The Cigar Industry Report is a one stop place to catch up on the activity here at Cigar Coop and Stogie Geeks. It is a combination of our news reports, cigar reviews, and assessment updates we do throughout the week. We will also recap what happened on our Stogie Geeks show. Finally, each week we will look back at Cigar Coop history. Look for this report every Saturday morning at 8am Eastern time.
Cigar Industry Report: Volume 5, Number 12 (Edition 161 2/13/16)
Features of the Week: Boutiques United Adds Black Label Trading Company
Last month, House of Emilio rebranded itself as Boutiques United. After streamlining down to four brands, the distribution company owned by Scott Zucca had added a new company to distribute – Black Label Trading Company. Under the agreement, the brands of Fabrica Oveja Negra – namely Black Label Trading Company and Black Works Studio will leverage Boutiques United’s sales force and warehousing capabilities.
News and Previews
262 Cigars: The company announced its “The Internship” project.
Alec Bradley: The Alec Bradley Black Market Filthy Hooligan Barber Pole, the latest edition of its Filthy Hooligan line is heading to retailers.
Asylum Cigars: The company announced the Asylum 13 Connecticut will hit stores by the end of the month.
Cornelius & Anthony: The premium cigar division of S&M Brands announced its Cornelius cigar.
Davidoff: The company announced its new Duocut Double Blade Punch Cutter due to hit stores this Spring. Oettenger Davidoff AG announced it is forming a Cigar News: Oettinger Davidoff AG German Market Subsidiary.
Espinosa Cigars: The Espinosa Laranja Reserva DeSocio becomes the latest addition to Alliance Cigars’ exclusive DeSocio series.
Joya de Nicaragua: The Joya Red Half Corona is slated to hit the U.S. market. This was a cigar introduced to Europe last year.
Kafie 1901 Cigars: The company will add the Don Fernando Maduro Petit Perla this April.
La Galera Cigars: The premium cigar brand owned by Jochy Blanco of Tabacalera Palma has officially launched and has added three new sizes for the European market.
La Gran Llave: Industry veteran Michael Argenti has launched the La Gran Llave brand.
Legislative News
Senate Bill S. 441: S. 441 is the Senate Bill to gain an exemption from the FDA on premium cigars. This week, no new co-sponsors were added. The total sponsor count remains at 20.
House Bill HR 662: H.R. 662 is House Bill to gain an exemption from the FDA on premium cigars. This week, three new co-sponsors were added – Luke Messer [R-Indiana], Michael Fitzpatrick[R-Pennsylvania], and Randy Hulgran [R-Illinois]. The total number of sponsors is now at 158.
House Bill 2058: H.R. 2058 is the House Bill to change the effective date for cigars subject to FDA regulation from 2007 to 21 months following any proposed regulations are put into effect. This week, three new co-sponsors were added – Tim Murphy [R-Pennsylvania], Glenn Grothman [R-Wisconsin], and Mike Kelly [R-Pennsylvania]. The total number of sponsors is now at 49.
Kentucky: A committee has approved House Bill 299. This is a bill that proposes raising the smoking age in the State of Kentucky to 21.
Illinois: Earlier this week Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s plan to raise Chicago’s smoking age from 18 to 21, and add $6 million tax on cigars was defeated. After a series of amendments were put in place by the Mayor, Chicago Aldermen blocked the proposal again.
While not a legislative news item, the World Health Organization has called for a ban on smoking in motion pictures.
Assessments
Don Julio Punto Espada Gordo by De Los Reyes Cigars
Ernesto’s Humidor No. 1 Edición Connecticut 2015 by E.P. Carrillo
L’Atelier Côte d’Or (2015)
Macabi USA Royal Corona by Sosa Cigars
Viaje Collaboration 2015
Agile Cigar Reviews
Flor de Selva No. 20 by Maya Selva Cigars
Stogie Geeks
For Episode 174 we welcomed Nicholas Syris from LH Cigars. Our Debonaire Ideal segment was on “Cigars that burn too hot or too cool” and we had our Smokes of the Week which included:
Asylum Nyctophilia Maduro 60 x 6 (TAA Exclusive)
Don Julio Punto Espada Gordo by De Los Reyes Cigars
Ernesto’s Humidor No. 1 Edición Connecticut 2015 by E.P. Carrillo
L’Atelier Côte d’Or (2015)
Viaje Collaboration 2015
We published Episode 172 and Episode 173. Thank you for your patience.
Episode 172
Interview with Abe Dababneh
Interview with Charles Rutherford, Boveda
Debonaire Ideal – Touching up a Cigar
Stogies of the Week
Episode 173
Interview with Enrique Sanchez Icaza, 1502 Cigars
Debonaire Ideal: Steak and Cigars
Stogies of The Week
Stogie Geeks Shorts – “Big Game Show”
We published a special Stogie Geeks Shorts with La Flor Dominicana around the “Big Game” and LFD’ Special Football Edition Cigar.
Stogie Geeks App
We now have our first Stogie Geeks App for the Android. Visit the Google Play store for the Video version or the Audio Version.
On this date February 13th…
February 13th 2011: We did a event recap with Rocky Patel.
February 13th 2011: We covered an outdoor smoking ban defeated at Fordham University.
February 13th 2012: We previewed the Viaje White Label Project (WLP) Candela 2012
February 13th 2012: We assessed the Perdomo Exhibición Exhibit Sun Grown
February 13th 2013: We previewed the Alec Bradley Black Market “Punk”.
February 13th 2013: We re-posted a press release announcing a a price decrease from La Palina Cigars.
February 13th 2013: We assessed the Viaje Skull and Bones Big Ivan – Edición Limitada (2013)
February 13th 2013: We previewed a cigar called Casa Martin by Martin Family of Cigars. The cigar did not make it to market.
February 13th 2014: We assessed the Tatuaje Monster No. 6 JV13
February 13th 2014: We reported on José Blanco’s returns with Las Cumbres Tabaco and his first release -Señorial.
February 13th 2014: We reported on La Flor Dominicana Launches “A Night in Santiago” Event Program – a program featuring the LFD Mystery Event Cigar.
February 13th 2015: We did an Assessment Update on the Avo Limited Edition 2009 Compañero (Part of Avo’s Greatest Hits Sampler)
February 13th 2015: We reported on the plans for the La Aurora Puro Vintage 2006 Edición Limitada 111 Aniversario to Debut at the 2015 ProCigar Auction