Simply Stogies Podcast

Cigar Review: Ozgener Family Cigars Bosphorus B-55

Tim Ozgener is a well known name in the industry. Most will recognize the name from a few years ago as head of CAO cigars. Things happen in the cigar industry and some people just have to take a hiatus. Rumors in the industry hinted to an “Ozgener Return” and it was finally solidified during…

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Cigars & Coffee Episode 75: Jake Wyatt 4th Dimension and Janus Ride for a Cure

Tim is back with another episode of Cigars & Coffee with Janus Coffee Brothers Ride for a Cure and Jake Wyatt’s 4th Dimension Lancero.

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Cigar Review: Herrera Estelí Drew Estate Lounge Edition

Drew Estate puts out some great cigars in my opinion and I have had quite a few from the Herrera line. Willy Herrera is the Master Blender for Drew Estate and he has been responsible for producing some noteworthy sticks. This Lounge Edition was made for the Corona Cigar Company (Drew Estate Lounge) and it…

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Episode 91: Lucas Da Silva of Oxford Cigar Company

I return from vacation and catch up with Lucas Da Silva, owner of Oxford Cigar Company. We discuss our experience at Grand Cathedral Cigars in Tampa, FL before we jump into the industry. We talk about the Davidoff price increase, inflation, what’s changed since COVID and a whole lot more. Order our coffee blend at Janus Coffee Roasters.

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Cigars & Coffee Episode 74: New Wave & Irish Whiskey Barrel Aged

James returns to Habano Cigar Lounge in Davenport, Iowa and smokes the E.P. CarilloNew Wave. He pairs it with Janus Coffee Roasters Irish Whiskey Barrel Aged coffee.

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Cigar Review: Foundation Cigar’s Olmec Claro Toro

Every year, and the day before the Rocky Mountain Cigar Fest, Nick Melillo holds a Foundation event at a cigar lounge in the Denver, CO area. This year, it was at The Smoking Cave in Highlands Ranch, CO. The event also served as the launch party for Foundation’s newest release, the Olmec. I was lucky…

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Cigar Review Rethink: Micallef A

Micallef, there is a lot to unpack with this brand. Full disclosure, I like the Micallef / Gomez Sanchez Family cigars, every one I have smoked I have enjoyed. I have had the chance to chat up their team at the PCA this year. If we are looking at the beginning of an end to…

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Cigar Review: West Tampa Tobacco Co. Black Toro

My most recent podcast episode features Rick and Sara Rodriguez of West Tampa Tobacco Co. During our conversation, Rick discussed what it was like going from a “corporate kitchen” (CAO) full of “ingredients” (almost any tobacco he wanted to work with), to a “home kitchen” (WTTC) with few ingredients (limited access to tobacco) to work…

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Episode 90: A Conversation with Rick and Sara Rodriguez of West Tampa Tobacco Co.

This episode, I am joined by the father and daughter team of Rick and Sara Rodgriguez of West Tampa Tobacco Co. The three of us discuss how Rick started his cigar journey, and who taught him to blend and run a cigar company. We talk about their vision for the West Tampa Tobacco Co. and…

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Cigar Review: West Tampa Tobacco Co. White Toro

Rick Rodriguez is a name that most enthusiasts and aficionados have heard of. Rick has had a lot of accomplishments over his 22yrs with General Cigar Co. Learning from such Titans in the industry as E.P. Carillo, Daniel Núñez, and Benji Menendez, Rick took over as “Brand Ambassador” for CAO. There he had a string…

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