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 23 (Edition 172 4/30/16)
Feature of the Week: Camacho Powerband Announced
Since it’s historic relaunch in 2013, Camacho Cigars has used to month of June to launch its major release for the year. 2016 will be no exception as Camacho has announced its second installment of its Master-Built series with the Camacho Powerband. The Powerband is a cigar described as “inspired by the power, performance and acceleration associated with a classic V-twin engine, built to galvanize a brotherhood of freedom seekers.” The cigar utilizes a proprietary bunching technique in its construction. The cigar is scheduled to hit retailers beginning mid-June.
News and Previews
- Cohiba: The brand under General Cigar has released the Cohiba Nicaragua Pequenos, a 4 1/8 x 36 vitola offering.
- Espinosa Cigars: The company launched Espinosa Cream City MKE as a shop exclusive for Metro Cigars in Milwaukee.
- Gurkha Cigar Group: Has named Eddy Guerra its Director of Marketing.
- H.Upmann: The brand under Altadis USA announced the limited edition H. Upmann Ingot TheBanker Private Holding – a new blend under the H.Upmann Banker line.
- Selected Tobacco: The Byron Siglo XXI Elegantes will now be offered in humidor box packaging.
- Schrader Cellars: The company has launched its second cigar, the Limited Edition Schrader MMXIII. This is a project being done with Nat Sherman.
- Tatuaje Cigars: The Tatuaje Reserva K222 is slated to begin shipping to retailers.
- Viva Republica: Jason Holly’s has launched Ivy Cigars, a new brand under the Viva Republica portfolio.
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. his week, no new co-sponsors were added. The total number of sponsors remains at 163.
- 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.
- Massachusetts: The State Senate voted 32-2 to raise the State’s Smoking Age to 21. The bill must still go through a vote in the State House and get the Governor’s signature.
Assessments
- Crux Limitada PB5
- Espinosa Murcielago Noir (2015)
- La Gran Llave Robusto
- QuickDraw Connecticut Short Panatela by Southern Draw Cigars
- The Griffin’s Nicaragua Robusto
Stogie Geeks
For Episode 184 we welcomed Jonathan Gach and Debbie Medina of Senor Rio Tequila. Our Debonaire Ideal segment was on the Sports Stars who Smoke Cigars and we had our Smokes of the Week which included:
- CAO Pilon Robusto
- AJ Fernandez Last Call
- Crux Limitada PB5 (Paul)
- Crux Limitada PB5 (Will)
- Crux Sports
- Davidoff Nicaragua Box Press Robusto
- Davidoff Golf Scorecard Edition 2016
- Espinosa Murcielago Noir (2015)
- Gurhka Royal Challenge Toro
- QuickDraw Connecticut Petite Corona by Southern Draw Cigars (Paul)
- QuickDraw Connecticut Petite Panatela by Southern Draw Cigars (Will)
- The Griffin’s Nicaragua Robusto
- Wilson Adams Black Label No. 4 (Paul)
- Wilson Adams Black Label No. 4 (Will)
We published Episode 183 – which included:
- Interview with Fabian Barrentes, IndianHead Cigars
- Debonaire Ideal: Benefits of Gifting A Cigar
- Stogies of the Week
Stogie Geeks Shorts
- Stogie Geeks Shorts – Best Cigars Using Sumatra Wrapper
- Interview with Juan Cancel and Bill Ives of Cubariqueno Cigar Company
- Interview with MoyaRuiz Cigars
On this date April 30th…
- April 30th 2013: We reported on the retailers receiving the 2013 edition of the Viaje Zombie.
- April 30th 2013: We reported on the Viaje Exclusivo Super Lance.
- April 30th 2013: We reported on the Viaje White Label Project Super Shot (2012) 12 Gauge.
- April 30th 2013: We did an Assessment Update on the Viaje 5th Anniversary.
- April 30th 2014: We reported on the 1502 Emerald Lancero.
- April 30th 2014: We reported on the MLB Cigar Ventures’ debut offering – Imperia.
- April 30th 2014: We provided an update on the Herrera Esteli Lancero – Edicion Limitada 2014 release.
- April 30th 2014: We reported on Caldwell Cigar Company’s Junior Varsity line.
- April 30th 2014: We reported on Caldwell Cigar Company’s Caldwell Collection line.
- April 30th 2014: We did a pre-release assessment on the Leccia Luchador.
- April 30th 2014: We reported on the 1907 by Dunhill line.
- April 30th 2015: We assessed the CAO Amazon Basin.
- April 30th 2015: We reported on the Kristoff Classic Reserva.
- April 30th 2015: We reported on the Davidoff Flagship Store opening in Amsterdam.
- April 30th 2015: We reported on Mombacho Cigars SA plans to do a limited release of its Cigar Liga Maestro line for the U.S. Market.
- April 30th 2015: We reported on the 262 Peacefield Line.
- April 30th 2015: We reported on the announcement of the Camacho American Barrel-Aged Announced
