Simply Stogies

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. I then take a look at our future, what we hope to accomplish, and announce that our Buy Me a Coffee "Cutter Club" memberships and one-time donations are now up and running! I also take a look at how the cigar industry was affected by 2020: delays, shortages, and FDA wins are all discussed. Will the CRA and PCA be able to pivot from a fight against the Feds to state level politics?   

I welcome our Content Director, Matthew Kang (Twitter and Instagram), and our Photographer, Wonho Frank Lee (Instagram) to the show. The three of us go through our 2020 Holiday Gift Guide on simplystogies.com and break down the gifts, why we chose particular products, and how they'll help you land on the nice list of the special BotLs and SotLs in your life. We also discuss how to choose cigars as gifts and what we would want if given a box of cigars as gift this holiday season. We round out the podcast by explaining our new Budget Cigar Review series. We believe that the sub $6.00 price point deserves to be graded on a scale, and we explain why there is a multiplier for the value found in budget cigars.

I go through my review of the Stolen Throne Oath Taker, a Cigar Federation exclusive offering from Stolen Throne. I tell you why it scored what it did and where I believe the fault lies. Then, with the holiday season upon us, I cover what celebratory cigars are to me, and what I'm planning on smoking this year. I then ask you to tell me what you're looking forward to smoking.   I also announce a new way to support the podcast coming January 1st!  

I sit down with the Diana Hutton, the owner of Perfect Ash in Inver Grove Heights, MN. We discuss how an attorney from Mexico City winds up in Minnesota and then becomes the only Latina sole-owner of a cigar lounge in the state (and possibly the country). Diana opens up about what it took to open the new location of Perfect Ash. Diana also gives her perspective as a businesswoman on the business, the cigar community, the industry, and regulation.  Please visit Perfect Ash at 9080 Buchanan Trail, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076 Visit Perfect Ash's website Perfect Ash on Instagram Perfect Ash on Facebook Perfect Ash on Twitter 

James catches up with one of the founders and blenders of Stolen Throne Cigars, Lee Marsh. The pair discuss how Stolen Throne has handled the pandemic, their new releases (Call to Arms, Argos, and Oath Takers), what makes boutique cigars boutique, and much more!   Check out Stolen Throne's Facebook page  Visit Stolen Thone on Instagram    Get your Simply Stogies Podcast swag!!! 

I sit down and catch-up with co-owner Tony Goins, and humidor coach Jeff Fry. We discuss their response to COVID-19 and how it has impacted their business. Jeff and I talk about the changes in their stock, their approach to customers, and how they treat their employees and customers like family. I also got the opportunity to talk with Tony about his new book Something in the Water, where the project came from, and who it is benefiting.   Visit Capital Cigar Lounge at 5505 South 16th Street, Lincoln, NE 68512 or at https://capitalcigar.com/   Please check out Tony Goins new book at https://somethinginthewaterbook.com/

James sits down with the owners of Safari Cigars & Lounge, Jeff and Mari Doll. They discuss lounge etiquette, the impact that small business has on the local economy, how they got into the industry, and much more. This is a great interview with a couple of genuine, and down-to-earth entrepreneurs. Safari Cigars and Lounge is THE destination cigar lounge in Omaha, NE or Council Bluffs, IA.  https://safaricigarsandlounge.com/ Safari Cigars and Lounge 13110 Birch Dr #108 Omaha, NE 68164

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 will likely take place. Then I move on to discussing my favorite Cuban Cigar retailers, and who I think you can trust when ordering Cuban cigars.   *DISCLAIMER: None of the retailers mentioned are sponsors or have paid for any advertising. The opinions are mine and mine alone. Ordering Cuban cigars in the US is illegal and can carry fines. We strongly encourage you to not break the law.

First, allow me to apologize to my listeners who may not follow me on social media. Where I live was hit hard by a derecho on August 10. I lost power until August 20 and I lost internet until August 30. For more information, check out the latest episode of Simply Stogies Podcast Presents: Cigars and Coffee here. This episode, I welcome Cuban Cigar expert, Joe, back to the podcast. Joe and I discuss the changes in the secondary Cuban cigar market, box codes and their importance, who you should look to before buying those Cubans you see on Facebook or Instagram, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the Cuban cigar market. 

I give you my review of the Epic Cigars limited edition Project E Gran Ola. You can follow along with my review here. I also go over our new Statement of Ethics and why it's important to our staff and to our fans.   You can get your own Simply Stogies Podcast SWAG here!

James welcomes the new Content Director/Editor of simplystogies.com, Matthew Kang. Matthew discusses his cigar journey, and how his real job at Eater LA will help us give us some direction. We also talk a little COVID-19, and Matthew mistakes a travel humidor for a takeout box. James also announces a brand new Cuban Cigar review, a new pipe tobacco reviewer, and a new YouTube Channel featuring a new show called, Simply Stogies Presents: Cigars and Coffee hosted by Tim Allen and James Giehm.

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 cigar industries love limited editions, the cigar community, how COVID-19 has affected his business and business model, the PCA, the FDA, and the cigar industry in general. It was a fantastic conversation, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.   You can contact Up Down Cigar toll free by calling (800) 5UPDOWN. You can also reach them at  (312) 337-8025 or at http://www.updowncigar.com/index.cfm  Please visit Up Down Cigar at 1550 N. Wells, Chicago, IL 60610. You can email Phil directly at phil@updowncigar.com 

I get to catch up with the Executive Director of the Cigar Rights of America, Glynn Loope. We discuss how COVID-19 has impacted cigar retailers and manufacturers, the government's response, and the current fight against regulation and why it's so important given the global pandemic. We also discuss the cigar industry as a whole, we talk about the political divide in the country right now and how cigars can help bring everyone together.   Please, join the fight against Federal regulation of the cigar industry by supporting the Cigar Rights of America at https://www.cigarrights.org/ and becoming a member!

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, and how Micallef is making good on their promise to support brick and mortar retailers, including Micallef's new Phoenix Program fro retailers. . We also talk about the PCA, trade shows, and the industry at large. It was a great conversation! 

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 discuss my experience using both their cigar tracking application and their wireless hygrometers that work with the app. *All equipment was purchased by me, and I am in no way affiliated with or paid by Cigar Scanner or Neptune Cigars. Full Cigar Scanner app review found here. Full Cigar Scanner WiFi Hygrometer and Thermometer found here. Cigar Scanner WiFi Hygrometer and Thermometer

Before I dive into my review of the Cremello, I discuss what reviews look like across the industry. While they're not standardized, there is room for differing viewpoints and tastes that are diverse and subjective. SimplyStogies.com is still looking for at least two staff writers. If you like reviewing cigars and can do a better job than I (who can't?) or if you enjoy writing and would like to write about the cigar industry, please send an email to info@simplystogies.com and let me know. Written review at SimplyStogies.com:   http://simplystogies.com/casdagli_daughters_of_the_wind_cremello/  NEW SIMPLY STOGIES MERCH: https://creativebraincandy.com/shop#!/simply+stogies?collection=niKPHlTWoO 

I discuss the impact to local B&Ms and ask you, the listener, to support local whenever you can. The impact of COVID-19 is being felt everywhere, and I like to order online as much as the next guy; however, if you can, I implore you to check with your local B&Ms and see if they're still open for business. Then I dive into my first solo review, as I give my impressions of the Micallef "To Be Named" Maduro.  My full review can be found here.

I welcome Dan Thompson, President of Micallef Cigars, to Simply Stogies Podcast. Dan and I discuss everything from how he started his cigar journey, to Micallef's open letter to the cigar industry, and where he sees Micallef in the future. Dan talks candidly about his overall vision for Micallef and the industry. Dan goes over the new Micallef Ultimate Inventory program for select retailers and discusses everything they're doing to bring content to Micallef Ambassadors during these strange times where everyone is home. Dan and Micallef have their focus right where it needs to be.  

James begins the show by thanking Mike Breig, our content director and lead reviewer at simplystogies.com. Due to personal reasons, Mike must permanently step away from the cigar hobby. Mike was a driving force behind simplystogies.com and helped make it what it is today. He will be sorely missed. James then welcomes Aaron from Drunkenomics podcast to discuss the global, national, and local economic impact of COVID-19. The pair discuss the importance of supporting your local B&Ms, what the post COVID-19 landscape might look like, and how it affects areas where tobacco is the primary source of income.    We are also looking for a staff writer and lead reviewer for simplystogies.com. If you're interested in one or both positions, please email info@simplystogies.com

I welcome SimplyStogies.com lead cigar reviewer, Mike Breig, back to the show. Before we dive into our reviews, we discuss Micallef Cigars shipping a cigar without a name and how that translates to their open letter released earlier this year. Mike and I then give our in-depth review of Stolen Throne's Crook of the Crown robusto. Mike's full, written review will be available the same day this episode is released to the general public, March 8, 2020.   To order Crook of the Crown from Cigar Federation, click here. To apply to become a Micallef Cigar Ambassador, click here.