The Stogie Guys

As we have since July 2006, each Friday we’ll post our sampling of cigar news and other items of interest from the week. Below is our latest, which is the 552nd in the series.

1) The seventh annual Puro Sabor Cigar Festival will be held January 22-27, according to an announcement released on Monday. The festival “is organized by the Nicaraguan Tobacco Chamber to celebrate the international recognition of the tobacco grown and cigars manufactured in Nicaragua. It also provides participants with an opportunity to learn more about the host country.” The event will begin in Granada (pictured above) and, on the third day, move to Estelí. In addition to “the chance to savor choice cigars on the farms and in the factories where they are produced,” attendees will also be entertained by gala dinners, cultural events, and panel discussions of interest to those who want to learn more about cigar production in Nicaragua.” For more information, visit NicaraguanCigarFestival.com.

2) Six anti-tobacco groups cannot intervene in the lawsuit brought by the Cigar Association of America, International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association, and Cigar Rights America against the FDA. In a 22-page order, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta found the groups “have not carried their burden to establish organizational standing or associational standing and, therefore, cannot intervene…” The six groups—the American Lung Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, and Truth Initiative Foundation—had argued “they would be forced to spend money and resources on educating the public about the harms of smoking if cigar and pipe tobacco companies aren’t required by law to issue warnings,” according to Courthouse News Service. But Judge Mehta didn’t find this to be “a legally sufficient injury-in-fact if plaintiffs were to prevail in this litigation.”

3) Cuban tobacco farmers are planning to increase planting for the coming harvest to more than 29,000 hectares, up from 28,570 in the previous season, according to the Cuban News Agency. (A hectare is nearly 2.5 acres.) The Tobacco Business Group of Cuba announced the deal this month with the island’s 18,680 producers. A Tabacuba official said that despite the increase, the worldwide demand for Cuban cigars continues to outstrip supply.

4) The FDA has announced it is pushing back compliance deadlines for tobacco regulation rules due to the hurricanes that have impacted many areas. According to the statement on the FDA’s website, ingredient listing and health document submission requirements will be pushed back six months for areas affected by natural disasters. Those areas include the Dominican Republic and numerous counties in Florida (where many cigar makers are based).

5) Inside the Industry: Gurkha is now shipping the re-release of Master Select, a line that debuted in 2001. That original five-vitola line was made by the Olivas family. “We went back to Fidel Olivas where we discovered he still had the original recipe, allowing us to re-release this immensely popular cigar,” reads a Gurkha press release. Master Select features a Habano wrapper around a Honduran binder and filler tobaccos from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. The five sizes will retail in the $7.50-$11.50 range. Along with the Toraño family, the Fidel Olivas family owned the factories that made Toraño cigars; in 2009, these two factories—the Estelí-based Latin Cigars Nicaragua and the Danlí-based Latin Cigars Honduras—were acquired by Scandinavian Tobacco Group.

6) From the Archives: It’s amazing to see how much things can change in just a few years. Take this write-up from 2011 of Elijah Craig 18 Year. At the time, we praised the $43 bourbon for its flavors. Today, it is still excellent, but it carries a suggested retail price of $130 (a 200+% increase!), and frequently sells for even more.

7) Deal of the Week: Here are 100 deals, including cigars from Ashton, Oliva, CAO, My Father, Tatuaje, Rocky Patel, Padrón, Drew Estate, and more. Free shipping is included on any purchase. If you really want to stock up, add promo code “GBP20D” at checkout to knock $20 off an order of $150 or more.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Puro Sabor

As we have since July 2006, each Friday we’ll post our sampling of cigar news and other items of interest from the week. Below is our latest, which is the 531st in the series.

1) On Monday, we learned a “strategic alliance agreement” was struck that makes tobacco giant Altadis the distributor for Boutique Blends Cigars. As part of the agreement, Rafael Nodal has accepted a position within Altadis, and the Boutique Blends brands—including Aging Room, Swag, La Bohéme, and Oliveros—will now be sold through Altadis. Cigar Aficionado reports that “Boutique Blends dismissed its sales force (made up primarily of independent contractors) and is in the midst of moving inventory from its Miami warehouse to Altadis’ in Tampa.” In his new position, Nodal will continue to oversee his own brands, as well as help with project development for other brands within the Altadis portfolio.

2) After success in the European market, Maya Selva Cigars is bringing its new Colección Aniversario No. 20 series stateside, with shipping expected to begin in August. For vitolas will be available with retail prices ranging from $9 to $14.50. The featured tobaccos include a Habano Jamastran wrapper, dual binders from Olancho and Azacualpa, and various Honduran fillers. The Colección Aniversario No. 20 originally debuted in Paris in June 2016.

3) DC Grays, an organization dedicated to promoting baseball in the nation’s capital, is hosting its annual “Cigars and Curveballs” fundraiser Monday. The event, hosted by radio host and Washington Times sports writer Thom Loverro, will take place at Shelly’s Back Room, a popular cigar hangout near the White House.

4) Inside the Industry: Davidoff’s Avo brand is expanding its Avo Syncro line with a new blend called South America Ritmo, a cigar featuring tobaccos from seven different countries. The cigar uses an Ecuadorian wrapper, Mexican binder, and filler from Nicaragua, Peru, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, and Brazil. The cigar, which will ship later this month, comes in four box-pressed sizes with prices ranging from $10.90 to $13.90. It is rolled in the Dominican Republic.

5) From the Archives: For a decade, we’ve been periodically recommending Gold Star Smokes, cigars we feel are especially worthy of your  dollars and attention. Take a step back in time to find our very first choices here.

6) Deal of the Week: Gurkha fans will want to jump on this deal on the Heritage line. All boxes are discounted 25-40% for a limited time.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: AgingRoomCigars.com

As we have since July 2006, each Friday we’ll post our sampling of cigar news and other items of interest from the week. Below is our latest, which is the 530th in the series.

1) This week, Scott Gottlieb—a 44-year-old physician, clinical assistant professor at New York University School of Medicine, and internist at Tisch Hospital—was confirmed as the new commissioner of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Gottlieb takes over the agency at a crucial time for premium cigars, though cigars are not expected to be his top priority (according to the Los Angeles Times, he will first and foremost focus on the epidemic of opioid drug use). That said, we know cigars are on Gottlieb’s radar; his vocal criticism of FDA authority over cigars is the reason cigar industry trade groups have supported his nomination to head the agency. Yesterday, Cigar Rights of America (CRA) reaffirmed its support of Gottlieb in an email. “Confirmation of Dr. Gottlieb is a welcomed sign for the premium cigar industry. CRA looks forward to communicating with Dr. Gottlieb on addressing the bureaucratic overreach in the regulation of premium handmade cigars, consistent with sentiments he expressed in an op-ed that appeared in the New York Post.”

2) In that same CRA email yesterday, the organization is calling for 100,000 petitions to Congress to support an exemption for premium cigars from FDA regulation. “Take action now, and let your voice be heard. Contact your member(s) in the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate today and ask that they support H.R. 564 and S. 294, respectively… Don’t just sign the petition, spread the word. If you are a consumer, send the link to your friends. If you are a retailer, share it with your customer base. Let’s grow the numbers and make sure Congress hears from all of us.” The petition can be found here.

3) Minnesota state representative Greg Davids is pushing a budget compromise deal that includes lowering taxes on premium cigars, but Minnesota Governor  Mark Dayton is opposed to the deal. Under current rates, cigars are taxed at 95 percent of the wholesale price with a maximum tax of $3.50. Davids’ tax bill would cut the maximum tax to 50 cents. “At a Capitol press conference on Tuesday, the governor repeatedly mentioned the cigar tax cut being added after the state’s revenue commissioner had been told she had the final version of the bill. Davids called the governor’s statement false, saying that the commissioner had been warned more things may be added to the bill. Davids noted the cigar tax language was part of the House tax bill… He said he backs the tax cut because Minnesota’s taxes on cigars are among the highest in the nation.”

4) Boat International Magazine has a few tips for smoking a cigar on a boat, which isn’t always easy given wind, waves, and humidity.

5) Inside the Industry: Gurkha Cigars announced last week its acquisition of the American Caribbean Cigars Factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, the company’s first factory. Gurkha’s partnership with the factory began five years ago. Currently, five million Gurkha cigars are produced at the factory each year.

6) From the Archives: Few words are more frightening to a cigar collector than “tobacco beetle.” You’ll learn how to prevent and deal with the pests here.

7) Deal of the Week: We recommend Bespoke Post, a monthly collection of awesome items delivered to your door for just $45. Available boxes include a mint julep set, fine bar accessories, shaving kits, wine, workout gear, coffee kits, and more. You can skip or purchase every month. Sign up today.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Scott-Gottlieb.com

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 bill is moving through the New Jersey legislature that would decriminalize the establishment of new cigar lounges in the state. The General Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee recently passed the bill, which now moves to additional readings before potentially heading to the House floor for a vote. Interestingly, Reed Gusciora, a Democrat, is a primary sponsor of the bill, even though he considers himself “anti-smoking.” “Cigar smokers are a devoted and nuanced group of aficionados who gather and socialize in an environment that would be their own,” he told New Jersey 101.5. “This bill would give towns that want to expand their offerings and appeal to this niche market the option to do so. It would also create a new economic engine for entrepreneurs who want to cater to cigar enthusiasts, and give cigar smokers more places to go to and enjoy their hobby without affecting non-smokers.”

2) Pennsylvania-based online retailer Famous Smoke Shop has announced a new house blend that’s made by Plasencia Cigars S.A. in Estelí, Nicaragua. Called Seven Deadly Sins, it is the “brainchild” between Michael Vandenstockt, Famous’ vice president of operations and marketing, and Nestor Plasencia. Offered in all seven sins–Lust, Gluttony, Avarice, Sloth, Wrath, Envy, and Pride—each vitola has been given its own unique blend. As a whole, [the cigars] comprise filler and binder from Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica, Brazil, Mexico, and Pennsylvania, while the wrappers… are from Nicaragua, Honduras, and Cameroon.”

3) This week the FDA announced 55 tobacco sellers nationwide who were receiving warning letters for reportedly selling newly regulated tobacco products to underage buyers. Of the products purchased, only two could be categorized as premium cigars, both flavored. The rest were mostly vaping products with some machine-made mass-market cigars. The FDA announcement did not say how many undercover stings it conducted where tobacco sellers appropriately asked for ID from the buyers.

4) Inside the Industry: In what would seem to qualify as a stealth cigar (i.e., a cigar released under-the-radar with little fanfare in order to get it on the market before the August 8 FDA deadline), one retailer is now selling Drew Dominicana by Drew Estate. Atlantic Cigar announced the addition in an email to customers Monday afternoon, but little is known, except that the cigar is made in the Dominican Republic by an undisclosed factory and comes in three blends with different wrappers: Maduro, Shade, and Rosado. (Although it is pure speculation, one potential source could be Royal Agio’s Dominican Factory where the Balmoral Añejo XO is made, as the company has a strong partnership with Drew Estate.) Also announced in the same email was the availability of Drew Estate Factory 2nds, with wrappers described as Connecticut Broadleaf, Connecticut Habano, and Sumatra Sungrown. To date, no details have come from Drew Estate about these blends.

5) From the Archives: Looking for a way to improve your palate? About three years ago, StogieGuys.com explored the unusual strategy of smoking two cigars at once. If you try alternating between two cigars that are relatively similar, the article notes, “you’ll be amazed at what flavors you can ‘discover’ in a cigar when searching for differences between two cigars that, smoked alone, would be described in very similar terms.”

6) Deal of the Week: Looking to try some (mostly) new cigars without committing to an entire box or even a five-pack? This 2016 Premium Sampler may be for you. Included in the 10-pack for $89 are such cigars as the Padrón Family Reserve No. 50 Natural, Caldwell Blind Man’s Bluff Toro, Avo Syncro Nicaragua Fogata Robusto, Gurkha Ghost Asura, New World Toro, PDR AFR-75 Maduro Sublime, and the Illusione Epernay Le Matin.

–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) The Food and Drug Administration’s cigar regulations officially took effect on Monday. While the full impact of the rules will take years to see, several notable cigar makers voiced their perspectives this week, including Skip Martin of RoMa Craft Tobac: “…We are, at this time, unable to determine exactly what the consequences of this regulation will be on our industry, on our businesses, and on our passion for premium cigars,” he opined on Facebook. “Most of what you read is worst-case scenario. The reality is likely more positive… It is my personal observation that the misinformation and hyperbole has created an environment of fear and negativity that is counter-productive and detrimental to our business.” Meanwhile, Rafael Nodal of Boutique Blends Cigars sent around an email to update his “friends, retailers, and associates” about his company’s approach: “As a company, we have spent hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars preparing for this, and since we have navigated the regulatory maze before [Nodal comes from the healthcare industry], we know it is not going to be easy, but we also know that with detailed preparation, detailed documentation, implementation of strict protocols, and continued updates of our policies and procedures, we can survive. Until now, the FDA preparation has been done by our core staff. We are now staffing regulatory personnel to coordinate compliance with our outside consultants, suppliers, as well as our attorneys.” Finally, Fred Rewey of the Nomad Cigar Company had this to say: “…Although the immediate ramifications to the consumer seem light, the process has started behind the scenes, and it is an ugly battle… I am proud of the reputation of both the brand and me personally. No B.S. Don’t cut corners and try and make the best cigars you can. That said, all is not doom and gloom. I plan on staying. Whether I continue to go it alone, or partner with someone else, I am just not sure. I am open to the mechanics, but not open to sacrificing one thing that you have grown to expect out of Nomad.”

2) Seemingly in an effort to capitalize on the Pokémon Go craze, Gurkha is organizing a cigar scavenger hunt in Miami on Saturday, September 10. Pre-registration is required but free. The event will start at Village Humidor and take participants to several cigar locales throughout the city, culminating in an award ceremony where the winner will receive one of box of cigars each month for one year.

3) Inside the Industry: While many cigar companies significantly increased their announcement of new cigars at this year’s IPCPR Trade Show in light of the FDA, General Cigar’s debuts, while numerous, were in line with the number of new releases the outfit had featured at previous shows. Among the highlights were CAO Consigliere, a return of the original CAO Sopranos blend at a slightly lower price point now that the licensing agreement with The Sopranos has ended. Another interesting debut was the Hoyo La Amistad, produced in partnership with A.J. Fernandez, who makes the cigar in Nicaragua with an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper and binder from his Nicaraguan farms. Also new from General Cigar are two La Gloria Maduro offerings: La Gloria Cubana Serie R Estelí Maduro, which features a Broadleaf wrapper, and La Gloria Cubana Serie R Black Maduro, which is an internet and catalog exclusive.

4) From the Archives: It’s hard to believe, but it has been over eight years since the launch of Cigar Rights of America. At the time, the organization’s  stated goals were to “fight unjustified tax increases and halt smoking bans.” As became necessary, however, on the federal level much of CRA’s attention quickly turned to the FDA regulations that were authorized by Congress only weeks after the organization’s establishment.

5) Deal of the Week: Every cigar smoker has good reason to join Cigar Rights of America, or renew/extend their current membership. If you want to smoke excellent, exclusive cigars while you do so, consider purchasing this Cigar Rights of America Limited Edition Sampler. Each sampler includes a CRA membership (you can also use it to renew your existing membership) with ten exclusive, high-end cigars. As a bonus, use the code “Stogie10” to save $10 (knocking the price down to $90).

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Stogie Guys

photo credit: Davidoff