James Giehm

Product Review: Les Fines Lames Punch Bracelet® is a Hit and a Miss

The cigar industry sees little innovation when it comes to the actual cigar. It is, after all, nothing more than the rolling of dead leaves. Yes, that is a very simplistic way of looking at what cigars are, but it is essentially the truth. However, the accoutrement that cigar enthusiasts and aficionados use while enjoying…

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Episode 70: PCA Legislative Update with Josh Habursky and Glynne Loope

I am joined via Zoom by the PCA’s Head of Government Affairs, Joshua Habursky, and State Advocacy Director, Glynn Loope. We take a look back at the legislative victories of 2021 and then look forward to the legislative fights coming in 2022. We discuss the how the PCA approaches the Federal Government fights, and the…

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Cigar Review: Cigar Culture’s Hawk by Blackbird Cigar Co. Crash Lands

The Cigar Culture’s Hawk by Blackbird Cigar Co. is, I believe, the first collaborative cigar put out by Blackbird Cigar Co. Released in November of 2021, the Hawk is a box pressed toro that features a Brazilian cubra wrapper over a Mexican San Andrés binder and Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers. It’s a very limited run…

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Quick Review: Guardian of the Farm Apollo

Previous Next Cigar Notes Construction Good Flavor Chocolate, Wood, Baking Spices Strength Medium/Full Enjoyment Good Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo 99 (Jalapa) Binder: Nicaragua Corojo 99 Filler: Nicaragua (Corojo 99, Criollo 98) Length: 6″ Ring Guage: 44 Vitola: Lonsdale MSRP: $8.00 The Guardian of the Farm Apollo is a collaborative effort from Kyle Gellis . . ….

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Cigars and Coffee Episode 35: Turkish Coffee and La Aroma de Cuba Pasión

James visits Habano Cigar Lounge in Davenport, Iowa and reviews their Turkish Coffee and the La Aroma de Cuba Pasión. The La Aroma de Cuba Pasión was released in September of 2021 and this was the first chance I had to try it. How does it do? And how well does it pair with Turkish…

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Cigar Review: Sweep the Leg from Nomad by Ezra Zion is a Solid Hit

If you’ve read my review of the Freakshow from Nomad by Ezra Zion, then you know that Nomad releases can sometimes speak to my inner geek. In this instance, Sweep the Leg scratches that nostalgia itch that Hollywood has figured out we all have. Beyond that, myself and our former content director (Mike Breig) have…

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Episode 69: The One and Only Tommy Zman

I chat, via Zoom, with the one and only Tommy Zman. Tommy “Zman” Zarzeki is a writer, producer, voice actor, humorist, and content creator. While he has worked on projects outside of the cigar industry, Tommy is well-known for his work in the cigar industry. Tommy talks about how he broke into the cigar industry…

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Episode 68: Bonus Episode with Lucas Da Silva of Oxford Cigar Company

I welcome Lucas Da Silva, owner of oxfordcigarcompany.com, back to the podcast. We discuss the state of cigar retail, what it’s like to do business during the second cigar boom, and how Oxford Cigar Company chooses what new cigar manufacturers to carry. Lucas also talks about the current logistical problems plaguing the industry and why…

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Cigars and Coffee Episode 33: Montecristo No. 2 (Cuban) and Three Rivers Coffee Company’s Hotel Bravo

James returns after his bout with COVID-19 and reviews the Montecristo no. 2 (Cuban) while drinking the Hotel Bravo blend from Three Rivers Coffee Company. The Montecristo no. 2 is the quintessential Cuban cigar experience. With notes of coffee, baking spices, barnyard, chocolate, and white pepper, how will James score this classic cigar? Three Rivers…

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Cigar Review: The Warped Chinchalle is a Wonderful First for Warped Cigars

The Chinchalle is a first for Warped Cigars, as it’s the first time they’ve produced a cigar in the Dominican Republic. The Chinchalle also happens to be one of the first cigars produced at Tabacalera La Isla, a factory owned by Hostos Fernandez Quesda. Theses “firsts,” coupled with my love of Dominican grown tobacco, demanded…

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