje Black Corona Gorda.

5) Deal of the Week: We’ve enjoyed the Don Kiki White Label for years, and now is your chance to pick up this cigar at a deep discount: a box of 20 for just $84.99. Also available is a bundle of 20 La Unica by Fuente/Newman for $59.99. [The original deals expired, but by clicking through the email specials page you’ll find other discounted prices.]

–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) The 13th annual Habanos Festival concludes today, wrapping up a week-long extravaganza of Cuban cigars, factory tours, seminars, tastings, and plantation visits. This year’s event pays special homage to Montecristo, Partagas, and H. Upmann, with each brand debuting new cigars. Forthcoming releases include the Montecristo No. 2 Gran Reserva, Partagas Serie E No. 2 and Serie D No. 5, and H. Upmann Half Corona. Habanos SA is hoping these sizes boost sales in 2011 and continue the Cuban cigar industry’s rebound after tough years in 2008 and 2009. But there is still cause for concern. “Although Cuba’s cigar industry is cautiously optimistic about the future, officials are worried by developments in their biggest market: Spain,” reports The Telegraph. “In the grip of a financial crisis, Spanish cigar smokers are cutting back on Cuban cigars to save money, while a recently introduced ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces has also hit sales.”

2) Last Saturday, Patrick A was a featured guest at The Cigar Authority, a live internet show that’s simulcast on several New England radio stations. Click here to check out the video (Patrick’s segment starts around 1:09 and ends around 1:30, but the whole show is worth checking out). And be sure to tune in to The Cigar Authority every Saturday from noon to 2pm eastern.

3) Inside the Industry: Jon Huber, formerly the marketing manager and all around public personality for CAO Cigars, has joined forces with three other former CAO employees to start up Crowned Heads Cigars, which will be based in CAO’s former home of Nashville (details of Huber’s final days at CAO can be found here). Altadis USA launched a new website as part of their restructuring that splits off their premium handmade cigars from their domestic machine-made cigars. Davidoff of New York is the home of a new limited edition Torpedo (5.5 x 52) from My Father Cigars. The 2011 Avo limited edition will be a Dominican puro in a perfecto shape.

4) Around the Blogs: Tiki Bar smokes La Sirena The Prince. Smoking Stogie fires up the Federal Cigar 90th Anniversary 109 Rosado. Stogie Review reviews the My Father Le Bijou. Cigar Fan lights up the Alec Bradley Sun Grown. Nice Tight Ash checks out the Zino Embassy 2010. Raleigh Cigars enjoys the Liga Privada T-52. Cigar Inspector inspects the Viaje Satori. The top cigar on YourCigarRatings.com is the Tatuaje Monster Series The Frank.

5) Deal of the Week: Our friends at Citizen Cigar are offering $5 off any box under $75 and $10 off any box over $75. Signing up for the Citizen Cigar newsletter gets you an additional 10% off, so make your purchase today.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Habanos Festival

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) Politicians in Utah are seeking to curtail underage smoking by outlawing flavored tobacco statewide. The original version of their proposed bill criminalized flavored tobacco of any kind, but a newer version exempts cigars, targeting pipe tobacco instead. “We have always been against the sale of any tobacco products to anyone under the age of 19, and there are plenty of laws that already prevent that,” said Fred Cvar, owner of The Tinder Box in Salt Lake City, in an IPCPR press release. “HB0170, unfortunately, also would prevent the sale of virtually all pipe tobaccos to our mature adult customers. Such tobaccos, cut and blended especially for use in briar and meerschaum pipes, have been enjoyed…since the 1600s.”

2) State lawmakers in Washington are mulling a bill that would decriminalize smoking in select cigar shops and lounges. Only 100 exemptions would be granted statewide, each paying $15,000 to the government annually. Smoking inside bars, restaurants, lounges,  tobacco shops, and other places of employment has been illegal in the Evergreen State since 2005.

3) Inside the Industry: Tatuaje is releasing a petit lancero version of the Black Label that will be exclusive to  the Minneapolis Tobacco Grove shop. Jim Colucci, an executive vice president at Altadis, has announced his retirement after a 34-year career with the company. Casa Magna is releasing a new Lancero size. Drew Estate is launching Ratzilla, a version of the Dirty Rat that measures 6 inches with a ring gauge of 46 (we reported the possibility of this new vitola at the 2010 IPCPR Trade Show in New Orleans).

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews the Regusto Churchill. Tiki Bar examines the Casa Fernandez Arsenio Maduro. Smoking Stogie smokes a pre-release Drew Estate Liga Privada L40. Cigar Fan fires up a Hoyo de Monterrey Reposado en Cedros. Stogie Fresh smokes the Tatuaje Verocu Tubo. The Padrón 1964 Principe Maduro is now the top cigar at YourCigarRatings.com.

5) Deal of the Week: Altadis continues promotions for its Romeo y Julieta Habana Reserve, offering four sticks for just $7.95 (including shipping). An ad in the March Men’s Journal advises readers to log on here and order the quartet.

–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) One week after politicians in New York voted to criminalize smoking in the city’s parks, beaches, and other outdoor areas, two Boston city councilors are proposing a similar law for their city. “Mayor Thomas M. Menino [pictured], a strong supporter of smoking bans in bars and restaurants and of the elimination of cigarette sales in pharmacies, has not taken a public position on the councilors’ proposal,” reports the Boston Globe. “In an interview, the mayor’s top health aide, Barbara Ferrer, was noncommittal about the possible restriction but said she and the mayor are ‘excited to hear more.’”

2) Whoopie Goldberg’s one celebrity who isn’t pleased with New York City’s new outdoor smoking ban. “I’m tired of being treated like some damn criminal,” the actress said on The View, where she’s a regular. According to an article in the Toronto Sun, Goldberg noted that smokers deserve some respect: “You can’t keep treating people like they don’t matter.”

3) The fourth annual ProCigar Festival took place this week in Santiago. The event is the Dominican Republic’s version of Cuba’s Festival del Habano (which kicks off later this month) with factory tours, golf, educational seminars, cuisine, and plenty of cigars. This year’s sponsors included Davidoff, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, La Aurora, El Credito, and many others.

4) Inside the Industry: Fonseca announced it’s 120th Anniversary cigar, a one-size line made with Dominican wrapper and binder tobaccos with a mix of Dominican and Nicaraguan filler. Habanos S.A. has announced the appointment of Jorge Luis Fernandez Maique to the position of co-president.

5) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor. Smoking Stogie smokes the Graycliff Espresso Elegante. Your Cigar Ratings features the 601 Blue Robusto. Cigar Inspector inspects a Monte Pascoal. A Cigar Smoker checks out La Aurora Gran 107.

6) Deal of the Week: This Hurricane Sampler includes 12 cigars for just $40. Included are sought-after cigars from Diesel, Man O’ War, Gurkha, and Padilla.

–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) For cigar enthusiasts, New York may be the most inhospitable major city in the country. Politicians in the Big Apple this week voted to ban smoking in many outdoor areas, including parks, beaches, and Times Square. “The smoking ban will cover 1,700 parks and 14 miles of public beaches plus boardwalks, marinas, and pedestrian plazas…,” writes the Associated Press. “The expanded smoking ban will give the city’s Parks Department the power to slap violators with quality-of-life summonses, which are tickets for minor offenses…that typically carry fines of under $100.” Smoking inside bars and restaurants has been illegal in New York City since 2003.

2) Meanwhile, in Connecticut and Maine, the right to enjoy cigars in private clubs is under attack. Lawmakers in those states have introduced bills that would ban smoking in the few places where smoking is still permitted. One Connecticut politician said the move is intended “to insure the public is protected.”

3) Inside the Industry: Gary Hyams stepped down as chairman of CAO on Monday, becoming the fourth executive to depart the company in three months. Ashton is releasing a new La Aroma de Cuba size called “Marquis”. La Aurora is adding another 107 vitola called “Gran 107” (7 x 58). Last night,  former quarterback and current ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski hosted a pre-Super Bowl cigar party to benefit the Jaws Youth Fund, which partners with the United Way to help at-risk youth.

4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Fan fires up a Warlock. Tiki Bar tries the Viaje Holiday Blend 2010. Smoking Stogie smokes the Drew Estate Double Signature. Stogie Review reviews the Oliva Master Blends 3. Cigar Inspector inspects an Avo Tesoro. Stogie Fresh lights up My Father Le Bijou.

5) Deal of the Week: We’ve rated the Cubano Claro four out of five stogies, and now is your chance to pick up this cigar at a deep discount: a box of 20 for just $59.99.

–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) Lawmakers in Minnesota introduced House File No. 188, which would provide modest yet much-needed relief from the state’s restrictive smoking ban. If passed, the law would grant an exemption for bars that meet certain ventilation regulations and have separate dining areas. “This is a step in the right direction,” reads a CRA press release. “The bill is currently in the House Health and Human Services Reform Committee. We hope you let committee members know of your support.”

2) We finally have a Facebook page, where you can interact with other readers, comment on discussions, and more. Also, be sure to join our Facebook group, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to our newsletter.

3) Cigar Rights Alerts: New Mexico politicians proposed a bill that would boost the state’s cigar tax from 25% to 57%. The Indiana House endorsed a statewide smoking ban, but other legislative hurdles have yet to be cleared. A Nebraska judge declared the state’s smoking ban exemption for cigar bars and cigar shops to be unconstitutional, on the grounds it is “special legislation” for a specific group.

4) Around the Blogs: Tiki Bar smokes the Drew Estate Liga Privada JD4. A Cigar Smoker reviews the Davidoff 2000. Cigarfan enjoys the Toraño Single Region Serie Jalapa. Cigar Inspector evaluates the Ashton VSG Enchantment. Smoking Stogie fires up a Punch Serie d’Oro No. 1.

5) Deal of the Week: Famous Smoke Shop is offering free UPS ground shipping when you buy any box or bundle from almost 200 brands, including Tatuaje, 601, Perdomo, Oliva, Rocky Patel, La Flor Dominicana, CAO, Davidoff, Pinar del Rio, and more. Click here to peruse the possibilities.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr