Cigar Smokers

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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Cigar Review: Coffin Nails by Black Label Trading Co.

Earlier this year, Black Label Trading Co. announced a new core line to their portfolio; Coffin Nails. Coming in at the petite corona size, the Coffin Nails promised to deliver full flavor in a small package. This is something that a lot of cigars have “promised” over the years. Cigar smokers, especially those who live…

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Cigar Review: Tempura White Series by Cavalier Genève

I have always enjoyed the White Series from Cavalier Genève. It was one of he first cigars that I remember pairing with a coffee first thing in the morning. Smooth, flavorful, and a perfect way to start any day. When I heard they were releasing a new size I was pretty excited. You can see…

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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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Cigar Review: Dragon Fire by Punch

Punch (non-Cuban), like so many other cigar manufacturers, have followed in the footsteps of Davidoff by releasing cigars to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. The past few years Punch releases have followed the theme of Chinese take-out orders: the Egg Roll, Chop Suey, Spring Roll, and Kung Pow!. The exception to that theme was…

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Cigar Review: Year of the Dragon by Plasencia

The Chinese New Year  is one of the cigar industry’s way to incorporate an embrace Chinese history and their culture. The Chinese zodiac releases each year find a way to connect us; which makes sense, considering that cigars are meant to bring us together. The fun part about these Chinese zodiac releases is that it…

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Cigar Lounge Review: Boll Weevil Fine Cigars in Enterprise, Alabama

Back at the end of July ’24, I found myself in LA (lower Alabama) for a launch party for the “Mean Jean” from Lure Cigars. That cigar launch just happened to be at Boll Weevil Fine Cigars in Enterprise, Alabama. When I asked owner Stephen Frank why the shop was named after an insect, he…

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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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Cigar Review: Fiat Lux Tenebrus Limited Edition from Luciano Cigars

The Fiat Lux Tenebrus gets its name from the Latin “lux ex tenebris” which means “light from darkness.” It’s a great play on the original Fiat Lux, the Latin, “fiat lux,” which means “let there be light.” The Fiat Lux Tenebrus Limited Edition features two wrappers. The first is a Honduran habano Azuacualpa from the…

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