Cigar Smoker

Lounge Review: The Vintage Whiskey and Cigar Bar Sets the Bar High in Charlotte

Back in May, myself and a friend of the show (Randy Carmichael) took a trip to Charlotte, North Carolina to attend the inaugural Queen City Cigar Fest.  Randy was told by Master Blender Nick Syris of LH Cigars, that we should check out a newer cigar lounge named The Vintage while we were in Charlotte. …

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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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PCA Trade Show 2021: A Hit or a Miss?

It has been a week since this year’s PCA Trade Show officially ended. I have had to time to look back and reflect on what was good and bad at the year’s premiere industry event. This year was our first year attending the PCA’s (Premium Cigar Association) annual trade show. To be honest, we had…

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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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Cigar Review: The “Nick” Toro, by LH Cigars, Masterfully Blends a Unique Cigar Experience

Spurred by suggestions from his retailers, Master Blender Nick Syris came out with the “Nick” Toro .The  Toro is very similar to his “Nick and Jim” blend that he did with “Island” Jim Robinson. It uses the same wrapper, which happens to be Nick’s favorite, a  Ecuadorian Vuelta Abajo Seed and just different proportions of…

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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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Lounge Review: Veteran Owned Screaming Eagles Cigar Lounge is a “Must Stop” Cigar Destination

Tucked away in a strip mall that is just down the road from Fort Campbell, in Clarksville, TN, sits a large cigar shop. This isn’t just any cigar shop, either. With almost 5,000 sq. ft. Screaming Eagle Cigars is one of the largest cigar lounges in the Southern United States. With their proximity to Fort…

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Cigar Review: The Alec & Bradley Kintsugi Robusto is a Work of Art

The Kintsugi was announced by second generation cigar makers Alec and Bradley Rubin, back in March of 2020. The global pandemic changed those plans and their third full-scale production line had to be put on hold until December of 2020. The name of the line, “Kintsugi,” has a special meaning to Alec & Bradley. For…

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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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