Simply Stogies

Episode 147: Riste Ristevski of JSK Cigars

  James and Nick welcome Riste Ristevski of JSK Cigars. Riste talks about how he got into the cigar industry, what’s changed over the last ten years, and some of the risks that he’s taken to make JSK what it is today. Riste talks about switching to his newest factory and what that entailed, as…

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Cigar Review: Circle of Life Toro from West Tampa Tobacco Co.

Back in March of 2024, West Tampa Tobacco Co. announced that they would be debuting the Circle of Life at the 2024 PCA Convention and Trade Show. Unfortunately, beyond seeing it and being able to smoke a pre-release at the trade show, the world had to wait a long 10 months to be able to…

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Cigar Review: Coroneta Habano Earl from Crowned Heads

Jimmy D from The Drawing Room in Davenport, Iowa reviews the Coroneta Earl from Crowned Heads. This robusto features a Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and Condega, Estelí, and Jalapa, Nicaraguan fillers.  

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49 Clear the Air: A Simply Stogies Podcast After Show

Tim brings James and Nick back for another episode of Clear the Air to talk behind the back of last week’s guest, Vlada Stojanov of SOMM Cigars. The three work their way through technical difficulties while traveling down rabbit holes of tasting notes from fast food to cigars. Tim asks where in this country is…

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Cigar Review: Jolly Walleye by Lure Cigars

Lure Cigars has only been in existence since September 2023. Lou Cross really hit the ground running with his core line and L.E cigars. The Jolly Walleye is another example of Lou finding the right blend to enhance your cigar smoking experience while connecting with his smoking family. Lou is all about family, as his…

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Episode 146: Vlada Stojanov of SOMM Cigars

James and Tim (sitting in for Nick who is in Costa Rica) welcome Vlada Stojanov of SOMM Cigars to the show. Vlada discusses being a new father, what scares him, and how he’ll help his daughter develop her palate. Vlada also discusses if there are objective flavors to a cigar, romanticizing tasting, and if cigar…

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48 Clear the Air: A Simply Stogies Podcast After Show

Tim brings Nick back to the microphone to discuss some of the topics covered in the last episode of Simply Stogies Podcast with special guest, Josh Habursky. The discussion focuses on some of the good times at the PCA Trade Show. They talk about PCA/TPE cigar exclusives, and the importance of being aware of laws…

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Cigar Review: CAO Fasa Noche Toro

CAO is a company that I started out smoking very early on. My first stick from them was the CAO America Potomac (please reference Tim’s video review for pronunciation), it was an attractive barber pole stick that had a lot of bold flavors. The CAO Flathead 660 is a classic and one of the only…

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Episode 145: Joshua Habursky Executive Director of the PCA

James and Nick welcome the Executive Director of the Premium Cigar Association, Joshua Habursky. The trio discuss the big wins for the cigar industry so far in 2025, and the importance of being vigilant against government overreach. Josh explains how the PCA, CRA, and CAA have all worked together to keep the government from taking…

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Cigar Review: Umbagog Bronzeback from Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust

I’m big fan of the original blend of the Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Umbagog. When the newest addition to the line came out and Simply Stogies was deciding who was going to do the review, it had to be me. The Bronzeback is a modified blend of the Umbagog that uses a different Connecticut broadleaf…

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