James Giehm

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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Cigar Review: Liga Privada H99 Is a Must-Try Stick From Drew Estate’s Prestigious Line

Earlier this year Drew Estate announced that the long-awaited Liga Privada H99 would be available at all Drew Estate Drew Diplomat Retail program events held between February 1 and May 12. My “local” lounge, located an hour and half from where I live, just happens to be one of those retailers. So when Habano Cigars…

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Cigars and Coffee Episode 12: I Hate What I’ve Become

James and Tim drink some of Sam’s Club’s best coffee, Member’s Mark Colombian Supremo, while James smokes a Perdomo Habano Connecticut and Tim smokes an Island Jim by Oscar Valladares. The pair discuss legislation that is being introduced in various states around the US, what it means for cigar smokers, and how you can get…

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Cigar Review: Padrón Damaso No. 15 ain’t Your Daddy’s Connecticut

I can remember the first time I tried the Padrón Damaso no. 15 at David’s Fine Tobaccos. I saw them sitting next to the other Padróns and it stood out like a sore thumb. The light Connecticut wrapper next to those deep, rich Maduro wrappers and velvety smooth natural wrappers called to me. The Damaso…

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Episode 49: Chatting with Robin Blue of Blue Smoke ATL

I welcome Robin Blue, founder and creator of Blue Smoke ATL, to the show. Robin and I discuss how she approaches creating her line of cigar pokers, flasks, and key chains. We talk about how she began her cigar journey, what prompted her to start her business, and how women are different cigar smokers than…

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Cigars and Coffee Episode 11: Villa Casdagli Coffee and Tatuaje Havana IV

James and Tim are back and they’re drinking Villa Casdagli Coffee from Coffee People and Casdagli Cigars while smoking a Tatuaje at David’s Fine Tobaccos in Clive, Iowa. The pair discuss how they choose their coffee and cigars, rave about the new Villa Casdagli Coffee from the Coffee People, and how they choose a cigar….

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Episode 48: Cigar Community Round 2 with Keepers of the Flame

I sit down and chat via Zoom with the founder and admin of Keepers of the Flame cigar club, Anthony. We discuss how Anthony got into the cigar hobby as well as his thoughts on boutique cigars, diversity, growth during COVID, his approach to moderating, and the Cigarmageddon contest with the Simply Stogies cigar club….

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Lounge Review: Davenport’s the Drawing Room QC Has a Private Club Feel

Opened at the end of September 2020, the Drawing Room QC is located in downtown Davenport, Iowa in the same building as a distillery. The lounge is cozy and has an old time feel. Humidified cabinets line the walls ending with lockers. The furniture is leather and inviting. The employee is friendly enough. A skylight…

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