Cigar Smoker

Episode 54: Talking Shop with Deep South Cigars

I travel to sunny Orlando, Florida to chat live and in person with Jeremy and Donovan from Deep South Cigars. The three of us have a candid conversation about everything from politics, southern culture, diversity, family, cigars, self-promotion, the future, dating, starting your own business, and demystifying the cigar industry. This was a great conversation…

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Cigars and Coffee Episode 17: On Safari with Caramelicious

James and Tim head to Omaha, Nebraska to visit Safari Cigars & Lounge. We meet with Jeff Doll, owner of Safari Cigars & Lounge, and talk about Safari, how they’ve faired during the pandemic, and introduce our Simply Stogies 5pk! Just give Safari Cigars & Lounge a call (website found at bottom) and ask for…

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Episode 53: A Conversation with GSTN Cigar

I visit Capital Cigar Lounge in Lincoln, Nebraska to sit down and talk with Jeff Gaston. Jeff is the owner and founder of GSTN Cigar, who makes quality wood ashtrays for every budget and every need. Jeff and I discuss how he started his cigar journey and what led him to start GSTN Cigar. We…

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Cigars and Coffee Episode 16: CAO Mortal Coil and Cafe Bustelo

James and Tim are at David’s Fine Tobaccos in Clive, Iowa and take the CAO Mortal Coil through its paces while sipping some Cafe Bustelo Coffee. The pair discuss a new show on the Creative Brain Candy Media Cooperative, how we carry our cigar accessories, the cigar industry’s use of social media, and our thoughts…

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Cigar Review: The Juan Lopez Selección No. 2 Underwhelms Without Age

In the world of Cuban robustos, there are plenty of names that stand out, but one that is often overlooked is the Juan Lopez Selección No. 2. The Juan Lopez brand as a whole is one that gets little attention in the cigar community, to the benefit of those who know what the brand is…

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Episode 52: Talking Shop with Evan from The Blend Newsletter

This episode I chat with Evan, the founder of The Blend Newsletter, via Zoom and we discuss his cigar journey, how he fell in love with cigars, how the global pandemic helped him find his passion for the leaf, and how he curates the newsletter each week. We end up talking about what it’s like…

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Cigar Review: Casdagli’s Enigma Solves the Mystery of a Truly Special Experience

Who doesn’t like a good mystery? Near the end of 2019, When I sat down with Jeremy Casdagli, founder of Casdagli Cigars, one of the last things he mentioned on the podcast was two new cigars coming the following year (2020) called the Cypher and the Enigma. The blends would be undisclosed and left up…

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Cigar Review: Casdagli Cigars Mareva Spalato No. 2 Is Worth the Price of Admission

The Casdagli Cigars Mareva Spalato No. 2 is the regular production follow-up release to the original limited production Mareva Spalato. The Mareva Spalato No. 2 was blended by Master Blender Hendrik Kelner Jr. and originally rolled in the Kelner Boutique Factory in November 2019 and the tobaccos used are all aged at least three years….

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Episode 51: Chatting at the Drawing Room QC

I visit the Drawing Room QC and chats with two of the owners, Eric Norton and Shale Sage. The trio discuss the cigar community and rich cigar history in Davenport, Iowa, the cigar industry, how cigar manufacturers sell cigars to B&Ms, and how Eric and Shale started their cigar journeys. They also discuss opening a…

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Cigar Review: Ninjaragua from Joya de Nicaragua and Cigar Dojo Is All Gimmick

The Joya de Nicaragua Ninjaragua is the latest collaborative effort from Cigar Dojo. The Ninjaragua is a Nicaraguan puro that features a dark, rich Nicaraguan habano criollo wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler. This extremely limited collaboration came with a commemorative challenge coin in the shape of a shuriken, or throwing star. With only 450…

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