Just read about this on Nice Tight Ash.

A new bill has come up before the Maryland legislature that would greatly harm all of the tobacconists (and by extension, cigarsmokers) in the state. House Bill 88 would, among other things, restrict tobacconists to purchasing cigars solely from in-state distributors. This would increase the wholesale cost of cigars to the retailers, who would be forced to pass the cost onto you, the consumer. Please take action, and tell your representatives to oppose HB88.

This sounds a lot like the tangled web of legislation that keeps wine from being purchased and shipped across some state lines. Because of this, citizens in several states can’t mail-order specialty/limited-run wines that aren’t found in their local retailers. This has to be stopped now for cigars or we’ll have to fight our way back up the mountain.

Update: Here is a link to HB88 details on the Maryland General Assembly website.

“I was here last winter; One of the days I was here it was 3 below zero, no wind chill. A little nippy. It’s kind of fun though in that weather, goin’ outdoors watching smokers pass out, ’cause they don’t know when they’re done exhaling.” -Bill Hicks One Night Stand in Chicago

  Being nestled in the snowy embrace of New England, I have had my outdoor smoking routine severely imposed upon. Whether it be snow, rain, or just being damn cold out, I can’t utilize my private cigar sanctuary in the sky. I know the first response to hearing this would be something on the lines of “Get off your ass and go down to the god-damned smoke shop” and I couldn’t agree with that more and I have several excellent options here Providence RI including B&M’s and bars. I know, I’m lazy, but hey most of those places close down before I’m ready to go out for a good smoke.

  One thing however that has been a shining ray of hope is the ridiculously warm one-off days every now and then. During some of these warm days I’ve been able to break away and really take in the fresh air by lighting up one of the many sticks that I’ve been eye-balling while I wait for spring. Some that have been particularly good on these days are Opus X Power Ranger, CAO Brazilia Amazon, Cruzado Dantes Robusto (new brand from Dion Giolito) and an Anejo No49 (yeah the big one!).

  There is something I wouldn’t mind knowing from you though. Yes, you, the reader. How do you cope with the winter cold taking away your ability to smoke outside and what have you been smoking this winter? Also spring is right around the corner, anything special planned for the “Spring Opener”?

  On February 4th, President Obama signed a bill reauthorizing the State Children’s Health Insurance Program to provide health insurance for children in need. On the surface this doesn’t sound like a bad idea, but lurking in details of how to pay for this new insurance coverage is an increase on tobacco taxes effective April 1, 2009. The new tax for “Large Cigars” is going to be 52.75% of manufacturer’s price with a cap of 40.26 cents. This is a considerable increase from the previous 4.8 cent cap, but this is a lot better than the proposed $3 cap from 2007.

Read more about this:

• IPCPR Legislative Action Center
• Obama Signs SCHIP @ CigarWeekly
• SCHIP Cigar Tax Increase to be Unveiled Today @ Stogie Guys

  To catch everyone up, our goal is to find a good dog walker cigar. We’re looking for a low priced—quality cigar that can be and will be enjoyed while taking the dog for a walk at night.

Oliva Nub 464 Habano

  A truly unique cigar, Nub is the brainchild of Sam Leccia, a former Oliva sales rep, and Jose Oliva. The theory behind the Nub is that the “sweet spot” on a cigar is somewhere between 3.5 – 4 inches. So with that in mind, they experimented with hundreds of different sizes in that range and came up with a short, thick cigar that contains as much tobacco as anything you’re used to, and will probably smoke just as long. The 464 Habano is a Nicaraguan puro at 4″ long with a 64 ring gauge and a torpedo shape.
Official Nub Habano page

Oliva Nub 466 Cameroon

  Another Oliva Nub, but featuring the Cameroon wrapper this time. Arguably the Nub’s inclusion could contrast some of the search criteria, but I needed an excuse to really try these cigars out. Also, I view the Nub as the highpoint of these comparisons and it will serve as a good benchmark for the rest of the cigars. The 466 is a 4″ long 66 ring gauge box pressed torpedo with a Nicaraguan filler and binder beautifully wrapped in Cameroon tobacco leaf.
Official Nub Cameroon page

Cupido Criollo Revolucion

  Allegedly the “Best Cigars in the World”, the Cupido Criollo Revolucion is a box pressed 5 x 50 Nicaraguan puro from Cuban Crafters. This cigar came to me recommended by a friend as he would use this as his “friendly give-away” at parties.
Official Cupido page

Oliva Serie G 4.5 x 50

  Recognized as one of Cigar Aficianado’s best cigars for 2006, the Serie G is yet another well received cigars from Oliva. Featuring both a Nicaraguan filler and binder with an African Cameroon wrapper. I would often overlook this series in favor of the bigger named (and bigger priced) Serie O and Serie V relatives, but I think this habit might be proven to be a long standing error on my part. I’m not saying the Serie G will replace his bigger name brothers, but why not buy an O and G or a V and G together.
Official Oliva Serie G page

Flor De Oliva Gold

  Started in 1996, the Flor De Oliva line is another cigar from the Oliva family. This cigar features Nicaraguan filler with a “golden” Connecticut seed wrapper. This came to me as a second-hand recommendation. This low-priced often bundled cigar boasts premium quality at discount prices (summarized marketing speech from most internet retailers). Lets hope the tales are true, because at these prices I could smoke these for a month for the same price as one tank of gas.

Punch Double Maduro Rothschild

  A beautiful smoke at a phenomenal price, the Punch Double Maduro Rothschild is 4.5″ long and has a 50 ring gauge. As the name describes the Double Maduro Rothschild has a beautiful Honduran maduro wrapper with fillers from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Honduras. This cigar comes into the “dog walker” experiment with a leg up on the competition, no pun intended. This is already the standard and expected cigar for any dog walking activities while the Cigars Everyday group is together. Can’t wait for an excuse to smoke another one.

  So these are the contenders and I must say I have a big task ahead of me. It is my privilege, no my responsibility to smoke as many of each of these cigars as I can. This is an Oliva heavy list of cigars, but with the Cupido, a boutique brand, and the Punch, an old standard, I think this should prove to be an interesting project. Now excuse me, I should take the dog out.

  Not too often will we stray so far off topic, but the first Tuesday of November is an important day in America. I don’t care what party you’re affiliated with, which of the candidates you’re going to vote for or how much you’re sick of hearing about it. Go Vote. The US Government was intended to be a participatory government and election day is everyone’s chance. Even if the Presidential race doesn’t matter to you, there are Senate races, House races and other state and local issues that you can weigh in on. So put down your manwich and go vote. While you’re out you might as well stop by your local B&M and pick up a cigar. Keep it topical and light up a CAO America, or just get one of your favorite go-to smokes.

  The search for balance between quality and frugality can be quite difficult in these trying and troubled times. As cigar enthusiasts we have the responsibility (and fortune) of enjoying high quality smokes, but at what point can you draw the line to separate your “top shelf” stock from your everyday sticks. In an imaginary perfect world I would smoke a couple Anejo Reserva No. 55’s a day, and what a world that would be. Unfortunately though cigars like that are usually reserved for special occasions and really bad days at the office. Even your “everyday” premium cigars can help drain your money bags quicker than you realize.

  With this mindset I have come up with an interesting quest suited for the Blog Of The Leaf. The search for a high quality “dog walker”. Now I know the term dog walker already has some negative connotations in the cigar world, but I’m taking a more literal viewpoint with this. I want a low priced—high quality cigar to smoke while walking my dog at night. Below are the guidelines that I’ll be using in this search.

1. The cigar has to be considered a fine cigar/quality cigar. Any asshole can buy a three-pack of Philly Blunts or Lysol flavored Dutch Masters, but we’re not animals so we’re not going to travel that path.
2. The first half of the cigar should be the dominant half. At any point this cigar can fall in a puddle, down a sewer drain or into a pile of my dog’s fresh work. It shouldn’t be a catastrophe if the smoke is cut short.
3. In constrast, the second half shouldn’t be painful or pointless. I should be able continue the cigar to completion, with or without a glass of scotch.
4. The price should be south of the $5 line.

  This is my mission for the next couple months or until the new england nights get too cold. Stay tuned, I expect to have the first list of contenders ready and hopefully in-hand for next week.

Edit: The Contenders have been announced.