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Every wonder how the most successful and most reliable lighters of all time are made? Check out this video?
CAO is starting the teases for their new cigar to be launched in Las Vegas this summer. Kind of a little of this and a little of that from other movies. One protracted scene screams of it's homage to Pulp Fiction.
Watch them consecutively.
Don't forget to sit through the credits for out-takes.
From a press release: March 13th, 2008
House Health Subcommittee Passes FDA Bill
Late on Tuesday, March 11th, the U.S. House Subcommittee on Health approved by a voice vote H.R. 1108, the bill that would grant the U.S. Food and Drug Administration the authority to regulate cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products. Then, on a roll-call vote of 18-9, the Subcommittee on Health voted to send the FDA bill to the full House Energy and Commerce Committee for consideration. The 18 representatives voting in favor of sending the bill to the House Energy and Commerce included all the Democrats on the subcommittee joined by one Republican member.
Amendments to the FDA Bill
The Republicans on the House Subcommittee on Health planned to submit some thirty amendments to the FDA bill for the Subcommittee on Health to consider, but most amendments were withdrawn or defeated by a voice vote. However, two amendments offered by Republicans were adopted. One significant amendment offered by Republican Nathan Deal of Georgia and approved by the subcommittee requires that any future regulations or expansion of regulations proposed by the FDA must go through a rulemaking process. This means that the FDA would need to publish any new proposed regulations and allow the public to submit comments on the new rules. This rulemaking requirement partially addresses NATO’s concern that the FDA would have had the authority to adopt even more restrictive regulations on cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products and even extend regulations to cigars, little cigars and pipe tobacco without any further public input or action by Congress.
As drafted, the FDA bill assesses user fees on tobacco manufacturers to pay for the agency’s costs incurred to administer the proposed regulations. The second amendment passed by the Subcommittee on Health and authored by Republican Michael Burgess of Texas requires that these user fees be the only source to fund the FDA tobacco regulations and prohibits any other funds from the U.S. Treasury from being used to make up any shortfall in the user fee revenue.
FDA Bill Moves to Full House Energy and Commerce Committee
With H.R. 1108 being passed by the Subcommittee on Health, the bill now moves to the full House Energy and Commerce Committee. While there is no scheduled date for the full committee to take up consideration of the FDA bill, it is expected that the committee may bring the bill up sometime in late March or April.
Last year, the FDA bill was approved by the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, but the Senate version of the bill has not been taken up for debate by the full Senate.
Ever wonder how they get those delicious looking barber pole stripes on the new America Cigar? Check out this video:
Update from the National Association of Tobacco Outlets
Released: March 6th, 2008
Vote on FDA Bill Delayed
Today, the U.S. House Subcommittee on Health met to vote on H.R. 1108, the bill that would grant the U.S. Food and Drug Administration the authority to regulate cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products. As reported by NATO Federal Legislative Director Jackie Cohen, all of the committee members were provided an opportunity to make an opening statement regarding the FDA bill. Each of the Democrats strongly supported the bill while the Republican members reaffirmed their support for reducing youth smoking, but expressed concerns that the bill’s provisions would overburden the FDA which is already facing an internal crisis due to obsolete technology and a lack of key scientific personnel.
Substitutions and Amendments
Representative Frank Pallone, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, offered an amendment to substitute a new draft of the FDA legislation to take the place of the current version being considered. This new version essentially mirrors the changes that were made to the Senate FDA bill as passed by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee last summer. While a number of amendments were offered by Republican members of the committee, all of these amendments were discussed and then withdrawn due to a lack of votes to pass the amendments.
A User Fee or a Tax?
During the discussion on H.R. 1108, the core issue centered around a provision in Chairman Pallone’s substitute bill that would increase a proposed user fee on cigarette and smokeless tobacco manufacturers over a ten year time period in an amount to be set by the Congressional Budget Office. This user fee is supposed to pay for the costs that the FDA would incur to administer and enforce the tobacco regulations. However, the Republican committee members argued that the user fee was really a tax in an undetermined amount and for that reason the bill would need to be considered by the House Ways and Means Committee.
An Adjournment Without a Vote on H.R. 1108
Chairman Pallone ruled that the user fee was not a tax and proceeded to continue the meeting. This ruling angered the Republican committee members and the meeting degenerated into representatives interrupting one another. Given the acrimonious environment in the meeting, the subcommittee adjourned until next Tuesday, March 11th without taking a vote on H.R. 1108.
International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) Spring 2008 Legislative Update
With most state legislatures back in session, here is a breakdown, state-by-state, of what is currently happening, being considered, and what may be on the horizon in the coming months. As information and events change, we will provide updates. For a complete list of all state issues, please go to IPCPR's Tobacco Legislation homepage.
Alabama: the State Senate is currently considering Senate Bill (SB) 229-a statewide smoking ban. While it exempts cigar bars, retail tobacco shops, and outdoor areas, it will ban smoking in bars, bars within restaurants, and taverns, thereby severely curtailing locations where your customers may enjoy their favorite tobacco products. At this time it is unclear what will happen with this bill.
California: A cigarette excise tax increase (Assembly Bill 1a (due to a prior voter-approved initiative, the other tobacco products (OTP) excise tax, the tax applied to all tobacco products not classified as cigarettes, including premium, handmade cigars), is coupled and also increases) failed in a state Senate Committee. A key component in the death of this tax increase was an economic impact study, partly funded by the Cigar Association of America. This paper demonstrated and detailed the proposed $1.75 per cigarette pack increase, due to the language of AB1a, would have in fact tripled the OTP excise tax rate, increasing the current rate to 189%.
However, California is not out of the woods yet as a faith-based coalition is working to place an initiative on the November 2008 General Election ballot to increase the cigarette tax by 75-cents (resulting in a corresponding increase in the OTP excise tax rate). The petitioners are reportedly attempting to raise funds for their campaign and collect enough signatures to put the issue before a vote. However, supporters cannot begin collecting signature until the State Attorney General's office reviews the proposed initiative, and officially assigns it a title and summary (both are required to be published on petition sheets). Following the publicly gruesome death of Proposition 86 in the 2006 elections, it is not certain that the supporting group will succeed in collecting enough money to get the tax increase proposal to the ballot. As this issue develops, we will keep you posted.
Assembly Bill (AB) 2088 proposes a tobacco retailer to purchase an annual license for $100 per location. Currently, state retailers pay a one-time fee of $100 for a retail tobacco license. This bill is committee.
Iowa: HB2212 proposes to ban smoking statewide. Despite retail tobacco shops being exempt, this bill will severely restrict where premium tobacco customers may smoke, leading to a potential decline in retail sales, as has been witnessed in several states with similarly enacted prohibitions.
IPCPR has initiated an Action Alert to challenge and ultimately defeat HB2212.
Kansas: two bills are being considered in the legislature: SB542 proposes an increase in the OTP excise tax from 10% to 57%. This bill is not likely to pass, though we will keep an eye on it. A second bill, SB493, proposes to ban public smoking statewide. The Judiciary Committee, following testimony from IPCPR members and other witnesses, approved, by voice vote, to exempt retail tobacco shops and cigar bars-an official vote was expected to take place shortly after the voice vote. Final disposition of this bill is not known at this time. If necessary, the IPCPR will initiate an Action Alert.
Kentucky: House Bill (HB) 443 proposes an increase in the OTP excise tax from the current rate of 7.5% to 10%. The bill is currently in the Revenue and Appropriations Committee.
Maryland: A host of bills have been introduced in Maryland on a variety of issues-SB513 and HB1095, two identical (cross-over) bills currently before their respective committees, seek to increase the state's OTP excise tax from the current rate of 15% to 25% to fund tobacco cessation and prevention programs in the state.
An Action Alert has been initiated to challenge these bills.
SB363 proposes a $20 surcharge on all smoking pipes. As with the 2007 Fall Special Session, the Cigar Association of America (CAA), appears to have secured an exemption in this bill for briar, clay, and meerschaum pipes.
Another "paraphernalia" bill that would require detailed customer information collected at the time of the sale most likely will fail before gaining any ground. HB609, would require cigars to be sold in packages containing a minimum of five cigars exempt retail tobacco shops (as defined per the state's recently enacted statewide smoking prohibition).
Massachusetts: HB2980, a bill that would increase the OTP excise tax from 30% to 45%, is currently in the House Revenue Committee. Following this bill's introduction and assignment to the Revenue Committee, IPCPR retailers in the state collected petition signatures from their customers urging the Committee to oppose that tax increase. These petitions were submitted to Revenue Committee last month. We await further news of the tax increase proposal's disposition.
Mississippi-what's there to say-several bills proposing to ban smoking in the state and increase taxes were introduced and then died in their respective committees. One cigarette tax increase bill (from 18 cents to 68 cents per pack) has thus far survived the legislative process. This demonstrates that even one of the most stalwart, fiscally-reasonable legislatures is not completely safe from anti-tobacco legislation. We will continue monitoring legislation introduced in the capitol.
New Hampshire-Legislation that proposed an increase in the cigarette tax and a reclassification of other tobacco products and a subsequent taxation of cigars, failed in committee. The legislation would have subjected cigars (currently excluded from excise taxes) to a new rate of 60%.
Several bills have been introduced to revise the state's public smoking prohibition, though little is expected of these bills this session.
Oklahoma: SB1875 proposes to strike from the state's smoking ban exemptions for bars, restaurants, and taverns. Retail tobacco shops will continue to be exempt from the state statute.
Pennsylvania: several statewide smoking ban bills sit in their respective committees, seeing little action in recent weeks. We will continue to monitor these bills.
Rhode Island: Several bills have been introduced to revise the state's public smoking prohibition. No disposition on these bills or projected prognostication is available at this time.
Virginia: Several statewide smoking ban proposals failed to pass in the legislature. However, as the session has not yet adjourned, any of these bills may be brought back for consideration by the legislature.
The IPCPR has initiated an Action Alert on this legislative issue.
Washington: Following the approval of a 2006 ballot initiative that bans smoking statewide, including retail tobacco shops, efforts to revise the state statute through the legislature have not gained enough support for success. An upstart coalition of Washington IPCPR members has filed the initial paperwork for a ballot measure. The measure would ask voters to allow smoking in retail tobacco shops and cigar bars. According to a recent independent, media-sponsored poll, an overwhelming majority of Washington voters said they would vote in favor of such an initiative. We will keep you posted on this ambitious plan.
The International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers is a not-for-profit trade association organized as the advocate for the independent retail tobacconist and recognized as the "Voice of Authority and Reason" on premium tobacco related issues.
International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR)
Chris McCalla
Legislative Director
International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) State Legislative Update
House Bill 3750 Introduced Announces
HB3750 Proposes to Make 50-cent Cigar Tax Cap Permanent
February 25, 2008 -
House Bill 3750 has been introduced into your state legislature (the Senate cross-over bill has not yet been formally released). As you are aware, the original 50-cent cigar tax cap was set to expire on June 30 of this year. The Cigar Association of America (CAA), has been working on this issue, and feels confident of the bill's success in making the 50-cent tax cap permanent.
CAA's state lobbyist will be in touch with you regarding committee hearings and other details through the process. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.
International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR)
Chris McCalla
Legislative Director
An E-News Update of the National Association of Tobacco Outlets
February 19th, 2008
Recent Legislative Actions
The 2008 state and Congressional legislative sessions have begun. Below is a brief summary of current legislative news followed by a summary chart of the various tobacco bills being considered by state legislatures and Congress:
Virginia: On February 14th, the Virginia House of Delegates defeated several bills that would have prohibited smoking in restaurants and other public places. These bills are now dead for the session.
Wyoming: On February 14th, the Wyoming House of Representatives defeated a statewide ban on smoking by preventing the bill from being introduced
Proposed Cigarette and Tobacco Tax Increases
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State
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Current Tax
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Proposed Increase
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Tax if Legislation Adopted
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Alabama
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$.425/pack
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$.325/pack
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$.75/pack
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Florida
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$.339/pack
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$.661/pack
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$1.00/pack
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Georgia
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$.37/pack
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$1.00/pack
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$1.37/pack
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Illinois
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$.98/pack
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$.90/pack (carryover from 2007 session)
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$1.68/pack
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Kansas
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$.79/pack; OTP: 10%
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$.50/pack; 47% OTP
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$1.29/pack; OTP: 57%
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Kentucky
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$.30/pack
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$.70/pack
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$1.00/pack
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Maine
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$2.00/pack
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$.05/pack
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$2.05/pack
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Maryland
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OTP: 15%
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10% OPT
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OTP: 25%
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Mississippi
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$.18/pack
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Up to $1.00/pack
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Up to $1.18/pack
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Nebraska
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$.64/pack
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$.10/pack
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$.74/pack
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New Hampshire
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OTP: 19%
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41% OTP
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OTP: 60%
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South Carolina
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$.07/pack; OTP: 5%
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Up to $.50/pack;
1% OTP
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Up to $.57/pack; OTP: 6%
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Utah
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$.695/pack
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$.50/pack
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$1.195/pack
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West Virginia
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$.55/pack
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$.80/pack
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$1.35/pack
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Smoking Restrictions: Smoking restriction bills are being considered in numerous states including: Alabama (would not allow smoking in workplaces); Iowa (does not allow smoking in public places, bars and restaurants); Kansas (does not allow smoking in workplaces, restaurants and bars); Missouri (would extend smoking restrictions to bars, restaurants and sports arenas); New Jersey (would amend the state smoking restriction law to extend the smoking prohibition to casinos); and Oklahoma (extends the smoking ban to bars, taverns and cigar bars).
NATO’s Actions: NATO’s legislative staff has begun working on many of these bills and providing alerts, letters and petitions to NATO retail members to oppose these tax increases and smoking restrictions.
FDA Legislation: The U.S. House Subcommittee on Energy and Commerce is scheduled to hold a hearing on March 6th on the legislation to grant the U.S. Food and Drug Administration the authority to regulate the manufacturer and sale of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products.
Print | posted @ Friday, February 22, 2008 10:54 PM
Like the title? I was inspired to use it in honor of the TobaccoBarn.com's new web page of inexpensive cigars and also for some crazy reason I decided to light up a cheap cigar. Who knows, maybe I will make every Friday, a Cheap Cigar Friday. I started to have flash backs of the times I used to work for big companies that had their Dress Down Friday, Haiwaiin Shirt, Casual Day or some lame name that allowed us to get out of dressing in our white shirts and ties. Anyway...
The cigar I decided to light up is an El Camino Dominicano. I tried finding some information on this cigar but, I was unsuccessful. The cigar had a dark brown, very rough looking wrapper. Not very pleasing to the eye but, what the heck... I lit it up just to try it out. It has been sitting in my humidor for over a year now and it is one of these cigars I will smoke when doing yard work. Let me tell you, I took a couple of puffs and had to put the thing out. I didn't like the taste. So, I threw it out and grabbed the Perdomo Fresco Toro.
Perdomo Fresco Toro
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Made in Nicaragua
Ah, the Perdomo Fresco is a much better inexpensive cigar. The Fresco is a light cigar but, very tasty. The ash doesn't hang on for very long which appears to be a very white flaky ash. This cigar is extremely smoky with thick white smoke swirling in the air around my head. I am actually enjoying this cigar while working and drinking a bottle of some fine H2O. For an inexpensive cigar I recommend the Perdomo Fresco. Skip the other one.
'nuff said
International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) State Legislature Hearing on Proposed Smoking Ban
Senate Judiciary Committee Set To Hear SB493
Hearing Set for February 13
February 8, 2008 - The Kansas State Legislature's Senate Judiciary Committee will hearing Opposing testimony to Senate Bill 493 on Wednesday, February 13, at 930am, in meeting room S-123 (those in favor of this bill will have testified one day earlier).
SB493 proposes to ban all public smoking throughout the state of Kansas. At this time there are no exemptions included in the legislation for retail tobacco shops, cigar bars, or similar businesses.
With that said, this does not mean that these exemptions cannot be included in the bill--SB493 is only the starting foundation of the proposed smoking ban. Working in conjunction with the lobbyists from the Cigar Association of America, and other tobacco-friendly allies, we will work to see SB493 defeated in its entirety. However, we will also work to ensure the critical exemptions for your businesses are included in the legislation.
Call to Action!
For those who are in close proximity to Topeka, or those with a sense of adventure and love of the road, I encourage you to attend this important hearing. Lobbyists from the Cigar Assocation of America are already set to testify and your support and additional testimony will be important.
IMPORTANT! I will need a copy of your testimony no later than Monday 2pm EST. I know this is short notice, but we only found out about the hearing this morning. Your testimony does not need to be complicated--in fact, short and concise is better. Call or email me with any questions. See the link below to assistance in writing your testimony.
The IPCPR at this time will not initiate a Legislative Action Alert. We will wait and see the disposition of SB493 following the hearing. If legislation does pass out of committee with a favorable vote, and is sent to the House floor for a vote, an Action Alert will be initiated and distributed.
Hey Look Here! Links to Important Information!
IPCPR Legislative Action Center--Follow the link and under the Members Only tab, click on Legislative Action Center. Scroll down to "Sample Testimony and Talking Points-Smoking Ban Talking Points." This will help you construct your written testimony.
Kansas Legislature's Committee Help Page--this page will provide you the committee's specific rules and procedures for testimony.
Additional Testimony Information: In order to testify, you must be signed up with the Committee Secretary by 930am Tuesday. Please contact me if you plan to attend the hearing and testify. I will collect all of the names of those wishing to testify and submit them to the secretary's office by the deadline. If you do sign up to testify, and you cannot submit your testimony in person, I must have your written testimony to me by 2pm on Monday, so I may plan to have your testimony copied and submitted. If you are close to the Capital, you must provide 40 copies to the Judiciary Committee Secretary by 430pm Tuesday evening.
About your IPCPR, your Trade Associaton:
The International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) is a not-for-profit trade association organized as the advocate for the independent retail tobacconist and recognized as the "Voice of Authority and Reason" on premium tobacco related issues.
International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR)
Chris McCalla
Legislative Director
At the end of January, Camacho Cigars announced a release of their newly redesigned website. Some of the enhancements that they tout are:
- New Look and Feel with Interactive Flash front end
- New Press Room with news past and present on Camacho brand products
- New Events section with calendar subscription and RSS capabilities
- New VIP Section & Camacho Cigar Bar page (VIP accepting new members late March)
- New Comment & Contact options using WordPress driven Press Room
- Interactive 3-D Renderings of Cigar Boxes
- Interactive Homepage with a scrolling cigar feature
- Flash driven “Our Story” section
- Google powered Dealer Locator
- Wordpress back end for unlimited scalability
Of special interest is the VIP Club. They are offering a lifetime membership in their VIP club for for a one-time fee of $25.00. What do you get for this? Well, how about:
- 3-Pack of cigars exclusive to the club
- A special Camacho VIP baseball cap that is personalized
- Membership card
- News and updates on new products available in advance to club members
I'd say the cigars alone are worth the price of entry, let a lone the ball cap. Sounds like a natural for a true Camacho cigar fan.
Full press release
First I want to Congratulate the New York Giants for winning the Super Bowl on Sunday. It had to be the best Super Bowl I have seen in a very long time. Way to Go Giants! Maybe next year Patriot Fans; however, I still give New England praise for having an awesome run. We may not see that happen again for another 30+ years but, I have been wrong before.
Romeo y Julieta Habana Reserve Toro
Size: 6" x 56
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Honduras & Nicaragua
Wow! After first light and drag, I could really taste the oils from this cigar. Very Tasty. Chocolate, earthy taste. I would say it is a medium cigar. The ash is flaky, dark gray and seemed to hold on up to an inch in length before falling off. The cigar seems to get a little bit sweeter as I smoke it past the mid-point. I have to say this is my favorite Romeo y Julieta cigar and I highly recommend this cigar, it is that good. I smoked it right down to the nub.
I LOVE Football. Being born and raised in Central Wisconsin that IS the sport of all sports... Well, next to Deer Hunting, Ice Fishing and Snowmobiling... Anyway, I am both excited and sad at the same time. Excited not because, I am a Giants or even a Patriots Fan but, in my family the Super Bowl has always been treated as a Holiday. I can remember my Dad thinking of what type of snacks, dinner and beverages we will have to enjoy before and during the big game. Plus, today's game, in my humble opinion is very historical. The Pats are undefeated and playing the Giants who could possibly beat them.
Anyway, I got to get ready to go to a Super Bowl Party my Brother-in-Law is having. My Super Bowl Sunday Cigar is The Padron 1964 Anniversary. Let me know what you decided to smoke while enjoying the game.
'nuff said.
I don't know about you but, I find this to ridiculous. I found the following article in my email from my Google Alerts this morning. If you don't have Google Alerts or don't know what it is, I highly recommend you check it out and set some up on your favorite topics or interests. It is a great tool to have.
I know this is a possibility in the EU but, who is to say it isn't going to catch on here in the Good Ol' US of A. These Al Gore Global Warming Alarmist and Anti-Smoking Freaks are really starting to get on my nerves. It seems they are constantly trying to find ways to attack our freedoms. Read the following article and let me know your opinion....
Thursday, January 31, 2008
What's next? Hand warmers? Zippo lighters?
EU threatens to ban patio heaters - Times Online: " Britain’s growing café culture and taste for alfresco drinking and dining may be under threat from MEPs who want to ban the patio heater.
A vote in Brussels today is expected to call on the European Commission to abolish the heaters to help to tackle climate change. Such a move could cost the pub and catering trade dear. Click Here! for the rest of the story.
'nuff said!
Thomas Riley Marshall is probably best known for saying "What this county needs is a good 5 cent cigar" as a wise-acre comment to a colleague in the U.S. Senate when a long-winded senator paused his speech after "what this country needs...". We've come a long way since then in terms of quality and varieties of cigars available in the industry.
Adjusting 5 cents for the GDP per capita, those 5 cents would be equivalent to about $3.00 today. And guess what, we've got some fantastic bundle cigars available at the Tobacco Barn that will fill that bill. These are all long-filler, hand-made cigars and all of them taste fantastic. You might say they are the best bang for the buck anywhere on the 'Net.
Check it out at http://www.Tobacco-Barn.com/CheapCigars.aspx but just don't call them cheap, we prefer to call them "Great, Inexpensive Cigars!"
From a press release:
January 23, 2008- The U.S. House of Representatives again failed leadership again failed to win over enough Republicans to override President Bush's veto of a children's health insurance bill Wednesday.
International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR)
Chris McCalla
Legislative Director
SCHIP UPDATE!!! Brought to us by IPCPR.
| International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) |
Federal Legislative Update |
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| U.S. House of Representatives Votes Today on SCHIP Veto Override
Veto Override Expected to Fail
January 23, 2008 - The U.S. House of Representatives will vote today in an attempt to override President Bush's third veto of the now controversial State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The president has previously vetoed two other SCHIP proposals. Popular consensus remains that today's congressional attempt to override the president will again fail, for a third time.
Last month, President Bush did sign into law a bill extending the current SCHIP program until March 31, 2009.
Once the final vote is available, an update will be sent to all IPCPR members. I encourage you to share this news with your customers, family, and friends.
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The International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers is a not-for-profit trade association organized as the advocate for the independent retail tobacconist and recognized as the "Voice of Authority and Reason" on premium tobacco related issues.
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| International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR)
Chris McCalla
Legislative Director
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I found this article from the Google Alert I have set up for Cigars and the first thing that came to mind is, this can't be happening... Not in my Country. Not in the Good Ol' US of A. When are we as a nation going to wake up?! Read the following article and let me know what your opinion... 'nuff said.
Lawmakers, staff pan smoke-free Congress
By: Anne Schroeder Mullins
Jan 15, 2008 06:00 AM EST
Updated: January 16, 2008 08:11 AM EST
A new rule banning the sale of tobacco products on Capitol grounds has got Hill smokers, smoking mad.
A new rule banning the sale of tobacco products on House of Representatives grounds has got Capitol Hill smokers — we hate to say it — smoking mad.
“The health nannies’ arbitrary ban on a legal and heavily taxed product bodes ill for the future marketing of Mountain Dew and Moon Pies,” said Rep. Thaddeus G. McCotter, an infuriated Republican, and smoker, from Michigan.
Click here for the rest of the article.
My Brother sent me this video of a cigar ad and I thought to myself how many of us guys are too busy watching some Hot Lady walking by as opposed to actually driving. Come on, admit it! And in the meantime check out the video.
Written on 12/31/07
I wish you all a Happy New Year! I hope your celebration was fun and safe. I didn't do much to ring in the New year. I had planned on going to a New Year's Party but, decided not to because, my Brother who just came home from Iraq wanted to hang out with my Family and I. He did come over but, due to jet lag he fell asleep on the sofa. Oh well, at least I had two good cigars.
My first cigar of the last day of 2007 is the Joya De Nicaragua Serie C. Mild cigar, beautiful light brown Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper. According to TobaccoBarn.com, the filler used is a special blend of Nicaraguan and aged for three years. The ash is a very dark gray and flaky. The ash didn't hold on for very long, so my ash tray is quite messy but, this is a tasty and in my opinion a mild cigar. For some reason though, I am having a hard time keeping it lit and it isn't because, the cigar is too wet or been over humidified. The cigar is a Toro 6x50, kind of a leathery, nutty taste. A pretty good cigar and I recommend it if you haven't tried it yet. Surprisingly the Serie C seemed to build up its seems to build up in strength as I got closer to the end.
My last cigar of the 2007 is the Rocky Patel Decade Torpedo, 6.5 x 52. A gorgeous smooth brown wrapper. This cigar consists an Ecuadorian wrapper around a binder and filler from Nicaragua. The cigar is made in Danli, Honduras at the El Paraiso Factory, which is owned by Nestor Plasencia who also produces the Rocky Patel Sungrown cigars. This is very tasty. I like this cigar much more than the Joya De Nicaragua Serie C. The Decade starts off nice and smooth, remaining pretty consistent all the to the very end. I found this cigar to have a nice earthy taste. The ash had a light gray color and not flaky like the Joya cigar did I had earlier today. I recommend trying the Patel Decade as I am pretty sure that you will enjoy it.
Feel free to let me know what was your last cigar of the year.
'nuff said!
Yeah, Yeah... I know this has nothing to do with tobacco but, it does have alot to do with one of my favorite beverages, Beer. I enjoyed beer more during the Football Season. There is something about football and beer that seems to go together in my humble opinion. I found this rather interesting article that us beer drinks can show to our wives, girlfriends or significant others to not only justify our desire for an ice cold brew but, to show them how health conscious we truly are. Check out the following article I found at BeverageDaily.com...
Moderate beer intake may cut Alzheimer's risk: study
By Stephen Daniells
17/12/2007 - The silicon content of beer may protect against the deleterious effects of aluminium on brain health, suggests a new study with mice from Spain.
The research taps into beer's silicon content, and reports that moderate consumption cut the uptake in the digestive tract of aluminium, a neurotoxin and recently linked as a possible causal factor for Alzheimer's.
The study, published in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology, reports that "moderate beer consumption… could perhaps be taken into account as a component of the dietary habits of the population."
The researchers from the University of Alcala in Madrid state however that "alcoholic beverage consumption needs to be kept within certain limits depending both on gender and on age and should never be promoted as a means of increasing certain nutrients, which can be obtained from other foodstuffs in the diet." Click Here for more of the article.
There is no such thing as a good tax.
I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I will be sober and you will still be ugly.
A couple of my favorite Churchill quotes in honor of the new Churchill cigar that Davidoff is releasing, I can't wait to smoke one or a few. The first quote I have listed about is one I really like because our lame Congress want to burden us with more tobacco taxes and their lame excuse is for the children and to help us smokers to cut back on our so called "nasty" habit or quit. Which doesn't make sense because if all of us smokers did quit then who will help the children? What else will the Feds raise taxes on? Anyway, I digress... Check out the article below and let me know what you think about it.
Smoke 'em if you gottem!
Winston Churchill Cigar Line From Davidoff of Geneva
Posted: Thursday, December 27, 2007
By Gregory Mottola
Davidoff of Geneva has introduced a new brand called Winston Churchill. Named after arguably the world's most famous cigar icon, the project was a collaboration between Sir Winston's grandson Winston S. Churchill and Davidoff cigarmaker Hendrick "Henke" Kelner. Click Here for the full article I found on CigarAficionado.com
Merry Christmas to you and yours! I am sitting back enjoying a nice Ashton VSG Illusion after finishing up wrapping gifts while watching the Packers get a beating from the Da Bears. That is all I am going to say about that game. At least the cigar the is delicious along with an ice cold bottle of Killian's Irish Red. The Illusion is 6.5 in length with a ring gauge of 44. The ash held on in a perfect round shape past an inch with a dark gray color. This cigar has a nice consistent smooth flavor and in my humble opinion I would rate this cigar medium in strength. The filler is Dominican, Wrapper Ecador and the binder is Dominican.
Until next time, have a Happy Christmas and a Joyous New Year!
'nuff said.
From a press release:
Current SCHIP Program to be Extended to 2009
Veto Override Attempt of Current SCHIP Legislation Unlikely
As you know, the President vetoed the current SCHIP legislation on December 12. The House leadership has scheduled a vote for January 23 to attempt to override that veto. It appears that the House will not be able to muster the 2/3 vote necessary to override the veto.
Late last week there was talk regarding a short term extension of the current SCHIP program through March 31, 2008. However, on December 17, negotiators agreed to extend the current SCHIP program through March 31, 2009 with a small increase in funding necessary for the states to maintain their current enrollment through that date. There will be no increase in tobacco taxes to fund that modest increase.
While it is always possible that Democrats will introduce another SCHIP bill in 2008 to force Republicans to vote on the issue, it now appears likely that the issue will be pushed into 2009.
The International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers is a not-for-profit trade association organized as the advocate for the independent retail tobacconist and recognized as the "Voice of Authority and Reason" on premium tobacco related issues.
Oh yeah! I loving how the Packers are doing this year even though I thought they looked a little shaky on both Offense and Defensive side of the ball, they were still able to pull off a win at 33 to 14 over St. Louis. I had to call my Brother-in-Law to offer my condolences as his Cowboys lost to Philly. I can't believe Pittsburgh lost to Jacksonville in Pittsburgh in the snow. What the heck is all that all about?! I do know one thing though, the Packers better bring their game on when they play Da Bears next Sunday, it always seems to me that when the Pack play the Bears it is a battle.
Anyway, I am enjoying a newly discovered cigar, La Flor De Ynclan. I have never heard of this cigar before and was expecting something awful but, to my surprise this is a pretty good cigar. It starts off very spicy and delicious. As you get towards the halfway mark it mellows out but, still a tasty little Robusto. The cigar is distributed by Villiger Stokkebye, which should have been a sign to me that this would be a pretty good cigar, I highly doubt they would get involved with a crappy one. I checked out the webpage for the La Flor De Ynclan to discover the filler is Dominican Republic/Nicaragua, binder is Indonesia and the wrapper is Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade. Yes, I recommend this cigar, I am not sure what the retail pricing is on this as I received as a sampler.
May your favorite NFL Team make it to the Playoffs and until next time, nuff said.
President Bush Vetoes SCHIP Expansion Bill For The Second Time
President George W. Bush on December 12th vetoed for the second time legislation aimed at expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) by $35 billion over five years exclusively funded by increases in the Federal excise tax rates on tobacco products, saying "our nation's goal should be to move children who have no health insurance to private coverage, not to move children who already have private health insurance to government coverage."
President Bush had vetoed the original SCHIP bill on October 3rd, 
arguing that the $35 billion expansion is too costly, took the program too far from its original intent to help the poor, and would be a step toward federalizing healthcare. The US House on October 18th sustained the presidential veto in a 273-156 vote. In a bid to win over more Republicans, US House Democrats on October 24th proposed a new version of the SCHIP bill that retained the amount of expansion and funding source, but tightened eligibility rules, generally barring coverage to illegal immigrants, childless adults and children of families with incomes exceeding three times the poverty level. However, the revised measure secured a veto-proof margin only in the Democrat-controlled Senate, while House Republicans held enough of their members together to sustain a presidential veto. With only a few days left in the congressional session, it is not clear if Congress would schedule a veto override vote, which is expected to almost certainly fail (Politico.com 12/12).
Extension Expected to be Approved by Congress
As we are in constant contact with our federal lobbyists who have been closely monitoring this SCHIP issue, popular consensus, both public, from the media, and more private channels within the "Beltway," holds that a veto override vote will fail for there remains the lack of support to muster a two-thirds vote in the House of Representatives to override the president's veto.
At this point, as the current congressional extension (following the first failed veto override vote) for SCHIP program expires December 14th, there will most likely be another extension to fund the program into 2008.
As this issue continues becoming more contentious on Capitol Hill, we urge all of you to remain calm, but vigilant. At this time, it is not necessary to contact your Congressmen and urge them to oppose a veto override attempt, as there is not enough support to approve such a legislative attempt.
The current Congressional session adjourns Dec. 22.
I just got done putting up all of our Christmas decorations here at home and now, I am just relaxing watching a football game, anxiously waiting for the next Packer game. Yes, Dalls beat the Packers; however, I thought it was a pretty good game. Anyway, while watching the Raider game I decided to check my email and found this really interesting article. Anything that has to do with our Troops I immediately read and I am happy to find out about the CigarsStarsAndStripes.com website. I think this is really cool. Check it out.
SOUTH SALEM, N.Y., Nov. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Stan Pottinger, founder of www.CigarsStarsAndStripes.com, got the idea of sending cigars to the troops while talking on the telephone to his son, a Marine in Iraq. "I said, "What do you need?'" Pottinger says, "and he said, 'I could use a few cigars.' When I asked him why-he wasn't a big smoker-he said they were a good way to relax and good barter with civilian contractors for stuff they couldn't get at the PX. But the most unusual thing he said was they were a diplomatic ice- breakers with sheiks, local officials, and Iraqi soldiers.'"
Click here for more if the Article.
In honor of the Men and Women who served and currently serving our Great Nation I want to say, "Thank you!" If it wasn't for your sacrifices I wouldn't be enjoying the freedom I have today. You are our real American Heroes not the Hollywood Idiots and some of the politicians who seem to be putting their own agendas first as opposed to putting our Nation first. God Bless You and the USA.
Today is Veteran's Day so, lets take a moment to remember those who have served and are currently serving our Great Nation. God Bless Our Troops!
This morning I watched the Packers spank the Vikings, a boring game unless of course you are a Packer Fan like myself. My cigar of choice after the game is the DaVinci Exhibicion D with a Tecate. I am not a big fan of the beer but, my Brother-in-Law likes it. Ah, what are you going to do.
Anyway, the Exhibicion D is a 6" x 54 cigar with a beautiful dark brown smooth Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper. The binder and filler is Nicaraguan. I was rather disappointed, with a name like DaVinci I was expecting a much better cigar. The Exhibicion starts off mellow but, then the strength seems to build up towards the center. I can't say I enjoy the cigar that I smoked it right down to the nub because, I didn't. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon here in Southern CA but, as I was finishing off my cigar and beer dark gray clouds covered the warm sun bringing the temperature down. Looks like rain coming in.
'nuff said.
Save Even More During November Sale
The Tobacco Barn is proud to announce that we have modified our cigar pricing structure to provide you, our favorite customers, with better pricing. In the past, our 10% box discount was applied on just that, box sales. The problem was that we had boxes of cigars that only had 5 cigars in them at one extreme to 100 cigars per box at the other extreme.
As such, we've instituted a policy that cigar sales on the website where you purchase 20 or more of the same cigar will get you the "box discount" of 10%. No longer will Edge (and other cabinet-style cigars) require the purchase of 100 sticks just to get the discount.
And to sweeten the pot even more, we are adding this discount ON TOP of the existing 10% discount on cigars being offered during the month of November!
Now you have no excuse to stock up that new humidor you've just bought... What's that you say? You haven't bought a humidor yet? Now is the time to do so as you can get these at a 30% discount off our low prices as well. Don't wait until the last minute though as the selections on humidors are limited so act now.
See this page for more details on this fabulous sale.
CAO has recently issued a press release trumpeting that they have chosen to team with Anonimo watches on the release of a new watch at the Big Smoke in Las Vegas next weekend.
Nashville, October 31, 2007: CAO, one of the world’s foremost premium cigar manufacturers, has been chosen as the exclusive cigar brand to launch the Anonimo Shelby Mark II SE watch at the upcoming Cigar Aficionado Big Smoke in Las Vegas on November 9-10.
...
In addition to receiving a highly rated CAO Cigar, guests of the CAO booth in Las Vegas will also receive a special promotional offer on Anonimo watch winders and travel cases, courtesy of AnonimoUSA. “The personalities and philosophies of CAO and Anonimo were a perfect marriage,” commented CAO Chief Marketing Officer Jon Huber. “Much like CAO, the Anonimo brand prides itself upon being a perfect blend of tradition and innovation. We’re excited about this association, and our CAO Vegas team will be proudly wearing Anonimo watches during the Big Smoke.”
The Anonimo Shelby Mark II SE watch will be limited to 500 units of each dial color with a suggested retail price of $5,500.00. For more information on CAO and Anonimo watches, please visit www.caointernational.com and www.anonimousa.com.
In other news, their new America line of cigars has received a 90 rating from Cigar Aficionado magazines Cigar Insider. This is the 10th brand from the Memphis-based cigar manufacturer to receive a rating of 90 or better ("Outstanding"). I've tried these and agree that this is certainly one of the best smoking (and looking) CAO cigar to come out recently.
This is GREAT! I just had to add this to my blog. This is on
Yahoo Entertainment The World of Star Wars Beta site. What is so great about it is I remember seeing this commercial when I was a kid; however, I didn't actual remember it until after I viewed on
Yahoo's The World of Star Wars site. I know what the heck is a serious cigar/pipe smoker doing posting an old anti-smoking ad on his blog? Well, I have to admit I am a
Star Wars fan. I am talking about the first three
Star Wars movies Lucas created during the 70's and 80's. I did enjoy the latest three
Star Wars movies Lucas did but, the latest three felt like it was missing something. I remember reading a review someone wrote during the time the latest three
Star Wars movies came out and he/she said the characters (in the last three) lacked chemistry that
first three movies Lucas did. I have to agree...
Han, Leia and Luke had a certain chemistry... They seemed more life like and in the
latest three editions the characters seemed wooden and forced. Well, that is my opinion and I am sticking to it. Anyway, I decided to post it in my blog because, of nostalgia. Yes, I must be getting old when an old
Star Wars PSA commericial makes me think of my childhood and the excitement it brought me to see two
Star Wars characters on my television.
The commerical is anti-smoking targeted to the children, which I fully support. I believe a person needs to wait until they are an adult before they can light their first cigar or pipe bowl.
Last but, not leaast, it is against cigarettes which I could care less about. Smoking a cigarette and a cigar are to completely different things whether you want to accept that or not. I need to write a blog talking about the differences between two some time in the near future but, for now do what I did. Enjoy the video. I sure as heck did and still do.
I wasn't able to figure out how to capture the embeded code on the
Yahoo site; however, I was able to get the code from the
ifilm site.
'nuff said!
Posted Jun 12, 2007
The flamboyant C3PO and R2D2 both appear in this '80s anti-smoking PSA.
Hello Everyone!
I wanted to take a few minutes to let everyone in Southern California know that my prayers go out to all of you, especially those who have survived and perished in this years wild fire. I don't live to far from some of the fires that occurred but, far enough away to not have to evacuate and only ended up breathing in the smoky air outside. I swear when I stepped outside of my office this past Wednesday afternoon I felt like I stepped out onto the set of the old television movie The Day After (1983). All I could see surrounding me was huge clouds of smoke. And, it was quiet, very quiet. No one was stepping outside of their homes or offices around me. I received a few pictures from my Family and Friends that I decided to post up. You can click on the image below or Click Here to access some of the photos.
For more updated information check out the Press Enterprise (http://www.beloblog.com/Pe_Blogs/#a144606), The Orange County Register (http://www.ocregister.com/) or The San Diego Tribune (http://www.signonsandiego.com/).
I was also sent the folling link showing a map of the fires, CLICK HERE!
Again, God Bless those who were affected most by the fires.
'nuff Said.
Thanks to all you active cigar and pipe smokers that helped uphold the President's veto of SCHIP. You input has helped however now is not the time to rest on our laurels.
Congressional Democrats are currently working on legislation to reintroduce the SCHIP legislation. This proposed legislation will be nearly identical to the previously failed proposal, HR976. In an attempt to appease moderate Republicans, only minor revisions have been made to the eligibility requirements. The tobacco tax proposals, including the excessive taxation on handmade cigars and pipe tobacco, will remain in the legislation.
While IPCPR's federal lobbyists feel that with no substantial changes to this second SCHIP proposal, the president will again veto the legislation (if and when it passes both the House of Representatives and the Senate), and the veto will withstand a second attempt at an override by the House - not enough moderate Republicans will not be swayed to vote in favor of an override due to such minimal changes.
Progress has been made in demonstrating on Capitol Hill that the current proposal will prove detrimental to our industry and we continue working for a compromise.
So we urge you to please keep the pressure un your representatives to not vote for programs that unfairly target those of us who enjoy partaking in a legal activity.
The Cigar Of The Day blog recently posted "A New, Old Way to Enjoy Your Cigar" that caught my eye... (truth be told, I saw it as a link on CigarLive.com in this thread)
He has some great information about historical use of the cigar holders as well as his take on using these handy little tools.
I myself like using my meerschaum cigar holder when I'm working on the computer or something where I've got to use both hands. This allows me to effectively hold my cigar in my mouth for prolonged periods of time (like when I'm typing) and not have to worry about ruining it by brushing it with my teeth or slobbering on it so much that you can't draw any more. I've also found this a great way to cool off a cigar that seems to be smoking too hot as the meerschaum and greater distance between cigar and mouth allow the smoke to cool more, much as a churchwarden as opposed to a shorter pipe.
Others in the lounge at the Barn prefer to use their holders to extend the smoke they get out of their premium and ultra-premium cigars. They can now smoke down to the cap almost without burning their lips or fingers and without looking like they are "toking" on something they shouldn't.
One of the downsides mentioned is that you need a full range of holders to cover all cigars, and we have sets that cover this need, but I've found that many cigar smokers usually lean towards smoking similar ring-gauges and they can select a holder that covers their favorite smokes.