Cigar Industry Report (Edition 575) is a one-stop place to catch up on the activity here at Cigar Coop for the past week. It combines 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 at 8am Eastern Time.
Cigar Industry Report: Edition 575 (2/3/24)
The Headlines
Prime Time Awards
This week, our end of year coverage wrapped up.
- Small/Medium Factory of the Year – Fabrica Oveja Negra
- Large Factory of the Year – My Father Cigars SA
- Small/Medium Company of the Year – Tatuaje Cigars
- Large Company of the Year – Tabacalera USA
- Person of the Year – Rafael Nodal
FDA Files Briefing Detailing Grounds for Appeal
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has submitted a brief detailing its appeal of Judge Amit Mehta’s decision to vacate the Deeming Rule. We got the details here.
David Ozgo Resigns from CAA
In a surprise move, David Ozgo stepped down as President of the CAA.
Billy Gibbons Enters Cigar Industry
ZZ Top vocalist and guitarist Billy Gibbons is launching two cigar brands. The brands, Virtu and Twin Turbo were unveiled at Total Product Expo (TPE) 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada, where Gibbons made an appearance. We got the details here.
The News
Product Reports
- Forged Cigar Company: Announced the return of the La Gloria Cubana Corojo de Oro for 2024
- General Cigar Company: Announced Punch Dragon Fire and the return of the Punch Rare Corojo for 2024
- Blackbird Cigars: We reported on the Blackbird Superb
- E.P. Carrillo: Announced the E.P. Carrillo Encore Black
- Jake Wyatt Cigar Company: Announced the Icarus.
- Lampert Cigars: The company announced the Lampert Limitada 2023
- Miami Cigar & Company: The Nestor Miranda NM80 is shipping
- Quesada Cigars: Announced the Quesada 50th Anniversary
- Plasencia Cigars: Announced the Plasencia Year of the Dragon
- Quality Importers Trading Company: Announced the Palió Veneto, Xikar VX2 G10 V-Cut Cutter, and the global release of the Xikar Xi1 Perfect Cut
- Rocky Patel Premium Cigars: Announced Rocky Patel Year of the Dragon. In addition, the Rocky Patel ALR Second Edition Robusto Grande was announced as a Casa de Montecristo exclusive
- Somm Cigars: The Somm Rioja has arrived at select retailers
Other News
- Hiram & Solomon: Named a brand manager for the European Market
Cigar Reviews
Assessments
- Aladino Lounge Exclusive (Robusto) by JRE Tobacco Co.
- Angel Cuesta Toro by J.C. Newman Cigar Company
- AVO Seasons Summer Limited Edition 2023
Agile Cigar Reviews
- None this week
The Smoking Syndicate
Features and Blog
Feature Story
- None this week
The Blog
- None this week
Prime Time Podcasts
Our podcasts that aired this week.
Prime Time Show
Prime Time Special Edition
Prime Time Jukebox
- None this week
Let’s Get Pairing
Upcoming Schedule
2/5 Prime Time Jukebox Episode 120: The Big Game – 2004 Edition
2/6 TGS Pre-Game Special w/ Abe Dababneh
2/8 Prime Time Episode 296: Justin Andrews STG
TBA Prime Time Special Edition TBD
2/6 TGS Pre-Game Special w/ Abe Dababneh
2/8 Prime Time Episode 296: Justin Andrews STG
TBA Prime Time Special Edition TBD
On This Date…
On this date, Feb 3:
- Feb 3, 2011: We remembered the late Sal Fontana.
- Feb 3, 2012: We assessed the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial TAA Edition.
- Feb 3, 2013: We assessed the Tatuaje Black Label Lancero (Tatuaje Private Reserve Lancero)
- Feb 3, 2013: We previewed the RoMa Craft Tobac Fomorian.
- Feb 3, 2014: We reported on the Viaje WMD 2014.
- Feb 3 2014: We reported on the Hammer + Sickle Sochi Limited Edition.
- Feb 3, 2014: We published Michael Herklots’ Cigar Pairings with Whiskeys.
- Feb 3, 2015: We assessed the Cubanacan Soneros Maduro Corona Gorda.
- Feb 3, 2015: We reported on the introduction of House Bill H.R. 662.
- Feb 3, 2015: We reported on plans for the Davidoff Flagship store in Houston, Texas.
- Feb 3, 2016: We reported on the Cusano Dominican Connecticut and Maduro Lines.
- Feb 3, 2016: We reported on Miami Cigar & Company becoming the U.S. Distributor of Toscano Cigars.
- Feb 3, 2016: We assessed the Ditka Special Game Day Edition by Camacho Cigars.
- Feb 3, 2017: We reported on Rob Norris being named General Manager of Altadis U.S.A’s Premium Cigar Division.
- Feb 3 2017: We reported on the Quesada Keg 2017 Edition.
- Feb 3, 2017: We reported on the introduction of Senate Bill 294.
- Feb 3, 2017: We reported on the La Flor Dominicana Special Football Edition 2017.
- Feb 3, 2018: We published Cigar Industry Report: Volume 7, Number 11 (2/3/18)
- Feb 3, 2019: We did an Agile Cigar Review on the 601 Blue Maduro Short Churchill by Espinosa Cigars
- Feb 3, 2020: We reported on the Court ruling against the FDA on warning labels for premium cigars
- Feb 3, 2020: We reported on the JRE Tobacco Company Rancho Luna Grandes
- Feb 3, 2020: We reported on Imperial Brands PLC naming Stefan Bomhard CEO
- Feb 3, 2021: We assessed the Onyx Bold Nicaragua Toro
- Feb 3, 2022: We reported on the passing of Rolando Villamil
- Feb 3, 2022: We reported on the Plasencia Year of the Tiger
- Feb 3, 2023: We reported on Elvis Batista departing Blackbird Cigars
- Feb 3, 2022: We published the Feature Story, Puro Sabor 2023 – Closing Thoughts
