Simply Stogies

Tim is joined by Nick and James and the trio dissect the latest Simply Stogies Podcast episode that features William "Cigar Coop" Cooper. There's a lot of talk around what is "cigar media" and what isn't. Who should be allowed to cover the trade show? What's an influencer? What is the "job" of cigar media? They try to cover all of it, and do so poorly. Tim also gets a big head as they talk about Will's comment of Clear the Air being the "secret sauce" of Simply Stogies Podcast. 

James and Nick welcome William "Cigar Coop" Cooper back to the show. This time we pick Coop's brain about what exactly constitutes "cigar media" and their role in the industry. We also discuss the upcoming PCA 2023 Trade Show in Las Vegas, Coop tells us what his theme is this year, and he gives Simply Stogies some tips to make the most of the trade show. Coop also gives Tim and our after show, Clear the Air, some love and James breaks his mic arm.

Tim welcomes the Simply Stogies Podcast hosts, James and Nick, back for another Clear the Air. This time the trio discuss Episode 104: Catching Up with Jeremy Casdagli. The discussion starts with some of what Jeremy Casdagli had to say before winding up discussing the logistics of on location recording. Once we get done bemoaning the pitfalls of podcasting, we turn our attention to price, the Cuban market impact on New World cigars around the world, and Tim has some issues with his garage door.

Our first time on location (for video), and James is at the Humidor of Lisle, in Lisle, Illinois, to sit down with Jeremy Casdagli of Casdagli Cigars. The pair discuss everything from upcoming releases and cigar reviews, to the Casdagli themed room at the Humidor of Lisle and the FDA. There might be a few surprises talked about as well.

Tim welcomes James and Nick back to Clear the Air and the trio talk a little bit about everything. The trio discusses Simply Stogies Podcast Episodes 102 & 103, the interview with Zev Kaminetsky of Toscano and the My Old Kentucky Herf interviews.. Starting with Zev, the conversation starts to get political before pulling back and bringing it home to My Old Kentucky Herf. 

James visits the crew of FatAsh Cigar Lounge in Ashland, Kentucky for the third annual My Old Kentucky Herf! James talks with Dwight Adkins, owner of FatAsh Cigar Lounge and founder of MOKH, to discuss what's new this year. During the event, James speaks with Riste of JSK, Greg Free of Fuerte Y Libre, Oscar Valladares of OV Cigars, Rick Rodriguez from West Tampa Tobacco Co., Luciano Meirelles of Luciano Cigars, David Blanco, from Blanco Cigars, Andy Yaffee of Micallef Cigars, and we find out about the Ohio Cigar Mafia and their charitable work.

Nick and James are joined by Zev Kaminetsky of Toscano Cigars. We get Zev's take on a litany of cigar issues: brokers, manufacturers, the PCA, the CRA, and cigar media. Zev doesn't hold back and has hilarious takes on the cigar industry as a whole. We enjoyed his perspective and the conversation; we hope you do too!

Tim is joined by James and Nick as they discuss Episode 101 with Dr. Oscar Rodriguez of GTO Cigars. The trio discuss the interview and hit the highlights while adding their opinions and expanding on topics talked about by Dr. Rodriguez. This includes "coming out of the hole and smelling for vagina," flavored cigars, short filler, and the FDA. While we try to stay away from discussing politics, this discussion definitely touched on it. 

James and Nick are joined by the CEO of GTO Dominican Cigars, Dr. Oscar Rodriguez. Dr. Rodriguez gives us the history of growing tobacco on the family farm in the Dominican Republic and some family history. He also lets us in on how and why he got into practicing medicine. Dr. Rodriguez talks about why he, a medical doctor, supports premium hand rolled cigars, and the benefit of smoking them. The FDA comes into the discussion, as does the lack of respect for the industry from some newcomers to the business. It was an interesting and fun conversation that we hope you all enjoy as much as we did.   Visit GTO Cigars here!

Tim, Nick, and James discuss the 100th episode of Simply Stogies. The trio discuss Micallef Cigars and Andy Yaffee's  appearance, and what it takes to be a sales person in the cigar industry. They also discuss the industry as a whole, media, Simply Stogies role, the work that goes into making a podcast, and much more!

James and Nick welcome our friend Andy Yaffee, the National Sales Director for Micallef Cigars, to the show. For our 100th episode, we ask Andy about the new sizes of the Micallef Leyenda that are releasing soon and what Andy has learned in his role as National Sales Director for Micallef. We talk about how Micallef pulled their product from large online retailers to not only support their brick and mortar retailers, but also how that helps combat devaluation. We ask Andy about why Micallef runs the business differently than other premium cigar companies and how that helps them build their brand. We discuss the change in dates for the PCA Trade Show next year, Micallef Ambassadors, and much more.   To join the Micallef Ambassador program, click here!

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!