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 snippets of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) As if you didn’t already know, this weekend’s big cigar news begins and ends with the kickoff of the 76th Annual IPCPR Trade Show in Las Vegas on Sunday. Keep it right here at StogieGuys.com for live, on-the-ground coverage—including highlights of the new cigars that are expected to debut.

2) A petition to get an initiative on a ballot to exempt cigar bars from Washington’s oppressive smoking ban came up 12,000 signatures short this week. Now the downtrodden owners of cigar bars, stores, and private clubs in the Evergreen State are expected to lobby legislators in January in a last-ditch effort to save their livelihoods.

3) Inside the Industry: Select boxes of Rocky Patel cigars will be shipped with “custom-printed” Humidipaks starting late this summer. Last year’s Dominican floods are making shipments of the already scarce Opus X even rarer. General Cigars won a lawsuit confirming the company’s ownership of the U.S. Cohiba trademark.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review smokes the Tatuaje Cojonu 2006. Cigar Jack smokes the Kristoff Criollo Churchill. Matt lights up a Toraño Noventa. Cigar Command reviews the 5 Vegas Miami Robusto. Keepers of the Flame continues its vertical review of the Padrón line with the Ambassador.

5) Deal of the Week: This Medium Bodied Sampler includes ten top-notch cigars for just $39.99. It features Romeo y Julieta Viejo, Macanudo Maduros, Cocinero Liga Especial, Toraño 1916 Cameroon, and Oliva Serie O. The sampler also includes free shipping on the entire order. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Convention Hotels

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 snippets of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) DC-area Stogie Guys should come out to Morton’s in Reston Town Center on Monday, July 21 for a special event with Paul Garmirian Cigars. For a mere $220, you’ll get five courses of Morton’s signature cuisine paired with fine wines and premium Paul Garmirian smokes— not to mention a chance to dine with Patrick A and Patrick S. See the Special Events tab here for more details and to register.

2) Add American Tap, a drinking hole in downstate Illinois, to the growing list of bars that outright defy tyrannical smoking bans. Owner Gary McWard is rightfully ignoring the statewide law and demonstrating that enforcement is still difficult in rural communities—where smoking rates and hostilities toward smoking bans are higher. “Go ahead and fine me,” he told the state health department.

3) Inside the Industry: Cuban Imports, Inc. will introduce the Exile Wired at the upcoming IPCPR Show. According to CigarCyclopedia, Tabacos de la Cordillera will also unveil four new cigars at the convention and trade show in Las Vegas in a couple of weeks, each using different Cuban tobacco whose seeds were kept genetically pure since their planting in Cuban soil in the 1940s and 1950s.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews the Oliva Serie G. Cigar Jack lights up an Ashton ESG. The Cigar Spy torches up a Don Lino 1989. Keepers of the Flame tries the Padrón Corticos.

5) Happy Independence Day! Be sure to celebrate with a cigar.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: PG Cigars

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 snippets of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) How could a leather cigar case prompt a major political scandal? Well, it certainly wouldn’t hurt if the former owner of the case was Tarik Aziz, Iraq’s former deputy prime minister under Saddam Hussein. And it would also be helpful if the current owner is the mayor of London (pictured).

2) The City Council in Thousand Oaks, California unanimously voted to ban smoking in “outdoor gathering places” yesterday. The law is intended to “reduce exposure to secondhand smoke in outdoor settings.” Can you imagine a more absurd assertion?

3) Inside the Industry: CAO is introducing a “Four for the Fourth” sampler of its America line, featuring two new sizes: a box-pressed Robusto and a “Reverse Torpedo.” Continuing the lancero trend, La Aurora is rolling out production of the long, slender cigars in its Preferidos line. The Griffin’s made by Davidoff has released its 2008 limited edition cigar, a Torpedo that will run $11 per stick.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews a CI Legends Purple (Graycliff). Cigar Jack lights up a Punch Grand Cru Maduro. Velvet Cigar smokes a La Riqueza. Cigar Spy tries the Gurkha Legend.

5) Deal of the Week: Once again we feel it necessary to draw your attention to some real bargains from our friends at Cuban Crafters. In honor of Independence Day, they’ve cut prices on some of our favorites, including the Cabinet Selection, Don Kiki White Label, and Cupido. Check out the deals here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: BBC

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 snippets of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) We must have missed the memo on June being Cigar Association Month. Following the establishment of Cigar Rights of America and the IPCPR’s new group to fight smoking bans and tobacco taxes we’ve been alerted to the formation of two more groups: The Association for Women Cigar Smokers will aim to facilitate and be a resource for female smokers, and the International Association of Cigar Clubs is working to protect the rights of smokers to gather in private cigar clubs.

2) In the recent Jameson cigar review, the origin of the company name was raised but couldn’t be answered. Well, Jameson chief Brad Mayo has since emailed to say that it comes from his first name, James, which he shares with his grandfather, father, and son.

3) Inside the Industry: Imperial Tobacco, the world’s fourth largest tobacco company and owner of Altadis, announced it will cut 2,440 jobs and close 6 of its 58 facilities as part of a restructuring effort. Riding the success of San Cristobal, Don Pepin is again partnering with Ashton to create a new brand called Benchmade.

4) Around the Blogs: With the help of Jon N, Keepers of the Flame continues its outstanding series on Padrón with a comparison review of the Delicias vitola. Cigar Monkey fires up a Griffin’s Piramide. Cigar Jack tries the Rocky Patel Edge Lite Torpedo. Cigar Inspector sparks a Flor de Selva Robusto.

5) Deal of the Week: This week’s deal is the best kind of all: a free cigar! A recent issue of the Robb Report offers readers a free Montecristo (Classic or White), which can be claimed here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Altadis USA

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 snippets of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) We are still accepting entries to win a $30 gift certificate to FumeeWorld.com. Just fill out this survey and include a valid email address. Your answers will help us improve StogieGuys.com. Plus everyone who participates will receive an email with a coupon code for 20 percent off any purchases from FumeeWorld.com.

2) Those anti-smoking censors are at it again and this time the target is the new Incredible Hulk movie. the AMA is whining that William Hurt’s character, Gen. Thaddeus”Thunderbolt” Ross, is seen with a cigar throughout the film. They say that by showing cigar smoking the movie encourages kids to smoke, but you’d think they would be more worried about the fact that the movie has a man gain superpowers by being in the blast radius of a bomb, which would seem a far worse message for children.

3) Here’s an odd one: apparently Mel Gibson and Britney Spears held a meeting at the exclusive Havana Club cigar room this week. No word on what, if any, cigars were smoked at the superstars’ pow-wow.

4) Inside the Industry: CAO’s much-hyped new cigar will be called the Lx2 meaning ligero times two – much like CAO’s other lines the Mx2 (Maduro) and Cx2 (Cameroon). Punch Cigar’s pot-bellied, trash-talking mascot, Mr. Punch is celebrating a birthday with a series of promotions in July, including exclusive Punch humidor giveaways. Bucanero Cigars owner Robert Spoden (who we interviewed here) told European Cigar Cult Magazine that he wants to sell the highly-rated boutique cigar brand.

5) Around the Blogs: Keepers of the Flame lights up the Padrón Palmas. Stogie Review smokes the J. Fuego Delirium. Velvet Cigar reviews an Oliva Master Blends. Cigar Command puffs on a Padron 3000.

6) Deal of the Week: Here’s a nice deal for the Macanudo lover in you. For just $49, you get a box of 10 (5.5 x 49) Macanudo Cafe Hyde Parks, plus a spiffy Macanudo ashtray. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: General Cigar

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 snippets of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) The industry may finally be getting its act together. Cigar Rights of America (CRA), a grassroots nonprofit hell-bent on battling tobacco taxes and smoking bans, was formed early this week. Sponsored by retailers and manufacturers— including Fuente, Davidoff, General, and Rocky—the organization will fight the “overzealous anti-smoking movement.” IPCPR announced plans to establish its own industry advocacy group one day later.

2) Speaking of the overzealous anti-smoking movement, the Ohio State Supreme Court shot down an exemption for private clubs from the state’s oppressive smoking ban. And while Pennsylvania legislators rejected a bill to ban smoking in most workplaces across the Keystone State, the proposed regulation will likely be reconsidered on Monday after some politicians try to make it stronger.

3) Inside the Industry: Don Giolitoo of Illusione cigars is coming out with a milder line to be called the Cruzado. Famous Smoke’s Cigar Expo & BBQ Bash 2008 starts today in Easton, Pennsylvania with with a golf tournament before a weekend filled with stogies and BBQ. The Metropolitan Cigar Society of Fairfield, New Jersey hosted Rocky Patel at a special dinner Wednesday night.

4) Around the Blogs: Keepers of the Flame lights up the Padrón 7000. Stogie Review smokes the Sancho Panza Double Maduro. Cigar Jack reviews a Camacho Corojo Toro. Matt puffs on a Pepin Garcia Cuban Classic Lancero. The Stogie Baby tries a Montecristo Media Noche.

5) Deal of the Week: Need a Fathers’ Day gift? Cuban Crafters has slashed prices on a number of cigars. Included are boxes of Stogie Guys favorites, including the Cuban Crafters Cabinet Selection, J.L. Salazar, and La Carolina lines—each of which is available at deep discount. See all the deals here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: CigarRights.org

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 snippets of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) U.S. Coast Guard agents seized 28,000 Cuban cigars and 42 bottles of rum in a single smuggling sting in Florida. Two Fort Myers men were indicted for the illegal imports this week. No word yet on what the agents will do with the confiscated goodies.

2) You’ve still got time to get in on the Stogie Guys’ efforts to keep the Memorial Day spirit going all week long with cigar donations to the troops overseas.

3) Inside the Industry: To launch its revamped Playboy line of cigars (not to be confused with Playboy by Don Diego), Altadis is having events all around the country hosted by Playboy Playmates. Cuvee cigars, made by Cusano, has re-blended its 151 and Rouge lines only one year after they were introduced at the RTDA.

4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Jack checks out the Gispert Robusto. Stogie Review fires up the CI Legends Copper. Keepers of the Flame tries an Ancient Warrior by K Hansotia. Stogie Fresh reviews a Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro.

5) Deal of the Week: This “21 Gun Salute Sampler” includes 21 cigars from the biggest names in the business including Rocky Patel, CAO, Gurkha, Cohiba, La Flor Dominicana, Toraño, Bolivar, La Gloria Cubana, Hoyo, Partagas, Perdomo, Arganese, and more – all for just $59. Get yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Altadis USA