James Giehm

Episode 53: A Conversation with GSTN Cigar

I visit Capital Cigar Lounge in Lincoln, Nebraska to sit down and talk with Jeff Gaston. Jeff is the owner and founder of GSTN Cigar, who makes quality wood ashtrays for every budget and every need. Jeff and I discuss how he started his cigar journey and what led him to start GSTN Cigar. We…

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Cigars and Coffee Episode 16: CAO Mortal Coil and Cafe Bustelo

James and Tim are at David’s Fine Tobaccos in Clive, Iowa and take the CAO Mortal Coil through its paces while sipping some Cafe Bustelo Coffee. The pair discuss a new show on the Creative Brain Candy Media Cooperative, how we carry our cigar accessories, the cigar industry’s use of social media, and our thoughts…

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Cigars and Coffee Episode 15: Be Bright Coffee Honduran Pacayal and a Rocky Patel Number 6

James and Tim return to David’s Fine Tobacco with the Honduran bean Pacayal Coffee from Be Bright Coffee (not a sponsor), and pair it with a Rocky Patel (not a sponsor) Number 6. We talk about the tasting notes from both, how well they pair together, and finally give a score for both the coffee…

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Episode 52: Talking Shop with Evan from The Blend Newsletter

This episode I chat with Evan, the founder of The Blend Newsletter, via Zoom and we discuss his cigar journey, how he fell in love with cigars, how the global pandemic helped him find his passion for the leaf, and how he curates the newsletter each week. We end up talking about what it’s like…

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Cigar Review: Casdagli’s Enigma Solves the Mystery of a Truly Special Experience

Who doesn’t like a good mystery? Near the end of 2019, When I sat down with Jeremy Casdagli, founder of Casdagli Cigars, one of the last things he mentioned on the podcast was two new cigars coming the following year (2020) called the Cypher and the Enigma. The blends would be undisclosed and left up…

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Cigar Review: Casdagli Cigars Mareva Spalato No. 2 Is Worth the Price of Admission

The Casdagli Cigars Mareva Spalato No. 2 is the regular production follow-up release to the original limited production Mareva Spalato. The Mareva Spalato No. 2 was blended by Master Blender Hendrik Kelner Jr. and originally rolled in the Kelner Boutique Factory in November 2019 and the tobaccos used are all aged at least three years….

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Episode 51: Chatting at the Drawing Room QC

I visit the Drawing Room QC and chats with two of the owners, Eric Norton and Shale Sage. The trio discuss the cigar community and rich cigar history in Davenport, Iowa, the cigar industry, how cigar manufacturers sell cigars to B&Ms, and how Eric and Shale started their cigar journeys. They also discuss opening a…

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Cigar Review: Ninjaragua from Joya de Nicaragua and Cigar Dojo Is All Gimmick

The Joya de Nicaragua Ninjaragua is the latest collaborative effort from Cigar Dojo. The Ninjaragua is a Nicaraguan puro that features a dark, rich Nicaraguan habano criollo wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler. This extremely limited collaboration came with a commemorative challenge coin in the shape of a shuriken, or throwing star. With only 450…

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Cigars and Coffee Episode 13: Celebrities, Cigars, and Coffee

James and Tim sit down at David’s Fine Tobaccos in Clive, Iowa and discuss what celebrities they’d like to have a cigar with. We find out who Tim’s hall pass, how disappointed she must be, and how much better Janus Coffee Roasters Peru Capili Medium Roast is compared to Sam’s Club coffee.

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Episode 50: Sitting Down with Sean David of David’s Fine Tobaccos

I sit down with the third generation owner of David’s Fine Tobaccos in Clive, Iowa, Sean David. Sean and I discuss a wide range of topics that both his customers and cigar aficionados and enthusiasts will find interesting. We talk about the 40+ year history of David’s Fine Tobaccos, what’s changed over that time, and…

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