Weekly News (May 6, 2024)

RoMa Craft Adding Maestranza as U.S. Exclusive

While I’ve been hearing about the plans for the Maestranza name to be used for a cigar for quite some time, I had no idea about the details of the cigars themselves. Now I know. There are few companies that are doing it better than RoMa Craft Tobac, especially when it comes to the formula of quality/consistency/price. This release will have three regular production sizes, priced $9-11 per cigar. Count me interested.

LuJo&Co Inc. Launching Kickstarter Campaign for Cigar Bibs

Based on the number of texts I received this week, this would be the story of the week. While many of you seemed interested in talking about this fire-resistant blanket, the number of people actually backing the Kickstarter would suggest that this product needs an adjustment. For me, it’s the $281 price, which seems way too high. Then again, I’m not wearing $500 pants to the cigar lounge.

Procigar Elects Litto Gomez as New President

Hendrik “Henke” Kelner’s long run as the president of Procigar, the Dominican Republic’s main cigar trade organization, has ended. Kelner’s contributions to the Dominican cigar industry will be felt for as long as you and I are alive. These commentaries are only supposed to be 100 words, so space is limited, but post-Cuba Davidoff, massive farming operations, and leading Procigar come to mind. As for Procigar, I don’t expect any major changes—the board hasn’t really changed all that much in the last decade—but it will be a new era.

Cigar News

• Bellatto Moves Distribution to Laudisi
• Bolivar Cofradia Oscuro Heads to Stores
• Dan Gallagher Promoted to President of Smoker Friendly
• Don Reynaldo ‘Grand Reynaldo’ 10th Anniversary Shipping
• General Adds Punch Dad’s Home Movies For Father’s Day
• Les Fines Lames Announces Price Increase
• S.T. Dupont’s Fire X Collection Heads to Stores
• STG Starts Off 2024 With Down Q1
• Vector Caliper Begins Shipping
• Villiger 1888 Nicaragua Churchill, Gordo Begin Shipping

Legislation

State

• Murphy Administration Seeks to Dismiss New Jersey Casino Smoking Ban Lawsuit — via PoliticoPro.com
• New Jersey Casino Workers Unions Clash Over Smoking Ban Proposal — via NewJersey.News12.com

Local

• Brentwood, Calif. Looks to Adopt Stricter Tobacco Ordinance — via ThePress.net
• Lane County, Ore. Considering Banning Flavored Tobacco — via KEZI.com

Reviews

• Ferio Tego Timeless Prestige Divinos
• La Aurora 120 Anniversary Limited Edition
• La Mezcla Cubana Rothschild
• NM80 Lancero
• Y Panda Sublime

Deals From Our Sponsors

• Atlantic Cigar Co.: Oliva Serie V Melanio NUb 460 — Less than $70 for a box of 10.
• Cigars Direct: The Wiseman Corojo — Foundation has moved production from AGANORSA to My Father. I am personally curious to see how these taste.
• Corona Cigar Co.: Quesada 50th Anniversary Toro Prensado — This is some of the best packaging of the year. I have not yet tried the cigar, but that packaging is timeless.
• Famous Smoke Shop: Deadwood Sweet Jane Leather Rose Torpedo — A hefty discount on one of Drew Estate’s more popular offerings. Plus, a free ashtray.
• Gotham Cigars: Oliva Special Release Sampler — This sampler was once used at events more than a decade ago. My guess is these aren’t 10-year-old samplers, but maybe.
• JR Cigars: Oliva Serie V Sampler — I hope all of you like discounts on Oliva products.
• LM Cigars: Romeo Y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua Midnight Twist Love Story — It’s another short perfecto barber pole from Altadis U.S.A.
• Smokingpipes: Rojas Street Tacos Cinco de Mayo — Cinco de Mayo might be over, but you can keep the party going with these cigars. No, we aren’t going to keep the fiesta going.