James Giehm

Episode 166: Brian Desind of Privada Cigar Club

James and Jimmy welcome Privada Cigar Club owner and founder, Brian Desind, back to the podcast. The two catch up with Brian and find out what he, Privada Cigar Club, and the LCA have been up to. Brian discusses being passionate about cigars and the industry, as well as being good at marketing. Brian talks…

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Cigar Review: Micallef Green Toro

Micallef Cigars has released another cigar in their color series, the Green. Their color series began in July of 2023 with the release of the Micallef Black. The Red, Blue, and Purple followed over the next two years. The Green is rather special for fans of the Micallef brand, as it sees the return of…

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Episode 165: Cigar Media in Crisis?

James, Jimmy, and Tim opine on the recent news of How Bout That Cigar, a cigar media outlet, closing their business. What does this mean for the cigar industry? What is “cigar media?” Who’s responsibility is it to define “cigar media?” The three give their opinions and thoughts on what all of this means for…

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Cigar Review: Sobremesa Solita Red from Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust

Way back in November of 2024, Steve Saka and Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust announced thy would be adding yet another cigar to the Sobremesa line: Solita Red. I have loved the Sobremesa line; in particular, my favorites are the Wagashi and the Brulée Blue. To say I was excited to see how the new blend…

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Episode 164: Zack Van Ginkel of HDA Cigars

James and Nick welcome Zack Van Ginkel of HDA Cigars to the program. The trio discuss how Zack and his business partner, Andray, got into the cigar industry. We find out that Zack is a good ‘ole Iowa boy who is making his way in the cigar industry. We discuss Iowa retailers and retailers in…

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Cigar Review: Kintsugi Wabi Sabi from Alec Bradley

Back in 2020 Alec Bradley released the Kintsugi under the Alec & Bradley line of cigars. At the time, it was my favorite Alec Bradley cigar. Fast forward to August of this year and Alec Bradley is owned by Forged Cigar Co., a General Cigar company, the Alec & Bradley line does not seem to…

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Episode 163: Jimmy Dailing

With Nick Syris on vacation, James welcomes Jimmy Dailing to the show. In addition to being a reviewer at simplystogies.com, James announces that Jimmy is a new host at Simply Stogies Podcast. Jimmy also manages a brick & mortar called The Drawing Room in Davenport, Iowa. The duo discuss the cigar industry, cigar lounges, the…

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Cigar Review: Devil Crab from West Tampa Tobacco Co.

If you live outside of Tampa, Florida you may not be familiar with what “Devil Crab Tampa Style” is. I know I certainly had no idea what it was. Thanks to Google’s AI, I now know what it is: “A Devil Crab Tampa Style is a hand-held, football-shaped fritter filled with a spicy crab and…

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Cigar Review: Avowed The Vow: Higher Calling

What makes a “limited edition” cigar special? Is it the just the rarity of the blend? Is it the low numbers produced? Or is it a clever marketing ploy designed to feed into American consumerism? I don’t know the answer; and God knows there’s enough “limited edition” cigars out there that are anything but limited….

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Episode 162: Aaron Paoletta of LaVega Cigars

James and Nick welcome Aaron Paoletta of LaVega Cigars to the show. Aaron tells us how he went from culinary school, to chef, to music producer, to a heavy metal band, and then the cigar industry. We discuss LaVega Cigars, The LaVega lounge, the industry, and Aaron’s views on all of it. We find out…

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