My headcold is finally subsiding, but the ol’ palate needs another day or so before I attempt a review. I’ll be putting one together tomorrow night or Friday. So, in the meantime, here’s some cigar news from IPCPR and JC Newman…
Cigar News
IPCPR
Bills to Protect Premium Cigars Continue to Gain Support
Washington, DC-As the Representatives and Senators settle into session, two bills (H.R. 1639 & S. 1461) continue to gain support. H.R. 1639 has just reached 190 co-sponsors, nearing the 218 co-sponsors needed for the majority. S. 1461 has reached 10 co-sponsors with Senator Ben Nelson from Nebraska supporting it most recently.
The bills seek to restrict the FDA from regulating the premium cigar industry as it wishes to do to other tobacco products.
With the FDA’s proposed new jurisdiction, they would have the ability to completely alter the way premium cigars are sold, even going as far as having the ability to take the word “cigar” out of advertisements. These two bills seek to limit that. Supported by the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR), Cigar Rights of America, small tobacco shops throughout the country, and tobacco enthusiasts, the bills seek to protect the cigar industry from the FDA’s potentially heavy-handed regulation.
The bills have come a long way, but are still in need of support. The IPCPR encourages any tobacco enthusiasts to contact their local legislators and discuss with them the importance of small tobacconists throughout this country and the negative impact that FDA regulation could have on their businesses.
Bill Spann, CEO of the IPCPR, noted, “The premium cigar industry employs over 85,000 Americans alone. In today’s economy, our representative form of government should be doing everything possible to protect small businesses and promote job growth, not trying to regulate it out of existence.”
As the bills continue to gain support, cigar enthusiasts everywhere hope that the legislators will hear their voices and discuss the bills during session this year, which is expected to close in December.
Press Releases – JC Newman
NEW Brick House Teaser Hits Bashes this Summer
Brick House Bashes will get even better this summer with the new Brick House Bash Teaser. The J.C. Newman Cigar Company is the first to offer a cigar that packs the same complex flavors and aromas of a regular sized cigar, handrolled into a 3 ½ x 56 body. The Brick House “Teaser” is designed to be a tasting cigar. Similar to a wine tasting, the size and blend gives the recipient just enough taste to experience the Brick House flavor. The first 50 people at every Brick House Bash will receive a free Brick House teaser along with other special deals.
For a full listing of these exclusive cigar tastings only available at Brick House Bashes, click HERE.
For high resolution photos of the Brick House Teaser click HERE.
A Green Cigar Factory for Nicaragua
New Home of Quorum Built to Be Eco-Friendly
NICARAGUA – PENSA, or Puros De Esteli Nicaragua S.A., is J.C. Newman’s new 55,000 square foot factory located in the foothills of Esteli, Nicaragua. With the capacity to make over 25 million cigars per year, it is no small feat that this cigar factory is almost entirely green.
Nearly all the utilities in the building are renewable. Rainwater is collected through chains from the roof and reused for cooling and sanitation. Fresh air is pulled into the factory though large fans and mixed with recycled water to cool the room and keep the cigars at just the right humidity. Foam insulation keeps the cooled air from escaping into the thick, tropical air outside. Large panels in the roof stretch the full length of the ceiling, allowing Nicaragua’s plentiful sunlight in and eliminating the need for artificial lighting except on the cloudiest of days. The mix of fresh air, natural light and an open floor concept means worker morale stays strong while the carbon footprint is considerably reduced.
Employee health is a priority at the factory. A doctor is on staff everyday to service employees and their families. Bike racks located on the inside of the building give employees a greener and safer option than catching a ride to work or storing their bike on a fence outside the factory. Cleanliness is encouraged through the use of smocks and a full service sanitation crew.
For photos of the factory please
click HERE.The J.C. Newman Cigar Company has worked hard to create a safe, clean, environmentally friendly factory for not only the employees of PENSA, but for the residents of Esteli. PENSA currently handrolls Quorum, Quorum Shade, Alcazar and Hampton Arms. For more information about PENSA and the cigars made there, please visit www.jcnewman.com.
Cigars and Chardonnay for Charity
An Evening in Ybor to Benefit Two Locally Based Charities
TAMPA – Celebrate an evening of Cigars and Chardonnay to benefit the Florida Holocaust Museum and Cigar Family Charitable Foundation. The event will be hosted at the J.C. Newman Cigar Company in Ybor City, America’s oldest family owned cigar company.
A ticket price of $100 to Cigars and Chardonnay includes live jazz music,
champagne and kosher wine tastings, premium hand rolled cigars, hors d’oeuvres, cigar factory tours, a silent auction and more all housed in a 112 year original Ybor cigar factory. Thanks to the generous support of sponsors, proceeds will benefit the Florida Holocaust Museum – the only accredited Holocaust Museum outside Washington D.C. – and the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation – a non-profit that works through education, empowerment and healthcare to help the children of the Dominican Republic.To purchase tickets please go to www.flholocaustmuseum.org or call (727) 820-0100 Ext 251.
WHAT: Cigars and Chardonnay to benefit the Florida Holocaust
Museum and Cigar Family Charitable Foundation
WHEN: Thursday, May 31, 6 – 9 p.m.
WHERE: J.C. Newman Cigar Factory, 2701 N. 16th Street,
Tampa, FL 33605
WHO: Media Sponsor Tampa Bay Metro Magazine will be
on hand for photosAbout The Cigar Family Charitable Foundation
The Cigar Family Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)3 started by the Fuente and Newman families in 2001 to help the children in the cigar producing region of the Dominican Republic. What began as a plan to add a wing onto a local school has grown into a 23 acre Cigar Family Complex that currently includes a primary and high school, health center, organic farming program, sports and recreational facility and an ever-growing list of vocational opportunities; all serving over 100,000 people in 12 surrounding communities. Thanks to the commitment of the Fuente and Newman families 100 percent of the administrative costs are underwritten. For more information about the Foundation please visit www.cf-cf.org today.Founded in 1895, J.C. Newman is America’s oldest family-owned premium cigar maker and the last operating cigar factory in Cigar City. From the ultra-premium Diamond Crown, Diamond Crown MAXIMUS and Diamond Julius Caeser to mid-level Cuesta-Rey, La Unica, Brick House and El Baton, to value-priced Quorum, Trader Jacks and Factory Throwouts; the J.C. Newman name has become synonymous with excellence in cigar manufacturing. To learn more about J.C. Newman Cigar Company, visitwww.jcnewman.com.
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