The Stogie Guys

In our ongoing effort to make StogieGuys.com as entertaining and reader-friendly as possible, each Friday we’ll post a selection of quick cigar news and stogie-related snippets. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) If you’re a  Florida Stogie Guy (specifically the Tampa area), you may be interested to know that Thompson Cigar’s Cigar Artisans event is going on tomorrow and that tickets are still available. With entry you get over 50 cigars and, as George wrote last year, you get to meet many of the men (and women) who produce the fantastic cigars you enjoy every day.

And better still you can enjoy all this with a clean conscience because, as the Tampa Tribune reports, a portion of the proceeds goes to the Southeastern Guide Dogs charity. Tickets can still be purchased through Thompson’s website.

2) Tax-achusetts’ senseless statewide smoking ban just isn’t enough for some Bostonians. An outdoor ban for a plaza beside Quincy City Hall was proposed this week at a license hearing by Boston cops. Their justification, according to City Council President Doug Gutro, is to keep the area clear of “unsavory characters.”

3) The revulsion some people feel about smoking seems to know no bounds, extending even to a desire to manipulate news coverage to “set a good example.” Check the first item in the ombudsman’s column for the Virginian-Pilot for an excellent discussion of the topic.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews the La Flor Dominicana Cameroon Cabinet. Cigar Jack tries the Palmas Puro Natural. Keepers of the Flame lights up a Trinidad 100th Anniversary Robusto. Cigar Monkey smokes an Alec Bradley MAXX.

5) Deal of the Week: Tatuaje (made by Don “Pepin” Garcia) might just be hottest cigar going these days, and this sampler is a perfect way to try the brand’s many highly rated blends. With five different sticks that usually sell for over $10 individually, the $37.50 sampler is quite economical. Pick yours up here.

–The Stogie Guys

In our ongoing effort to make StogieGuys.com as entertaining and reader-friendly as possible, each Friday we’ll post a selection of quick cigar news and stogie-related snippets. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) When it comes to snuffing out cigars, senseless smoking bans and ridiculous tax hikes aren’t the only methods available to the government. Eminent domain – the power of bureaucrats to seize citizens’ private property – is another nasty tool, and it’s being abused in San Diego. This week an appellate court ruled the city was justified in condemning the Gran Havana cigar lounge to make way for a Marriott hotel, and the judge even threw out a $9 million compensation for owner Ahmad Mesdaq (pictured at right with Governator Schwarzenegger).

2) As Hurricane Felix pounded Nicaragua on Tuesday we were keeping our fingers crossed. After all, Estelí is one of the most important cigar-producing cities in the world, and lord knows what effect a Category 5 storm would have on its inhabitants or the industry. Luckily, according to Cigar Aficionado, the hurricane’s impact was minimal in that area of the country.

3) Think tobacco taxes are a bad idea? (Well, duh.) This editorial in the Wall Street Journal does too. Read it so the next time some anti-tobacco busybody tries to convince you otherwise you’ll have all the facts to set them straight.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews the Rocky Patel Fusion. Cigar Jack tries the Arganese Ambassador. Keepers of the Flame lights up a Vega Fina. Stogie Fresh smokes a Tatuaje La Maravilla. Cigar Beat torches up a Montesino. Cigar Monkey smokes a Oliva Serie V.

5) Deal of the Week: This ten cigar “Black and Tan” Sampler from Tinderbox includes some fantastic cigars like the Tatuaje Conoju 2003, a CAO Sopranos Edition Associate and the Camacho Triple Maduro Torpedo. Those three smokes can easily run you over $30, but you get them plus seven other quality sticks for just under $50. Pick yours up here.

–The Stogie Guys

In our ongoing effort to make StogieGuys.com as entertaining and reader-friendly as possible, each Friday we’ll post a selection of quick cigar news and stogie-related snippets. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) Well, there was hope for Houston. Local bar and restaurant owners were seeking an injunction against a senseless citywide smoking ban on grounds that the law “will create an unfair competitive environment for them to operate.” A judge dismissed their case this week and, as a result, America’s fourth-largest city will be smoke-free starting tomorrow.

2) Why is moving the contents of a cigar shop only 140 paces away so difficult? As Nat Sherman explains in yesterday’s New York Times, it’s a bit more complicated than simply boxing up the goods and walking them across the street – especially when the owners of your old retail space want you gone for good.

3) Around the Blogs: Keepers of the Flame lights up a Domaine Avo 50. Cigar Beat reviews a La Gloria Serie R. Cigar Monkey puffs on a Toraño Exodus. Cigar Inspector inspects a Griffin Maduro Toro. Velvet Cigar goes with the Oliva Serie O. Cigar Jack torches up a Partagas Black.

4) Deal of the Week: Last week’s deal was out of stock so quickly we replaced it with the “Woodstock Sampler” from Tinderbox. But since many of you may have missed the change, we’re running it again. With nine big name cigars for just $25, it’s a real steal. Get yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

In our ongoing effort to make StogieGuys.com as entertaining and reader-friendly as possible, each Friday we’ll post a selection of quick cigar news and stogie-related snippets. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) Enjoy our weekend Quick Smokes? Wish you could post one of your own? Well, here’s your chance: StogieGuys.com is still accepting Guest Quick Smokes. Just send us an email with a short description of the cigar (please include its full name and dimensions) and your rating of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell,” and we’ll consider posting it. You can increase your chances of publication by choosing a cigar that hasn’t already been a Quick Smoke or the subject of a full review. Please remember we’re not looking for essays; just a short paragraph on your impressions. Here are a few good examples of a Macanudo, a Punch, and a Hoyo.

2) If you enjoyed Wednesday’s interview with baseball legend turned cigar manufacturer Luis Tiant, chances are you’ll get a kick out of Cigar Aficionado’s recent piece on Mets general manager Omar Minaya. He talks about trying to please crazy New Yorkers and his affinity for Arturo Fuentes and La Auroras.

3) Around the Blogs: Keepers of the Flame lights up a Camacho Corojo 11/18. Cigar Beat reviews a Partagas Black Bravo. Cigar Monkey puffs on a Macanudo Prince Phillip. Cigar Inspector inspects a PadrÏŒn Maduro 3000. Velvet Cigar goes with the Gurkha Expedition 1887. Cigar Jack torches up a Cusano P1.

4) Deal of the Week: This special ends today at midnight, so waste no time! Replacement Deal: Nine cigar “Woodstock Sampler” for just $25. Get yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

In our ongoing effort to make StogieGuys.com as entertaining and reader-friendly as possible, each Friday we’ll post a selection of quick cigar news and stogie-related snippets. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) In the continuing trend towards further consolidation of the cigar industry, Swedish Match – the parent company of General Cigar (owner of such brands as Macanudo, Partagas, and Cohiba) – has purchased retailer Cigars International, Inc. Cigar International is a wholesale cigar seller known for its two websites: CigarsInternational.com and CigarBid.com. The move hints that further acquisitions in the cigar industry may be vertical consolidations as companies seek to add shareholder value by controlling production, wholesale distribution, and retail sales.

2) Congratulations to the voters of Athens, Alabama, who this week rejected attempts to ban alcohol and time travel back to the forgettable days of prohibition. While we generally steer clear of politics not specifically tobacco-related, we think alcohol prohibition is a terrible policy for two reasons: (1) it sets a bad precedent for the prohibition of other substances that intolerant teetotalers don’t like, such as tobacco; and (2) it deprives cigar smokers of a fantastic accompaniment to their smoke.

3) Around the Blogs: Keepers of the Flame lights up an H. Upmann Signature. Cigar Jack smokes the Mojito Madness Corona. Cigar Beat tries the Joya de Nicaragua Celebration. Cigar Monkey monkeys around with a Montecruz Negra Cubana.

4) Deal of the Week: Fuente, Gurkha, Macanudo, Hoyo, La Gloria Cubana, Toraño, Partagas, CAO, Punch, Rocky Patel, and Padron. That’s most of the big names in the business and in this sampler they’re available for under $2 per stick. To pick up 16 cigars pictured for just $29.95, click here.

5) Finally, we want to welcome our latest sponsor, Cuban-Cigars-Store.com. For more information on partnering with StogieGuys.com, please visit our Advertising & Promotions page.

–The Stogie Guys

In our ongoing effort to make StogieGuys.com as entertaining and reader-friendly as possible, each Friday we’ll post a selection of quick cigar news and stogie-related snippets. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) On Wednesday we reported Houston’s senseless smoking ban was set to take effect on September 1. Fortunately, a coalition of private business owners filed a lawsuit challenging the would-be law, claiming it “will create an unfair competitive environment for them to operate.” The lawsuit may delay enforcement of the ban until the possible trial is complete.

2) The prized Fuente Fuente OpusX was recently named the hottest cigar in America, a title it has held for the past three years. Over 50 percent of the various stores surveyed say the brand is the most requested by customers.

3) Around the Blogs: Cigar Monkey smokes the CAO Extreme. Leafy Times tries the Fuente God of Fire. Keepers of the Flame lights up the Don “Pepin” Cuban Classic. Stogie Review reviews the Rocky Patel Vintage 1992. Cigar Jack tries the Oliva Serie G.

4) Deal of the Week: For under $20 you’ll be hard pressed to find a better nine cigars that this “El Clasico” sampler from our affiliate, Tinderbox.com. It includes favorites like the Don “Pepin” Garcia Cuban Classic Black Label, a Punch, and the La Reserva No. 2. Pick yours up here.

[Bonus: While you’re at Tinderbox, check out their RTDA Blowout Sale for some real bargains as they clear out room for new cigars purchased at the trade show.]

–The Stogie Guys

In our ongoing effort to make StogieGuys.com as entertaining and reader-friendly as possible, each Friday we’ll post a selection of quick cigar news and stogie-related snippets. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) The House passed their version of the SCHIP tax increase on Wednesday, upping the excise tax on cigars by 1,900 percent. They don’t really expect us to praise them for not proposing a 20,000 percent increase like the Senate, do they?

2) We’ve given you our thoughts on this whole crazy tax increase thing. Now watch one of our favorite cigar makers, Rocky Patel, discuss why you need to take action to oppose this legislation.

3) It’s not exactly in the same league as the victory cigars of Red Auerbach or Jack McKeon, but Tampa Bay Bucs defensive line coach Larry Coyer is rarely without his pipe, according to an item in the Tampa Tribune. Coyer, 67, told the paper he was smoking cigars back in 1970 when he was given a corncob pie and, “I haven’t put it down since.” He said he thinks he might be the only pipe smoker left in the NFL.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews the Perdomo Champagne. Cigar Beat lights up the Sancho Panza EF. Brian has an Oliva Serie V. Cigar Jack smokes a Perdomo Reserve Maduro. Keepers of the Flame torches up the Troya Clasico. Velvet Cigar lights up a Gurkha Black Dragon.

5: Deal of the Week: With the Camacho Triple Maduro, Padron 5000, Toraño Signature, Joya de Nicuragua, La Gloria Cubana, 601 Blue, and four other top quality smokes, it’s no surprise that this “money sampler” is often sold out. Fortunately, at least for the moment, it isn’t, and you can pick it up for a very reasonable $19.99. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys