James Giehm

Cigar Review: Molotov by Dissident Cigars

Dissident Cigars was not a brand that was ever on my radar. It wasn’t a brand that I saw in a lot of shops. From everything that I had heard, Dissident did not have the best relationship with retailers…until December of 2021 when Josh and Cynn Coburn announced that they had purchased Dissident Cigars. I…

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Episode 95: Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 & Cigar Media

Nick and James tackle Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 of 2022. Is it pay to play? Was choosing a Cuban cigar a slap in the face to the non-Cuban (New World) cigar industry? Is it fair to keep out “boutique” cigar brands from their review process? Does James just like to rant? We give our opinions…

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Episode 94: Top 5 Cigars of 2022 and a Look Back

I give you a look back at 2022 and share my Top 5 Cigars of 2022.     YouTube Rumble Janus Coffee Roasters

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Episode 93: The Cuban Sub-Series Finale with Nick Syris

We wrap up our Cuban Sub-Series with our friend, and new Simply Stogies Podcast host, Nick Syris of LH Cigars. Nick and I wrap up our sub-series in a nice big bow by giving you the latest news out of Cuba, and then spend a good amount of time discussing the current state of Cuban…

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Cigar Review: Tatuaje 7th Tuxtla

Those in the know, know that San Andrés Tuxtla (a city in the Los Tuxtla region of the Mexican state of Veracruz) is where most of Mexico’s premium cigar industry is located. This is where Mexican San Andrés comes from. Pete Johnson blended the Tuxtla line to stand up to the strong flavors of the…

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Cigar Review: Matilde Limited Exposure No. 2

I have had the opportunity to smoke a Matilde cigar only a couple of times before lighting up the Limited Exposure No. 2 for this review. Most recently, I was given one at the PCA 2022 Trade Show by Lucas Da Silva of Oxford Cigar Company. I can remember him being very animated about how…

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Episode 92:The Cuban Sub-Series Cohiba’s 55th Anniversary Interview

I welcome Nick Syris, owner and blender of LH Cigars, back to the show. Nick discusses the impact Hurricane Ian had on Cuba. He also lets us know if Cuba has improved since his visit earlier this year. Nick then dives into Cohiba’s 55th Anniversary event in Cuba last month. We focus on his interview with…

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Episode 91: Lucas Da Silva of Oxford Cigar Company

I return from vacation and catch up with Lucas Da Silva, owner of Oxford Cigar Company. We discuss our experience at Grand Cathedral Cigars in Tampa, FL before we jump into the industry. We talk about the Davidoff price increase, inflation, what’s changed since COVID and a whole lot more. Order our coffee blend at Janus Coffee Roasters.

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Cigars & Coffee Episode 74: New Wave & Irish Whiskey Barrel Aged

James returns to Habano Cigar Lounge in Davenport, Iowa and smokes the E.P. CarilloNew Wave. He pairs it with Janus Coffee Roasters Irish Whiskey Barrel Aged coffee.

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Cigar Lounge Review: Grand Cathedral Cigars in Tampa, Florida

Located near the “cigar capital of the world,” Ybor City, Grand Cathedral Cigars opened in May of 2021. Owner Angela Yue renovated an old church into a beautiful cigar lounge complete with member only areas, a walk-in humidor, fully stocked bar, a large patio with outdoor bar service, a koi pond, and plenty of room…

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