I invite everyone to go to The Blend News and sign up for their newsletter and for their holiday giveaway! I then take a look back at the trials, tribulations, and victories of 2020. Yes, 2020 was a tough year on everyone and Simply Stogies Podcast and simplystogies.com were not immune from the 2020 curse….
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I am finally back in my studio with power and internet! Thank you for your patience during my forced hiatus! I talk about the victory the cigar industry had over the FDA in court, what it means to small businesses and the industry at-large. I also give my opinion on where the next legal battles…
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I had the opportunity to sit down with co-owner of Up Down Cigar (located at 1550 N. Wells St., Chicago, IL) and current PCA Board Member, Phil Ledbetter. Phil and I discussed his cigar journey, starting from pipe smoking and going all the way through his becoming co-owner of Up Down Cigar. We discussed the…
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I sat down, via Zoom, with Andy Yaffe, National Sales Director for Micallef Cigars. Andy tells the story of how his cigar journey began, how he came to in the cigar industry, and the friendships he has made. Andy and I then have a frank discussion on the impact COVID-19 has had on local B&Ms,…
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This week, I quickly gives my thoughts on the PCA cancelling the 2020 trade show and how this presents the PCA with a unique opportunity for change; change for themselves, and change for the industry. I then jumps into my review of the Cigar Scanner Application and the Cigar Scanner WiFi Hygrometer and Thermometer. I…
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LFD Announces Their Participation in PCA 2020 As I stated yesterday, we are going to see more of these. Ever since the news hit that Altadis, Davidoff, Drew Estate, and General Cigar Co. were not going to the PCA trade show this year, the cigar industry has been a bit on pins and needles. It…
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Cavalier Genève Will Be at PCA 202 This afternoon, Cavalier Genève announced that they will be at the PCA 2020 Trade Show. In addition, they will also be attending the TPE (Tobacco Plus Expo) next week. Sebastien Decoppet, founder of Cavalier Genève cigars, said, “It will be out first time attending TPE this year. We…
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With the news that Drew Estate, Altadis, General Cigar Co., and Davidoff will not be exhibiting at the PCA Trade Show this year, I give an outsider’s view of what appears to be going on. I discuss the lack of a shared vision between the PCA and the manufacturers, the PCA’s perceived lack of direction,…
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CIGARCON by James Giehm A few weeks ago, Troy wrote an article about CigarCon 2020. For those who may not know, CigarCon was the planned consumer day at the Premium Cigar Association (PCA, formerly IPCPR) annual trade show. A few days ago, we learned that the PCA has now cancelled the planned consumer day (CigarCon)…
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CIGARCON by Troy Kelso As the IPCPR has made clear through its name change to PCA, the tobacco retailer and tobacco retail business is no longer it’s only, or even primary, focus. The retailers led organization has decided to expand the scope of their presence to include industry regulation and legislative issues as well as…
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Stay smoky, friends.