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 316 (2/9/19)
Feature of the Week: Illusione Cigars Enters Distribution Agreement with Oettinger Davidoff
Big news this week as Dion Giolito announced that Oettinger Davidoff AG will be his distributor in Europe for Belgium, Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, We have the details here.
News and Previews
- Alec Bradley: The company announced the return of the Black Market Filthy Hooligan and the new Black Market Shamrock.
- Drew Estate: The company announced “Frenchies” – a series of cigarillo line extensions to Tabak Especial and ACID. The products will be launched at the Tobacco Products Expo in Las Vegas on February 11th.
- Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust: Named David Lafferty its Vice President of Sales.
- Casa de Montecristo: Announced it is moving its Washington DC lounge.
- Cohiba: The Cohiba Connecticut will be launched in March.
- JSK Cigars: The company announced it has a distribution partner for Germany.
- Nat Sherman: The brand announced a series of management changes, including the departure of David Lafferty.
- Padrón: The company made headlines when the World Champion New England Patriots celebrated with Padrón 50th Anniversary Cigars.
- Royal Agio Cigars: The company announced Cigar San Pedro de Macorís Nicaragua and Sun Grown lines. The products will be launched at the Tobacco Products Expo in Las Vegas on February 11th.
- United Cigar: Announced it is taking pro-active action to prevent counterfeiting of its Atabey brand.
- Viaje: The Honey & Hand Grenades will return this month.
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.
- Arizona: A tax increase is being proposed on cigars.
- Colorado: A bill has been introduced that would remove the smoking ban exemption for tobacco retail stores.
- Hawaii: A bill has once again been introduced that would ban online and mail-order sales of tobacco products.
- Mississippi: A bill has been introduced that would raise the excise tax on tobacco products. There is also a bill on the table that would restrict retailers from discounting tobacco products.
- Montana: A bill has been proposed that would ban the sale of flavored tobacco products.
- Virginia: The House and Senate have approved a bill that would raise the tobacco age to 21. If Governor Ralph Northam signs the bill, it will become law.
Assessments
Agile Cigar Reviews
Prime Time Show
This week for Episode 84, we had our third media panel discussion as we welcome David Jones of Leaf Enthusiast and Ben Lee of Stogie Review.
Prime Time Special Edition
This week for Special Edition #47, we welcomed Terence Reilly of Aganorsa Leaf as our special guest. We also recapped the “Big Game” between the Patriots and Rams.
Schedule
Prime Time
No Show (2/14/19)
Episode 85 (2/21/19): Zev Kaminetsky, Royal Agio Cigars
Prime Time Special Edition
TBA
On this date February 9th…
- Feb 9, 2011: We assessed the Oliva Connecticut Reserve
- Feb 9, 2012: We assessed the La Aurora 107
- Feb 9, 2013: We published Cigar Week Wrap for w/e 2/9/13
- Feb 9, 2014: We assessed the Brun del Ré Gold
- Feb 9, 2015: We reported on Oettinger Davidoff and Quintessentially Lifestyle’s Hourglass Lounge Global Concierge Service.
- Feb 9, 2015: We assessed the La Flor Dominicana TCKFA M Collector’s Edition 2014
- Feb 9, 2016: We reported on 262 Cigars “Internship”.
- Feb 9, 2016: We reported on the launch of Cornelius & Anthony’s Cornelius
- Feb 9, 2016: We reported on the Asylum 13 Connecticut
- Feb 9, 2016: We reported on Joya de Nicaragua Joya Red Half Corona
- Feb 9, 2016: We reported Black Label Trading Company joining Boutiques Unified.
- Feb 9, 2016: We assessed the Don Julio Punto Espada Gordo by De Los Reyes Cigars
- Feb 9, 2016: We reported on the official launch of La Galera Cigars.
- Feb 9, 2017: We assessed the Oliveros All Stars Small Batch No. 5 Basso by Boutique Blends Cigars
- Feb 9, 2018: We reported on the launch of Rocky Patel Premium Cigars’ Luminoso Ashtrays
- Feb 9, 2018: We reported on Viaje bringing back Señor Andre’s Chicharrones
- Feb 9, 2018: We reported on Crowned Heads Paniolo Especial 2018
- Feb 9, 2018: We published Prime Time Episode 41: Andre Farkas, Viaje Cigars
