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) The anti-smoking zealots’ newest weapon is the notion of so-called “third-hand smoke”—harmful particles that remain on surfaces after smoking. Chris McCalla, legislative director for IPCPR, notes that the idea, while implausible, is gaining traction. “Now that it has been given a catchy name…Google is showing nearly one million results for ‘third-hand smoke’ occurring almost overnight,” he said in a press release.

2) Jacob Grier, friend of StogieGuys.com, recently published an excellent op-ed about Oregon’s new smoking ban entitled “Let’s not pretend it’s about saving lives.” A bartender in the state, Jacob argues that nonsmokers only pretend to care about health issues in order to impose their preferences on the public.

3) Inside the Industry: ST Group, the parent company of CAO, acquired Toraño’s cigar factories where many CAO cigars are made. Arganese Cigars has released Cugine after teaming up with “The Sopranos” actor Joe Gannascoli.

4) Around the Blogs: Keepers of the Flame lights up an Aurora Barrel Aged. A Cigar Smoker checks out the Los Blancos Criollo. Stogie Review smokes a CAO LX2. Cigar Jack reviews a Gurkha Signature Red 1887.

5) Deal of the Week: New Years specials are still running over at Cuban Crafters where you can pick up special deals on Stogie Guys favorites like the Miami Medina 1959 Lancero, J.L. Salazar Toro, and the Cupido Criollo Doble Perfecto. Pick ’em up 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 snippets of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) General Cigar Co. may be in a heap of trouble. In the latest twist of a protracted legal battle, a U.S. District Court judge recently ruled that the company’s use of the Cohiba name is “unfair trade by misappropriation.” The Cuban government has been seeking General’s profits from Dominican Cohiba cigars and an enjoinder to prevent the U.S. company from using the trademark for 11 years. Stay tuned to StogieGuys.com for developments and additional coverage next week.

2) We are pleased to congratulate friend of the website Luis Tiant, better known as El Tiante, for becoming a finalist in the Class of 2009 at the Baseball Hall of Fame. The right-hander and three-time All-Star pitched 19 seasons before founding his own cigar company. The Veterans Committee vote will be announced on Monday.

3) There’s still time to enter our “What Do Cigar Rights Mean to You?” contest. Simply leave a comment here for a chance to win a dozen of Rocky Patel’s finest cigars, three punch cutters, and Rocky’s new five-torch Diplomat table lighter—all generously provided by the good people of the Duque Cigar Company. Entries must be submitted before the stroke of midnight on December 14.

4) Inside the Industry: Rocky Patel will be releasing only 4,000 boxes of his Winter Blend. Holt’s will be the exclusive retailer of a new Padrón 1926 vitola, the six inch by 48 ring gauge Legacy.

5) Around the Blogs: Cigar Jack smokes a Gurkha Black Dragon. Keepers of the Flame lights up a Diamond Crown Maximus. Cigar Spy reviews a Cohiba Siglo III. Cigar Inspector surveys the Romeo y Julieta Escudos 2007 LE. Stogie Review takes on the El Titan de Bronze.

6) Deal of the Week: If the “2008 Cigar Innovation Award” existed, it most certainly would go to Nub—the short, thick cigars designed to skip right to the heart of flavor. This Nub Sampler will help you get acquainted with the hot new brand. You get singles of all 12 Nub sticks for under $40. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: General Cigar Co.

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 Prince George’s County government in Maryland banned the sale of “unpackaged cigars” on Wednesday. Intended to “curb a growing trend among urban youths of using hollowed-out cigars to smoke marijuana,” the new law makes buying stogies illegal unless they come in packages of at least five. Thankfully, establishments like cigar shops with tobacco sales in excess of 25 percent of their revenue will be exempt.

2) In its coverage of Tampa’s Cigar Heritage Festival, the St. Petersburg Times did cigar smokers a favor by describing some, though by no means all, of the area’s top shops. It’s a good starting point if you’re new to this rich cigar region or planning a visit to Tampa Bay.

3) Inside the Industry: Tatuaje is preparing a January release of the Ambos Mundo, a new blend that will retail for around $5 in either Toro or Robusto. Tempus by Alec Bradley is now available in a five-pack sampler for $39.95. Nub is giving away a custom BMW 2008 Mini Cooper S convertible.

4) Around the Blogs: Cohiba Club examines the God of Fire Piramide 2006. Keepers of the Flame reviews a Saint Luis Rey. Stogie Review lights up a Camacho 10th Anniversary. Cigar Jack smokes a J. Fuego Gran Reserva Corojo.

5) Deal of the Week: This “Ten Most Wanted” sampler features ten cigars from the biggest names for under $30. Included are sticks by Rocky Patel, CAO, Alec Bradley, Cohiba, Toraño, and Gurkha. Get 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 snippets of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) Cuba is suing cigar accessories manufacturer Xikar over use of the word “Havana” in the company’s new Havana Collection. Filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the surprise lawsuit alleges Xikar is marketing the collection “by deliberately and falsely associating those goods with Havana, Cuba.” But Xikar says the name is only meant to “denote the style and culture of Havana.”

2) The Cigar Family Charitable Foundation, created in 2001 by the Fuente and Newman families, launched a new interactive website this week that allows visitors to explore the issues facing the people of the Dominican Republic. The Foundation’s mission is to provide communities on the island with better access to education, health care, and sustainable employment.

3) Inside the Industry: If you couldn’t make it out to Las Vegas, check out Cigar Aficionado’s coverage of the Big Smoke Weekend. JR Cigars began selling bundles of 20 cigars in mini oak barrels for the holidays—some have even been spotted at Costco. IPCPR legislative guru Chris McCalla felt the need to publicly declare that he knows about the Obama administration’s stated “priority” on passing SCHIP, and that the industry group is working to ensure that “the economic health of the retailers and our industry” is protected.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review smokes a San Cristobal de La Habana. Cigar Jack lights up a Flor de Gonzalez. Matt reviews a Cruzado. Cigar Inspector inspects a Saint Luis Rey Serie A.

5) Deal of the Week: Since we’ll soon have a new president, we thought you might want to check out this “Presidential Sampler” before cigar taxes go up any further. For $49.99 (free shipping included), this ten-cigar sampler includes cigars by Graycliff, CAO, Romeo y Julieta, Cohiba, Camacho, Padilla, Gurkha, and Montecristo. Pick yours up here while limited supplies last.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: WDSI

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) Edie Adams, perhaps best known as the longtime spokeswoman for Muriel Cigars, died at 81 yesterday. While we can’t recommend the Altadis-owned, machine-made sticks she peddled for nearly 20 years, we can certainly suggest you check out one of her old commercials.

2) After Atlantic City officials announced they would postpone a city-wide smoking ban for one year due to economic concerns, the draconian law went into effect anyways on Wednesday. Apparently, much to the dismay of those who depend on tourism revenue, “procedural delays” kept the city council from approving the ban’s suspension. Now everything is in the hands of Mayor Scott Evans.

3) Inside the Industry: Padrón plans to offer new five-cigar samplers for under $30, each including one 1964 Anniversary Series. EO Cigars’ second release of Mi Barrio has been pushed back to November.

4) Around the Blogs: Keepers of the Flame lights up a Don Pepin Cuban Classic. Cigar Jack smokes an Alec Bradley Trilogy Native Cameroon. Stogie Review reviews an El Rico Habano Maduro. Cigar Command fires up an Oliva Serie O Maduro.

5) Deal of the Week: This “Triple Play Sampler” includes fifteen cigars from three big names: Gurkha, Alec Bradley, and EO Brands (made by Don Pepin). Included are five of the fantastic 601 cigars (at least one of each of the four lines), all for just $45 ($3 per stick). Get yours here.

– The Stogie Guys

photo credit: NNDB

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) Atlantic City was poised to enact a smoking ban next week, but city officials backed off when casinos and union bosses protested. Their newfound argument? The worsening economic condition has both groups fearing “deep losses and significant layoffs if smokers take their money elsewhere.”

2) DC’s Teatro Goldini restaurant now has a stogie-inspired appetizer. Chef Enzo Fargione’s carpaccio branzino features fish, onions, peas, and mushrooms served in a smoky cigar box.

3) Boston’s cigar bars may be doomed as bureaucrats threaten to revoke their exemption from the smoking ban. According to the Boston Globe, “Dr. Barbara Ferrer, director of the city’s Public Health Commission, said she doesn’t want any more young people to pick up deadly habits. She said she wants to ‘de-normalize’ smoking.”

4) Inside the Industry: The latest version of Altadis’ Playboy Cigars was recently launched at the P&L Club in Central Hong Kong. With the help of Altadis, a Ft. Lauderdale cigar shop owner has been convicted of selling counterfeit cigars. Flor de Copan won European Cigar Cult Journal‘s “Best Brand from Honduras” award.

5) Around the Blogs: The Box Press smokes the Sabor Cubano. Stogie Review reviews a Puros Indios Viejo. Cigar Jack lights up a Dunhill Aged Dominican. Keepers of the Flame checks out a Fundación Ancestral.

6) Deal of the Week: This “Ten Most Wanted” sampler features ten of the biggest names in stogies at less than $3 per stick. Included are cigars by Rocky Patel, CAO, Alec Bradley, Cohiba, Toraño, and Gurkha. Get 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 snippets of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) After failing in the state legislature, Michigan’s proposed statewide smoking ban will likely be off the docket until 2009. Chris McCalla of IPCPR penned a scathing refute of Michigan legislators’ attempts to enact the law, arguing that deceptive anti-smoking groups are misleading politicians and the public about the so-called dangers of secondhand smoke. He also claims an all-out ban would devastate tobacco retailers, “pillars of the communities they serve…[that] provide thousands of jobs and pay millions of dollars annually in payroll, sales, and excise taxes.”

2) Pete Johnson of Tatuaje supposedly released a “secret cigar” called El Triunfador. Cigar Aficionado reports the stick doesn’t appear on any price sheets or websites, but “started mysteriously finding its way to retailers and smokers in the beginning of September.”

3) Don’t plan on smoking—not even outdoors—if you’re one of the 110,000 college students in the 14 public universities in Pennsylvania. A spokesperson for the state’s higher education bureaucracy said, “We ultimately interpreted the [Pennsylvania smoking ban] to require a campus-wide ban.”

4) Inside the Industry: Don Pepin is partnering with Nestor Miranda to make the Nestor Miranda Signature Selection. Padilla opened its new factory and lounge in Little Havana, Miami. A number of Habanos Limited Edición cigars are now available in tubos. CAO is launching a “Rock and Rolled Tour.”

5) Around the Blogs: Cigar Jack smokes the Isla de Cuba Classic. Keepers of the Flame lights up a Cubao No. 5. Stogie Review torches a Macanudo 1968. Her Humidor tries the Reyes Family Classic.

6) Deal of the Week: Sure we have two presidential candidates who favor various anti-tobacco laws, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the Presidential Sampler. For just $49.99 you get ten super-premium cigars, many of which normally retail for $10-15, including the Cohiba Robusto, Montecristo Churchill, Graycliff 1666 PGX, Romeo y Julieta Viejo, and the Gurkha Legend Churchill. Grab yours here today.

– The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr