Cigar Smoker

Cigar Review: West Tampa Tobacco Co. Black Toro

My most recent podcast episode features Rick and Sara Rodriguez of West Tampa Tobacco Co. During our conversation, Rick discussed what it was like going from a “corporate kitchen” (CAO) full of “ingredients” (almost any tobacco he wanted to work with), to a “home kitchen” (WTTC) with few ingredients (limited access to tobacco) to work…

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Episode 90: A Conversation with Rick and Sara Rodriguez of West Tampa Tobacco Co.

This episode, I am joined by the father and daughter team of Rick and Sara Rodgriguez of West Tampa Tobacco Co. The three of us discuss how Rick started his cigar journey, and who taught him to blend and run a cigar company. We talk about their vision for the West Tampa Tobacco Co. and…

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Cigar Review: West Tampa Tobacco Co. White Toro

Rick Rodriguez is a name that most enthusiasts and aficionados have heard of. Rick has had a lot of accomplishments over his 22yrs with General Cigar Co. Learning from such Titans in the industry as E.P. Carillo, Daniel Núñez, and Benji Menendez, Rick took over as “Brand Ambassador” for CAO. There he had a string…

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Cigars & Coffee Episode 72: Chogui Dos 77 and Janus Coffee El Salvador Finca Buenos Aires

Tim is back with another Cigars & Coffee. This time he revisits the Chogui Doss 77 but pairs it with a new coffee from Janus Coffee Roasters that he has not tried, the El Salvador Finca Buenos Aires. Tim did a little fact checking after the episode. Yes, The El Salvador Finca Buenos Aires is…

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Omaha Cigar Co. Blends a Cozy Lounge Experience With Great House Sticks (UPDATED)

Tucked away in a nondescript strip mall on the southeast side of Omaha, the Omaha Cigar Company sits in-between a dry cleaning business and a Korean food restaurant. The small storefront and lack of an eye-catching sign, it’s the kind of cigar lounge that you might pass by and not think twice about. But should…

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Cigars & Coffee Episode 71: Bandolero Clandestinos & Simply Stogies Coffee

James returns to Habano Cigar Lounge in Davenport, Iowa to review the Bandolero Clandestinos Serie C and drink the new Simply Stogies Podcast blend from Janus Coffee Roasters. James reviews the cigar and gives an “unbiased” review of the Simply Stogies Coffee. Try our new Simply Stogies Coffee blend from Janus Coffee Roasters!

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Cigar Review: Los Estoico 54 Maduro from Peter James

John Laurendi, owner and co-founder of Peter James, announced his foray into cigars with his Los Estoico line. Listening to John talk about his cigars, you can hear the passion in his voice. Known for their leather cigar cases, cigars seem like the next logical step for Peter James. The Los Estoico line have a…

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Episode 89 The Cuban Sub-Series: Cuban Soil & More

James is joined by his Cuban Sub-Series host, Nick Syris of LH Cigars, as they discuss what makes Cuban cigars so unique…the soil. Before they discuss the unique properties of the soil in Cuba and the different growing regions around the island, Nick catches us up on some of the news coming our of Cuba….

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Cigars & Coffee Episode 70: Sfumato in C Major and Janus Coffee Ranch Hand

Tim revisits the Janus Coffee Roasters Ranch hand that scored so well in his last episode but this time pairs it with the PCA 2022 show exclusive, the Crowned Heads Sfumato in C Major. The only thing we can hope for is that he pronounces something right at least once.

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Cigars & Coffee Episode 69: Wisdom by King Solomon & Sumatra Mandheling Aged 4 Years

James returns to Habano Cigar Lounge in Davenport, Iowa to smoke and review the Wisdom by King Solomon (Lucky House Cigars) and pair it with Sumatra Mandheling Aged 4 Years from Janus Coffee Roasters. Don’t forget to try our very own coffee from Janus Coffee Roasters!  

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