At this week’s Tobacco Plus Expo (TPE) in Las Vegas, the Lotus Group/Integral Logistics introduced several more new products that will be coming to store shelves in the near future.

Taking its design cues from boats and the maritime life, the Lotus Mariner is a dual flame, wind resistant torch lighter. The back of the lighter features two integrated cigar punches that fold out individually and give the lighter the appearance of having dual rudders, while the large flame adjustment wheel is positioned to be reminiscent of the placement of a propeller.  It measures 3.125 x 1.75 x .875 inches and also offers a visible fuel window on the back. It is offered in four colors: black, white, blue and woodgrain, all of which draw on boating themes while the woodgrain gives the body a particularly distinctive look. It has an MSRP of $49.95 and is due out by the end of February.

The Vertigo Hammer is a pocket sized, single flame torch lighter that offers a pair of punch cutters on its base. Its all metal housing measures 2.46 x 1.56 x .49 inches, and it is offered in four colors: black, chrome & gunmetal, brown crackle & gunmetal, and gunmetal & chrome. Each has an MSRP of $19.99 and are scheduled to arrive in stores in mid-February.

The Vertigo line is also getting a new cutter called the Shark. It features a closed back design to ensure an ideal cut every time, while its stainless steel blades feature a serrated edge and can handle up to a 64 ring gauge. The cutter offers a slot on the bottom for easier cleaning, while the body doubles as a cigar rest. The rubberized body measures 3.625 x 2.25 x .75 inches and is offered in four colors: black, red, blue and gunmetal. It is priced at $19.99 and also slated for a mid-February arrival.

Prior to the start of the show, the company announced the release of the Vertigo Gator Lighter and Lotus Clarity ashtray, both of which were also on display in the booth.

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Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for Major League Baseball, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.