Cigar Knowledge

Cigars and Coffee Episode 23: PCA Recap, DE Undercrown 10, and BLK and Bold Coffee

James and Tim return to David’s Fine Tobaccos (9759 University Ave, Clive, IA 50325) to talk about what they saw at the PCA 2021 Trade Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. They discuss their experience and all the good…and not so good they saw while attending. There is never a shortage of drama in the cigar…

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Episode 60: On the PCA Show Floor with Scott Weeks of Recluse Cigars and Iconic Leaf Cigar Company

I sit down at the Recluse Cigars/Iconic Leaf Cigar Company booth on the PCA Trade Show floor with owner and blender Scott Weeks. Scott and I talk about his and his family’s background in the cigar industry and how he started Recluse Cigars and Iconic Cigar Leaf Company. We talk about federal regulations and how…

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Top 5 Cigars to Look Forward to After the PCA Trade Show 2021

Our first PCA (Premium Cigar Association) Trade Show has come and gone, and it has been a lot to digest. Tim and I had a lot of fun going from booth to booth and talking with those in and around the premium cigar industry. Of course, some of the exhibitors were happy to share with…

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Cigars and Coffee Episode 22: The One Nobody Asked For

James and Tim return to David’s Fine Tobaccos in Clive, Iowa and take on their coffee arch-nemesis…Starbucks. The pair smoke a Crowned Heads Four Kicks Capa Especial LE and muddle their way through the almost unbearable coffee experience. Along the way, James regales you with tales from his high school days, and they talk about…

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Episode 59: The Journey with Nick Syris of LH Cigars

I talk, via Zoom, with Nick Syris of LH Cigars. We discuss his journey from an audio business to his life as a retailer and how he eventually started LH Cigars. Nick talks about what he’s learned and where LH Cigars is going in the future. We discuss the cigar industry, what it means to be…

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Episode 58: BONUS Live from the PCA Trade Show with Lucas Da Silva of Oxford Cigar Co.

James and Lucas, owner of Oxford Cigar Co., discuss the 2021 PCA Trade Show LIVE from the show floor. Lucas is open and transparent with what he sees as good and bad about this year’s trade show. The pair discuss how things could be better, fi the PCA will survive, if TPE is good for…

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Cigars and Coffee Episode 21: Lifestyle or Hobby

James and Tim return to David’s Fine Tobaccos in Clive, Iowa to drink some Viso Blend coffee from Janus Coffee Roasters and smoke a Perdomo Reserve 10th Anniversary Champagne Robusto. The pair also introduce the Simply Stogies 5pk from David’s Fine Tobaccos for $60 shipped, and then discuss the differences between being a cigar hobbyist…

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Episode 57: A Conversation with Anya Ramirez

I am joined, via telephone, with Instagram influencer, entrepreneur, and representative of Karen Berger Cigars, Anya Ramirez. We talk about her journey into the world of cigars and how it’s a lifestyle for her and not just a hobby. We discuss how she came to be a rep for Karen Berger Cigars and some of…

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Cigars and Coffee Episode 20: The Return of Tim and the Habano 5pk

James and Tim return to Habano Cigar Lounge in Davenport, Iowa. We drink Be Bright Guatemalan Blend and smoke a couple of different cigars. We introduce the Habano’s Simply Stogies 5 Pack that includes Crowned Heads Juarez, Chicago, Cigars with your choice of Connecticut/Maduro/Habano wrapper, Foundation Tabernacle, a Don Pepin Garcia Original, and the Habano…

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Episode 56: On the Patio with Giannis of the Vintage CLT

I sit down with Giannis Koutsoupias, the Director of Business Development for the Vintage Whiskey and Cigar Bar in Charlotte, North Carolina, on the patio at the Vintage. We talk about Giannis’ cigar journey, the lessons learned from his time in the restaurant and hospitality sector, the friends he made in the cigar industry, and…

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