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.
Feature of the Week: U.S. Supreme Court Declines Hearing Cohiba Trademark Case
Cubatabaco has been handed a victory in its battle with General Cigar Company over the use of the Cohiba trademark name in the U.S.. The U.S. Supreme Court has said they will not hear an appeal by General Cigar. Last year, Cubatabaco, a U.S. Court of Appeals overturned a ruling by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Trial and Appeal Board that had originally ruled in favor of General. The case will now move to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Trial and Appeal Board where a final ruling would be made.
News and Previews
- Davidoff: The company announced plans to build a new factory in Honduras. The company also announced it is acquiring farms in Condega, Nicaragua and Jamastran, Honduras. Meanwhile, Davidoff will partner with the Borysiewiczes of Corona Cigar to open the world’s largest Davidoff Flagship store in Tampa.
- IPCPR: Plans are in place for a Cigar Bash” at 83rd Annual Trade Show and Convention this July in New Orleans
- Kristoff: On the 2/21/15 Kiss My Ash Radio, Glen Case stated he has plans for a new Limited Edition called Kristoff Classic Reserva. Plans are for the Kristoff Classic Reserva to be first released for the TAA, and also has a Cameroon blend in the works.
- Lost & Found Cigars: This is the new company name for Bellatto / Caldwell / Sears. The company also reiterated their mission statement.
- Ortega & Primer Mundo Cigars: Announced the 42 retailers that will be carrying their collaborative project called Larceny.
- Punch: Details of the Punch Signature blend were revealed.
- Warped Cigars: The third vitola to the Flor de Valle line, Las Brumas has shipped.
- Federal: Senators Robert Menendez [D-New Jersey] and Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) has signed on as a co-sponsor to Senate Bill (S. 441) bringing the total sponsors to 12. Reports are that Senator Thom Tillis [R-North Carolina] has also signed on as a co-sponsor. Meanwhile, Renee Ellmers (R-North Carolina), Brett Guthrie (R-Kentucky), Roger Williams (R-Texas), Sanford Bishop Jr. (D-Georgia), Blake Farenthold (R-Texas), and Blake Luetkemeyer (R-Missouri) have signed on to House Bill (HR 662) bringing the total sponsors to 52.
- Hawaii: The State House Judiciary Committee advanced HB 385 that would raise the legal smoking age from 18 to 21.
- Nebraska: Cigar smoking has been restored to Cigar Bars in the State. Governor Pete Ricketts signed Legislative Bill 118 into law. Under an emergency provision, the law goes into effect immediately.
- February 28th 2012: We assessed the CAO La Traviata Maduro Luminoso
- February 28th 2013: We reported on the Room 101 Namakubi Ecuador
- February 28th 2013: We previewed the Avo Dominant 13 (Avo Limited Edition 2013 )
- February 28th 2013: We reviewed the Casa Fernandez Aganorsa Leaf Maduro
- February 28th 2014: We recapped Andre Farkas’ exclusive interview with us where he previewed Viaje’s 2014 plans.
- February 28th 2014: We did an Assessment Update on the Rocky Patel Royale Robusto.
- February 28th 2014: We previewed the 1907 by Dunhill.
- February 28th 2014: We previewed the Avo Quartet Sampler Pack.
