Weekly News (Aug. 5, 2024)

Black Star Line Cigars Takes Its Distribution In-House

It is great to see cigar manufacturers spread their wings and become a larger force in the industry. Last week, Black Star Line Cigars hit one of those markers when the company announced it had acquired its own warehouse and was taking its fulfillment in-house after being fulfilled by Illusione since February 2022. Prior to this announcement, Black Star Line discontinued direct-to-consumer sales at the end of 2023, another change in the growth of the company.

 

 

Colibri Ships Heritage Cube Desk Lighter to Retailers

Having spent the vast majority of my life as an artist of one sort or another, I am always happy to see cigar accessory manufacturers produce an interesting design for a product. This lighter is one of those products that instantly caught my eye, mostly due to the striking sharp lines of the square design. However, the lighter also features both a single soft flame and a double-jet pyramid flame—which can be ignited independently of one another via different ignition triggers—making it a great choice for stores looking to give customers multiple flame options in a singular product.

La Flor Dominicana 30 Years Arrives at Stores

Not many people can say they have been part of the cigar industry for 30 years, so reaching that milestone is significant. Litto and Ines Gomez—the founders of La Flor Dominicana—are two such people, and these special cigars were rolled in the company’s trademarked Chisel vitola, a 6 1/2 x 58 box-pressed vitola that is highlighted by an extremely unique cap. Also of note: the 2,000 humidors were made at the Gomez family’s relatively new box factory in the Dominican Republic.

Cigar News

• CAO Nicaragua, CAO Maduro, Macanudo Vintage 2006 & Diesel Disciple Discontinued
• Drew Estate’s Chateau Real Gets Habano Version for Cigars International Exclusive
• Gurkha Begins Shipping Year of the Dragon by Oliva Cigar Co.
• Los Statos Deluxe Adds Connecticut Blend
• Prometheus Celebrating God of Fire’s 20th Anniversary With Never Back Down
• Room101 Brings 7 x 70 Vitola Back to The Big Payback Maduro
• STG Announces Price Increases
• Tatuaje LLE Broadleaf Reserva Heading to Stores
• Underrated Adds 6 x 60 Gordo Called Summer Breeze

Legislation

Local

• St. Paul, Minn. City Council Approves Reduction in Number of Tobacco Retailer Licenses — via StarTribune.com

Reviews

• Liga Privada Único Serie Bakkwa
• Rocky Patel Conviction
• Tatuaje Cojonú 2012 Corojo
• Tatuaje TAA 2023

Deals From Our Sponsors

• Atlantic Cigar Co.: Crowned Heads Las Calaveras EL 2024 — Buy a box of one of Crowned Heads’ most popular releases, get a four-count sampler of different vitolas for free.
• Cigars Direct: Buffalo Trace — Get a free Buffalo Trace wood ashtray valued at $80 with the box purchase—Churchills 0r toros—of this collaboration between Scandinavian Tobacco Group and Sazerac & Co.
• Corona Cigar Co.: L’Atelier Côte d’Or La Tâche ’18 — This new release is available in a singular 6 x 46 vitola, and boxes are 10 percent off.
• Famous Smoke Shop: CAO Flathead Big V770 — This 7 x 70 vitola with the line’s signature flat cap is 30 percent off when purchased by the box.
• Gotham Cigars: Rocky Patel The Edge Robusto Maduro — I have long felt that The Edge is one of Rocky Patel’s best combinations of flavor and value, and this box is just short of $20 off.
• JR Cigars: Leaf By Oscar 10th Anniversary — Get $22 off a box of this excellent cigar from Oscar Valladares Tobacco & Co.
• LM Cigars: Liga Privada Papas Fritas — These are great cigars for when you don’t have an abundance of time.
• Smokingpipes: Cavalier Black Series II Tempura — This new 4 x 60 short perfecto is packaged in 15-count boxes that are designed to double as display trays.