Miami, FL, September 08, 2010 — Teka Puro of Istanbul Tobacco has signed a multi-year agreement with Rafael Nodal of Oliveros Cigars to provide consulting services and serve as the exclusive international representative for all Teka products. Teka Puro is the only manufacturer of Tobacco Products in Turkey and originally was a joint venture between the government of Cuba and the government of Turkey. Teka Puro used to produce Fonseca Cigarillos and other Cuban brands using tobacco from Cuba. Teka Puro was created in response to the growing market for cigars in Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe and was a project conceived by Cuban President Fidel Castro, who attended the opening of the factory. As a part of the privatization process of Turkish Tobacco monopoly, TEKA Puro was privatized a couple of years ago and it was sold to Azmi Erdogan and tobacco veteran A. Kemal Turk, whom also owns Che Cigar store in Istanbul. During the last few years Teka Puro has been producing mass-market cigars and now, as part of this cooperative agreement, Teka will also produce premium hand made cigars. Teka currently produces CHE cigars, cigarillos and flavored cigarillos and recently introduced Punta Cana, a line of rustic moist cigars.Rafael Nodal is the president and co-founder of Oliveros Cigars, a boutique brand of premium cigars that is sold in the United States of America, Russia and other international markets. Rafael Nodal and his wife Dr. Alina Nodal, a practicing psychiatrist, come from a veteran cigar family from Pinar del Rio, Cuba. Mr. Nodal will serve as Senior Advisor to Teka Puro in the areas of production, product development, general operations, packaging and marketing and will be the exclusive international representative of all Teka tobacco products. Under the terms of the agreement, Plasencia Cigars will be the premier provider of tobacco for Teka Puro. Located in Honduras and Nicaragua, Plasencia Cigars is one of the largest growers of Habano tobacco leaves in the world and manufacturer of Premium Cigars. Plasencia Cigars is headed by Nestor Plasencia, a renown Cuban grower and his son, Nestor Andres Plasencia. Plasencia Cigars is partly owned by Swedish Match, which also owns in the USA, Cigars International and General Cigar, together with the rights to Cuban Cigar Brands in the USA like Cohiba, Bolivar, Hoyo de Monterrey, La Gloria Cubana, Partagas and Punch as well as interest in other tobacco companies like Arnold Andre in Europe.“With the help of Mr. Nodal and the premium tobacco of Plasencia cigars, our company is getting ready for the international market as we improve our product lineup,” said Mr. Erdogan, the shareholder of Teka Puro. “For Alina and me it is a great opportunity to work with such a wonderful group of individuals that are dedicated to produce the best possible cigars at the best possible prices,” said Rafael Nodal. “With our perfect strategic location, the experience of Rafael Nodal and the Tobacco of Plasencia Cigars, we are ready to play an important part in the national, regional and International tobacco market,” said Meltem Cebi from Teka Puro.

For information about Teka Puro of Istanbul Tobacco please contact

Meltem Cebi

meltem.cebi@tekapuro.com

www.TekaPuro.com

PH: 0 216 442 8975

For information about the cooperation agreement or about Oliveros Cigars please contact:

Hank Bischoff, Vice President

Habana Cuba Oliveros

CigarsHank@OliverosCigars.com

www.Oliveroscigars.com

Ph: (305) 557- 6919

Check out this little blurb courtesy of NATO in regards to cigarillos….

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New York Legislature Changes the Definition of Little Cigars

In June, the New York State legislature passed a budget bill that raised the state cigarette tax and the other
tobacco products tax while also taxing little cigars as cigarettes at $4.35 per pack. This month, the New York
State legislature also made another change to the definition of what constituents a little cigar. The new
definition reads: “Little Cigar: Any roll for smoking made wholly or in part of tobacco if such product is
wrapped in any substance containing tobacco, other than natural leaf tobacco wrapper, and weighing not
more than four pounds per thousand or with a cellulose acetate or other integrated filter.” The underlined
wording is the new phrase added to the definition of a little cigar.

Should IPCPR Be Open To Fans And Bloggers Or Vendors And Retailers Only?

In this little exposé, Lindsay and Squid take opposite sides on an issue that may be of concern to the community of cigar smokers, bloggers and fans. Lindsay takes the side that IPCPR is an industry trade show and should be for business primarily, so the bloggers are in the way. Squid takes the side that it’s a once-a-year celebration where the fans get to see all their heroes in one week-long venue.

**NOTE: We’ve taken these sides at random, not because we necessarily believe them.
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SQUID: In recent years, the number of online cigar forums and other virtual communities of cigar lovers has grown dramatically. Both retailers and manufacturers are active in these online venues, which has slowly changed how they are viewed by the members of these various online communities. They are now seen in most cases not as vague captains of industry but as real people, and even as celebrities sometimes. Because IPCPR has allowed access to a certain amount of non-retailers (as either “Press” or using a non-buyer pass from a retail shop) I see nothing wrong with these fans having access to see and speak with whomever they please.

LINDSAY: While I will never disagree that with the advent of social media this industry has changed, the point here is that since the RTDA morphed into IPCPR, an industry trade show has turned into a giant meet & greet.
The point of a trade show is to use an opportunity to display to one’s peers new products & innovations, plus of course engage in business. There are other cigar events throughout the calendar year where a plethora of major manufacturers are around to hand out samples, talk to fans/bloggers, etc., so why disrupt companies who are there under the auspice of doing business?? Though I can attest that most IPCPR exhibitors are happy to answer questions & like seeing the ‘fan boi’ enjoy their product(s), that blogger isn’t placing an order for 1,000 boxes and needs to get off the couch so the manufacturer can make money and disseminate inventory.

SQUID: Fan Boi??? Gosh, Lindsay! These are the guys who will go to your B&M and plunk down their hard-earned cash for a cigar they never tried, simply on the basis of another “Fan Boi’s” recommendation on a blog, or because they traded a few words and a ‘LOL’ with the manufacturer on Twitter. They also take time off work, pay to travel to IPCPR, and generally have mostly good comments to write on their “Fan Boi” blogs! Make no mistake that the professionals in the cigar industry use social media to sell their products, so if a few fans want to talk to a celebrity cigar maker for a few minutes, what’s the harm? And do you think all the Booth Babes and glitter are merely to impress the retail shop owners?

LINDSAY: As supportive as bloggers generally are of this industry, do you see other trade shows being mobbed by them? I grew up going to trade shows with my Dad who has worked in the cable industry since the early ’80s and despite having HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, etc with large booths and celebrities to promote shows/products, even today you don’t see “True Blood” blogging fanatics at these venues because they’re not allowed if
they are in fact not employed by the cable industry itself.

To boot I have it on good authority from multiple reps in various cigar companies that this year the IPCPR was sad: about half the retailers as were last year, low sales, and TONS of bloggers. While this year manufacturers didn’t have to worry about allocating samples and denying bloggers over buyers — this did happen in 2009 — when the Padróns and
Rocky Patel & co. are sitting down talking amongst themselves in their own booths, something is wrong on the sales end. I know for a fact these guys really like the bloggers and appreciate all the attention, but if the bloggers are so influential, why did less retailers show up & why did those that were present cut their booth sizes in half from last year? You can’t blame this all on taxes, either….

Honestly there is a better place for bloggers in this industry when it comes to events, which is why Cigar Aficionado has its Big Smoke on both coasts, Serious Cigars has their annual festival/BBQ, and CI has CigarFest. Assuming the board members of IPCPR this year weren’t completely turned off by the hoards of bloggers then maybe the best way for these non-industry folks to get their face time & samples would be through a “Press Day” just as is done in the entertainment industry.
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DISCLAIMER: This is our first writing collaboration and we both hope you readers have enjoyed it. We did this to give food for thought, and we don’t necessarily hold to the opinions we’ve expressed; but both sides of the issue needed to be aired. Your comments and opinions are welcome!

Lindsay is a tobacconist based in New York City who does everything from sell cigars, to assist in blending, write articles for various publications, and host cigar events around the world.  You can follow Lindsay on Twitter by clicking here.

Squid builds cigar-banded lighters and is based in Houston, TX.  You can see his custom lighters on his website: http://squidslighters.wordpress.com/ If you’d like to follow Squid on Twitter, you may so do by clicking here.

I’d like to think that one of the biggest names in the cigar trade today does their research, but I guess my standards are too high.

Courtesy of Stogie Review’s Brian Hewitt who posted a pic this morning on Twitter, we all know that the Fuente Family has debuted a new cigar called the ‘Julius Caesar’, but look closely at the picture below:

At the advent that your vision is poor the image is of Julius Caesar but the Fuentes have decidedly spelled the last name of one of history’s most famous men INCORRECTLY.  Sorry Carlito, but it’s ‘Caesar’ and not ‘Caeser’.

You’d think there’s spell-check or a marketing associate in charge of preventing such embarrassing mistakes down  at Chateau Fuente, but I guess that got tossed with a budget cut or something.
#CIGAR_FAIL

Let me just say I’ve had the pleasure of smoking quite a few of the Gran Coronas and Gran Toros with Guillermo himself and they are EXQUISITE.  While I prefer the Gran Corona, this cigar no matter what your preference is a winner and a test to the brilliance of La Aurora.  Virtually every new cigar that is debuting at IPCPR right now I’ve had prior to the show and for me the Guillermo León Gran Corona is the best new smoke of 2010.

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La Aurora debuts new Guillermo León line

Also adds new La Aurora Corojo line for retailers

MIAMI FL – Miami Cigar & Company, the exclusive U-S distributor for La Aurora, announces two new additions to the La Aurora lines.  The first is the new Guillermo León line which brings a complex and medium-to-full bodied experience into the La Aurora marque.

La Aurora vice president Guillermo León says, “Obviously, this cigar is personal for me.  It is part of my family’s legacy for the past 107 years. In this cigar, I wanted something with deep complexity yet also a stronger smoke than most of our offerings.  I think this is something that will please today’s smokers.”  Miami Cigar & Company president Nestor Miranda adds, “With the additions of the La Aurora Corojo and the Guillermo León to the La Aurora 107, which debuted earlier this year, we now have more lines directed specifically to the Brick and Mortar stores.  Our goal is to remain committed to the retail operations that are our lifeblood.”

The Guillermo León sports a Habana wrapper grown in Ecuador, over a double binder of both Corojo for strength and Cameroon for sweetness.  The fillers are from the Dominican Republic, Peru, Nicaragua and Brazil.  The Guillermo León will be offered in 4 sizes:  a Corona (5.5 x 42), a Gran Corona (6 x 47), a Belicoso (6.25 x 52) and a Gran Toro (6 x 58).  The MSRP, excluding state taxes,  ranges from $7.60 for the corona to $9.80 for the Gran Toro.

La Aurora Corojo is another new line addition, specifically for Brick and Mortar stores.  The new line will have the same basic flavor profile as our regular La Aurora, except with a touch more strength due to its Corojo wrapper. The rest of the blend is the same as the regular La Aurora with a Dominican binder and Piloto Cubano, Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers.  Initially there will be 5 sizes – Number 4 (5.25 x 43), Robusto (5 x 50), Belicoso (6.25 x 52), Gran Corona (6.5 x 50) and Double Corona (7.5 x 50).  The suggested retail prices, exclusive of state taxes, will range from $5.60 for the Number 4 to $6.80 for the Belicoso or Double Corona.

About Miami Cigar & Company
Miami Cigar & Company, founded in 1989, is the sole U-S distributor of La Aurora brands, Ducados and worldwide distributor of Tatiana, Don Lino and the Nestor Miranda Special Selection.

Like winemakers’ terroir – with its critical contribution to the unique personality of a wine, the precise region and farm where tobacco is grown will ultimately determine the style and character of a premium cigar.

Toraño Family Cigar Company is introducing the first release in its Single Region Series at this August’s IPCPR 2010. The concept highlights the different characteristics of tobaccos grown on individual farms in various regions in the world’s best tobacco-producing countries. Each Serie will feature a blend that is created entirely from tobaccos grown on one carefully selected finca in one particular region. The blend’s flavor and aroma will reflect the influence of the region’s soil, weather and topography. The Toraños then apply their well-known blending artistry to create an in-depth smoking experience that reveals the character of this historic region’s tobacco.

Bruce M. Lewis, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, explains the birth of the concept: “I have always had an interest in the single region concept and how crucial it is to wine and coffee. In early 2008, I suggested to President Charlie Toraño that we experiment with blends of tobacco from only one farm. We soon realized blending such a cigar was not an easy task. Now, however, I know we have truly captured the characteristics and taste profile of tobacco grown in Jalapa.”

The first release, Serie Jalapa, features a blend of tobacco from the El Estero Farm in Jalapa, Nicaragua. This small farm, located in the country’s northernmost growing province, is irrigated by a centuries-old, natural stream on the property. Its mineral-rich water, together with the sandy, red clay soil, enables this farm to grow some of the finest and most aromatic tobacco in the world. Lewis’ tasting notes indicate Serie Jalapa is, “Incredibly rich, complex, layered and with a great presence of sweetness. The blend exhibits good strength that balances well with the rounded, luscious flavor.”

Charlie Toraño adds, “I am inviting all IPCPR attendees to stop by our pavilion (booths 2501, 2503, 2505, 2600, 2602, 2604) to experience the Serie Jalapa, available exclusively to brick-and-mortar retailers.”

Single Region – Serie Jalapa’s three sizes are: 5″ x 52 Robusto, 6″ x 54 Toro Grande and 7″ x 50 Churchill, with a suggested retail of $6.50-6.95. The cigars will appear on tobacco retailers’ shelves immediately after the August show, alongside the company’s equally revolutionary new blend, Master by Carlos Toraño.

A leader in the cigar industry, Toraño Family Cigar Company is a four-generation company. It enjoys a rich heritage and history in tobacco growing and manufacturing.

For starters if you’re not Jewish then let me translate the Yiddish phrase in the title: it means “pretty face”.  Now down to business….

What does it take to sell cigars and be successful? Certainly I don’t think there exists one right answer to this question, but I feel there are multiple wrong ways to go about it and despite supposed progress in society, in the marketing and retail world of it all we’re still stuck in the 1920s.  It is no surprise that over the last few years there have been groups formed for female cigar lovers and even female cigar makers who are part of the storied traditions of their own tobacco families, but what is to be said for success??

Maybe one day I will have my own line of cigars, but for right now I’m content selling them, writing about them, and teaching classes on them.  Besides my own place of employment I frequent the smoking lounges here in New York and for the most part no matter where I go people know me or know of me.  On the flip-side I encounter men on a semi-regular basis who think nothing of me simply because I’m a woman: they pass me over when I offer to assist them while I’m working, they make wisecracks about me being female and address cigars as something phallic, or in certain cases they write me off despite colleagues saying out loud that I am the cigar expert on premises.  Since I am not a man I cannot claim to think like one,  but I have to imagine men who don’t know me automatically think that I must know nothing because cigars are a “guy thing,” or worse yet,  hit on me because they think I’m pretty and show me no respect.  Personally I think the finger should be pointed in a clear direction: marketing.

While the number of instances of random negativity towards me in this industry decreases on a regular basis, there will always be ignorance and backwoods thinking no matter how many ways I choose to prove myself as an equal (if not a superior in some cases) in this male-oriented business.  I am proud to see a larger number of women working in the cigar industry in all mediums and I am elated when a woman comes to me to assist her in securing smokes and displays a desire to learn about tobacco on her own accord.  I am far from a feminist so don’t call me Gloria Steinem, but why must this industry always resort to using a pretty young girl to sell a product?

One avenue where I think marketers go awry today is that they discount the motives of the cigar smoker: even occasional smokers today are rather passionate about their tobacco and participate in forums, social media networks, etc., spending sometimes their entire day conversing about cigars. Those that label themselves as “cigar lovers” nowadays are interested in learning about the process and why their favourite stick has become their favourite — these are not people who flip open any number of  magazines and choose their next smoke based on the girl in the ad. These people also don’t attend events at their local B&M because of the cigar models, either, but rather they like the featured brand or want to meet its manufacturer or simply want to take advantage of event pricing.  Cigar models are simply that — models — and are not hired based on their product knowledge, especially since many of the ones I have encountered over the years don’t even smoke.

Forget the lesser-respected brands that are poorly made bargain smokes for the non-discerning palate (because if you’re on the retail side as a proud tobacconist you’re not interested in that crowd), but what happens when a major label manufacturing cigars you love resorts to the “sex sells” philosophy? New labels seem to be popping up left and right; and while many are doing their best to make a dent in the marketplace, there are some that I think are not only going about it unfairly, but taking the cheap route by using a young model to tout their product.  Part of me wonders what goes through the mind of cigar manufacturer who suddenly decides to abandon their traditional advertising in lieu of a girl wearing a bikini or a mini-dress partying it up in Miami with an unlit cigar in her hand: do these people really think consumers are that dumb and easy?!

I think the same rule for packaging versus quality can be said for a cigar’s advertisement in a magazine: the prettier the parcel the lesser the quality.  Ratios in this world are far from perfect, so why overcompensate?

MIAMI, July 19 /PRNewswire/ — Camacho Cigars, a key player in the international cigar market, and Bayer CropScience, the world’s leader in crop science and crop protection, have signed a working partnership under the Bayer Food Chain Management program. With this new alliance, Camacho Cigars has become the only tobacco company in history to be in compliance with strict international standards for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). By complying with the practices set forth by Bayer CropScience, Camacho Cigars ensures the responsible management of natural resources, bio-friendly pesticides, industrial safety, and biosecurity. The Food Chain Partnership is the first of many steps in Camacho’s plan for a higher level of social responsibility and it’s furtherance in manufacturing the highest quality cigars in the world.

On June 29, 2010, Camacho Cigars and a team of Bayer executives welcomed select members of international media to visit their tobacco fields at Rancho Jamastran and cigar factory in Danli, Honduras. Following the daylong tour of Camacho’s operations, a press conference was held at Las Lomas where the partnership was officially signed. “It’s an amazing feeling being the world’s first tobacco company to have partnered with Bayer CropScience. After five years of adopting Bayer’s standards for good agricultural and manufacturing practices, the official signing of this collaborative makes all of us very proud. It’s incredible to see the practices that have been implemented so far and the effects it’s had on the culture and day-to-day lives of the people that work for us in Honduras,” said Christian Eiroa, President and CEO of Camacho Cigars.

As the newest member under the Bayer Food Chain Management program, Camacho Cigars joins the likes of companies such as Heinz, Nestle, and KRAFT; all of which, comply with the same standards.

About Camacho Cigars

Founded in 1961 by Simon Camacho, Camacho Cigars was acquired by the Eiroa family in 1995. Now part of the Oettinger Davidoff Group, Camacho Cigars is one of the key players in the international cigar market. The flagship Camacho brand, made at Rancho Jamastran in Danli, Honduras, is comprised of (11) premium and super-premium line extensions: (Super-Premium: Diploma, 10th Anniversary Corojo, Liberty Series, Triple Maduro™, Select)(Premium: Corojo, Connecticut, Coyolar, Havana, SLR and Room101). Camacho Cigars also has (7) core brands, including Baccarat “The Game”, America’s #1 selling premium cigar. www.camachocigars.com

About Bayer CropScience: Science For A Better Life

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, nutrition and high-tech materials. Bayer CropScience AG, a subsidiary of Bayer AG with annual sales of about EUR 6.4 billion (2008), is one of the world’s leading innovative crop science companies in the areas of crop protection, non-agricultural pest control, seeds and plant biotechnology. The company offers an outstanding range of products and extensive service backup for modern, sustainable agriculture and for non-agricultural applications. Bayer CropScience has a global workforce of more than 18,000 and is represented in more than 120 countries. http://www.bayercropscience.com

Press Release from the Toraño Family, 15 July 2010:

The Toraño Family, makers of some of the finest cigars in the world, is proud to announce that effective August 1st the family will distribute its own brands. To add to this exciting news, Toraño launches a new company name, a new logo and two retail exclusive cigar brands.

The company name is changing from Toraño Cigars to Toraño Family Cigar Company to truly capture the family legacy and emphasize that this is a family-owned company. The taking over of its distribution is the result of the family’s decision to enhance its personal relationships with the trade and consumers.

“We are energized and excited to be announcing these positive changes,” said Charlie Toraño, the company’s president.

The new logo, which combines a contemporary, yet classic look, is symbolic of the company’s new direction, one which will focus on the introduction of innovative cigar brands, unique blends and building a strong Toraño Family Cigar community.

“We recognize the value of building communication,” Charlie said. “There’s no better way to reach cigar smokers and the trade than through social media, the Internet, the use of viral campaigns and the personal touch and interactions at cigar events that only the family can provide.”

The IPCPR in New Orleans will be the platform for the unveiling of Master by Carlos Toraño and Single Region, two retail exclusive brands. The company is also offering a value priced bundle cigar named Brigade.

“I am looking forward to seeing everyone at our upcoming annual trade show and personally showing all of the changes which are taking place,” Charlie said.

A leader in the cigar industry, Toraño Family Cigar Company is a four-generation company currently based in Miami, Florida. It enjoys a rich heritage and history in tobacco growing and cigar manufacturing.

For media inquires and interviews, please contact Bruce M. Lewis at: info@torano.com or via phone at: 305.661.9121.