Weekly News (May 22, 2023)

halfwheel sends our condolences to the friends and family of Jeff DeSandre, owner of Ambassador Cigar & Spirits in Troy, Mich., who passed away this past weekend following a battle with cancer. DeSandre also managed Jenuwine Cigar Lounge in the Detroit area and will be missed by many. — Patrick Lagreid.

Cigar News

• AGANORSA Leaf’s Rare Leaf Reserve Maduro Heading to Stores Next Week
• Arturo Fuente Tobacco Warehouse Destroyed in Fire
• K by Karen Berger 25th Anniversary Becomes Regular Production Release
• Romeo y Julieta Book of Love Scheduled for Early June Release
• STG Reports Q1 2023 Results, Warns of U.S. Cigar Slowdown
• Vector Shipping New Guardian, Revamped Sonicpump Today
• Viaje Announces New Batch Birthday Blend and Debut of Phat Scotch Bonnet
• West Tampa Tobacco Co. Ships New Red Line
• Yolonda Richardson Replaces Matthew Myers as Head of Tobacco-Free Kids

Regulations 

International

• Estonia Increasing Tobacco Taxes by 5 Percent

Federal

• Proposed Funding Bill Would Prevent FDA From Banning Flavored Cigars/Menthol Cigarettes, Enacting Nicotine Limits

 

State

• Bill to Ban Flavored Tobacco, E-Liquid Products in Vermont Dies
• Maine Legislature’s Health and Human Servies Committee Votes to End Sale of Flavored Tobacco — via KWCH.com

Local

• Pender County, N.C. Commissioner Requests Smoking Ban in Parks — via PortCityDaily.com
• Westport, Conn. Begins Discussions on Smoking Ban for Parks and Recreation Areas — via WestportJournal.com

Reviews

• AVO LE05 30 Years
• Gurkha Ghost Connecticut Asura
• H. Upmann 1844 Special Edition Barbier Belicoso
• Illusione TAA ESP 2022
• Long Live the Queen Queen’s Sword
• Rojas Breakfast Tacos Maduro

Deals From Our Sponsors

• Atlantic Cigar Co. — J. Fuego Origen Natural Original (Pack of 60, $99)
• Cigar Hustler — Padrón Family Reserve No. 96 Maduro (Pack of 5, $152.50)
• Cigars Direct — Drew Estate Freestyle Live Pack ($40)
• Corona Cigar Co. — La Flor Dominicana TAA The Golden Salomon Natural (Box of 10, $314.95)
• Famous Smoke Shop — Free Shipping (Code: SHIPMAY2023)
• Gotham Cigars — Rocky Patel the Viper V-Cutter ($46.50)
• JR Cigars — 30 Percent Off (Code: USA)
• LM Cigars — Craftsman’s Bench Gunmetal & Black Cutter ($24.95)