Simply Stogies

Cigars and Coffee Episode 21: Lifestyle or Hobby

James and Tim return to David’s Fine Tobaccos in Clive, Iowa to drink some Viso Blend coffee from Janus Coffee Roasters and smoke a Perdomo Reserve 10th Anniversary Champagne Robusto. The pair also introduce the Simply Stogies 5pk from David’s Fine Tobaccos for $60 shipped, and then discuss the differences between being a cigar hobbyist…

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Lounge Review: Veteran Owned Screaming Eagles Cigar Lounge is a “Must Stop” Cigar Destination

Tucked away in a strip mall that is just down the road from Fort Campbell, in Clarksville, TN, sits a large cigar shop. This isn’t just any cigar shop, either. With almost 5,000 sq. ft. Screaming Eagle Cigars is one of the largest cigar lounges in the Southern United States. With their proximity to Fort…

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Cigar Review: The Alec & Bradley Kintsugi Robusto is a Work of Art

The Kintsugi was announced by second generation cigar makers Alec and Bradley Rubin, back in March of 2020. The global pandemic changed those plans and their third full-scale production line had to be put on hold until December of 2020. The name of the line, “Kintsugi,” has a special meaning to Alec & Bradley. For…

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Episode 57: A Conversation with Anya Ramirez

I am joined, via telephone, with Instagram influencer, entrepreneur, and representative of Karen Berger Cigars, Anya Ramirez. We talk about her journey into the world of cigars and how it’s a lifestyle for her and not just a hobby. We discuss how she came to be a rep for Karen Berger Cigars and some of…

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Cigars and Coffee Episode 20: The Return of Tim and the Habano 5pk

James and Tim return to Habano Cigar Lounge in Davenport, Iowa. We drink Be Bright Guatemalan Blend and smoke a couple of different cigars. We introduce the Habano’s Simply Stogies 5 Pack that includes Crowned Heads Juarez, Chicago, Cigars with your choice of Connecticut/Maduro/Habano wrapper, Foundation Tabernacle, a Don Pepin Garcia Original, and the Habano…

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Pipe Tobacco Review: Wessex Brigade Original Scores High for Malty, Salty Sweetness

Every spring and every autumn I get a yen for apple-flavored tobaccos. Something about the crisp fruity taste matches the mood and weather just right. However I’ve yet to find an apple-flavored tobacco  that doesn’t taste synthetic. But so far I’ve liked every Wessex I’ve had. Wessex is a small subbrand from Kohlhase and Kopp…

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Episode 56: On the Patio with Giannis of the Vintage CLT

I sit down with Giannis Koutsoupias, the Director of Business Development for the Vintage Whiskey and Cigar Bar in Charlotte, North Carolina, on the patio at the Vintage. We talk about Giannis’ cigar journey, the lessons learned from his time in the restaurant and hospitality sector, the friends he made in the cigar industry, and…

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Cigars and Coffee Episode 19: The Vintage and Avocado Oil

James welcomes his friend (may be too strong a word) and Buy Me a Coffee supporter, Randy Carmichael to the show. The pair are at the Vintage Whiskey and Cigar Bar in Charlotte, NC. They discuss how we rate things, how we taste things, and LH Cigars. Randy tells the story of how he met…

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Cigar Review: LH Premium Cigars Claro Toro

Nick Syris, Master Blender and owner of LH Premium Cigars, sees his cigars as “Cuban bridges.” Coming from anyone else that statement might shock, but Nick has the bona fides to back that up. He has made countless trips to Cuba, learned how to blend tobacco in Cuba, and the Claro does very well in…

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Cigar Review: Deep South Cigars 770 BBC is More than Pun

Sometimes, you just have go along with the joke. That was the case for Jeremy Besecker of Deep South Cigars. When someone at the lounge dared him  to make a very large cigar and call it a “BBC,” Jeremy went along with the joke. Thus was born, the 770 BBC. A 7″x70 cigar that sports…

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