Cigar Week Wrap: Volume 2, Number 10 (3/23/13)

The Cigar Week Wrap is a one stop place to catch up on the activity here at Cigar Coop. It is a combination of our news reports, cigar reviews, and assessment updates we do throughout the week. We will throw in a few bonus items from time to time as well. Our intent is to publish once a week on Saturday mornings. Note: We have decided to label our posts as “Volume 2” to be consistent with the monthly “Editor’s Corner”.

News and Previews

Asylum Cigars: The Asylum 13 Corojo was announced and is targeted for an April, 2013 release.
CAO: Issued a press release on the new CAO Brazilia Carnivale. This release included blend information.
Emilio Cigars: Announced their second cigar in two weeks being targeted for launch at the 2013 IPCPR show. Brand developer Gary Griffith has announced Mia Dora – a collaboration with A.J. Fernandez. It was last week when Griffith announced the next cigar in the Draig series would be the Draig Cayuquero. While he didn’t mention the blend, he did post a picture indicating the tobacco type is an Arapiraca leaf.
Gurkha: The company has begun circulating a pre-release blend for an unnamed Summer 2013 release.
Kelner Boutique Factory: A few weeks ago, we mentioned Hendrik Kelner, the son of Davidoff’s Henke Kelner has started his own company. A picture on Kelner’s facebook page was of an unnamed cigar with the caption “Invasion of the Jackets” could be a an indicator of the first blend.
La Aurora: Details on the planned launch for the La Aurora 107 Maduro were announced.
Ortega Cigars: Eddie Ortega posted on twitter a message referring to a Serie D “Duo”. Not much in terms of details but the message said “For immediate release! Serie D “DUO” coming soon! AWESOMELY DIFFERENT! Promise!” Ortega also posted an instagram photo on the “Fast Eddie” edition on the Ortega Wild Bunch 2013. From looking at the picture and comments on Facebook, this Wild Bunch character represents Ortega himself. Ortega mentioned this would also be a August release – joining Wild Bill which was previously announced as an August release.
Rocky Patel Premium Cigars: Posted a picture of the upcoming Rocky Patel II.XXVI. We reported last month this cigar release is being targeted for April. The caption of the photo said “Coming soon! Shipping out on IV-XV!!! “
Tatuaje Cigars: On their Facebook page, New Havana Cigars announced the return of the Tatuaje Noellas Reserva and Tatuaje Regios Reserva. These are Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper versions of the core Seleccion de Cazador (Brown Label) line. Acccording to New Havana Cigars these vitolas will be a “scheduled, limited production run of 2,000 boxes each, released twice a year (Spring and November)”

Legislative News

FDA: This week an additional four co-sponsors have signed on to HR 792 – making the total 39 co-sponsors. This week, the U.S. Justice Department has opted not to appeal a a lower court ruling that struck down rules requiring graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging.
Hawaii: Legislation (SB 188) is being proposed that would put a 50 cent tax cap on premium cigars. The bill is gaining traction as it was passed by the Senate with a vote of 24 to 1. Part of this bill also redefines what a premium cigar is. A display ban (SB 642) is being proposed would require all tobacco products to be sold behind a cash register counter. The bill was recently ammended to excluse premium cigars.
New York: Mayor Michael Bloomberg is proposing legislation that would require retailers to keep tobacco products out of sight of consumers. The rationale is said to be an effort to further reduce the youth smoking rate. While those tobacco shops that are primarily devoted to tobacco are exempt, there is still a lot of concern for this proposal among the cigar industry. A second bill was also proposed that includes increased penalties for retailers who evade tobacco taxes by selling smuggled cigarettes. It also would prohibit them from redeeming coupons and require them to sell non-premium cigars and cigarillos in packs of at least four.
Wisconsin: Republican Governor Scott Walker is proposing legislation that would impose a $50 per month “fee” for state employees that smoke, as a surcharge on their health insurance. The CRA has issued an alert opposing this proposal.