An Important Message from Pete Johnson
A message from Pete Johnson:
I wanted to write everyone a quick note and touch on some of the concerns revolving around the Tatuaje Drac and Tatuaje Boris Halloween cigars. Please understand that these are big concerns of ours also and we want to assure everyone there is an easy solution.
First: The cigars were finished months ago but the box maker in Nicaragua was delayed and was not able to finish both the Drac and Boris boxes until right before the release. Unfortunately for us, this is a themed cigar that needed to arrive at the retailers before October 31st. We in no way were trying to rush production just to move product. A Halloween cigar released after October 31st doesn’t make much sense. Due to the late production of the boxes, the boxes had very little time to air out the paint smell that comes with any lacquered cigar box. Once the cigars were packed, wrapped in cellophane and shipped to our office in California, the box locked in that smell. The boxes were dry but still contained the smell of fresh paint. The only way to avoid this is let the box sit open for a few weeks before packing the cigars in the box. As long as the cigars are out of the box the smell will dissipate and will not affect the flavor of the cigar.
I recommend to everyone that was able to acquire a box, to open the box first to see if they found a spooky ticket and then to remove the cigars and store them in your humidor. The box should be left out of the humidor for a couple of weeks to air out. This smell will go away. I understand that some people want to keep their boxes intact but this is the best way to resolve any questions or concerns about the smell.
Second: A few people have contacted me about broken cigars. This is something that is hard to control due to shipping and the handling of the individual cigars. As far as we know, the cigars did not leave the factory broken in any way but with the delicate nature of the wrapper leaf, it could have been something we missed during the packing stage or something that happened after it left our offices.
I recommend to everyone that was able to acquire cigars, to examine your cigars carefully. If you see any cigars that are broken in any way that you believe will be unsmokable, do not cut, light or smoke them. Please contact us immediately by email and we will arrange replacement cigars with the retailer that you purchased the cigars from. We will only replace them as long as the cigars are complete and we will need to receive the damaged cigars before we can replace them. Unfortunately, we are not able to replace cigars that have been cut, lit or smoked.
Thank you again for you loyal brand support and for enjoying our products. We strive to be perfect in every way for our customers and want to apologize to all that may have concerns with this year’s release.
Sincerely,
Pete Johnson
Tatuaje Cigars Inc.
7518 W Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90046
pete@tatuajecigars.com
Tags: Drac, Halloween, Pete Johnson, Tatuaje
CigarFest 2009 This Weekend
May 2, 2009 News
It’s that time again.
This weekend marks the beginning of CigarFest 2009.
From CI’s website:
Much to the delight of thousands, CigarFest® is back – the King Kong of all cigar herfs! Where else can you meet over 30 of the biggest makers and manufacturers in one day while sampling their finest blends? In case you missed the previous five CigarFest events, you’re in for a memorable treat. Before stepping foot on the event floor, we’ll be greeting you with a commemorative humidor stuffed to the gills with 20 premium cigars, a commemorative ashtray, and other goodies….already you’ve covered the cost of admission. Then the floor is yours to access 30+ additional cigars, micro-brew samples, liquor samples, live music, a down-home BBQ, raffle prizes out the wazoo, and 2,500 fellow members of CI Nation having a grand old time.
CigarFest is one of the best and most exciting cigar-related events of the year. There is more of an emphasis on the consumer than there is at the larger IPCPR show. For those of you lucky enough to have tickets, please send us your images of the weekend.
Tags: CigarFest, CigarInspector.com, Convention
Obama to Loosen Cuba Restrictions
Apr 14, 2009 News
The Obama administration announced today it is lifting travel and remittance restrictions on Cuban-Americans and taking steps to spur telecommunications with the island nation.
The move comes just four days before the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago is set to start.
Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Cuban-American families can now freely travel to visit relatives in Cuba, and that limitations on money transfers are abolished, effective immediately.
According to Newsweek, Gibbs described the major shift in policy as “reaching out to the Cuban people.”
The press secretary also announced that the president was permitting U.S. telecommunication companies to apply for business licenses in Cuba. Gibbs said the president specifically encouraged companies to focus on strengthening cell phone, Internet, radio and satellite television technologies between the United States and Cuba.
From CigarAficionado.com
