Weekly News (Feb. 12, 2024)

Davidoff Brings Back 12 Zodiac Releases for The Year of Collector’s Edition

Davidoff’s Zodiac Series has been one of the most successful new concepts of the modern cigar industry. I don’t think this is Davidoff saying goodbye to the Zodiac Series and the massive sales it produces each year, but this is a really cool set that includes the 12 main releases, dating back to the Year of the Snake. Pricing still isn’t announced and there are only 100 of these made, I just hope to get to see one of these in person.

VPR Brands Issues Recall on Dissim Slim Soft Flame and Slim Torch Lighters

This recall is because the lighters lack a legally-required child safety mechanism. I don’t fully understand which lighters need these mechanisms but I do know that there are many lighter companies that won’t sell their products in the U.S. because of this requirement. I’m surprised recalls like this don’t happen more often.

Ike Karipides Replaces David Lazarus as Drew Estate’s SVP of Sales

I remember meeting Ike for the first time more than a decade ago, when he was the newest sales rep for Miami Cigar & Co. His rise through the ranks hasn’t felt meteoric, though looking back on it, it’s pretty incredible. David Lazarus, the company’s outgoing svp of sales, should get credit for overseeing the sales team as Drew Estate from one of the largest premium cigar companies by volume to, from what I understand, the largest non-Cuban company by number of cigars sold.

Cigar News

• Allison Trainer Departs Hooten Young; Omar Fernandez to Consult on Cigar Division
• Dapper Releases Desvalido – Disla Corona Gorda as BL Luxuries Exclusive
• E.P. Carrillo Promotes Wayne Stoner to National Sales Manager
• Ferio Tego Timeless Panamericana Secreto Goes on Sale
• HVC 500 Years Anniversary Short Toro Heading to Small Batch Cigar
• Kristoff to Release Twentieth Anniversary, New PCA Exclusive, and Updated Vengeance Packaging at PCA 2024
• La Gloria Cubana Corojo de Oro Gets Second Release, Now Available at More Retailers
• Les Fines Lames Adds Dragon Scales Trilogy in Celebration of the Year of the Dragon
• Luciano Cigars’ New Underrated Line Shipping Today
• Lure Cigars Adding a Habano Line Next Month
• Patina Cigars Implements Price Increase on Core Lines
• Patoro Gran Añejo Reserva Juancito Coming to the U.S.
• Potters Mercantile Adding Two New Lines Later This Year
• Quality Importers Announces Four-Piece Year of the Dragon Cigar Accessories Set
• Supreme Leaf Gran Robusto Celebrates Wooden Indian Tobacco Shop’s 60th Anniversary
• Supreme Tobacco Haiti Now Shipping Bohekio Maduro
• United Releases Planned “Dragon Slayer” Cigar

Reviews

• Casa Cuevas Sangre Nueva Toro
• Davidoff Limited Edition 2024 Year of the Dragon
• Espinosa Las 6 Provincias ZDT
• Illusione PCA Exclusive 2023
• Perdomo 30th Anniversary Box-Pressed Connecticut Epicure
• Plasencia Cosecha 151 La Musica

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• Smoking Pipes: Polpetta — Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust’s meatball-themed cigar is available for just $7.30.