In my seven years in operation at Cigar Coop, the past 30 days have been perhaps the wildest ever. You have seen some of the announcements during the past month – and there will be one more still to come. First up, we have established strategic partnerships with two major cigar radio outlets – Kiss […]
Editor’s Corner Volume 6, Number 3: The 2016 Cigar of the Year Post Game Report
William Cooper Blog, Editor's Corner No Comments 2016 Year in Review, Editor's Corner
Seven consecutive years and another Cigar Coop Countdown is in the annals of history. The Countdown Concept began on Cigar Coop back in 2010, our first year in operation. Once the Countdown is over, there always is a sense of relief given the amount of time it takes to pull it off. At the same time, […]
Editor’s Corner Volume 6, Number 2: The Rudy Giuliani Postscript
William Cooper Blog, Editor's Corner Editor's Corner
Usually January 1st is the day we recap the Cigar Coop Cigar of the Year Countdown. However, this year, we had a delayed start and it is still on-going. However, even it was completed, I’m not sure today’s topic would have been bumped from the Editor’s Corner – namely the topic of Rudy Giuliani and […]
Editor’s Corner Volume 6, Number 1: Where is the 2016 Cigar Coop Cigar of the Year Countdown?
William Cooper Blog, Editor's Corner No Comments 2016 Cigar of the Year, Editor's Corner
Since the inception of Cigar Coop in 2010, December 1st has marked the start of our annual Cigar of the Year Countdown – basically a month long retrospective counting down the 30 best cigars for the year. It’s December 1st 2016, and today you will not see the Countdown starting. This year, the Countdown is […]
Editor’s Corner Volume 5, Number 12a: Why Trump’s Victory is Not a Silver Bullet for the Cigar Industry Against FDA Regulation
William Cooper Blog, Editor's Corner No Comments Editor's Corner, FDA
With Donald J. Trump set to become the 45th President of the United States in January 2017, there has been renewed optimism by the cigar community in terms of the industry’s battle against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As many know, the battle is centered on fighting the new Deeming Regulations the FDA has […]
Editor’s Corner Volume 5, Number 12: Closing Out Pre-Reviews
William Cooper Blog, Editor's Corner Editor's Corner
This month we conclude the Cigar Coop Cigar Year. It officially comes to a close on Thanksgiving November 24, 2016. In December, we bring you the original Cigar of the Year countdown for the seventh consecutive year on Cigar Coop. It’s been the most tumultuous year in the history of the cigar business and […]
Editor’s Corner Volume 5, Number 11a: Why the FDA Said “No” to Charitable Contributions by Cigar Companies
William Cooper Blog, Editor's Corner Editor's Corner, FDA
Disclaimer: This is an opinion piece. This is not intended to be a legal document. It is also not a position favoring this decision made by the FDA. This author believes charitable contributions by cigar companies should continue for our military troops. This past week the U.S. Food and Drug Administration replied to an inquiry by Congressman Duncan Hunter […]
Editor’s Corner Volume 5, Number 11: More on those Stealth Products….
William Cooper Blog, Editor's Corner Editor's Corner
Last month, my editorial focused on the release of what I termed “stealth products” into the cigar marketplace. Putting it directly, my comments ruffled more than a few feathers. I’ll recap my definition of what these Stealth Products are: A stealth product as a cigar that has had virtually no marketing and for the most […]
Editor’s Corner Volume 5, Number 10: In Regards to Stealth Products….
William Cooper Blog, Editor's Corner Editor's Corner
This month was a historic month for the cigar industry – and not in a positive way. On August 8th, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) implemented its Deeming Regulations for premium cigars. An offshoot saw the rise of something that we have termed “Stealth Products”. What is Stealth Product? We defined a stealth product […]
Editor’s Corner Volume 5, Number 9: Green Visor and Typewriter
William Cooper Blog, Editor's Corner No Comments Editor's Corner, IPCPR 2016
The 2016 International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers (IPCPR) Convention and Trade Show is now in the annals of history. This is my seventh consecutive year covering the show and I feel very fortunate having this opportunity to deliver coverage. First up an apology – and it seems to be one I am issuing now […]