Cigar Industry Report: Volume 5, Number 17 (3/19/16)

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 17 (Edition 166 3/19/16)

Feature of the Week: Hoyo by Hoyo de Monterrey Officially Announced

It had been talked about for a while, but this week General Cigar announced details on its new Hoyo Cigar. The cigar marks a new look for the Hoyo de Monterrey brand.

News and Previews

E.P. Carrillo: A fifth size is being added to the E.P. Carrillo INCH Maduro line in the form of a 8 x 58. The company is also releasing an exclusive cigar for Federal Cigar’s 95th anniversary.
Eighty5 Cigars: Chad Ochocinco Johnson is teaming up with GLB Cigars to produce a brand called Eighty5 Cigars. The first cigar is called Boa Vida.
La Palina: A price decrease is coming to the Black Label, Red Label, and La Palina Classic lines.
Mombacho Cigars SA: The company has announced the availability of the regular production Liga Maestro.
My Father: For Federal Cigar’s 95th Anniversary, the Flor de las Antillas Maduro is returning with a box-press Torpedo. Last year, Federal received a Short Robusto. The Flor de las Antillas Maduro has only be released to Federal.
Tatuaje: We looked at details around the regular production release of the Tatuaje Black Label Private Reserve.

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: Tobacco lobbyists are trying to stall a sweeping anti-tobacco bill that is being sent to Governor Jerry Brown. This includes raising the state’s smoking age to 21.
Illinois: The city of Chicago has enacted a sweeping anti-tobacco program including raising the city’s smoking age to 21 and enacted a 6 million dollar tax on tobacco products.
Federal: The Obama Administration has loosened travel restrictions that now make it legal for Americans to purchase and consume a Cuban cigar abroad.
Virginia: A bill that would ban smoking in cars with children is now on Governor Terry McAuliffe’s desk.