Month in Review: February 2011

The month of February, 2011 was one of the most dynamic the Cigar Industry has had in some time.  Given all of the events, I figured now as good a time to do a "Month in Review".   This  (for the most part with an exception or two) will focus on noteworthy events that happened during the month that were explored on Cigar Coop.

I'm debating making this a regular feature on Cigar Coop going forward.  I'll see if this becomes a worthwhile exercise.

Month in Review: February 2011 (in no particular order....)

• The Cigar Industry loses one of its icons in Sal Fontana.   Sal was with Camacho Cigars and was the founder of La Fontana Cigars.
• A memorial service is held in Charlotte, North Carolina for Nathan Saab.   Nathan passed away in January as a result of complications of injuries sustained in a automobile wreck.  If you live in the Southeast, chances are you've run into Nathan at one point or another.
• The Pleasure Police are defeated in Wyoming and in Northern Kentucky.
• Tobcacco enthusiasts take two major defeats as City Councils in Raleigh and New York City pass Outdoor Smoking Bans.  Tobacco Enthusiasts then find an ally in Whoopi Goldberg.
• A group of legislators in New York want to mitigate the impacts of a huge tobacco tax that was implemented last year by capping the New York State cigar tax at $1.00
• Legislators in California are proposing a sweeping Prohibition like Tobacco ban in that state.
• The Great Smoke takes place in West Palm Beach Florida on February 5th.  Some of the cigar-ebrities of the industry decide to have a little fun.
• The ProCigar Festival takes place in the Dominican Republic from February 6th through February 11th.
• Jim Colucci, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Altadis USA announces his retirement.
• Cigar-ebrities Manuel Quesada and Rocky Patel visit the Carolinas.  Quesada comes to Charlotte while Rocky Patel makes an appearance in Greenville, South Carolina.
• Eddie Ortega begins to provide some teasers about the new 601 La Bomba.  
• Nick Perdomo reveals details about his new cigars due out this spring.
• Oliva begins shipments of the Cain Daytona.
• Ashton announced the La Aroma de Cuba Marquis will now be a full-fledged member of the La Aroma line.
• The Davidoff Millennium and La Sirena are smokes that have achieved legendary status in my book.  I enjoyed these this month.