Cigar Smoker

Lounge Review: Jeanie’s Smoke Shop is a 73 Year Old Utah Institution

Situated in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City stands Jeanie’s Smoke Shop. First owned by a non-smoking, God fearing, Mormon woman named Jeanie, this cigar shop has weathered the last 73yrs remarkably well. Of course, the shop has seen a lot of changes in that time. Not the least of which (excluding the current…

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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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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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