Weekly News (June 21, 2010)

A new brand was introduced by Bill Paley, La Palina. Davidoff introduced a new cigar; I’m not really sure what’s more shocking: the 8.25×57 size or the $2,400 price tag. If anyone picks up a box of 50, I’ll be glad to review one and give you my thoughts. Pepin is reported to be producing a cigar for Davidoff. Good news for all of us… Well, more likely, it could be worse. Restrictions on mailing tobacco, except cigars, will take effect June 29th. Seems as if the Winston Churchill’s Britain at War Experience (it’s a museum), weren’t so content with the idea of Sir Winston smoking a cigar. The industry trade show, IPCPR won’t be taxed, which will make things a lot easier for everyone. TCF is looking into attending.

Finally, a combination of bad economic times and laws had hampered much of the cigar industry and is threatening more. Reuters today reported that Cuban cigar production is down 14%. The state of New York is considering a hefty increase in its OTP Tax to help deal with the budget shortfall. The new proposal is to raise taxes to 90% (up from 42%.) Here’s thoughts from Michael Herklots, General Manager of Davidoff Stores.

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.