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.


Cigar Industry Report: Volume 4, Number 12 (Edition 109   2/14/15)

Feature of the Week: Eddie Ortega and Sean Williams to Launch Larceny – a Project Made at La Zona Factory

If you followed Cigar Coop this week, then you learned first about the joint project between Eddie Ortega and Sean Williams called “Larceny”.  While that is news in of itself, there is another part of this story, as the project is being done at Erik Espinosa’s La Zona factory.  This marks the first time that Ortega and Espinosa have been working together since they dissolved their company EO Brands back in 2012.

News and Previews

Legislative News
  • Cuba:  H.R.735 and S.491 have been introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate to lift the embargo on Cuba.
  • FDA:  Legislation was introduced to the United States Senate with S. 441. This is the replacement bill for the 114th Congress to pass into law to exempt premium cigars from FDA regulation.  Congressman Bill Nelson of Florida filed the legislation and an additional 10 co-sponsors signed on.  Meanwhile 11 co-sponsors signed on to the companion House bill H.R. 662 bringing the total to 46 sponsors [45 co-sponsors]: Dan Benishek [R-MI], Carlos Curbelo [R-FL], Jeff Denham [R-CA], Jeff Duncan [R-SC], George Holding [R-NC], Richard Hudson [R-NC], Darrell Issa [R-CA], Todd Rokita [R-IN], Ileana Ros-Lehtinen [R-FL], Bill Shuster [R-PA], Tim Walberg [R-MI]
  • Kentucky: House Bill 145, the proposed Statewide Smoking Ban that would ban smoking in workplaces and indoor public places passed in the State General Assembly by a 51-46 vote.  It is the first time this blend has passed in one of the legislative chambers.  It now moves to the Senate, but word is it faces a tough battle there.
  • Nebraska:  Legislative Bill 118 sponsored by State Senator Tyson Larson that proposes restoring smoking to Cigar Bars in the State got approval in a second round of voting.  It now heads for a final vote.
  • New Hampshire: Governor Maggie Hasssan has proposed an increase to the state tobacco tax in her proposed budget.
  • North Dakota: The tobacco tax increased proposed by House Bill No. 1421 was defeated 56-34.  There is talk of putting this to a Statewide vote.
  • Pennsylvania: Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and the City Council are considering ending smoking ban exemptions.
  • Vermont: Bill H93 is being proposed by State Rep. George Till. This proposing raising the age smoking age in the state to 21.  The proposal goes to the Human Services committee who will decide whether to advance the bill.

Assessments

This week we had Spencer Drake of Cubanacan Cigars as our special guest.  Our smokes of the week included the following (video will be included next week):

Avo Limited Edition 2010 – Avo LE10 (Part of Avo’s Greatest Hits Sampler)
Illusione Pactum
La Flor Dominicana TCFKA M Collector’s Edition 2014
Southern Draw Firethorn Robusto
Tatuaje TAA 2014
Trinidad Reyes (Cuban)

We updated our Stogie Feed from Episode 128 with the following cigars:

1875 Romeo y Julieta Tres by Altadis USA
Arturo Fuente Opus x Love Affair
Arturo Fuente Rosado Sun Grown Magnum R Super 60
Ashton Heritage Puro Sol Robusto
Atabey Ritos by Selected Tobacco
Avo Classic No.3 Presidente (Tubo)
Avo Limited Edition 2009 Companero (Part of Avo’s Greatest Hits Sampler)
Coronado By La Flor Dominicana Perfecto
Elogio Habano Robusto
Hammer + Sickle Tradicion Serie Robusto
La Aurora Cien Anos Preferido

On this date February 14th…