The judicial order arose out of a lawsuit over the trademarks initiated by Knoxville, Tenn.-based SJI Wholesale, Inc., the former owner and distributor of the brands which is now in bankruptcy. The order reaffirms Judge Dlott's earlier findings in favor of American Western, said Daniel J. Donnellon, attorney for American Western in the Cincinnati, Ohio trademark suit.

The Judge's decision gives American Western the exclusive right to use the trade names and trademarks Celestino Vega, Rum Runner, Island Amaretto, and West Indies Vanilla for cigars, tobacco products, and related accessories in commerce in the United States.

In connection with the order and other bankruptcy proceedings, American Western has also acquired SJI Wholesale's rights to additional trademarks and trade names including Calle Ocho, Free Cuba, and Signature Collection, all former premium cigar brands of the former Caribbean Cigar Co.

In Spain, the second largest cigar market in the world, distributors " although traditionally part of the commercial process " do not promote the product. Instead, they limit themselves to its physical distribution, once another firm has actively promoted it. "We have a very strong relationship with both our distributor, McLane Espa-a S.A., and our promotional company, WorldTobacco," states Toraño.

Under an exclusive sales agreement, WorldTobacco sells only Toraño cigars in Spain, and is presently focusing its efforts on the Reserva Selecta and Carlos Toraño Nicaragua Selection lines. The company, headquartered in Madrid, is headed by Jose Manuel Correa. Ten full-time salesmen cover the entire country.

"Our family's company has made a huge investment to establish our name in Spain," reports Toraño, "but it is already bringing in returns that exceeded our expectations."

The association with WorldTobacco became effective last January, and is fully operational now, with product, distribution, and a sales force in place.

"This move will help us serve the Western Region customers more effectively as we continue to increase distribution," says Alfred Berger, president of AWC. This new sales division will be managed by Renee Wagner, newly appointed for the western region, and will be opened from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Pacific Standard Time.

The kit concept allows customers to select from 20 variations of three different wrapper tobaccos: Nicaraguan shade- and sun-grown Connecticut; Criollo 98; and Corojo 99. Cuban expatriate Pedro Martin, a 60-year veteran of the industry and master blender, has created two blends, depending upon which wrapper the customer chooses. "With so many wrapper and blend combinations, we could provide 15 tobacconists in the same city with private brands, and no two would be the same," says Martin's daughter Maria Martin, sales and marketing manager for Tropical. "Our customers will love the quality and flavor of these blends."

The broad scope of the program also allows customers to choose from six classic shapes: Toro, Robusto, Churchill, Corona, Torpedo, and an 8 1/2 x 52 Viajante. Packaging options are equally varied. "The customer can choose from 58 different die-cut bands," states Ms. Martin, "and has every color of the rainbow available, as well as embossed and foil bands. They can provide us with their artwork, or our graphics house can design the artwork for them."

The choice of boxes is also extensive, and encompasses 25 different shapes, sizes, and designs. Most are cedar, and include different finishes, gift packs, Cuban edge-taping, acrylic see-through lids, and more. The company can also stamp the customer's name and logo on the boxes.

The program was facilitated by Tropical's recent merger with Aganorsa, one of the largest tobacco growers in Central America. The company is a manufacturer of premium cigars in Esteli, Nicaragua. This alliance gives Tropical Tobacco access to some of the finest tobacco Nicaragua has to offer. "Aganorsa has several large farms in Esteli and the Jalapa Valley," explains Paul Palmer, vice president and a principal at Tropical, "and this provides us with the many variations in color and flavor that this program offers. The factory has a current production capacity of 40,000 premium cigars a day, so we can fill any customer's needs."

Palmer estimates the average wholesale cost for each box of Tropical's private brand cigars at $25 to $30, including 25 cigars, bands, and boxes. Private brands are also available in bundles, at a slightly lower price. Minimum initial order is 40 boxes or bundles, with lower quantities accepted in subsequent orders. Customers can expect a two -month turnaround from the time of order to shipment.

A prime goal of this new, not-for-profit social organization will be gaining membership in the Comité International des Pipe Clubs (CIPC), says UPCA acting secretary David Bull. As the first national federation representing U.S. pipe clubs, UPCA would then sponsor U.S. teams to participate in international smoking competitions.

The organization will also promote the hobby of pipe smoking, publicize pipe-related events, encourage the formation of local and regional pipe clubs in the U.S., and serve as a liaison between domestic and foreign pipe clubs. UPCA will also seek to promote interest in the art of pipe making by commercial entities, individual carvers, and artisans.

The founding member pipe clubs are The New York Pipe Club, Christopher Morley Pipe Club of Philadelphia, The Chesapeake Pipe Club, Capital Area Pipe Smokers (CAPS), Pocono Intermountain Pipe Enclave (PIPE), and Hudson Valley Pipe Club Exchange.

Membership is targeted primarily to organized pipe clubs in the U.S., with associate memberships available to commercial companies.

UPCA will make its public debut at the 2003 Chicagoland International Pipe & Tobacciana Show, sponsoring the first U.S.-based international pipe smoking competition under international CIPC rules. The event will be held on May 18, 2003.