Cigar Podcast

2020 PCA Trade Show to Have Significant Absences

2020 PCA Trade Show to Have Significant Absences It’s no secret that many were unhappy after the 2019 IPCPR trade show. The topic garnering the most attention at the time, was the announced CigarCon consumer day. After receiving significant pushback on multiple fronts, the IPCPR (now rebranded PCA) announced the cancellation of CigarCon. However, this…

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Opinion: We’re Not That Important and That’s a Good Thing

We’re Not Important and That’s a Good Thing. The FDA announced recently that it is illegal to sell tobacco, in all forms, to individuals under the age of 21. Sort of. As with all things political and legal when it comes to the national government, nothing is simple or straightforward. The legislation that increased the…

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Crowned Heads and Drew Estate Announce Paniolo Especiale 2020

CROWNED HEADS PARTNERS WITH DREW ESTATE! For the second year in a row, Crowned Heads is partnering with Drew Estate to produce the annual “Paniolo Especiale” Limited Edition cigar. This cigar will be exclusive to Hawaii and limited to a production run of 4,000 cigars. The Paniolo Especiale 2020 features a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, Mexican…

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Episode 19: An Interview with The Cigar Madame

Congratulations to Chris Hansen, Gary Mehrl, and Caleb McReynolds on winning the Pupperdor.com contest. A big “thank you” to Pupperdor.com for supporting Simply Stogies Podcast and sponsoring such a great giveaway! I had the opportunity to sit down and chat with @thecigarmadame (Coco Maria) an avid aficionada, cigar enthusiast, great Sister of the Leaf, and…

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ISABELA Time-Traveler 2019

ISABELA Releases Time-Traveler in Time for the Holidays! Isabela Cigar Company released their limited Isabela Time-Traveler on December 13! Just in time for Christmas! This popular offering boasts “…eight distinct seamless transitions of changing flavor profiles…” and a limited production run due to the availability of the tobacco and because the tobacco is aged for…

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Episode 18: An Afternoon Chat with Pete Johnson of Tatuaje Cigars

During an AMA/Virtual Cut&Light for SimplyStogies.club with Pete Johnson of Tatuaje Cigars, I get an opportunity to have a three hour conversation with Pete. We talk about everything from his cigar journey starting in a strip club, to how he looks at the FDA’s overregulation, and everything in between. Pete was generous with his time…

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Episode 17: AMA/Virtual Cut&Light with Jon Huber of Crowned Heads Cigars

Jon Huber from Crowned Heads cigars joins James and some of the members from simplystogies.club for an AMA. Jon discusses his cigar journey, how he got started in the business, and where he sees the future of the business. Jon also talks about what inspires him and finding the reason for cigars to exist. We…

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Episode 16: A Conversation with Jeremy Casdagli of Casdagli Cigars

I sit down with Jeremy Casdagli of Casdagli Cigars, formerly Bespoke Cigars, live from the Clayton in Chicago, Illinois. Jeremy and I discuss his cigar journey, how and why he started Casdagli Cigars, the name change from Bespoke to Casdagli, his family history and how that has influenced him, how he reacts to bad reviews…

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Episode 15: The Hobby Within the Hobby

James begins this episode with several big announcements! James announces interviews with Jeremy Casdagli of Casdagli Cigars and Pete Johnson of Tatuaje Cigars. He also announces a contest with pupperdor.com. Details and rules of the contest are found in this episode! Thank you to Pupperdor.com for sponsoring this contest. Have you ever wondered why there…

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Episode 14: AMA w/Nick Melillo of Foundation Cigars

I get the opportunity to sit down and chat with Nick Melillo, master blender, and founder of Foundation Cigars for a SimplyStogies.club AMA/Virtual Cut & Light via Zoom Meeting. We had a fantastic conversation about Nick’s cigar journey, how he got started, what he’s learned, and where he’s going. We discussed a slew of topics…

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