Weekly News (June 10, 2024)

Altadis U.S.A. Begins Shipping $150 Montecristo

The number of new cigar releases with MSRPs over the $100 mark continues to increase. In addition to this creation from Altadis, there have been numerous Cuban cigars from Habanos S.A. and Rocky Patel’s Conviction, as well as the Arturo Fuente & Padron Legends collaboration. Sure, there are always going to be people who can afford top-of-the-line products without a second thought, but with inflation continuing to affect the monthly budgets of so many consumers in significant ways, I will be interested to see if some of these releases end up sitting on shelves.

JM Tobacco Española Year of the Dragon on the Way to Stores

Having said the above, JM Tobacco’s first Chinese Zodiac-inspired cigar—which carries an MSRP of $13 each—is priced well below the vast majority of  Year of the Dragon releases from other manufacturers. That list includes Davidoff’s Year of the Dragon ($89 each), El Septimo’s Vartan the Dragon ($98 each), the La Galera Year of the Dragon ($38 each) and the Oliva Year of the Dragon ($35 each), among others. While it is not the cheapest Year of the Dragon creation—that award goes to General Cigar Co.’s Punch Dragon Fire—it is refreshing to see that consumers have multiple options priced under the $20 mark.

Dominique London Opens La Casa del Habano in Canary Islands

Located in Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, this brand-new La Casa del Habano store that opened on May 30 features an extensive walk-in humidor, client lockers, and what is described as a “comfortable sampling area.” With recent price increases from Habanos S.A. and ongoing inventory issues that continue to have major effects on large numbers of different retailers selling Cuban cigars around the world, I do wonder how many non-Cuban cigars this new store was selling when it opened its doors, and if that number will increase in the future.

Cigar News

• Ashton Shipping La Aroma de Cuba Noblesse Today
• CroMagnon Clovis Heads to Stores
• E.P. Carrillo’s Pledge of Allegiance Adding Salomon Vitola
• Espinosa Premium Cigars Signs Canadian Distribution Deal with Brigham Enterprises
• Ferio Tego Summa Toro Begins Shipping
• JML Modern Adds Drybox Humidors
• JFR Lunatic Loco Firecracker Heading to Stores
• Tampa’s Old Arturo Fuente Cigar Co. Building to be Restored, Get a New Life — via TampaBay.com

Legislation

International

• Hong Kong Unveils 10 Tobacco Control Policies — via TheStandard.com.hk
• Liverpool (England) City Council Approves Plan to Create a Smoke-Free City by 2030 — via BBC.com

Local

• Peekskill, N.Y. Considering Expanding Outdoor Smoking Ban to Dining Areas in Downtown — via Westchester.News12.com
• Prince George’s County, Md. Legalizes Cigar Lounges

Reviews

• Casa Fernández Tobacco Haven 30th Anniversary
• CAO FASA Noche Toro
• Davidoff Maduro Robusto (2024)
• Powstanie SBC 22
• Punch Dragon Fire
• Viva La Vida 5th Anniversary Club 500 Sabroso

Deals From Our Sponsors

• Atlantic Cigar Co.: Davidoff Aniversario Series LE 2023 No. 1 — Get a free Davidoff Glass Coffee Gift box set with a box purchase.
• Cigars Direct: Punch Dad’s Home Videos — These 6 x 50 cigars come packaged in a box that looks like a VHS tape, complete with a cover.
• Corona Cigar Co.: Free Bottle of Maker’s Mark Corona Cigar Private Select — A $70 value with the purchase of any 20-count box of Davidoff Cigars.
• Famous Smoke Shop: Free 10-Pack Sampler Valued at $74.97 — All you have to do is purchase a box of cigars.
• Gotham Cigars: Free Shipping on Orders Over $249.99 — Use Code PYQLX
• JR Cigars: $35 Off on Select 10-Count Boxes — Brands include Montecristo, Aging Room and Vega Fina.
• LM Cigars: Father’s Day Sale — Save 20 Percent Off Orders of Select Products Totaling $59 or More
• Smokingpipes: Arturo Fuente From Dream to Dynasty Collection — This package includes 22 cigars that are made by Arturo Fuente, as well as an Arturo Fuente: From Dream to Dynasty book.