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) Los Angeles City Councilman Bernard Parks this week proposed an ordinance banning smoking in almost all public places, including outdoor patios and outside office buildings. “If the City Council approves the ordinance, L.A. would become the largest city in the U.S. to adopt a comprehensive smoking ban for all public places, joining the cities of Beverly Hills, Burbank, Calabasas, and Santa Monica.”

2) Readers are encouraged to check out this online auction of rare and exclusive cigars, including original 1984 Arturo Fuente 8-5-8s and Opus X “troll” cigars. Proceeds benefit the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation, which serves the impoverished children of the Dominican Republic by providing schools, health care, clean water, nutrition, and recreation.

3) Notwithstanding this shameless act of self-promotion, we would like to thank The Cigar Alliance for naming StogieGuys.com winner of the “Best Cigar Blog” category in the 2008 Cigar Alliance Media Awards. We would also like to congratulate the winners of the other categories, including Cigar Live, Stogie Review, DogWatch Social Club, European Cigar Cult Journal, and Stogie Fresh.

4) Inside the Industry: StogieGuys.com has received a tip that Carnival Cruise Lines is testing a new no cigar policy on some of its ships, including vessels with cigar bars. Alec Bradley is adding a new size to the Tempus line, a perfecto called the Magistri (6.5 x 53). Isla de Cuba’s two new lines, the Blend 376 and the Wango Tango, are set to hit stores in mid-September.

5) Around the Blogs: Keepers of the Flame continues its vertical tasting of the Padrón line with the 4000. Stogie Review reviews the La Riqueza. Cigar Jack lights up a Gurkha G5. Cigar Command checks out the Live Green Label.

6) Deal of the Week: Here’s a great way to enjoy two of our favorite smokes. This Padrón Maduro vs. Rocky Patel ’92 sampler includes five cigars of each, all for just $45 (shipping included for the sampler and anything else purchased with it). 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 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) 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

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) New Hampshire lawmakers are at it again, working to expand the legal definition of “cigarettes” to include tiny cigars. Why, you ask? To collect more taxes, of course. This move, which comes just a week after the same politicians inexplicably smothered an exemption for cigar bars from the state’s smoking ban, shouldn’t surprise longtime StogieGuys.com readers.

2) It’s always a good idea to check out Keepers of the Flame, but the coming months should be particularly interesting. The website is gearing up for a Padrón Series Roundup, and it has enlisted reviewers from all over the online cigar community – including Patrick A, George E, and Jon N of StogieGuys.com.

3) Inside the Industry: Alec Bradley’s new Tempus scored an impressive 94 rating from Cigar Insider . Lignum-2, the tobacco company best known to cigar smokers for its Troya brand, was acquired by British tobacco giant Imperial Tobacco, owner of Altadis. Fuente released a new 2006 vintage of its God of Fire line.

4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Jack checks out the Dunhill Nicaraguan Signed Range. Cigar Monkey smokes an Excalibur 1066. Stogie Review fires up the Gurkha Special Edition Beast. Velvet Cigar reviews the Gurkha Grand Envoy. Matt’s Cigar Journal tries the Ashton San Cristobal.

5) Deal of the Week: If you like Rocky Patel’s vintage lines as much as we do, you’ll want to pick up this Rocky Patel Sampler. It includes four sticks each of Rocky’s 1990, 1992, and 1999 lines. Get yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Padrón.com

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief take on a single cigar.

While many boutique and even mass-market premiums can very be hit-or-miss (Gurkha, for instance), I find most CAOs to be consistent, enjoyably challenging, and almost always rewarding. CAO’s L’Anniversaire Cameroon line is no exception. The robusto packs a stunning degree of complexity into a relatively small, box-pressed vitola. Gentle aromas of cedar and straw belie a multifaceted and medium-bodied flavor profile. I was able to taste cream, almond, lots of cedar, an excitingly full amount of pepper, and even some cinnamon in this lovely little stick.

Verdict = Buy.

–Jon N

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) Our upcoming DC Stogie Guys Smoke Out is only a little more than a week away: Sunday, March 9 at 4pm to be exact. The event will feature free cigars plus giveaways all provided by Cuban Crafters. Please RSVP here if you haven’t already.

2) Despite smoking bans, tobacco taxes, and the American trade embargo, sales of Cuban cigars exceeded US$400 million last year – up 7 percent from 2006. To put things in perspective, consider that Cuban sales comprise a whopping 80 percent of the world cigar market (excluding the U.S.), with Spain and France as the largest importers.

3) Windy City readers were no doubt disappointed by the cancellation of Cigar Aficionado’s Big Smoke Chicago. But thanks to the good folks at CAO, NFL legend Dick Butkus, and Cigars & More, they have another great event to look forward to on April 23. Click here to check out the event’s creative marketing campaign.

4) Recognizing the power of tobacco, Tampa’s InterContinental hotel now has a “Big Cigars and Motor Cars” promotion that includes the use of a Maserati or Corvette, a steak dinner, and Fuente cigars for $550 per night.

5) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews a AVO 787. Cigar Inspector inspects a Griffin’s Fuerte. Cigar Monkey checks out the Gurkha Regent. Cigar Jack lights up a Hoyo de Tradición.

6) Deal of the Week: Cuban Crafters (sponsor of our Smoke Out) is running a number of incredible web specials, featuring some great deals on their already reasonable prices. Click here to check them all out.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: DickButkus.com

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) You don’t need to check the calendar to know that fall is finally here. Temperatures are dropping, leaves are changing colors, and – most importantly – the MLB playoffs are underway. While Patrick S. fumes about the Mets’ historical collapse and Patrick A. prays his beloved Cubs can hang on, we thought you might enjoy this Cigar Aficionado article about the best places to smoke in baseball’s playoff cities.

2) In case you were wondering, our Quick Smoke Cigar Giveaway Contest is still on. Dustin from New Hampshire and Kevin from Florida are the two big winners to date, each of whom will receive a prized Argonese sampler for their submissions. If you’d like a shot at one of the remaining three, get your submission in as soon as possible.

3) Around the Blogs:Keepers of the Flame lights up a Gran Habano 3 Siglos. Cigar Jack smokes the Olor de Cibao. Stogie Review reviews the Bolivar. Cigar Inspector tries a Gurkha Beast. Cigar Command has a Joya de Nicaragua Serie C. Cigar Monkey smokes a Victor Sinclair Bamboo. Velvet Cigar checks out the new CAO America.

4) Deal of the Week: With not one sampler but four, this deal gets you 19 quality cigars for just under $60. Included is a seven-cigar CAO sampler (with a Seed to Soul DVD), a four-cigar Hoyo sampler, a five-cigar Cuesta-Rey sampler, and a three-cigar Punch sampler. Grab it here.

–The Stogie Guys