Cigar Passion

42 Clear the Air: A Simply Stogies Podcast After Show

As usual, Tim gets all the facts wrong but luckily James and Nick are back to help set him straight as they discuss the latest episode of Simply Stogies Podcast with special guest Hector Alfonso Sr., the blender and Director of Factory Operations for Espinosa Cigars. The three reflect on getting old as they continue…

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Episode 139: Hector Alfonso Sr of Espinosa Cigars

James and Nick welcome blender and Director of Factory Operations for Espinosa Cigars, Hector Alfonso Sr., to the show. The trio discuss the cigar industry at large: the differences in B&M’s, the internal politics of lounges and how one or two “Alpha Dogs” can sway others in the lounge, and what differentiates “cigar slingers” from…

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41 Clear the Air: A Simply Stogies Podcast After Show

Tim brings James and Nick back to the microphone to discuss the latest episode of Simply Stogies Podcast with special guest Daniel Marshall who as you know by now is the world’s #1 humidor maker. We dig a little deeper into a few of the conversations and stories that you heard on the episode and…

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Episode 138: Daniel Marshall

James and Nick welcome the world’s #1 humidor maker, Daniel Marshall. Daniel tells us how he started making humidors, the trials and tribulations of getting started, and not letting anyone tell you “no” when you’re following your dreams. Daniel discusses the importance of a good humidor; whether you’re aging your cigars or just storing them…

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40 Clear the Air: A Simply Stogies Podcast After Show

Tim, James, and Nick are back for to talk about one of their favorite cigar guys behind his back! Luscious locks and hand modeling in the cigar industry can be a thing. Let me tell ya about it. The three tell a few fun tales from their interactions at the PCA Trade Show with Dan…

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Episode 137: Dan Thompson of Micallef Cigars

James and Nick welcome Dan Thompson, President of Micallef Cigars, back to the show. Dan talks about the new Micallef Red and the manufacturing and research & development that went into the Red and all of their color series. Dan discusses what’s next and teases something new for the PCA 2025 Trade Show in New…

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39 Clear the Air: A Simply Stogies Podcast After Show

Tim brings James back to the microphone to discuss the latest episode of Simply Stogies Podcast about Mo Maali of Patina Cigars. The two dig deeper into judging a brand by it’s Connecticut Cigar, cigar journeys, the PCA Trade show, the Oro De Nicaragua, and some business practices of small and large cigar manufacturers. Watch…

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Episode 136: Patina Cigars’ Mo Maali

James and Nick welcome Mo Maali, owner and founder of Patina Cigars back to the show. We discuss the current economy, its impact on the cigar industry, and how it affects cigar releases and how Patina approaches releases. Mo talks about the Oro de Nicaragua, which factory it came from, and why it was released…

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38 Clear the Air: A Simply Stogies Podcast After Show

Tim, James, and Nick go down rabbit hole after rabbit hole following the last episode of Simply Stogies Podcast with Nimmer Ahmad of Valacari Cigars. It’s easy to do and that’s what Clear the Air is all about. Join the trio as they talk about many troubles within the cigar industry. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HhT38GHKEHk…

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Episode 135: Valacari Cigars’ Nimmer Ahmad

Nimmer Ahmad of Valacari Cigars returns to Simply Stogies Podcast to chat with James and Nick about what he has been up to. Nimmer talks about his process of validating blends and the time it takes to make sure they’re ready for release. He also discusses his latest release, the Astronomia. The Astronomia is the…

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