Simply Stogies

Tim welcomes both hosts from Simply Stogies, James and Nick, to Clear the Air this week. The trio discuss the Festival del Habano and Cuban cigars in general. Nick gets the full Clear the Air treatment as he finds out that he'll be paired with Tim during the upcoming PCA Trade Show...his disappointment is palpable. James also tells you what you should be smoking instead of Cubans! Spoiler: LH Cigars is not a sponsor! 

James and Nick discuss the 2023 Festival del Habano that was held in Cuba from Feb. 27 - March 3. Nick battles through the lingering cough from the "Commie Corona" to walk us through the good, bad, and the ugly of the festival. From swag to cigars and from long lines to overall costs, Nick takes us through what the 2023 Festival del Habano looked like. 

Tim and James have no show to discuss. Is it really an after show? Regardless, the pair discuss proposed rules for cigar factories by the FDA and how that will impact both mainstream and boutique cigars. That leads into a discussion of chewing tobacco vs vape vs cigarettes vs cigars and who chews/smokes what. Then the dysfunctional duo briefly touch on cigar festivals and where you might find them.

Tim and James cover Episode 98 of Simply Stogies Podcast. James smokes the Don Olivan Intercontinental and talks about have Ish Olivan on the podcast. We talk about BAMF Cigars' use of different tobaccos and why others should follow in their footsteps. James gives his thoughts on Ish and BAMF Cigars while Tim struggles to use their website. The duo then move on to Alec Bradley's sale to STG, its impact on the industry, and predatory practices by larger companies.

James and Nick welcome Ismael "Ish" Olivan, owner of BAMF Cigars and part of owner of Rodriguez Olivan Cigars Facotry, to the show. We talk to Ish about how he started his cigar journey and find out what he thinks the differences between the European cigar market and the American cigar market are. Ish tells us about his love of using tobacco leaves from regions of the world that might surprise you, as well as how he sometimes blends them there on the farm. Ish talks about starting BAMF Cigars and his vision for the company. This is a fascinating interview with a boutique cigar and factory owner that you do not want to miss.

Tim brings James back into the after show lounge following Simply Stogies Podcast Episode 97 where they recap one of the most long awaited shows in cigar listening history, The Smooth Draws Reunion Show. Travel down the rabbit hole as the duo talk about media in the cigar industry.

Nick and James are pleased to present the Smooth Draws Reunion Show. Nick welcomes part of the old Smooth Draws crew back: Chad "the Hangman" Potiers, Valerie Bradshaw, and William "Cigar Coop" Cooper. We find out how they started with the Smooth Draws radio show, some of what they did during their time with show, and what they're up to now. We look back fondly on the show and what Gary "Doc" Laden put together. Fans of the Smooth Draws Radio Show do not want to miss this reunion!      

Tim and James discuss what the new after show is, before jumping into the new lounge and studio. The duo also discuss Simply Stogies Podcast Episode 96: Island Jim.

James and Nick welcome Island Jim to the first video show. Jim talks about how he got started in the business and his humble beginnings. We ask him about the industry, boutique cigars, and much more!   You can now WATCH Simply Stogies Podcast on YouTube or Rumble!

Nick and James tackle Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 of 2022. Is it pay to play? Was choosing a Cuban cigar a slap in the face to the non-Cuban (New World) cigar industry? Is it fair to keep out "boutique" cigar brands from their review process? Does James just like to rant? We give our opinions on these questions, as well as raise some issues with "smaller" cigar media. It's an interesting and thought provoking conversation with an industry insider (Nick) and an industry watcher (James).  Send us your questions at questions@simplystogies.com

I give you a look back at 2022 and share my Top 5 Cigars of 2022.     YouTube Rumble Janus Coffee Roasters

We wrap up our Cuban Sub-Series with our friend, and new Simply Stogies Podcast host, Nick Syris of LH Cigars. Nick and I wrap up our sub-series in a nice big bow by giving you the latest news out of Cuba, and then spend a good amount of time discussing the current state of Cuban cigars: price increases, the impact of Hurricane Ian, what consumers can look forward to, and the future of Cuban cigars. We then talk about some myths and legends of Cuban cigars: Are they rolled on the thighs of virgins? What should you do when gifted a fake Cuban cigar? Should we consider the moral implications of supporting a Communist regime when purchasing Cuban cigars? Does Habanos SA use tobacco from other countries to help meet the demand of their cigars?

I welcome Nick Syris, owner and blender of LH Cigars, back to the show. Nick discusses the impact Hurricane Ian had on Cuba. He also lets us know if Cuba has improved since his visit earlier this year. Nick then dives into Cohiba's 55th Anniversary event in Cuba last month. We focus on his interview with Habanos SA vice presidents José María López Inchaurbe (Development VP) and Leopoldo Cintra González (Commercial VP). He lets us know what he thinks about their answers to his questions.    Watch the full interview with Habanos SA here.

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.

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 Sara's role in the company. We find out Sara's journey and how she wanted to work with her dad. This was a very fun episode, as we got to see how family comes together to make something special.    ORDER SIMPLY STOGIES COFFEE HERE!

James is joined by his Cuban Sub-Series host, Nick Syris of LH Cigars, as they discuss what makes Cuban cigars so unique...the soil. Before they discuss the unique properties of the soil in Cuba and the different growing regions around the island, Nick catches us up on some of the news coming our of Cuba. We also discuss the upcoming 55th birthday celebration of Cohiba, white ash vs black ash, and storing your cigars.   To order the Simply Stogies coffee blend from Janus Coffee Roasters, click here.

In a simulcast with Simply Stogies Presents: Cigars & Coffee, James welcomes his co-host from Cigars & Coffee (Timothy Allen) back to the podcast. They also welcome Shad and Shea Bates of Janus Coffee Roasters to the show.  We talk with them about their cigar journeys, how Janus Tobak started, and their first foray into coffee roasting. Part two we dive into how Janus Coffee Roasters was started, their process and creativity, “coffee for a cause,” and some of the mistakes people make while making their coffee at home. Plus, we announce the launch of our own coffee blend from Janus Coffee Roasters: the Simply Stogies Podcast blend! It's a 3 bean dark roast that is full body.  Simply Stogies has has notes of earth, nuts, cocoa, hints of caramel.   This blend and roast has relatively low acidity and can be enjoyed no matter your brewing choice.

While at the PCA 2022 Trade Show I sat down with Dan Ravanelli of 505 Cigar Review. Dan and I discuss this year's trade show before finding out more about Dan's cigar journey and how his 505 Cigar Review came into being. We talk about how he's gained traction and how he's been perceived by some in the industry. We then shift gears and talk about cigar media, our roles in that "sphere" and how we see ourselves.   Check out 505 Cigar Review's linktr.ee to find all of his content.

We continue our interviews from the PCA 2022 Trade Show floor with Rick Rodriguez of West Tampa Tobacco Co., Lee Marsh of Stolen Throne, John Laurendi of Peter James, Desiree Sylver of Drunk Chicken Cigars, Bradley Rubin of Alec Bradley Cigars, and Dan Thompson of Micallef Cigars. There is a lot of great information on their new blends, PCA attendee exclusives, and some thoughts on Cigar Aficionado from Dan Thompson.

James takes to the PCA 2022 Trade Show floor to interview Jeremy Casdagli of Casdagli Cigars, Uncle Bobi of XhaXhi Bobi Cigars, Dr. Stephan Lampert of Lampert Cigars, and Luis Falto of Falto Cigars. With James battling COVID he picked up as he was leaving Las Vegas, it falls to Tim to close this episode out!   You can see all of our PCA 2022 Trade Show coverage here!