So, as I’m sure that I am just like all you other CRA memebers, its about time! This sampler is brought to us from an organization call Cigar Rights of America, or CRA for short. This organization really does a great job at helping us ‘sinners’ enjoy one of our last pleasures, cigars. Their main goal is to help assist the Tobacco Industry by lobbying and helping to reduce the taxes imposed upon the Tobacco Industry and to combat restrictive smoking bans.
One of the things that this organization has recently accomplished was when they went to the IPCPR (International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers) convention held in New Orleans which started August 8th, 2009. While at this convention, they were able to gather quite a few new members, and those were the real power players, the tobacconists themselves. These retailers are the ones who truly feel the effects of the laws and regulations. We, as consumers, may see a few cents to a dollar extra per stick or perhaps 20.00 per box but the retailer has to eat that cost, on every.. single.. cigar. The bans have also cause some brick and mortar shops to close, for what used to be a safe haven for us to enjoy in a tobacco shop, now has been deemed a no smoking zone. While at this event, CRA decided to gather a few cigars from varying producers and thus the sampler was born.
This sampler – Costing 60.00 VIA CRA and 30.00 via B&M Local Tobacconist (90.00 total) includes -
ASHTON VSG
Ashton Distributors will offer CRA members a memorable experience using 4-5 year old Dominican tobacco and an Ecuadorian wrapper. Ashton Distributors Vice President Sathya Levin stated, “Ashton is pleased to provide this one-time only presentation of the VSG. For the many fans of the VSG, this should be a great experience.”
CAO Lx2 Rosado Especiale
This Nicaraguan wrapper, Honduran binder, and fillers from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic make this a signature cigar for CAO , and the members of CRA. Tim Ozgener, President of CAO International noted, “The CAO LX2 Rosado Toro is an extremely limited production cigar made exclusively for the CRA at CAO Fabrica de Tabacos in Danli , Honduras . Featuring a Nicaraguan-grown Rosado wrapper, the cigar boasts a bold, muscular structure layered with flavors of bittersweet chocolate, paprika, and woody tobacco notes. The exquisite Rosado wrapper imparts a pleasant floral note upon the flavor profile, which balances superbly with the three different ligero fillers.”
Casa Fenerandez
With a 100% Cuban Corojo Seed from specific farms in the Jalapa Valley and Esteli, Tobacalera Tropical President Paul Palmer pointed to the Café Rosado leaf and tobacco from Aganorsa as attributes of this cigar, which has a medium to full-bodied strength.
Davidoff Avo Classic #2
This carefully crafted blend of five different tobaccos results in a rich and mellow flavor. The Cuban Piloto seed, San Vicente filler and binders, blended with Dominican Olor leaves, offers the CRA Avo a special aroma, in this mild, yet flavorful cigar. Davidoff USA President Peter Banninger noted, “We are proud to make this carefully crafted cigar available to the members of CRA. It should prove to be a memorable moment.”
Drew Estate Liga Privada No. 9
Through a limited production run with tobacco from seven different farms, Drew Estate’s Liga Privada No. 9 is a rich and complex cigar, using a Connecticut Broadleaf #1 darks, Plantation Grown Brazilian Mata Fina and Honduran and Nicaraguan Cuban Seed. Drew Estate President Steve Saka stated, “We are very pleased to offer the cigar that was initially meant to be strictly a private stock cigar, to the members of CRA.”
General Cigar’s Punch – CRA Blend
Punch cigars continue to enjoy critical acclaim and a devoted following among tenured smokers. As an exclusive offering to the CRA, General Cigar developed a unique blend if this celebrated brand. Featuring spicy blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican tobacco, punctuated by a Nicaraguan binder and enveloped in a brawny Nicaraguan wrapper, Punch CRA cigars are handcrafted in Honduras.
Debo Mukherjee, Vice President of Marketing for General Cigar commented, “It is with great pleasure that we have donated 5,000 handcrafted Punch cigars to continue our support of CRA. As a Founding Sponsor, we continue to stand behind the organization and its ongoing effort to protect the rights of premium cigar smokers.”
La Flor Dominicana LG – CRA Blend
Litto Gomez, recently referred to as one of the “most innovative minds in the cigar business today” by Cigar Aficionado stated, “We were pleased to develop this cigar exclusively for the members of CRA. It should prove to be a great experience knowing that only a select few can enjoy this, and the other cigars in this sampler.”
Padron 1964 Anniversary Series™
The 1964 Anniversary Series™ line was introduced in 1994 to commemorate the company’s 30th anniversary. All tobacco used in this limited production series is aged for four years, creating a smooth and complex flavor. In honor of the age-old Cuban tradition of box – pressing cigars, the 1964 Anniversary line was introduced as a box-pressed series. The Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series™ is consistently ranked by industry experts as one of the top brands in the world.
Rocky Patel – CRA Blend
This exclusive ‘CRA Blend’ offers a medium to full bodied ‘masterpiece’ with its Habana wrapper from Ecuador, that is spicy yet elegant with just a hint of sweetness. Rocky Patel stated, “We wanted to do something special for the CRA sampler. The mission of CRA is to allow consumers the very ability to enjoy our cigars. They deserve the best from each company, and this sampler tells that story.”
Tatuaje – This 6×50 Nicaraguan Puro comes from Tatuaje with Pete Johnson stating, “CRA members will remember this sampler, and each cigar within it for time to come. That’s the affect we wanted with this project.”
The Following is a blurp from CRA:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: September 8, 2009
Contact: Brian Berman
Phone: (818) 541-1535
Email: brian.berman@cigarrights.org
CRA Launches A Limited Edition, One-Of-A-Kind Cigar Sampler – For Members Only!
Fairfax, VA – Cigar Rights of America (CRA) has announced a new program exclusively for its members that will serve as a unique member benefit, while advancing the cause of protecting cigar enthusiasts from intrusive taxation and regulation.
An initial coalition with approximately twenty of the world’s top cigar makers have joined forces to create a limited-edition, one-of-a-kind collection of cigars specially blended or sized for CRA members only! The cigars will be offered in two editions of an exclusive CRA Cigar Sampler* – each containing 10 cigars. These cigars are not available anywhere else and you must be a CRA member to get them.
CRA Executive Director Glynn Loope stated, “The Founding Sponsors of CRA wanted to offer something special to the membership. The participating companies have developed unique blends or sizes, available only in this sampler. With the proceeds of the sale of these cigars going to address the issues confronting cigar enthusiasts, this is a win-win for the member and all involved.”
The first edition CRA Cigar Sampler of 10 cigars will be pre-packaged in an all-inclusive humidor bag that includes Humidipak’s patented 2-way humidity control and will include exclusive cigars from Ashton, CAO, Casa Fernandez, Davidoff, Drew Estate, General Cigar (Punch), La Flor Dominicana, Padron, Rocky Patel and Tatuaje.
News about the CRA Cigar Sampler has already created high demand. Therefore, CRA will have a strict one sampler per member limit!
To learn more about the exclusive cigars in the first-edition CRA Cigar Sampler, or to purchase your Sampler, please visit http://www.cigarrights.org/cigar_sampler.htm.
About Cigar Rights of America
Cigar Rights of America (CRA) was founded on the principle of fighting for the freedom to enjoy premium cigars. A consumer-based, non-profit public advocacy organization that works with local, state and federal governments to protect the freedoms of cigar enthusiasts, CRA works with its constituency of members including manufacturers, retailers and cigar enthusiasts to focus on opposing restrictive smoking bans and increased taxation of cigars.
