James Giehm

Lounge Review: The Outlaw Cigar Company in Overland Park, KS is a Bucket List Cigar Destination…with a Caveat

I have said before that the Midwest seems to be largely overlooked by the cigar industry. There are a few exceptions, like Up Down Cigar in Chicago or Safari Cigars in Omaha, NE. There are a few in St. Louis that seems to get some love, too. But by-in-large, most cigar shops throughout the Midwest…

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Episode 66: Getting to Know Alec Rubin from Alec Bradley Cigars

I travel to Capital Cigar Lounge in Lincoln, Nebraska and sit down with Alec Rubin of Alec Bradley Cigars. Alec and I discuss what it was like growing up in the industry and his unique cigar journey. Alec describes what it’s like working with family, what he believes makes a cigar manufacturer “boutique,” and his opinions on vitolas…

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Cigar Review: AVO Syncro Caribe Toro Delivers a Taste of the Caribbean

The AVO brand was created by musician and composer Avo Uvezian in the late 1980’s. Uvezian travelled to the Dominican Republic and struck a deal with Hendrik Kelner to blend and eventually distribute the AVO brand. While the brand took off and has done well over the years, it hasn’t been one that I typically…

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Lounge Review: Monte’s Cigar Shop in Albuquerque, New Mexico Sets the Standard in the Southwest

One of the great things about driving to the PCA Trade Show, was being able to stop at cigar lounges throughout my trip. When I got to Albuquerque, New Mexico, I wasn’t sure what I would find. Honestly, Albuquerque isn’t known for its cigar culture…but maybe it should be? Monte’s has been in Albuquerque since…

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Episode 65: Return of the Reinado Empire

I chat, via Zoom, with Antonio Lam of Reinado Premium Cigars. There are things in the world that are more important than cigars and more important than business. Antonio and I discuss one of those things: family. Antonio explains where he has been for the past seven years and the reason for Reinado’s long hiatus…

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Cigars and Coffee Episode 30: The Sobremesa Brûlée Blue at Capital Cigar

James visits Capital Cigar Lounge in Lincoln, Nebraska to sample their restaurant quality coffee from a French Press and review the Sobremesa Brûlée Blue. A delightful pairing that brought out beautiful notes of wood, pepper, and spices.

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Cigar Review: Reinado Cigars Returns with the Grand Apex

For those of you who have been smoking cigars for a few years, the name Reinado Cigars may sound familiar. That’s because between 2010 and 2014 Reinado Cigars was making a name for themselves in boutique cigar circles. Their Core line and Grand Empire Reserve lines were highly rated and well-received throughout the cigar community….

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Episode 64: A Conversation with Andy Sweis of Cedar Room Fine Cigars & Lounge

I am joined via Zoom by Andy Sweis, owner of Cedar Room Fine Cigars & Lounge in Scottsdale, AZ. We talk about how he got into the cigar industry and how it is a family affair for him and his brother. Andy talks about staying on the bleeding edge of boutique cigars and new releases….

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Lounge Review: Cedar Room Fine Cigars & Lounge in Scottsdale, AZ is the Gold Standard of Lounges

Located in a neighborhood center in the DC Ranch area of North Scottsdale, Arizona, sits Cedar Room Fine Cigars & Lounge. Cedar Room is one of the nicest cigar lounges that I have visited. This should come as no surprise and Andy Sweis and his brother, owners of Cedar Room, watched their father own and…

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Cigars and Coffee Episode 28: Joya de Nicaragua Antaño CT and Jintotega Isabelia

James fights the elements and the crickets to review the Joya De Nicaragua Antaño CT and Nicaragua Jintotega Isabelia blend from Janus Coffee Roasters. The JDN Antaño CT is rich medium to medium-full cigar with notes of earth, wood, baking spices, citrus, and leather while the Nicaragua Jintotega Isabelia is a well-blended coffee that helps…

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