The Stogie Guys

In our ongoing effort to make StogieGuys.com as entertaining and informative as possible, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other items of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) According to an IPCPR press release, Michigan politicians are mulling a doubling of the state’s tax rate on tobacco products to 64 percent of the manufacturer’s wholesale price. The move would be disastrous for the B&Ms, producers, and distributors who already must struggle to survive the looming federal SCHIP tax hikes. All this comes as the anti-tobacco campaign to impose a statewide smoking ban is revived. “It should be left up to individual business owners to decide whether or not they allow smoking on their premises,” said Chris McCalla, legislative director of IPCPR. “Their employees and customers can then decide whether to work there or patronize them.”

2) In more positive news, a move to prohibit tobacco at all North Dakota college campuses failed to muster the support it needed from the state Board of Higher Education. And Kansas lawmakers balked on a statewide bill, likely deferring discussions of a smoking ban until 2010.

3) Inside the Industry: Toraño is releasing a new version of its Exodus line, the Liga-H blend, that will come in a five-cigar sampler with special versions of the original two Exodus lines. Former employees of high-end cigar accessory maker Colibri protested as  the bankrupt company’s assets were auctioned off. Rocky Patel’s Sumatra-wrapped Spring Collection hits the shelves of limited cigar stores soon.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews the Camacho Candela. Keepers of the Flame lights up a Tobacco Baez. Cigar Inspector inspects the Illusione 68. Stogie Fresh smokes a Los Blancos Sumatra.

5) Deal of the Week: Need (another) humidor filled with great cigars? Let us suggest this deal which includes a 50-count humidor and 25 big name smokes. Included are 5 cigars each by Don Pepin, Graycliff, Gurkha, and Rocky Patel. Compared to what you might pay for everything alone, you’re getting over 50% off plus free shipping. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

In our ongoing effort to make StogieGuys.com as entertaining and informative as possible, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other items of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) The $410 billion spending bill Obama signed on Wednesday includes provisions that could ease U.S.-Cuban relations. While the new law won’t change the 47-year-old embargo, it may make it easier for Americans to travel to Cuba and it may improve diplomatic relations between Washington and Havana—a move that some say is a small step in the direction of decriminalizing Cuban cigars.

2) As New Jersey politicians ponder expanding the Garden State’s smoking ban to cover casinos, Iowa business owners are pushing lawmakers to ease the regulations that violate their rights. Meanwhile, rumors are circulating that Minnesota officials plan to ban smoking in cars where children are present, and concerned citizens in Viriginia are sounding off against the commonwealth’s looming ban.

3) Inside the Industry: Rocky Patel added a thick (6 x 60) cigar to his highly-rated Decade line. Production of the non-limited edition Davidoff puro has been delayed until Spring 2010 while the Davidoff “Puro d’Oro” is re-blended.  Former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson was on hand to cut the ribbon at the opening of the new Club La Gloria Cubana in Albuquerque. Altadis is releasing a new “Siglo Limited Reserve” line with packaging similar to that of the famous Cuban Cohiba.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Fresh smokes the Fonseca Sungrown Cedar No. 2. Stogie Review lights up a Tatuaje Noellas Reserva. Matt puffs on the Edge Corojo Toro. Keepers of the Flame reviews the Fuente Don Carlos line.

5) Deal of the Week: Here’s a ten-pack of high-priced sticks at a serious discount. Fifty bucks (including free shipping on your entire order) gets you two cigars each from Montecristo Media Noche, Gurkha, Cocinero, Princesa de Cuba, and Graycliff 1666. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: San Francisco Sentinel

In our ongoing effort to make StogieGuys.com as entertaining and informative as possible, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other items of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) While the battle over SCHIP may be over and lost, the anti-tobacco crusade to punish cigar smokers isn’t over—especially at the state level. Maryland and Pennsylvania politicians, among others, are eyeing drastic cigar tax increases to boost government revenue. According to Luxist, the owner of Davidus Cigars, the largest B&M chain in Maryland, said the proposed “90 percent tax rate would put him out of business.”

2) Approved by the House and up for debate in the Senate, the $410 billion spending bill is spurring debate on Capitol Hill over America’s antiquated policies towards Cuba. The would-be law includes provisions that ease U.S. travel restrictions to the forbidden island nation. Proponents, as reported by the New York Times, “hailed the measures as a small but significant first step in changing the relationship between Washington and Havana.”

3) Inside the Industry: Habanos, S.A. is releasing a limited edition Gran Reserva Cohiba Siglo VI that will be sold for at least twice the price of the already expensive regular Cohiba Siglo VI. Avo will be holding a special cigar dinner in New York celebrating his birthday and the release of a new limited edition cigar. When asked about his new Winter Collection Blend, Rocky Patel says its “the most full-bodied smoke I’ve ever made.”

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review smokes an Ambos Mundos Sumatra.  Stogie Info reviews the Tex Cigars house brand. Velvet Cigar tries the Marco V. Cigar Inspector inspects the Fuente Epicure.

5) Deal of the Week: These deals from Cuban Crafters are just a few of the many cigar stimulus specials we expect to see. We particularly recommend the 4.5 stogie-rated La Carolina or the 4 stogie-rated J.L. Salazar, both selling around an amazingly low $50 per box of 25. Get yours here while these bargains last.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

In our ongoing effort to make StogieGuys.com as entertaining and informative as possible, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other items of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) Even Cuban cigars aren’t immune to today’s global recession. This week Habanos, S.A. reported a 3 percent drop in 2008 sales to $390 million. A Habanos official said the downturn reflects falling demand for luxury items amid overall economic anxieties and warned that 2009 could be a “very complicated” year for manufacturers.

2) New Mexico politicians are pushing a bill that would expand their statewide smoking ban to cars with children present. Fines for violators would range from $100-300—the same amount the state tickets business owners for allowing their patrons to light up indoors.

3) Inside the Industry: Daily Cigar Deal was launched on Monday, a new website offering “an incredible deal” on different cigars every day. Montecristos were provided to all the participants in the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament. Along with Cuban cigars, premium non-Cubans were also down in 2008, although the decline was mostly due to decreased Dominican imports as Nicaraguan and Honduran numbers were up.

4) Around the Blogs: Keepers of the Flame reviews the Cruzado Dantes. Cigar Jack looks at the Punch Election. Stogie Review lights up a Rocky Patel Winter Collection. Matt fires up a Cuban Hoyo. Cigar Spy smokes an Oliva Master Blend.

5) Deal of the Week: This Cuban Blender Sampler features five cigars each from two former top Cuban blenders: Don Pepin and Avelina Lara. Included are five Don Pepin Garcia Blue Labels and five Graycliff 1966 PGs, all for just under $40. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

In our ongoing effort to make StogieGuys.com as entertaining and informative as possible, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other items of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) Virginia finally lost its protracted battle against the anti-tobacco movement. The last legislative hurdle was cleared yesterday for a smoking ban over most restaurants and bars across the state that was built on tobacco. The law, which goes into effect December 1, omits a previously included exemption for businesses that are off-limits to minors.

2) Hawaii, meanwhile, joins the list of states that are having difficulties enforcing their own bans. As reported by MSNBC, the American Cancer Society is peeved because “more bars are ignoring state smoking prohibitions.” Many bar owners are apparently posting “No Smoking” signs and then turning a blind eye when their patrons light up.

3) Inside the Industry: In celebration of their 35th anniversary, MATASA will be introducing a new Fonseca at the IPCPR trade show in August. Altadis is launching its newest H. Upmann, the Reserve Maduro, with a series of in-store promotions. Oliva is releasing a new Connecticut-wrapped cigar.

4) Around the Blogs: Keepers of the Flame smokes a Camacho Havana. Stogie Review tries a Casillas Cigars Zebra. The Cohiba Club fires up an Ashton ESG 20 Year Salute. Cigar Command reviews an Adrian’s Havanna 2000.

5) Deal of the Week: This “Eight Horsemen Sampler” features eight torpedoes for the bargain price of $19.99. Included are pricey smokes such as the Graycliff 1666, Padilla Obsidian, Rocky Patel Connecticut, and CAO Black—any three of which could easily cost more than the entire sampler. Pick up yours today here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

In our ongoing effort to make StogieGuys.com as entertaining and informative as possible, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other items of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) According to TMZ, Gurkha Cigars offered Michael Phelps $25,000 to become their official “smokesperson.” After a photo of Phelps smoking a bong was made public, the company reportedly wrote to the 14-time gold medal winner: “We would like to provide you with the opportunity to do what you do best—smoke and swim. And while we can’t help you with your swimming skills, we can definitely offer you the best of the best when it comes to the cigar world.”

2) Virginia, a state built on tobacco, is nearing a compromise that would impose a smoking ban on the commonwealth. As it stands now, the law would be one of the weakest statewide bans because it includes exemptions for clubs and businesses that are off-limits to minors. But lawmakers in Richmond, including Gov. Tim Kaine, are scrambling to make the proposed regulation more cumbersome.

3) The Cigar Family Charitable Foundation, a philanthropic venture of the Fuente and Newman families, continues to do important work for the people of the Dominican Republic’s rural tobacco-growing region. The organization’s activities include providing medical treatment, helping students graduate from vocational training programs, and running various community development initiatives. The Foundation is likely to take a hit due to SCHIP, so we encourage you to donate.

4) Inside the Industry: Habanos is introducing the Montecristo Open, a new, milder extension of its Cuban Montecristo line. CAO’s Cx2 blend is now only available from Famous Smoke Shop. Famous also rolled out exclusive blends celebrating 70 years of business, including a three-size line by Perdomo and a box-pressed Padrón Robusto reportedly based on the 1964 blend.

5) Around the Blogs: Cigar Jack lights up a Casa Fuente. Stogie Review smokes a Conuco. Stogie Fresh tries a J. Fuego Triple Siete. Cigar Command sparks a Henry Clay Brevas.

6) Deal of the Week: While Alec Bradley’s Tempus hogged the spotlight and the highest ratings, don’t overlook the well-aged Harvest Selection ’97. At $20 for 8 smokes, this deal is a great way to try Tempus’ slightly milder brother. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

In our ongoing effort to make StogieGuys.com as entertaining and informative as possible, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other items of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) Wednesday marked the culmination of the protracted clash over SCHIP, one of the most critical political battles in the cigar industry’s history. Obama’s signature made it official: a 52.75% federal excise tax on large cigars (capped at 40.26 cents per stick) effective April 1. While by no means welcome news, these numbers, thanks to groups like Cigar Rights of America and the IPCPR, are a far cry from the $10 per cigar cap originally proposed by lawmakers in July.

2) Imperial Tobacco Group, the giant that owns Altadis, acknowledged this week that it expects the economic downturn to have a negative impact on its cigar output. Although Altadis makes many top-selling brands, the company’s cigar sales are dwarfed by its cigarette component.

3) Inside the Industry: Erneto Perez-Carrillo, the man who created the Miami-based La Gloria Cubana brand, is leaving General Cigars to start a company with two of his children. All sizes in the Cuban Cohiba Siglo line will be available in metal tubes. J. Glynn Loope was formally named executive director of Cigar Rights of America. NBC’s Today Show toured J.C. Newman’s Tampa cigar factory.

4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Jack smokes a Casa Fuente Pyramide. Cigar Inspector checks out a Diplomatico No 2. Stogie Review lights up an H. Upmann Reserve. Keepers of the Flame reviews the Troya X-Tra Cetro.

5) Deal of the Week: It’s not too late to take advantage of Super Bowl specials from Cuban Crafters. While they have quite a few deals, we particularly recommend the Cupido Tuxedo Churchills, which will be the subject of a StogiegGuys.com review in the near future. Get yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Washington Post