Weekly News (February 11, 2013)

Editor’s Note: For the first time in a while, there’s a week full of news, relatively big news. Swisher, Nicaragua, Sam Leccia, lots of legislation; the January lull is clearly gone and things are picking up.

• Jalapa Battles Bacteria — Here.
• Swisher to Enter Premium Cigar Market — Story here.
• Sam Leccia Nears Return — Story here.
• Cain F Lancero Tubos Head to Retailers — Story here.
   
• Herrera Esteli Maduro — In its early stages.
• La Flor Dominicana Launches Mystery Cigar — Story here, press release here.
• Altadis Adds Two New Casa de García Lines — Story here.
   
• Padilla Connecticut in April — As per Ernesto Padilla.
• CroMagnon Epoch Slated for May Debut — Story here.
• Mississippi Smoking Ban Defeated — Story here.
• Kentucky Smoking Ban Proposed — Story here.
• Washington Cigar Lounges Proposed — Here.
• Toraño to Distribute Palió — Story here.
• Davidoff Puro d’Oro Gordito — Formal announcement here.
• Davidoff Launches Short Pleasures Sampler — Press release here.
• Ezra Zion Rebrands Inception — Here is the press release.

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.