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 314 (1/26/19)

TODAY THE CIGAR INDUSTRY REPORT TURNS SIX YEARS OLD!!!!!!!!

Feature of the Week: Maria Sierra Passes Away

Maria Sierra, the acclaimed Cuban roller who built a second career in the United States at the iconic El Titan de Bronze factory in Little Havana has passed away. She was 70 years old. Sierra was best known for being the exclusive roller of the La Palina Goldie line at El Titan de Bronze from 2012 to 2017.

News and Previews

Black Label Trading Company/Emilio Cigars: A “merger” between the two brands was announced where Emilio Cigars will move production to Black Label Trading Company’s Fabrica Oveja Negra. Meanwhile, Black Label Trading Company will handle the branding and marketing for Emilio Cigars.
Fratello Cigars: Announced a discount program in conjunction with W.Curtis Draper aimed at furloughed government employees.
IPCPR: The company reported an increase in retail sales traffic and volume with a decrease in customer spending during the past Christmas season.
MoyaRuiz Cigars: The company will release the limited edition Hand Gripper as the 13th installment of the Smoke Inn MicroBLend Series.
Warped Cigars: Announced the Flor de Valle Ghost Orchid for 2019

Legislative News

U.S. Senate: S.9 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 is at 11.
Connecticut: A proposed bill would raise the tobacco purchase age to 21.
Hawaii: A proposed bill would cap the tax on a large cigar on 50 cents as opposed to 50 percent of the wholesale price.
Illinois: Cook County has raised the smoking age to 21.
Indiana: A proposed bill would raise the tobacco purchase age to 21.
Nebraska: A proposed bill would cap the tax on a large cigar on 50 cents as opposed to 20 percent of the wholesale price.
New Mexico: A proposed bill will raise tobacco tax (including cigars) from 25% to 76%.
Maine: A bill has been introduced to allow cigar specialty stores to sell beverages.
Michigan: A proposed bill would raise the tobacco purchase age to 21.
South Carolina: A proposed bill would raise the tobacco purchase age to 21.
Texas: A proposed bill would raise the tobacco purchase age to 21.
Wyoming: A proposed bill would change the wholesale tax to 53 1/3% and increase the consumer tax to 26 2/3%