James Giehm

Top 10 Cigars of 2023: Number 7 – Micallef Black Toro

The Micallef Black Toro takes our number 7 spot of Simply Stogies top 10 Cigars of 2023. The Micallef Black first launched at select retailers and received an official launch in July of 2023 and was rolled at Micallef Cigars SA in Nicaragua. It features an Mexican San Andres wrapper over a Ecuadorian Habano binder…

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Top 10 Cigars of 2023: Number 8 – Blackened M81 Toro by Drew Estate

The number 8 cigar of Simply Stogies top 10 Cigars of 2023 is the Blackened M81 Toro from Drew Estate. The Blackened M81 was launched in November of 2022 and was rolled at La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate. It features an Mexican San Andres wrapper over a Connecticut Broadleaf binder and fillers from Nicaragua and…

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Top 10 Cigars of 2023: Number 9 – West Tampa Tobacco Co. Red Toro

Sliding in at number 9 of our top 10 Cigars of 2023 is the Red Toro from West Tampa Tobacco Co. The West Tampa Red was launched in June of 2023. The Red was rolled at Gramendia Cigar Company in Nicaragua. It features an Mexican San Andres wrapper over a Nicaraguan Condega binder and filler…

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Top 10 Cigars of 2023: Number 10 – The Club Mareva Jure from Casdagli Cigars

Coming in at number 10 of our top 10 list is the Club Mareva Jure from Casdagli Cigars and is dedicated to the memory of Marko Bilic’s father. The Jure was rolled at IGM Cigars in Costa Rica. It features an Ecuadorian Claro Colorado wrapper over undiscolsed binder and fillers. Released in July of 2023,…

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Top 10 Cigars of 2023: Honorable Mention

The LH Cigars Nikos was originally released in November 2022. It features an Ecuadorian HVA binder, Ecuadorian Habano binder, and fillers from Nicaragua and Brazil…along with two ligero tobaccos from the Dominican Republic and Brazil. The Nikos was blended for the American palate and should not be missed.

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Episode 117: Charlie Minato of Halfwheel.com

James and Nick welcome Charlie Minato, co-founder of Halfwheel.com. The trio discuss how Halfwheel came to be, when Charlie started smoking cigars, as well as find out how they review cigars. Charlie details their review process and if there is such a thing as a 100pt cigar. Charlie gives us his expert opinions on the…

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Cigar Review: Las Calaveras Edicion Limatada 2023 LC54 from Crowned Heads

Each year Crowned Heads releases the Las Calaveras line of cigars. They began releasing Las Calaveras in 2014 as a way to honor and remember those in the cigar industry who passed away the previous year. It has become a release that I look forward to every year. Some are better than others, but I…

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Episode 116: Nimmer Ahmed of Valacari Cigars

On this episode, James and Nick welcome Nimmer Ahmed of Valacari Cigars. The trio find out about Nimmer’s background: how and where he started his cigar journey, how Valacari came to be, and how he chose the name “Valacari.” Nimmer has great insights into the manufacturing side of the cigar industry, as well as on…

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Cigar Review: Lomo de Cerdo from Tatuaje

I once again find myself reviewing a cigar that has its beginnings pre-2018. (For those not in the know, 2018 was the year I started smoking cigars.) This time, it’s the Tatuaje Lomo de Cerdo, or “pork loin” in Spanish. The original Tatuaje Pork Tenderloin was released in 2010. Of the original release, I have…

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Episode 115: Catching Up with Peter James

James sits down with John Peter Laurendi and Adrian Maharaj of Peter James Co. The trio discuss John’s journey with Peter James and how he overcame adversity by putting everything on the line to follow his dream and passion. John explains how Adrian came on board Peter James and the value he adds. Adrian explains…

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