Olympic Ladies Celebrate Right!

If I had a cigar, I’d light one up for them, and put a torch to overblown political correctness. It’s not often someone wins an Olympic gold medal. They’re adults, and they did it after the audience had left. [Source]

Habanos S.A. Pitches to Women

Habanos S.A. executives said on Monday sales fell 8 percent to $360 million in 2009, so they have created the Julieta, a smaller, milder version of the Romeo y Julieta cigar, aimed specifically at female smokers. [Source]

Obama's New Cigar Tax Might Just Kill Miami's Torcedores

Before he fled to Miami last year, Gonzalez spent 53 years honing his cigar-rolling technique at Havana's legendary H. Upmann factory, where he landed his first job at age 14.

Like thousands of others across South Florida, he now earns a living in the heart of America's cigar industry, where some experts estimate 75 percent of the nation's 272 million hand-rolled cigars originate every year.

Enjoy it while it lasts. Miami's cigar-makers are scrambling to survive past April 1, when President Obama's new State Children's Health Insurance Plan takes effect -- and brings with it a 900 percent tax increase on every single cigar made or imported to the States. [

You Can Call Me Ray...

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Friday, December 05, 2008

The artist formerly known as Mista Swissher Sweet needs a new stage name.

Jontae Green, an Austell rapper, said this week that he will drop his old moniker after being sued by Swisher International, which bills itself as the world’s largest cigar maker.