Cigar Industry Report: Volume 3, Number 38 (8/16/14)

The Cigar Industry Report is a one stop place to catch up on the activity here at Cigar Coop and Stogie Geeks. It is a combination of our news reports, cigar reviews, and assessment updates we do throughout the week. We will also recap what happened on our Stogie Geeks show. Finally, each week we will look back at Cigar Coop history. Look for this report every Saturday morning at 8am Eastern time.

The Cigar Coop Brand Celebrates Four Years

Yesterday, the Cigar Coop brand celebrated its fourth anniversary. In what started out as a short term project has evolved into a leading 365 day a year site dedicated to cigar news and reviews. We thank our readers for their support and look forward to our fifth year.

In case you wanted to see the article that started it all, we present “Worth It for an Iced Coffee”?

IPCPR News and Previews.

Our post-game 2014 IPCPR Trade Show coverage is now starting to wind down. We have more recaps this week. We will trickle down the coverage next week. Check out our 2014 IPCPR Digest for complete details.

Casa Fernandez: We previewed the JFR XT.
Corporacion Cigar Export: We previewed two lines under the Reyes’ family’s Saga line: The Saga Golden Age and the Saga Blend No. 7.
Edgar Hoill Cigars: and for the OSOK line.
Felipe Gregorio: We previewed the new Felipe Gregorio Pelo De Oro.
Foundry Tobacco Company: We previewed Foundry’s showcase line for 2014, the Foundry Worm Hole. We also previewed line extensions to Compounds, Elements and Musings.
Kings Cigars: We took a look at line extensions to the King of Kings Broadleaf line.
Kristoff Cigars: We previewed the company’s new sampler packs.
Padron Cigars: We previewed the Padron Family Reserve No. 50
Quesada Cigars: We took a look at the company’s large ring gauge Big Bang Sampler.
Tatuaje Cigars: We took a look at the line extensions and re-packaging to La Riqueza.

Other News

A.J. Fernandez Cigars: The company has released a short documentary on owner A.J. Fernandez and his company
La Palina Cigars: It has been reported that La Palina and its National Sales Director Andrew Brennan are parting ways.
Lou Rodriguez Cigars: It was announced that Vice President Justin Andrews is leaving the company.
Pura Soul Cigars: The Cigar Authority is reporting that Robert Wright is splitting Pura Soul Cigars off from CLE Cigars. The company will operate as an independent company going forward.
Viaje Cigars: The next White Label Project appears to be a Petite Lancero. Company President Andre Farkas posted a picture indicating this will be heading to retailers in September.

Legislative News

FDA: No new co-sponsors were added to HR792. The total remains at 161 co-sponsors (162 total sponsors)
North Carolina: A public forum was held this past Monday on the proposed Outdoor Smoking Ban in Mecklenburg County which includes the city of Charlotte. The proposal includes a smoking ban in all municipal buildings as well as parks and golf courses. A public hearing is scheduled for September 2nd with the vote taking place on September 17th.

Assessments

Assessment Update

2006 Vintage Stout Corona by Bellatto / Caldwell / Sears

Stogie Geeks Episode 105

This week we were joined by Phil Zanghi of Debonaire Cigars who caught us up on the recently released Debonaire Maudro. He also gave us some insights into the company’s plans later this year. We were then joined by Cigar Jukebox host Dave Burck, who not only gave us insights into his program, but discussed the Australian Cigar Industry. Much of the information he discussed will hit home in light of the fight against the FDA.

Our smokes of the week included:

2006 Vintage Stout Corona by Bellatto / Caldwell / Sears (Impromptu Cigars)
A.J. Fernandez New World Navegante
Caldwell Cigars The King is Dead Broken Sword
Casa Fernandez Aniversario Serie 2014 – The Ares
Illusione Cruzado Domenicos Extras
Joya Red Robusto by Joya de Nicaragua (Pre-Release)
L’Atelier Extension De La Racine ER14
LFD 1994 Mamba