IPCPR announces Introduction of H.R. 792 to Protect Cigars from FDA

Saludos,

Greetings, patriots of pipes and premium cigars. Yesterday we received this email from the IPCPR, our trade association who represents the premium cigar industry and helps our lobbying efforts to protect our small family-oriented industry. Read the details of this historic event and do your part to help us in protecting our small cigar shops.

International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association 

Announces H. R. 792 

Protecting Premium Cigars from FDA Regulation

On Friday, February 15, 2013, alongside twelve bi-partisan co-sponsors, Reps. Bill Posey (R-FL) and Kathy Castor (D-FL) introduced H.R. 792, the ‘‘Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act of 2013.” This legislation is a crucial step forward in protecting the premium cigar retail industry from undue regulation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) aiming "[t]o amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to clarify the Food and Drug Administration's jurisdiction over certain tobacco products, and to protect jobs and small businesses involved in the sale, manufacturing and distribution of traditional and premium cigars."

Much like the bill we supported last Congress, this legislation defines premium cigars and exempts them from unjustifiable FDA regulation. Without this measure, the FDA could permanently ban in-person sales, walk-in humidors, and seasonal blends. H.R. 792 would protect these freedoms and keep the government away from premium cigars! On Friday, February 15, 2013, alongside twelve bi-partisan co-sponsors, Reps. Bill Posey (R-FL) and Kathy Castor (D-FL) introduced H.R. 792, the ‘‘Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act of 2013.” This legislation is a crucial step forward in protecting the premium cigar retail industry from undue regulation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) aiming "[t]o amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to clarify the Food and Drug Administration's jurisdiction over certain tobacco products, and to protect jobs and small businesses involved in the sale, manufacturing and distribution of traditional and premium cigars."

The International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) fully supports these efforts, and we encourage all members to contact their Representatives in support. During the 112^th Congress, our advocacy outreach energized 221 bi-partisan co-sponsors – with your help, we can increase that number!

Let your voice be heard! Contact your legislator here and urge them to support H.R. 792!

Until the next post, siempre fumando, 

Habana Port

Viaje's Big Ivan Cigar & Espresso Pairing

Saludos,

Greetings, elitists of espresso and earthy cigars. So we at Habana Port Cigar Merchants celebrated Lundi Gras night by pairing the Big Ivan cigar from Viaje with some Italian espresso. Great combination. Both products had darker notes so the pairing was more of a complementary effect than a contrasting one.

As far as the new Skull & Bones cigar from the ultra-boutique company, the Big Ivan was quite smooth and rich in the first half. It exhibited intense dark espresso roast and nutty notes. However we recommend putting some age on these bad boys. They arrived a bit humid but "drying" them out for about 6 months will perfect them as well as smoothing out the second half which smoked a bit rough. So if you're interested in the Big Ivan we recommend it as a "Buy & Hold."

Until the next post, siempre fumando,
Habana Port

February 2013 Viaje Cigar Arrival

Saludos,

Greetings, bastion of bones. The latest Viaje cigar allocation has arrived. The shipment includes the shotgun-look-a-like Super Shots (but this year they are offered in a Corojo & a Criollo wrapper), and the Skull & Bones (Fat Man, Little Boy and the new Big Ivan).  We also received a few black-branded Viaje Skull & Bones Hoodies. So celebrate your love of Viaje this Valentine's with a few killer smokes.

Until the next post, siempre fumando,
Habana Port

Joya de Nicaragua Antaño 1970 Lancero Cigar Review

Saludos,

Greetings, heathens of Joya de Nicaragua. Today, we at Habana Port Cigar Merchants wanted to sample a new cigar arrival for us. It is the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño 1970 Lancero. This vitola is a rather slender and longer format usually reserved for those who are quite refined or who prefer a higher wrapper to filler ratio. Many industry insiders prefer this format. Anyway, we wanted to give the cigar a shot to see how it smoked.

First, we used a punch cutter since the ring gauge is rather small. The lancero smoked wonderfully. It seems to be cleaner than the other Antaño sizes. There were notes of earth, light oak and hazelnut. For us, the cigar lasted about 1 hour and 10 minutes. In summary, we really enjoyed the size. JdN as you may know is Nicaragua's oldest cigar factory and the Antaño 1970 is a tribute to their founding.

Come in to our shop today to try the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño 1970 Lancero cigar to see for yourself how nice it is or you can purchase it online at CigarEarth.com for $6.59 per single. Click here to order.

Until the next post, siempre fumando,
Habana Port

Jamaican Justin the Cigar

Saludos,

Greetings, Jamaican jerks. We would like to introduce to you Jamaican Justin the Cigar. He is proudly but sleepily watching over our cigar shop. Come in and say hi to this happy cigar, mon.

Until the next post, siempre fumando,
Habana Port