The Cigar Industry Report is a one-stop place to catch up on the activity here at Cigar Coop. It is a combination of the news reports, cigar reviews, and assessment updates we do throughout the week. In addition, each week we will look back at Cigar Coop history. Look for this report every Saturday morning at 8am Eastern Time.

Cigar Industry Report: Edition 309 (12/22/18)

 

Feature of the Week: Jack Toraño and General Cigar Part Ways

After 2 1/2 years, the Jack Toraño era at General Cigar is over. We’ve got the details here.

Feature of the Week: Felix Menendez Passes Away

Brazilian tobacco legend Felix Menendez has passed away. The details are here.

2018 Cigar of the Year Countdown

For the ninth consecutive year, Cigar Coop is doing a Cigar of the Year Countdown. Through January 7, 2019, we will count down the Top 30 Cigars for 2018. This week we unveiled selections #16 through #22:

The criteria for the Countdown can be found here. We also announced changes to the 2019 Cigar of the Year in our Editor’s Corner.

News and Previews


Legislative News

  • House of Representatives: H.R. 564 is a proposed piece of legislation that calls for an exemption from FDA Regulation for premium handmade cigars. This week no new co-sponsors were added. The total number of sponsors remains at 150.
  • U.S. SenateS.294 is the Senate companion bill to H.R. 564. This week no new co-sponsors were added. The total number of sponsors remains at 22.
  • House Bill 1136: H.R. 1136 is the legislation to change the Grandfather Date for Deeming Tobacco products subject to FDA Regulation from February 15, 2017, to 21 days after enactment of the regulations. This week no new co-sponsors were added. The total number of sponsors remains at 94.
  • Ohio: The City of Cincinnati has voted to raise the smoking age to 21.

Prime Time Show

This week for Episode 78, Klaas Pieter Kelner of Davidoff Cigars was our special guest.

Prime Time Special Edition

For Prime Time Special Edition #44, Tom Lazuka of Asylum Cigars was our special guest.

Schedule

Prime Time

Episode 79 (12/27/18) – Tim Wong, Pier 28 Premium Cigars
Episode 80 (1/3/19): James Brown, BLTC

Prime Time Special Edition

Special Edition 45 – TBD
Special Edition 46 (1/22/19) – The LFD Big Game Show with Jonathan Carney


On this date December 22nd