Being a guy from Missouri, I figured this would only be right to pass on. Found this information at http://www.921kmoe.com/news.shtml, check that site out for more info!

Missouri Seeks to Dramatically Hike Tobacco Tax, IPCPR Opposes

Jefferson, MO — Proposition B, a proposed 150% tax increase on cigars and pipe tobacco, in addition to a 760% tax increase on cigarettes, is causing quite a stir in Missouri. Politicians claim the tax hike will help fund education and health care, while small business owners are criticizing the open attack on their businesses.

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During the course of the most recent International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailer’s Association convention and trade show, a very special moment occurred one afternoon.

As we were all gathered at the CRA booth, a swarm of cigar smoking women appeared. We see each of these amazing ‘Ladies of Leaf’ around the country in the course of our travels, but when all of them show up at once, either someone is in trouble or there’s something we don’t know about.

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Size: 5 x 52
Wrapper: Brazilian Maduro
Binder and Filler: Dominican and Cameroon
Strength: Full
Price:

Behind The Stick:

Some of you may remember back on the 20th of March, 2012 I posted in my news section about the Iconic Leaf Cigar company and their recent work on the Recluse and Draconian. Well – still no word on the Draconian but Iconic Leaf was gracious enough to gift me a few Recluse cigars for this review. The press release that was put out at the end of August had reported that the cigars were going to be debuted at the 2012 IPCPR conference and although they may not have been the biggest name under that roof – everyone I have talked to says they were very impressed.

In this release, there was a quote that stuck out – “The RECLUSE cigar is comprised of the absolute finest of everything. From the seed that is sown, to the blend of the tobacco leaves that make up this masterpiece, to the painstaking fermentation”. A lot of the time you think – okay, sure, your doing the exact same thing that every other company is doing your just giving it your ‘flair’ or ‘spin’ but after doing some research on the Leyendas Cubanas factory itself it quickly became clear to me that these guys were not just some ‘gringos’ who had some connections, marketing and money to burn ( which is happening A LOT in the US market ) but that they truly were educated, passionate and enjoy what they do. But – enough rambling, onto the fucking review!

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Received this from Dan at New Havana Cigars – those of you looking for the L’Atelier Imports cigars – look no further! His message is included below! I personally can not wait to smoke some of these!

We have our first shipment from L’Atelier Imports in house and shipping.

Many of you may have read that I am involved in a new venture with Pete Johnson, K.C. Johnson and Sean Johnson called L’Atelier Imports. This new company previewed 4 new brands at IPCPR 2012.

Branded as “From the Makers and Creator of Tatuaje”, the offerings by L’Atelier Imports are all made by the Garcia family and blended by Pete Johnson. On my last factory trip, I was fortunate to be involved with finalizing the blends for our initial brands, an experience that I was humbled by and look forward to in the future as we expand the offerings.

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Size: Wells – 6 x 50
Wrapper: H-47 Pleno Sol
Binder and Filler: ‘Mix from 4 Different Countries’
Strength: Medium
Price: ~ 8.00 a single

Behind The Stick:

I don’t know if General Cigar decided to start listening to the consumers, started feeling the income reduction or if they just got some new blood into the ‘machine’ known as General Cigars but they have really started making strides and leaps in their cigars – in my opinion at least. Recently they acquired the CAO line, have brought some old names and lines back to life and have been producing some new lines of their own. One of these new lines, the Foundry, has been created as ‘… a new boutique collection created to amplify the artistry and romanticism of premium cigars.’

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Global Premium Cigars and Emilio Cigars Enter Distribution Agreement

Enrique Sanchez Icaza, owner of Global Premium Cigars, makers of 1502 Cigars manufactured in Esteli, Nicaragua, and Gary Griffith, owner of Emilio Cigars, announced today that they have entered into a distribution agreement. Under this arrangement Emilio Cigars sales staff will bring the 1502 cigars to market, while Sanchez Icaza will continue to focus on manufacturing and product development along with retailer support and education about the brand. Sanchez Icaza will continue to handle sales in the state of Florida as well. The cigars will be warehoused and shipped from the Emilio Cigars facility in Vineland, NJ.

“I am delighted to be able to help another boutique manufacturer benefit from our existing shipping and billing facilities, and even more happy that we were able to make this arrangement with a dear friend” said Griffith.

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