Snoop Dogg has a line of toys, his own reality show and malt liquor. But can he be the next Jonathan Drew or Rocky Patel?

Probably not, but Snoop’s launched his own line of cigars, called Executive Branch. Its first product will be the Executive Branch Cigarillos, which will go for 99 cents a pouch, with two cigars per pouch.

According to the press release, the cigarillos will feature “premium tobacco from the Dominican Republic,” but at the price point, it remains to be seen. Flavored cigars are also on deck later this year. “Throughout 2012, we plan on releasing new styles and flavors, in which I will be working with their team to make sure all products are up to Snoop Dogg standards,” says “tha Doggfather.”

We’ll see what these standards are; it looks like Executive Branch is the first tobacco product from its parent company, RSL Productions, makers of Snoop Dogg cigarette paper booklets.

If we can get our hands on a pouch, we may follow this up with a review at some point. (For kicks, mostly.) Until then, enjoy some of Snoop’s better work.

- Daniel

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I couldn’t make it to the IPCPR Trade Show this year. So make sure to check out Stogie Guys and Stogie Review for the latest updates on the Trade Show.

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(Miami, Florida) July 15, 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.

Sponsored By: Cigarmony.com Get 5% Off Your Order By Using The Promo Code “CJ2010″

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General Cigar is doing something very interesting with the release of The Benji Menendez Partagas Master Series Majestuoso. A series of events are being held in major cities throughout the United States and they are giving invite codes to several cigar related websites. Unfortunately the nearest event is quite a hike for me. Any ideas on how to convince the wife I need to go to Chicago for a cigar event?

Anyway, each of the codes is good for 50 people per location so if you can make it sign up. You’ll be sent an email 36 hours before the event with details on the location.

Head over to BenjiMenendezSocial.com and enter the code for your city. If you get a chance to attend and get some pictures send them my way. And let us know how the cigar is.

Dallas, TX      Nov. 17, 2009, from 6-8 p.m.    FFD6AF9

Los Angeles, CA Dec. 1, 2009, from 6-8 p.m.     2FA60F6

Las Vegas, NV   Dec. 3, 2009, from 6-8 p.m.     25E5F58

Chicago, IL     Dec. 8, 2009, from  6-8:30 p.m. 15AC33C

New York, NY    Dec. 15, 2009, from 6-8 p.m.    E8F7EC4

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Christian Eiroa of Camacho was recently on FOX News discussing the Cuban Embargo.

Find more videos like this on Social Cigar

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I was forwarded this by Jon over the weekend and thought it was worth posting. Make sure to stop by CAO Cigars to watch for tour dates. Check out the video for the idea and plans for the bike.

Cigar Maker Teams Up With Custom Bike Builder For Year-Long Tour And Giveaway

Nashville, May 18, 2009: CAO, http://www.caocigars.com/ one of the world’s foremost premium cigar manufacturers, announced today that it is partnering with custom bike builder Sucker Punch Sally’s (SPS) to create a truly one-of-a-kind custom CAO-inspired bike.  The bike will tour the United States and ultimately be given away to a lucky winner.

Founded in 2002, SPS has garnered a reputation for their old school no-nonsense style of stripped-down bobbers and choppers, having received industry awards for their “66 Bobber” and “The Traditional” bikes.  Inspired by the CAO America cigar brand, the bobber-style swinger bike will be dubbed “Lady Liberty” and will be adorned with the mantra, “Free To Ride–Free To Smoke.”  “The modernized old school aesthetic of the Sucker Punch style is a perfect fit for our approach toward making cigars,” commented CAO Senior Vice President of Marketing Mike Conder.  CAO Director of Lifestyle Marketing Jon Huber added, “In the coming weeks, viewers will be able to watch a video documentary on the ‘Making of Lady Liberty’ and obtain updates on our schedule of tour dates.”

CAO ‘Lady Liberty’ will tour the United States, visiting 100 retail tobacconists and numerous bike rallies in the coming year.  The custom bike will be given away to a randomly selected winner during a party and ceremony at CAO Headquarters in Spring 2010.

Sucker Punch Sally’s has also created custom motorcycles for such companies as Fender Guitars, Progressive Insurance, and recently completed a project with reality TV star, Ami James.  For more information on Sucker Punch Sally’s please visit www.SuckerPunchSallys.com.

Sponsored By: Cigarmony.com Get 5% Off Your Order By Using The Promo Code “CJ2010″

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Another merger has happened, I can’t say that this one should come as a shock though. Considering the announcement last year regarding CAO taking over sales and marketing for the Torano brands.

Nashville, January 5, 2009:  CAO International, Inc. announced today that Nobel Cigars, a subsidiary of the Scandinavian Tobacco Group (The ST Group), has acquired the cigar factories of the Toraño and Olivas families, known as Latin Cigars Nicaragua and Latin Cigars Honduras, for an undisclosed amount.
The ST Group in Copenhagen, Denmark, is one of the world’s top three cigar companies, having 10 subsidiaries in nine different countries, and owns CAO International, Inc., one of the world’s foremost premium cigar brands.  The ST Group is also the number one pipe tobacco company in the world.  With the acquisition, The ST Group further expands its global position in the premium cigar market.  Latin Cigars Nicaragua and Latin Cigars Honduras, formerly owned by the Toraño and Olivas families, manufactures several renowned brands including CAO and Carlos Toraño.
“Toraño and The ST Group share not only a common passion for tobacco, but also maintain a similar philosophy towards consistent quality and continuous evolution,” said Toraño Cigar President Charlie Toraño.  “My family will remain actively involved in the day-to-day business operations of the manufacturing of Carlos Toraño brand cigars.  Our family will also retain ownership of the Toraño brand, as Carlos Toraño cigars are not part of this deal.  Further, Fidel Olivas and his sons will continue to manage and supervise both factories.  I am excited about the possibility of what we can achieve by combining our generations of tobacco expertise with The ST Group’s vast resources.”  The ST Group President Anders Friis added, “The acquisition reflects The ST Group’s commitment to perpetual growth and deep-rooted dedication to the cigar industry.”
For more information on The ST Group and Carlos Toraño Cigars please visit www.st.dk and  www.toranocigars.com.

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Well the SCHIP is back again. Looks we’ll be seeing a tax increase, but it isn’t nearly as bad as the original.

52.4 percent on large cigars (most premium cigars follow under this federal classification) with a cap of no more than 40 (forty) cents per cigar. This is far lower than the original proposal from the Senate of $10 per cigar and $3 proposed by the House.

While this isn’t as bad at the original tax hike, I still ask that you write your senators and congressmen about it.

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Jon just forwarded me a few details on Cigar Insiders rating of the CAO LX2.

Cigar Insider is the bi-monthly newsletter published by Cigar Aficionado magazine, widely regarded as the ultimate authority on the world of premium cigars.  In a feat unprecedented in the history of the premium cigar industry, this marks the eleventh CAO cigar line to receive a ’90′ or above rating from Cigar Insider and Cigar Aficionado. “LX2 was inspired by the tobaccos from a small, relatively unknown, 140-acre farm outside of Condega, Nicaragua,” said CAO President Tim Ozgener.  “To see our vision for this cigar come to fruition and to be recognized by Cigar Insider like this is truly gratifying and humbling.” Added CAO Chairman Gary Hyams, “CAO strives to produce cigars that are diverse in taste and consistent in excellence; that this is our eleventh brand to receive the benchmark ’90′ rating is a testimony to the hard work everyone has put forth at CAO.”

I’ve had a few of these since they showed up at The Party Source. I’m eagerly awaiting the release of the CAO LX2 Lancero. Read our full review of the CAO LX2 Robusto.

Sponsored By: Cigarmony.com Get 5% Off Your Order By Using The Promo Code “CJ2010″

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C.A.O. continues to keep up with their rock star of the cigar world image. They’ve got the Rock n Rolled Tour going on and will providing the cigars for Hinder’s record release party.

Cutting-Edge Cigar Maker Selected As Exclusive Cigar Sponsor To Hinder Record Release Party

Nashville, October 24, 2008: CAO, one of the world’s foremost premium cigar manufacturers, announced today that it has been selected as the exclusive cigar sponsor to the Hinder record release party to be held at the Hugh Hefner Sky Villa in the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas on October 30.

The multi-platinum recording artists best known for their single “Lips of an Angel” and their penchant for rock ‘n roll debauchery will be celebrating the forthcoming release of their new album, “Take It To The Limit.” CAO joins a short list of ‘rockstar’ brands hand-selected for the exclusive VIP party, including Jagermeister, Le Tourment Vert Absinthe, and a bevy of Playboy Playmates. Invited guests will enjoy CAO America Cigars. “Considering that we’ve been traveling across the country on the ‘CAO Rock N Rolled Tour,’ we didn’t need to think twice about participating in the Hinder record release party; the fit was perfect,” commented CAO Director of Lifestyle Marketing Jon Huber. “Considering the upcoming election, we felt that CAO America was the perfect brand—after all, what’s more American than Rock ‘n Roll, great cigars, and partying in a 40,000-square-foot villa with a dozen playmates?”

In July, CAO celebrated its 40^th anniversary by hosting a party for 3,000 guests at the Palms Casino Resort that featured a performance by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legendary band, Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Sponsored By: Cigarmony.com Get 5% Off Your Order By Using The Promo Code “CJ2010″

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