The middle of the week is here, and we are helping you get over the hump with some new stories from around the cigar industry. We have two nationwide cigar tours to discuss, as well as news on a tobacco-related fire in the Dominican Republic. Wrapping things up is a peek at the new Leaf Restaurant Cigar Bar & Lounge in Pennsylvania.

Forcade Cigars Seminar U.S. Tour 2011

If you’ve loved cigars for a while now or are just getting into the hobby, Forcade Cigars wants to help you immerse yourself into all there is to know about your favorite tobacco treats. The company recently announced the Forcade Cigars Seminar U.S. Tour, which will kick off in September and be held at some of the top tobacco retailers across the United States.

Claudio Sgroi, VP of Sales and Marketing at Forcade, will host each two-hour seminar that promises to be both educational and entertaining at the same time. Sgroi has extensive experience in the cigar industry, working with tobacco master Henki Kelner and Davidoff, as well as other brands prior to obtaining his latest post at Forcade. “People talk a lot about how but not about why, I want to share my passion with all cigar aficionados adding something new in the way we approach cigars,” said Sgroi in the official press release. Company president Christian Forcade explained his reasoning for choosing Sgroi to head up the seminars, stating, “Claudio has a deep experience in the tobacco field and cigar industry, during his stay in the Dominican Republic he acquired a unique knowledge and with these skills he has learned to charm all the attendees.”

Each stop on the tour packs a ton of cigar-related information into its two-hour allotment. The seminar portion will discuss the tobacco plant’s history in terms of its origin and diffusion. The curing and fermentation of tobacco, the art of blending, and cigar construction will also be covered during the seminar. Soon to follow is a tasting session that delves into the aroma, taste, and persistence of cigars. Finally, tips on pairing cigars will be shared, including tasting by association and by contrast. There’s no need to worry if you are a novice, as each seminar will be presented in terminology that’s easy to digest. Once finished, you should have some new knowledge as well as a deeper appreciation for cigars.

As for the company itself, Forcade Cigars are blended by Jaime Garcia, son of Don Pepin Garcia, and handmade at the My Father Cigar Factory in Nicaragua. The company’s history dates all the way back to 1887, and now includes lines such as the Forcade, and the Giralda Natural and Maduro.

For more on the Forcade Cigars Seminar U.S. Tour 2011, visit the Forcade Cigars page on Facebook.