Editor’s Note: While José Blanco was the biggest industry news last week—and just to be clear, he’ll be back—there were actually a couple other important halfwheel-related posts that made it on the site. First, we seemed to have resolved our server issues with a migration over to a new hosting company that can better meet our needs. As for the forum, I would say October is the goal for it to be re-launched. Secondly, we published our IPCPR 2013 wrap-up post. We currently have 235 posts tagged under IPCPR 2013 and I imagine that number could grow to around 250 as we finish up a few more reviews, something that will most certainly continue for the better part of September.
- José Blanco’s Tenure at Joya de Nicaragua Ends — Exclusive here.
- Joya de Nicaragua Announces Executive Changes — Here.
- José Seijas Returns with La Maltide — Story here.
- Hawaii Gets Jaime Garcia Lancero — Story here.
- Dion Giolito Begins Work on 4 x 44 Prototype — He’s tweeted about it a few times and there’s now a cigar called Dax in his FUMARE retail store. Giolito told halfwheel that it’s just a project and at this time no plans for it to become an Illusione product.
- Midwest Gets Regional Nestor Miranda Special Selections — Here.
- Reinado Cigars Eying Maduro — Antonio Lam isn’t giving up details, presumably this will come after the company’s planned Connecticut release.
- Smoke Inn Adds Date to Microblend Oktoberfest Release — Here.
- Primer Mundo Costa Fuerte Lancero? — Maybe.
- Blessed Leaf Announced, Cigar Coming — Here.
- Sotolongo Cigars Announces First Release — Press release, here.
- George Rico Launches G.A.R. Deli — Here.
- Cigar Rights of America Adds New Board Members — via Cigar Aficionado