If you think American cigar smokers have it bad–think again. House Bill 5727, a bill currently pending in the Senate of the Philippines, will impose a 12,000% increase in the tax imposed per cigar, from P1.25 per cigar to P150 per cigar. You heard it right. That’s like paying $150 for a house blend.
“A Slim Panetela has a net selling price of 12.50 per cigar in a box of 25 cigars for P312.50 per box. If we apply the tax as per Sec 145 (A), the selling price of a Slim Panetela will jump to P162.50 per piece and a box of 25’s will sell for P4,062.50. This is a 1,300-percent increase in selling price.”
He also notes that any taxes the government plans on correcting from the hike won’t come through, because these businesses won’t exist.
So why is the Philippine government undermining the age-old tradition of its own people? Simple, it is being lobbied by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines to pass the bill “as soon as possible and without delay.”
As the cigar manufacturer points out, the tax will essentially clear out local businesses, in both alcohol and tobacco, and clear the way for European and other companies to enter the market without local competition.
Up for review today is the Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro robusto. I should note here that I have a bit of a crush on Perdomo. To me, they are one of the best manufacturers of value cigars that compete with cigars two or three times their price. I paired this cigar with a cup of coffee and Coldplay in the background.
The Lot 23 features a beautiful, golden, chocolate brown maduro wrapper. The head is triple capped, there are few visible veins. I might be feeling overly sentimental this morning, but I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – Perdomo makes fantastic cigars, and this one is a work of art. Scents off the foot include granola, coffee, and some cocoa.
Flavor & Smoke Characteristics
This cigar kicks off with medium bodied smoke featuring some spice notes and definite dark chocolate flavors.About 3/4 of an inch in, a leather note is added to the mix. Around 2/3, the spice has dropped considerably, and some subtle citrus notes have been thrown in. In the final third, the spice steadily builds back up and I’m really starting to feel the nicotine. No touch-ups were required for this smoke.
Conclusion
For the value, the Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro is hard to beat. It has a great flavor profile, good construction, and is just a very enjoyable smoke, especially paired with coffee.
In the past few weeks, FineTobaccoNYC has been continuing our “Cigar Wars” series, centered on the fight over regulation of the premium cigar industry. We’ve posted quite a few articles from the perspective of the industry, particularly small businesses.
Recently, though, I’ve been reading articles presenting the other side of the issue, and I want to share one that I think presents a pretty good argument for the other side. In “Why protect cigars that are aimed at children?”, Marshall C. Deason of the American Lung Association presents his case for FDA regulation of cigars. I’d encourage you to click on the link and take a read.
For those of you don’t click the link, the most potent argument he makes (in my opinion), is that, if cigars are exempted from FDA oversight, tobacco companies will change their business strategy to market and sell more flavored cigars to children. He notes that products like cigarillos and Swisher Sweets would be exempted as well under the proposed exemption rules. Deason writes,
“Products that could claim to be exempted include Swisher Sweets blunts and cigarillos, which are available in flavors such as chocolate, strawberry, grape and peach, and Phillies cigarillos, which come in flavors including watermelon, sour apple, mango, banana and coconut. Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health show that Phillies and Swisher Sweets are among the most popular cigar brands among youth age 12-17.”
I’d be curious to know if our readers find Deason’s arguments compelling. What do you think?
This summer, Maraya Cigar is offering 16 MARAYA Tango Torpedo cigars (50 x 54) in a round tin (pictured above). A $187 value; they will include a humidipak along with the tin and sales tax for $150. If you haven’t had the Tango, it is a pretty fantastic cigar, and I’d say easily one of the best house blends in the city.
In-shop pick-up at 87 Orchard Street on the Lower East Side, while supplies last. You can reach Joy Florentz, shop owner, via email. Otherwise, just head down to their shop on Orchard St.
By now, everyone is aware of the increasing push in the United States, headed by the FDA, to regulate the sale, advertisement, and enjoyment of premium cigars. In response, the industry as a whole has made a big effort to try to ensure that premium cigars can still be enjoyed. Small lounges, for the most part, have stuck to promoting the DC lobbying efforts and encouraging customers to join Cigar Rights of America. Some, however, have broken the mold.
The past couple of years has seen the growth of an interesting idea: mobile cigar shops. Broadway Cigar, in my hometown of Portland, OR, launched the “Lounge and Safe Haven for Cigar Smokers” – a mobile truck with a beautiful interior and thousands of premium cigars (pictures below).
And Broadway isn’t the only cigar company going mobile. Ron and Wendy Reidi of Moore Township, Pennsylvania created their own mobile cigar lounge called Street Car Cigars.
Street Car Cigars – photo courtesy The Morning Call
What’s in it, you ask? Not just cigars. Inside is an expansive space that can seat more than a dozen (that’s more than some New York City cigar lounges!) and also has flat screen T.V.s and a stereo system.
I’m not sure exactly how many mobile cigar shops there are in the U.S. so far, but I’ll be excited to see more. And maybe, just maybe, we’ll be lucky enough to see one of these mobile cigar shops sitting somewhere in Manhattan.
Ok, that’s stretching the imagination a bit. But it would be pretty cool.
Know of any other cool lounges or mobile shops? Let us know about them in the comments section below!
FineTobaccoNYC recieved these cigars complimentary at an El Tiante meet & greet event at Nat Sherman. Luis Tiant, for whom the cigars are named, was an avid cigar smoker and a professional athlete. From the website:
“Born in Marianao, Havana, Cuba, Luis Tiant grew up with the love of two wonderful things in life: baseball and a great cigar. Since his first cigar at the age of 17, throughout his legendary professional baseball career and now in retirement, Luis has maintained his love and passion for a great cigar. This is the foundation that Tiant Cigar Group is built on… Rolled at the My Father Cigar factory in Esteli, Nicaragua with precision and care using finely cured tobacco, it is easy to identify the Garcia family pride in each and every El Tiante Cigar.”
The wrapper on this cigar is a dark, textured brown, with a good deal of tooth. The blue and gold band highlights “El Tiante” and you can see a miniature American flag imprinted on both sides if you look hard. Veins are minimal, and the smell off of the wrapper reminds me a lot of hot cocoa. Off of the foot, the same scent, but with more power behind it, some earth, and spice as well.
Taste & Smoke Characteristics
This cigar kicks off with loads of spice that, typical of Pepin, back down after the first half inch. Revealed are notes of coffee, dark chocolate, wood, with the spice remaining consistent and especially strong on the retrohale. At 2/3, the cigar has continued to tone down, with the coffee notes taking center stage – a very enjoyable profile. In the final third, the spice picks up, but so does the heat, so I put it down a few minutes early.
Conclusion
This is a very enjoyable cigar. If you find this in your local B&M, do yourself a favor and give it a try.
Our friends at Nat Sherman have an announcement for New York City cigar smokers, and the United States at large. It sounds like Ike Karipides will be a great addition to the Nat Sherman team.
~~~
NAT SHERMAN APPOINTS IKE KARIPIDES TO DIRECTOR OF PREMIUM CIGARS SALES
July 13, 2012 (New York, NY) – Nat Sherman, offering an iconic collection of premium tobacco products and upholding a service-centric approach to business, announces the appointment of Ike Karipides as Director of Premium Cigar Sales. Karipides’ appointment is effective immediately and he will be reporting directly to Michael Herklots, Executive Director of Retail and Brand Development. The announcement was made by Joel Sherman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nat Sherman.
“We are thrilled to have Ike join the family. He has a profound passion for service that complements our multi-generational commitment to excellence,” says Joel Sherman. “Ike’s appointment underlines our dedication to our customers and the cigar industry.”
In the newly created role, Karipides is responsible for managing the sales efforts for the family-owned tobacconist’s premium cigars to partner retailers throughout the United States. Karipides brings experience and expertise in sales and marketing, promotions, special events and new brand development with him to Nat Sherman.
“I’ve always been drawn to family owned businesses,” says Ike Karipides. “I am excited to join the Sherman family, playing an active role in building upon Nat Sherman’s storied legacy.”
With over 15 years of experience in the cigar industry, Karipides most recently served as Regional Sales Manager for Miami Cigar & Company. Karipides’ previous experience also includes serving as a Brand Developer for the House of Oxford and General Manager for Barclay Rex Cigar and Tobacco. He has nearly grown up in the cigar business and entered into the field as a retail cigar sales associate while attending college.
“I’ve had the opportunity to work with Ike in many capacities over the years and during this time I’ve witnessed the profound passion and tremendous respect that he has for the cigar industry. I am excited to have Ike on board to spearhead our premium cigar sales efforts,” says Michael Herklots. “Ike’s addition to the team as Director of Premium Cigar Sales supports Nat Sherman’s commitment to working closely with our partner retailers and building those relationships for the long term.”
Beyond the cigar industry, Ike gained valuable leadership skills and international experience with IC International as Vice President of International Sales and Marketing. Karipides grew up in Cleveland, Ohio but has made New York his home since attending and graduating from Fordham University where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Economics.
About Nat Sherman:
Tobacconist to the World since 1930, Nat Sherman offers an iconic collection of premium tobacco products, from flavorful hand-rolled cigars to all natural tobacco cigarettes. Nat Sherman maintains a tradition of passion and creativity by offering unique blends of the world’s finest tobaccos. Owned and operated by the third generation of the Sherman family, Nat Sherman is committed to authenticity, quality and customer service. The universe of Nat Sherman comes to life in the company’s Flagship Townhouse store on 42nd Street just off 5th Avenue in Manhattan.www.NatSherman.com
As the summer drags on and the FDA continues to decide what form of pleasure it will kill next, more and more media outlets are interviewing cigar shop owners around the country about the proposed regulations. And wouldn’t you know it, shop owners are actually confirming that if they are forced to sell from catalogs, place death stickers on cigars, etc, they might have to close!
From the article:
“Josh Johnson is worried the restrictions will force him to shutdown his Huntersville store, Burner’s Cigar Co. ‘That’s our biggest fear that its gonna put us out of business. It’s that it’s gonna put such heavy restrictions that we aren’t going to be able to cater to our customer’s needs,’ he said.”
What I find most unfortunate here is that, in the grand scheme of things, the FDA probably doesn’t care that it could end centuries of tradition, culture, and art that is associated with the premium cigar industry. As others have pointed out, premium cigars are not marketed to the young, nor are they anywhere near the right price range for children to buy.
Does any of this matter? Probably not. Could regulations at some point be the right option? Sure, given the right circumstances, I think they could, and I applaud the FDA for much of the work they have done. What is troubling is when the witch-hunt for health gets out of hand.
Evan Williams – photo courtesy of bassboatmagazine.com
Since the start of my spirits training a little over a week ago, I’ve been reading lots of articles on different spirits, learning about the craft, and finding some flavor profiles that sound appealing. One such find is Evan Williams, a bourbon from Heaven Hill in Kentucky.
The gents over at Sipology recently gave it a pretty great review, and apparently it is the second best selling bourbon brand whiskey in the world.
My quest to learn the basics of the spirits world and share the best resources with you has led me to the far reaches of the internet and back (this includes a few visits to Reddit, of all places). In any case, I wanted to share this Scotch Whiskey 101 from Tonique Magazine. Thus far, I have not read a better introduction to Scotch Whiskey.
The article answers common questions like:
What is the difference between “Scotch”, “whiskey”, and “whisky”?
Why is it called single malt?
What is malt?
What is peat, and how does it make some Scotch smoky?
Why do so many Scotches have the word “glen” in their names?
For all of you looking to understand more of the basics about Scotch, this is the article for you. A big shout out to Tonique Magazine for the great content. They are a monthly digital magazine that specializes in, you guessed it, all things alcoholic.
If you think American cigar smokers have it bad–think again. House Bill 5727, a bill currently pending in the Senate of the Philippines, will impose a 12,000% increase in the tax imposed per cigar, from P1.25 per cigar to P150 per cigar. You heard it right. That’s like paying $150 for a house blend.
