James and Tim are back at Habano Cigar Lounge (432 E 4th St., Davenport, IA) to discuss boutique cigars and cigar bullying while waiting for their pizza to arrive. Spoiler: the pizza arrives and we wrap things up quickly! Interested in Simply Stogies #BoutiqueAsF*ck swag? Let us know. YAS! Tim
Read More
The Oath Taker from Stolen Throne was a very limited release that was exclusive to Cigar Federation. Lee Marsh once again teamed with Master Blender Noel Rojas to create a cigar experience that acts more like a piece of music that builds to an almost perfect crescendo, than it does just a complex cigar. The…
Read More
I sit down with the Diana Hutton, the owner of Perfect Ash in Inver Grove Heights, MN. We discuss how an attorney from Mexico City winds up in Minnesota and then becomes the only Latina sole-owner of a cigar lounge in the state (and possibly the country). Diana opens up about what it took to…
Read More
James catches up with one of the founders and blenders of Stolen Throne Cigars, Lee Marsh. The pair discuss how Stolen Throne has handled the pandemic, their new releases (Call to Arms, Argos, and Oath Takers), what makes boutique cigars boutique, and much more! Check out Stolen Throne’s Facebook page Visit Stolen Thone on Instagram …
Read More
What is a boutique cigar? That question has been asked by aficionados and enthusiasts for years causing much debate within the community. Definitions of what makes a cigar brand boutique include: Brands who do not own their own factory, brands who only produce lines in small batches, and even cigars manufactured in a small factory….
Read More
James and Tim visit Habano Cigar Lounge (432 E 4th St, Davenport, IA), their other home lounge, and discuss a couple of topics important to the cigar community. The first is the importance of the CRA, how to get involved, and what it means to become a CRA Ambassador. The second is women in the…
Read More
I sit down and catch-up with co-owner Tony Goins, and humidor coach Jeff Fry. We discuss their response to COVID-19 and how it has impacted their business. Jeff and I talk about the changes in their stock, their approach to customers, and how they treat their employees and customers like family. I also got the…
Read More
James sits down with the owners of Safari Cigars & Lounge, Jeff and Mari Doll. They discuss lounge etiquette, the impact that small business has on the local economy, how they got into the industry, and much more. This is a great interview with a couple of genuine, and down-to-earth entrepreneurs. Safari Cigars and Lounge…
Read More
I am finally back in my studio with power and internet! Thank you for your patience during my forced hiatus! I talk about the victory the cigar industry had over the FDA in court, what it means to small businesses and the industry at-large. I also give my opinion on where the next legal battles…
Read More
First, allow me to apologize to my listeners who may not follow me on social media. Where I live was hit hard by a derecho on August 10. I lost power until August 20 and I lost internet until August 30. For more information, check out the latest episode of Simply Stogies Podcast Presents: Cigars…
Read More
Hello fans of Simply Stogies Podcast and simplystogies.com! We appreciate you, the loyal listeners and readers, for stopping by and even considering supporting this passion project of ours. We strive to bring you interviews, cigar reviews, and to bring you along on our journeys as cigar enthusiasts. To help us do this, we need your help! All money donated goes directly to keep the podcast and website up and running and bringing you the latest reviews, taking us to cigar events and lounges around the country, and giving you the best cigar content we can. You can also choose to become a member of our LE Club! For $10 a month or $100 a year, you can get access to exclusive content and a limited edition Simply Stogies Cutter Club branded cigar cutter. Thank you so much for your consideration!
Stay smoky, friends.