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 32 (Edition 181 7/2/16)
Completing Four Years…
Four years ago on July 2nd, 2012 Cigar Coop did not publish an article. The following day was significant because it was the first day where we started a true daily publication cycle. Now 1461 days later, we have been able to publish each and every day. Today is significant because we have now completed four full years and start year five tomorrow!
It’s been a true daily publication cycle. Our articles have focused on original content. This is content that was never back-dated and never an old post that was re-dated. There were no off-days as we have published on every holiday, including Christmas.
We’ve had challenges, including a major server move in May, 2015. We underwent major staffing changes on the production end for Stogie Geeks earlier this year. We even had to get through some illnesses and power outages.
Most importantly, this is a thank you to everyone to has taken the time to read us, like us on social media, etc. We appreciate this!
Feature of the Week: J. Cortès Acquires Oliva Cigar Company
The month of July got off to a huge start when it was announced by Oliva Cigar Company was acquired by a Belgian company called J. Cortès NV. J. Cortès is a large company that has been in business specializing in machine-made cigars. In addition to the details of the acquisition, we got some background information on who J. Cortès is.
FDA News
Feature Story: Takeaways From the CRA Industry Summit
On Going Coverage
Our FDA articles.
Our FDA Regulations Primer series.
News and Previews
Drew Estate: The company has announced the Liga Privada Unico Serie Velvet Rat will be released as a special event cigar at a series of Drew Diplomat events this summer.
PDR Cigars: The company announced Brad Sargant as its Florida Sales Manager
Black Label Trading Company: The company will release Bishops Blend at the 2016 IPCPR
Cornelius & Anthony: The company will launch two additional lines at this year’s IPCPR Trade show being made at La Zona. One is the new Venganza line. The other is a re-launch and revamping of a line that was planned for last year – Meridian.
Cusano: The revamping of this brand under Davidoff continued. The brand announced its new Cusano Nicaragua Estelí. In addition the company announced a revamping to its bundle lines, including the release of the new Cusano N1 Nicaragua.
D’Crossier: A new blend under the Presidential Collection is being launched called D’Crossier Presidential Collection Pennsylvania Avenue.
Davidoff: The company announced a new black label offering, the Davidoff Yamasá.
Gran Habano: The company released an extension to the Persian King line called CGran Habano Persian King Maduro.
HR: Now distributed by White Hat Tobacco, the brand done in conjunction with Hiroshi Robaina will add two new blends, HR Blue, HR Claro and a special limited corona size to HR.
Kafie 1901: The company announced a new box-press line called Kafie 1901 La Union, but due to trademark issues renamed it to Kafie 1901 San Andres.
Nomad Cigar Company: Fred Rewey’s company will be teaming up with the Boutiques Unified siblings Fabrica Oveja Negra for the Nomad Martial Law.
E.P. Carrillo: The company announced a new line called E.P. Carrillo INCH Colorado.
Viaje: The company revealed details of several projects including plans for IPCPR.
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 21.
House Bill HR 662: H.R. 662 is House Bill to gain an exemption from the FDA on premium cigars. This week no new co-sponsored were added. The total number of sponsors remains at 166.
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 no new co-sponsored were added. The total number of sponsors remains at 66.
Guam: Governor Eddie Calvo vetoed a bill that would have raised the territory’s smoking age to 21.
U.S. State Department: Has issued a travel alert for Nicaragua.
Virginia: A new law went into effect that bans smoking in cars with children eight years and under.
Assessments
Gaaja Toro by Bombay Tobak
Serino Royale Connecticut Torpedo
Agile Cigar Reviews
Camacho American Barrel Aged Torpedo Largo
Perdomo Reserve Limited Cameroon Edition Petit Corona
Editor’s Corner
This month’s editorial is called Decision Points.
Stogie Geeks
This week we welcomed back Andre Farkas of Viaje Cigars. Our Debonaire Ideal segment was on Smoking Cigars on the Road, plus we had our Stogies of the Week that included:
Rocky Patel Ray Lewis Legends 52
Davidoff-The Chefs Edition
Davidoff Scorecard Edition 2016
Ernesto’s Humidor No. 1 Edición Colorado 2015 by E.P. Carrillo
Hammer + Sickle Trademark Series Maduro Churchill
John Hay Cadet
Kristoff Connecticut Robusto
Kristoff Habano Robusto
La Galera Habano El Lector by IndianHead Cigars
Manolo Estate Gran Fino Connecticut Robusto
Manolo Estate Serie 32 Habano Robusto
Quesada 40th Anniversary Short Robusto
Wynwood Factory Fresh La Granada (Throwback)
Stogie Geeks News
On the July 1st Edition we talked about the acquisition of Oliva by J. Cortès. We discussed the new Davidoff Yamasá. We discussed the revamping of Cusano including the Cusano Nicaragua Esteli and the revamping of the bundle line. We also discuss the Travel Alert to Nicaragua and update folks on the FDA happenings.
On this date July 2nd…
July 2nd 2011: We re-posted a press release on the Toraño Loyal.
July 2nd 2012: It was the last day we missed a day of publishing content on Cigar Coop!
July 2nd 2013: We previewed theFlor de las Antillas 6 x 60, a shop exclusive to Binny’s Beverage Depot in Illinois.
July 2nd 2013: We assessed the Viaje Secret Sauce.
July 2nd 2013: We reported on La Aurora’s Adds box-press extensions to the Guillermo León and Fernando León lines.
July 2nd 2013: We previewed CAO Flavours American Slyce.
July 2nd 2014: We reported Quesada Oktoberfest 2014.
July 2nd 2014: We assessed the Nat Sherman Sterling.
July 2nd 2014: We previewed the Ashton Symmetry.
July 2nd 2014: We previewed the J. Fuego Heat Corojo.
July 2nd 2014: We previewed the Chubbys Boss by Cuban Stock Cigar Company.
July 2nd 2015: We reported on the D’Crossier Selection 512 Lancero.
July 2nd 2015: We reported on the La Mission du L’Atelier
July 2nd 2015: We assessed the Gran Habano Gran Reserva #5 2011 Gran Robusto
July 2nd 2015: We reported on the Davidoff Nicaragua Mini Cigarilloso.