Cigar Industry Report: Volume 5, Number 16 (3/12/16)

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 5, Number 16 (Edition 165 3/12/16)

Feature of the Week: Viaje and Quesada Announce Juntos Project

Viaje’s annual collaboration series has a new name and a new partner. This year Viaje will team up with Quesada Cigars to produce Juntos. This is a continuation of the Viaje Collaboration series, but it has been renamed due to trademark issues.

News and Previews

Avo: The third installment of the AVO Improvisation Series, Classic Covers Volume 3 will be a cigar to commemorate Avo Uvezian’s 90th birthday.
CAO: The CAO Flathead Steel Horse line will be receiving two new line extensions.
Kristoff: The company has three new releases planned for this Spring.
La Aurora Cigars: The La Aurora Puro Vintage 2006 111 Aniversario Master Case Series is now available.
La Palina Cigars: The company will produce its first TAA cigar called Bill’s Blend
MoyaRuiz Cigars: The company has shipped its candela seasonal release, Pickle Juice.
My Father Cigars: we looked at details of the company’s 2016 TAA release, the El Centurion H.2K.CT Box Pressed Torpedo.
Tatuaje: We looked at details around the Tatuaje TAA 2016 release.
Villiger: Longtime CEO Heinrich Villiger has stepped down and will be succeeded by Robert Suter. He will remain in the role as Chairman.

Legislative News

Senate Bill S. 441: S. 441 is the Senate Bill to gain an exemption from the FDA on premium cigars. This week, no new co-sponsors were added. The total sponsor count remains at 21.
House Bill HR 662: H.R. 662 is House Bill to gain an exemption from the FDA on premium cigars. This week no new co-sponors signed on. The total number of sponsors remains at 162.
House Bill 2058: H.R. 2058 is the House Bill to change the effective date for cigars subject to FDA regulation from 2007 to 21 months following any proposed regulations are put into effect. This week, no new co-sponsors signed on The total number of sponsors remains at 52.
California: The bill to raise the State’s Smoking Age to 21 passed the State Senate. If Governor Jerry Brown signs the bill, it will become law.
Texas: The City of Dallas Parks and Recreation Board tabled a discussion that would have an outdoor smoking ban in parks and golf courses.

Assessments

Agile Cigar Reviews

Herrera Esteli Toro (Tubo) by Drew Estate

Editor’s Corner

This month’s topic discussed the La Palina Dream Team.

Stogie Geeks

For Episode 178 we welcomed Eddie Ortega of Ortega Premium Cigars and Quality Importers. Our Debonaire Ideal segment was on Tubo Cigars and we had our Smokes of the Week which included: