Weekly news week 15 2020

Weekly news week 15 2020. The week started with a great initiative from the Dutch cigar distributor Longfiller Company. That distributor and 7 of the suppliers started an initiative to help Dutch retailers during the Covid-19 pandemic. And Episode 11 of Soil to Soul was published on our front page.

Reviews and more

As usual, two reviews were published. Coincidentally two cigars blended by the Belgian agricultural engineer, author and cigar maker Didier Houvenaghel. He blended the Robert Graham 145th Anniversary Robusto for the Scottish retailer. And on Friday, we published a review of the Nicarao Especial 2015 Reserve Robusto. An aged, rare, and limited cigar from Nicaragua.

Coronavirus

The coronavirus is holding the world hostage, and that includes the cigar industry. Several factories in Nicaragua remain closed. The same goes for the Dominican Republic, although at least two factories for premium hand-rolled cigars are planning to open again next week. Not in full capacity though, but still. The factories in Honduras remain closed. Costa Rican factories closed the doors, partially because of the Holy Week, but also to stop spreading the virus. Yet, most Costa Rican factories are expected to open again next week. And Davidoff postponed the release of four new cigars until further notice. Those cigars are the Avo Classic Maduro and the Avo North & South. The other brand affected is Camacho, with the Honduran made Camacho Nicaragua and the Camacho Liberty release being postponed indefinitely.

But it’s not all bad news. The cigar industry is coming together to support retailers. We mentioned the Dutch brothers of the leaf versus coronavirus initiative. But Room 101 and La Palina teamed up for a Retail Care Package. A sampler of ten cigars, five from La Palina and five from Room 101, a wine bottle opener and raffle tickets for an online event later in April. And now it’s time for coffee, Jessi’s blend coffee.

Zoom gatherings

There are plenty of virtual herfs being organized. Light ‘Em Up lounge does three a week. Davidoff Distributors U.K. has a series of virtual herfs planned. Then there is the ISO Lounge from Unico Desde 1979. Fuente & Meerapfel host a daily show on Zoom. If we see any virtual herfs from any company or group, we will publish the poster for that online event on the Facebook page.