Everyday can be a holiday if you like enjoying fine cigars, but some holidays are more applicable to cigar smokers than others. The holiday that is (or should be) celebrated the most by cigar smokers is Columbus Day (which will be observed in the U.S. this year on October 13). Yep, back in the late 15th century, old Chris discovered more than just America. Get a taste of cigar history or read a review of the Spanish Galleon cigar, just in time for Columbus Day.

According to Dr. Mitch Fadem, the La Flor Dominicana Cameroon Cabinet No. 5 cigar is one of the smoother smokes from La Flor made in the Dominican Republic with Dominican and Nicaraguan filler, a Dominican binder, and a Cameroon wrapper. To find out more, read Dr. Fadem's full review of the La Flor Dominicana Cameroon Cabinet No. 5 cigar.

Congrats to Flor de Copan cigars (Altadis) for winning this year's annual award from the European Cigar Cult Journal for the Best Brand from Honduras. Flor de Copan cigars are made at the La Flor de Copan factory, located in Santa Rosa de Copan, Honduras. The same factory also produces the St. Luis Rey, Quintero, and Gispert brands of cigars. George Gershel, Altadis U.S.A.’s Executive Vice President – Tobacco (left) and Eric Prias, Vice President Sales/International, accepted the award.

^{Photo Courtesy of Altadis USA}

A Florida jury returned a guilty verdict on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 in State of Florida v. James David Joiner, pending in the Circuit Court of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, Broward County, Florida. The jury found the defendant had violated the federally registered U.S. trademarks of Altadis U.S.A. by vending goods with counterfeit trademarks. After the jury’s verdict was announced, the defendant was immediately remanded into custody and is currently in county jail awaiting sentencing.

According to Altadis, “It is also a major victory for our consumers, because it protects the consumer from unknowingly purchasing counterfeit and inferior products. Altadis U.S.A. remains committed to ensuring that the company’s trademarks are only associated with the cigars it produces under the high standards of quality for which they are known."

UPDATE: On October 6, a Florida judge sentenced James David Joiner Read more...