Weekly News (August 30, 2010)

As was predicted earlier, Gran Habano discontinued the 3 SLS (also know as the 3 Siglos) and Cabinet Selection. Drew Estate formally announced the Liga Privada Dirty Rat. Famous Smoke Shop also unveiled a new house blend made by Nestor Plasencia.

Turns out someone is actually selling boxes of Gurkha’s His Majesty’s Reserve. Yeah, those are the $800 infused-cigar, albeit with Louis XIII. In legislation news, The New York State Senate Health Committee is having a meeting regarding a lot of tobacco issues. This comes after another story regarding the failures of the new tobacco tax. In legal news, Herrera is at it again, yet another lawsuit this week.

Cohiba is doing a contest with, details Frédérique Constant Genève:

Cohiba to Launch Limited Edition Swiss Wristwatches

New York, NY– August 25th, 2010 – Cohiba® has partnered with luxury Swiss watchmaker Frédérique Constant to create two bespoke wristwatches exclusively for the U.S. and its territories including the U.S. Virgin Islands. The “Frédérique Constant for Cohiba Limited Edition” timepieces will be unveiled exclusively at a private VIP reception on September 22nd, 2010 at Club Macanudo in New York City.

Designed in homage to the Cohiba brand, the handcrafted Swiss wristwatches boast an ivory-colored dial with tobacco brown Roman numerals, housed in a sleek case highlighted by a hand-sewn tobacco brown Croco-calf strap.

Presented in a handsome wooden humidor box that features a crystal window to showcase the handcrafted treasures contained within, only a total of 376 individually-numbered pieces will be available. Limited to 188 pieces, the steel wristwatch will be available solely at authorized Frédérique Constant retailers for a suggested retail price of $1,650 and the rose gold-plated watch, also limited to 188 pieces, will carry an SRP of $1,750. Each humidor will contain 25 Cohiba Robusto cigars, handmade in the Dominican Republic.

Debo Mukherjee, vice president of marketing for General Cigar, parent company of Cohiba comments, “An exceptional cigar with a rich history and luxury pedigree, Cohiba has inspired a devoted following among seasoned cigar enthusiasts. Our partnership with Frédérique Constant was forged to extend the Cohiba lifestyle to discriminating connoisseurs who are as passionate about their cigars as they are about their timepieces and we are quite pleased with the way in which Frédérique Constant has honored the Cohiba brand.”

Ralph Simons, President of Frédérique Constant USA, is thrilled about this captivating partnership. “Cohiba is synonymous with the world’s finest cigars. The exceptional quality of Cohiba cigars is the result of expertise and passion. It is this same passion that drives Frédérique Constant to create handmade, luxury timepieces of contemporary, classic design and exceptional value.”

About Cohiba Cigars

True cigar connoisseurs recognize Dominican Cohiba cigars as one of the finest brands available in the U.S. market. Critically acclaimed for their meticulous construction and refined taste, the core brand of Cohiba cigars is complemented by these premium collections: Cohiba Black, Cohiba Puro Dominicana and Cohiba XV.

Cohiba cigars are produced by General Cigar Co. Inc., which manufactures and markets handcrafted cigars for the premium market. Committed to delivering cigars of the finest quality, General Cigar also produces Macanudo®, Partagas®, Hoyo de Monterrey®, Excalibur®, La Gloria Cubana® and several other leading premium brands. In addition, the company grows its own premium Connecticut Shade wrapper tobacco, as well as natural and candela wrapper in the Dominican Republic. General Cigar also operates Club Macanudo®, a cigar bar in New York City. Based in Richmond, VA, General Cigar sells through tobacconists nationwide. For more information, please visit www.cigarworld.com.

About Frédérique Constant Genève

Frederique Constant is an independent family owned watch manufacturer based in Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva. The company is involved in all stages of watch production, from initial design to final assembly and quality control. Frederique Constant watches are defined by their high quality, differentiation and precision in design and manufacture. Frederique Constant has a passion for design of beautiful watches. Their perceived value — through quality of design, materials, and manufacture — is a key component of its success. Each watch is assembled by hand and extensively controlled with latest equipment to ensure maximum quality. The company innovates to offer creativity and exceptional value. Its 3200 square meters factory in Plan-les-Ouates Geneva is ultra modern and offers the best environment for its passionate watchmakers. Production will reach 100’000 timepieces in 2010 and watches are sold in over 2500 POS around the world. More information can be found at www.frederique-constant.com.

® Cohiba, Macanudo, Partagas, Hoyo de Monterrey, Excalibur, La Gloria Cubana and Club Macanudo are registered trademarks of General Cigar Company.

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General is also doing another contest with Partagas:

PARTAGAS ‘MAN OF DISTINCTION’ CONTEST OFFERS A CHANCE TO WIN AN ALL-EXPENSE PAID TRIP TO NAPA

Richmond, VA—Lovers of the leaf and the grape take note: The Partagas® “Man of Distinction” contest offers a chance to win an all-expense paid, four-day, three-night trip to Napa Valley to enjoy a taste of the finer things in life.

The venerable brand of Partagas® cigars will award one lucky consumer and three guests with the grand prize in the Partagas “Man of Distinction” promotion: an all-expense paid, four-day, three night trip to Napa where they will tour four boutique wineries, participate in harvesting grapes, dine on epicurean cuisine and enjoy a cooking competition followed by a gourmet meal with a celebrity chef to be announced at a later date.

Consumers of legal smoking age are encouraged to visit their favorite U.S. tobacconist between now and September 26, 2010 to purchase a specially-marked, specially-priced four-pack containing one each of the following: Partagas Naturales, Partagas Black Label Robusto, Partagas Spanish Rosado San Agustin and the bespoke Partagas Limited Reserve Decadas No. II. On the pack, consumers will find details about how they can enter the contest via brief essays expressing their desire to be named the first Partagas “Man of Distinction” and win the trip to Napa.

Consumers can also enter the promotion by visiting partagasman.com. For official rules, visit the dedicated contest website at www.partagasman.com. While perusing the contest website, consumers can also whet their appetites for the grand prize by reading up on pairing Partagas cigars with wines from across the globe.

“As one of the finest, most sophisticated premium cigar brands ever made, Partagas is entrenched in the repertoires of connoisseurs who are passionate about living the good life. We created the ‘Man of Distinction’ contest to reward one deserving consumer with a chance to embrace the lifestyle of Partagas cigars in the picturesque setting of Napa and are confident that consumers response will be extremely favorable,” commented Debo Mukherjee, vice president of marketing for General Cigar, parent company of Partagas.

The winner of the Partagas Man of Distinction contest will be selected on or before October 6, 2010 and the trip to Napa will take place from October 21 to October 24, 2010. Additional details about the Partagas Man of Distinction trip will be posted on the official contest website.

About Partagas Cigars
Since their release in the U.S. in 1978 by legendary Cuban cigar master Ramon Cifuentes, Partagas cigars have set the standard by which all premium cigars are measured. In addition to the base brand of Partagas cigars, the brand also features these collections: Partagas Black Label, Partagas Serie S, Partagas Spanish Rosado, Partagas Cifuentes, Partagas Limited Reserve Decadas, Partagas 160 Signature Series.

Partagas cigars are produced by General Cigar Co. Inc., which manufactures and markets handcrafted cigars for the premium market. Committed to delivering cigars of the finest quality, General Cigar also produces Macanudo®, Cohiba®, Hoyo de Monterrey®, Excalibur®, La Gloria Cubana® and several other leading premium brands. In addition, the company grows its own premium Connecticut Shade wrapper tobacco, as well as natural and candela wrapper in the Dominican Republic. General Cigar also operates Club Macanudo®, a cigar bar in New York City. Based in Richmond, VA, General Cigar sells through tobacconists nationwide. For more information, please visit www.cigarworld.com.

® Partagas, Macanudo, Cohiba, Hoyo de Monterrey, Excalibur, La Gloria Cubana and Club Macanudo are registered trademarks of General Cigar Co. Inc.

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.