New Cuesta-Ray Cigar
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays are teaming up with America's oldest family-owned cigar company, J.C. Newman Cigar Company, to open the first Cuesta-Rey Cigar Bar at Tropicana Field.

The launch of the Cuesta-Rey Cigar Bar will coincide with the introduction of a new cigar, the Cuesta-Rey Devil Ray cigar. Made especially for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, each Cuesta-Rey Devil Ray cigar will be handmade in the Dominican Republic with Dominican long filler tobacco and wrapped in the finest Connecticut Shade wrapper. This major league cigar is designed for the connoisseur accustomed to the smooth, rich taste and aroma of the finest imported handmade cigars. This cigar will only be available at Tropicana Field.

Taste the Good Life
World Packaging's After-Cigar Refreshers have been formulated to light up a smoker's taste buds with flavorful refreshment, after relaxing with his or her favorite cigar. After-Cigar Refreshers come elegantly encased in unique, European-crafted "clik-clak" tins that open and close in a snap, revealing one of three heavenly flavored bites - Connoisseur Mints, Private Stock Licorice Chips or Havana Coffee Chips. Decorated with artistically illustrated cigar motifs, re-usable tins of After-Cigar Refreshers are perfect cigar- lover's companions.

After-Cigar Refreshers are available in cigar stores, cigar bars and smoke shops with a suggested retail price of $2.00.
For product and distribution information about World Packaging and their various offering go to their Web site http://www.webfuel.com or call World Packaging at 212-644-0447.

Keeping Cigars Fresh
DHS is now working with manufacturers to protect their cigars during transit and storage. During manufacture and aging, the cigar maker can control every aspect of a cigars humidity. Once the box or bundle leaves the protection of the manufacturer it is subject to drying out during delivery to distributors and stores.

DHS has the answer. By replacing the wooden spacer found in many cigar boxes with a DHS unit during manufacture and packaging, the cigars will be protected. The DHS easily replaces the spacer because of its size, 42 ring by 5 inches long. The DHS unit will maintain a constant 72% humidity.

To find out more about the manufacturers program contact DHS at (201) 689-0016, by fax at (201) 251-1752 or by mail at DHS, LLC, P.O.Box 388, Bogota, NJ 07603

Neat Pen
If you need a cigar related promo item for your company, Quill's new Havana pen is perfect. The only Havana product we know of that would last around here more than a day or two.
  The slant top of the pen can carry a custom logo or one of several stock logos at no additional charge. They claim the ink refill lasts twice as long as an ordinary pen. Quill is pitching the product for sales meetings, company aniversaries, employee recognition and special events.

For more info: 401-946-0030

The Cigar 
The author of The Martini, an avid fan of cigars himself, has dedicated this new book to the poetic, historical, and artistic pursuit of this wonderful, timeless passion. Drawing upon examples from art, film, literature, and politics, The Cigar presents a lushly illustrated, fascinating social history which honors the cigar''s origins and development, as well as its sexy and everlasting allure. More than 130 photos, many in color. 

To order just go to Spree.com 

It's cigar time!! 
The phone is ringing off the hook, your delivery hasn’t arrived, your  presentation is in thirty minutes, and ahh just look at that watch. Graceful hands sweeping slowly over a dreamy face, seducing you away from all this madness. Imagine a little time to yourself, enjoying a great cigar. Double-ahh! The Big Butt watch it keeps time and keeps your priorities in line. Now that’s craftsmanship! 

To order one of these beauties, or just to order a catalog, call 1 (800) 363-3995. Visit the Big Butt Cigar Co. at: http://www.bigbutt.com. 

Elegant yet inexpensive humidity control. 
DHS, LLC has introduced a completely new concept in humidity control.  This hi-tech system will maintain 72% humidity in zip locks, freezer size zip locks, travel cases, tupperware type containers and cigar jars.  It can also be used to supplement wooden humidor systems that cannot maintain the ideal 72% humidity.  You can  put cigars in a zip lock with a DHS and leave it in your golf bag so you are always ready to tee off. 
DHS stands for Disposable Humidification System  and the disposable unit is preloaded with a self regulating humidifying solution which maintains 72% humidity automatically for at least thirty days.  All you have to do is take off  the caps and its ready for use. 
Because the DHS is disposable, it is the most economical and safest system you can use.  Just replace every thirty days and you do not have to fuss with messy, sticky liquids.  The suggested retail price is under $3.00. 
Stores or distributors can phone or fax  DHS at (201) 251-1752 or e-mail them via their web site at: http://www.dhscigar.com.

New Cigar
Purofino Cigars International of Santa Fe, NM announces the arrival of their first new cigar in two years, the Purofino DOM. Manufactured in their plant at Danli, Honduras, the new cigar is a blend of aged Conneticut Maduro wrapper and selected Nicaraguan filler and binder. The cigar will come in only one size, corona, and sports a unique roll with a twisted top and shag foot. Those who have tried this new smoke compare it to the best that Cuba has to offer, rich full flavors with a substantial kick. The cigar will be available in very limited quantities at authorized Purofino dealers only. For more information contact Purofino at their web site http://www.Purofino.com.

A new cigar video for women. 
"Cigars 102: For Women Only", the first and only video specifically designed to introduce women to the basics of selecting and enjoying fine cigars.  Cigars are no longer associated with the image of stuffy men's clubs, and the trend among women is to buy and enjoy cigars.Cigars 102, produced by ELN Communications, provides step-by-step guidance that gives women confidence from the moment they open a humidor. 
Cigars 102 is a sequel to the successful Cigars 101, released earlier this year.  The video series is designed to educate the novice, and to eliminate the "millionaire and movie-star mystique" that has traditionally been associated with cigars. 
"Cigars 102: For Women Only" can be ordered by calling 888-Cigar34. Contact ELN Communications at 206-256-0420. 

Habanos S.A. introducing new brand. 
A new Havana brand will be introduced in Spain by Habanos S.A.. The new brand will be named VEGAS ROBAINA, honouring Alejandro Robaina, a famous tobacco grower who lives in the Pinar del Rio region. The brand will start with 5 vitolas. The launch will be in Madrid and Barcelona at the end of May. Distribution will start around the end of September in Spain, and 6 months later in France and the Casa de Habanos shops. 

Vitola names and prices in Pesetas ($1US = 145 ESP) 

The new "Hip flask" gift-box from Armenter. 
Armenter Cigars is introducing two unique sampler boxes made in the shape of a hip flask. Both of these gift-boxes come in cedar with a brass clasp, and can fit in the pocket of a man's jacket. Each "flask" contains five cigars. 
The Reserva #3 contains Armenter's robusto's. They are a 4 5/8" x 50 sized cigar, with a Connecticut shade wrapper, and Ecuadorian and Nicaraguan blend filler and binder. 
The Reserva #4 contains Armenter's Corona's. They are a 5 5/8" x 42 sized cigar, with a Colorado wrapper, and Ecuadorian and Nicaraguan blend filler and binder. 
The "flasks" will be available at Tinderbox stores and at fine smokeshops nationwide by June 1st. The suggested retail price will be $39.50US.