Montecristo's Operation Hope aims to rebuild in the Gulf Region

Who says cigar companies don't have a heart?

Check out the great program Altadis launched through its Montecristo Relief Organization on Wed (9/16) to help support the rebuilding the countries across the Caribbean that have been ravaged by hurricanes.

Altadis is offering an exclusive cigars and "signature accessories" package or enthusiasts at special events at select retailers through the months of October and November (the height of hurricane season). A $75 purchase will net smokers some great stuff and all for a worthy cause.

In a few emails with Altadis's vice president of communications Janelle Rosenfeld, I learned that they cigar giant hopes raise somewhere in the neighborhood of half a million to help rebuild and renew these tobacco-growing countries.

From their press release:

"We are extremely grateful for our retailers and customers who have supported the Montecristo Relief Organization over the years," said Jim Colucci, executive vice president of Altadis U.S.A. "The financial aid we have received has made a huge difference to those who depend on us to help rebuild their lives."

Good on ya, Altadis.

End of the Embargo - Beginning of the Rumbles

Oh what will become of Cohiba. And Montecristo. And Sancho Panza.
Once the embargo is lifted, let the lawsuits begin.

Story in Today's Star Ledger by Mark Drajem of Bloomberg.

Let's hope it means that Cuba can revamp its quality - in my opinion, with the overfarming and unskilled labor, they have fallen behind competing nations.

Davidoff snatches up Boutique Cusano Cigars

Mr. Razzo will be interested in this, since he has given high praise to Cusano in the past...

According to the Bradenton Herald, Davidoff has purchased Cusano for an undiscliosed ammount. Michael Chiusano will remain president of the company. Full story found here.

If the cigars are as beautiful as the box....

...then the new Espinosa and Ortega "Mi Barrio" Limited Editions are going to be some SPECIAL smokes.  Is what's inside a comparable work of art to what is featured outside? 

Today, E&O announced the release of El Forro and El Billetero.  From its press release: "Espinosa y Ortega is now combining the release of El Forro with the release of the final cigar in the series, “El Billetero,” a 5.5” x 52 Belicoso. 

The names of the last two cigars reflect very traditional Cuban happenings in the barrio (neighbourhood).  

El Forro is a move in dominos, not necessarily respectable, where a player tries to sneak the wrong tile onto the table. He has a 6/3, the available dominos are 4 and 8 – he uses the 6/3 in the hope that no one will notice. It happens! 

El Billetero is a ‘lottery ticket seller’, and one is depicted in Gutierrez’s art in a traditional street scene. “La Bolita” is somewhat like a lottery, on a smaller scale. Playing La Bolita is an everyday occurrence in Cuban culture."

The artwork on the box is courtesy of Cuban artist Edin Gutierez.  

Looking forward to trying these out, I am huge fan of the 601 series and really enjoyed the El Puro when it came out last year.

  

If I had an iPhone, Mobile Stogie would be my first app

When it comes to technology, I am the first to admit I am a little behind the curve.

My friends know that I was late to the cell phone game. My first iPod was a gift given to me by my beautiful wife last year - which I can't imagine being a commuter without it.

So its no surprise that I don't own an iPhone. But let me tell you, if I did, Mobile Stogie would be the first application, or "app", I would purchase.

As my cigar inventory has exponentially increased over the last few weeks, knowing what I have in stock at my cigar locker at Fume is essential. Especially now this it is hard to get to most of them. So how could I keep track?

Mobile Stogie is a great answer. In a roundabout chain of events that usually happens only in the cigar world I got to talking to Ken Sayward, the creator of this application. In one of those necessity spawns inspiration moments this avid cigar smoker dedicated himself to developing an app for his iPhone that has been available on the Apple's iTunes App Store since the end of March. The appc omes preloaded with a directory of nearly 2,000 cigars and provides one-click web search information on a certain cigar.

Smokers can even manage their personal collections on the "My Cigar" section, which can track quantity, year, date acquired, and where the cigar was acquired from. This section also includes fields to add your personal rating and notes and keeps a wish list of cigars you are looking to try so your friends and family can, maybe, pick you up a nice gift for holidays and occassions.

"I've done this simply as a hobby, not a business," Ken told me in some emails back and forth. "But it has been really cool to interact with people from all over the world, as feature requests and other ideas come in to me via email. for example, somebody in France is currently working with me to localize the application for the french language."

I can see tobacconists using this at their shops to better manage their businesses, maybe even allow them to do business with greater mobility.

The app also works with the iPod Touch models.