Weekly News (January 2, 2012)

Editor’s Note: For those unfamiliar with this weekly tradition, I say welcome. This is the Weekly News, one of the more recognizable staples of TheCigarFeed and something sure to continue at halfwheel. This is the most comprehensive industry news report published currently, period. On most weeks, i.e. those that aren’t occurring around two major international holidays and at a time when almost every company in the industry was shut down both in the U.S. and Latin America, this can be a pretty long column. This week, we were the biggest news. Below is a bulleted list of the news stories for the past week. While the concept will remain the same, there are a few minor tweaks for the Weekly News, enjoy. — el niño diablo.

• Emilio AF Suave — Gary Griffith says this will come in February/March. It’s lighter, it comes in a lot of sizes and it’s from A.J. Fernandez. Wrapper is Ecuadorian Connecticut over Nicaraguan fillers.
• Emilio Grimalkin Corona & Lancero — The Lancero is limited, the Corona is not. More Emilios from this factory My Father Cigars S.A.
• halfwheel.com Launches — Both TheCigarFeed and SmokingStogie.com shut down to create the very blog you are reading. More info here.
• Stogie Fresh Redesign — David “Doc” Diaz’s Stogie Fresh saw a site update and slight name change. The newly minted stogiefresh.info is live.
• Graycliff Expands to Chocolate, Cofee & More — Details about the Garzaroli family’s newest venture here.
• Federal Cigar’s Matchbook Poll — Site sponsor Federal Cigar has begun its traditional matchbook poll where customers place a box of matches in a candidate’s brown paper bag in order to show support for their favored presidential nominee. While all four stores are partaking, the Portsmouth location has gotten the most attention, including articles like this, which include video with store manager Ben Dickey.
• Toraño Hosts 2nd Annual Toy Drive — Press Release here.
• Possible Opposition to Thunder by Nimish — Frank Herrera indicates that National Tobacco Company has filed an extension to file opposition to the proposed Rocky Patel trademark.
• Ben Lee Joins Emilio — Nice Tight Ash’s Ben Lee is the latest Emilio rep covering the Gulf Coast region. He will continue with his duties at Nice Tight Ash.
• Fumee Closes — You can read Heather Haddad’s decision here.
• Tobacco Tax Fight Begins in Maryland — A group is pushing for an increase form 15% to 65%, the IPCPR has already expressed their thoughts here.

Charlie Minato

I am an editor and co-founder of halfwheel.com/Rueda Media, LLC. I previously co-founded and published TheCigarFeed, one of the two predecessors of halfwheel. I have written about the cigar industry for more than a decade, covering everything from product launches to regulation to M&A. In addition, I handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff here at halfwheel. I enjoy playing tennis, watching boxing, falling asleep to the Le Mans 24, wearing sweatshirts year-round and eating gyros. echte liebe.