Not A Cigar Show*

Oliver Nivaud has spent years working behind the scenes in the cigar business, and on this episode of Not A Cigar Show, we get into a little bit of everything. Oliver, Director of Operations for United Cigars, joins me to talk about United, working with Dave Garofalo, representing Nelson Alfonso and Selected Tobacco, and what goes into building and supporting cigar brands in a crowded market. We a...

Keeping cigars properly humidified sounds simple right up until you start asking cigar smokers what RH they use, how many packs they put in a humidor, whether they rotate them, and what happens when they bring home a brand-new box. On this episode of Not A Cigar Show, I’m joined by JP Awad, Boveda’s Eastern U.S. Sales Representative, and Nate Beck, Western U.S. Sales Representative, to talk about...

Terence Reilly of Aganorsa Leaf joins Fred Rewey on Not A Cigar Show for a conversation about tobacco, cigars, marketing, retailers, and what actually goes into building a brand in today’s cigar business. We get into what makes Aganorsa tobacco different, the advantage of controlling so much of the process from the fields forward, how cigar smokers understand, and sometimes misunderstand, tobacco,...

No guest this week. Just your questions. Welcome to the first episode of Office Hours, a new edition of Not a Cigar Show where the conversation is driven by cigar smokers. This episode tackles questions about cigar lounge etiquette, whether the industry really needs more new brands, cell phones in lounges, aging cigars, and several other topics submitted by viewers. Have a question for a future ep...

Charles Gibb had been CEO of Tabacalera USA for roughly 48 hours when this interview was recorded live at PCA. That timing makes this conversation unique. Before the talking points were polished and before months of industry headlines could shape the narrative, Gibb sat down with Cigar Press to discuss his vision for some of the most recognizable brands in premium cigars. Coming from the luxury sp...

James Brown of Black Label Trading Company and Black Works Studio joins Fred Rewey on Not A Cigar Show for a deep conversation about blending, branding, artwork, factories, tobacco, and why some cigar smokers still refuse to try a petite corona. This episode goes far beyond “tell us about the new release.” James talks about his path from the wine industry and hospitality to running cigar expeditio...

David Lafferty from Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust joins Fred Rewey for one of the most honest episodes of Not A Cigar Show yet. This episode pulls back the curtain on what the cigar industry really looks like beyond the social media photos, cigar dinners, trade shows, and lounge culture. David talks openly about life on the road, sales pressure, retailers, brokers, burnout, consumer expectations,...

Tim Ozgener grew up in the cigar industry, helped build CAO, walked away, then came back to start Oz Family Cigars. In this episode we talk about legacy, starting over, blending philosophy, and what cigar smokers never see behind the scenes. We also get into how the industry has changed, why today’s consumers are more educated, and what Tim focuses on when building a modern cigar brand. If you wan...

More Than Litto’s Son: Litto Gomez Jr. on Pressure, Growth, and the Future of LFD. Legacy gets thrown around a lot in this business. Usually, it comes with soft lighting and a rehearsed answer. This one does not. Litto Gomez Jr. jumps in and talks about pressure, proving yourself when your last name is already on the wall, and why protecting quality at La Flor Dominicana matters more than chasing...

Jason Wood from Miami Cigar and Outcast Cigars joins Fred Rewey for a conversation that goes well beyond a product pitch. They dig into the real origin of Tatiana, what it was like coming into a legacy cigar family without even being a smoker, and the lesson Jason learned the hard way about staying out of a master blender’s kitchen. They also break down Outcast Cigars, a pipe-tobacco-forward blend...

Daniel Lance co-founded Domain Cigars, and he did it the hard way. No family legacy. No shortcut factory tour that turns into a brand launch. He put in nearly two decades of retail work, then moved to Nicaragua, then went all-in on building a vertically integrated operation from farms to factory to finished cigars. We get into what retail teaches you, why Domain tracks the details most brands igno...

Law Ream of Camacho joins Not A Cigar Show for a conversation that moves fast and pulls no punches. We talk cigars, the industry, and the stuff most people only complain about after the cameras are off. Expect strong opinions, honest answers, and more than a few moments that drift into dangerous territory. This episode does not chase headlines or talking points. It chases reality. Some of it is un...

Steve Saka joins Not A Cigar Show for an episode that refuses to stay on the rails. You get real talk, sharp opinions, and the kind of cigar knowledge only Saka can drop. We cover blending, bad ideas, and a few things we probably wish we had not said out loud. You will walk away smarter and maybe a little tired. If you enjoy cigars, sarcasm, or watching grown adults lose control of their own show,...

Meet the Cigar Press 30. This is your guide to building the perfect humidor. We picked 30 cigars that earn a permanent spot. Ten mild. Ten medium. Ten full. No trends. No hype. No limited editions. Only proven blends that deliver every time. What you get in this episode: • A full breakdown of the Cigar Press 30 • Ten mild cigars with clean flavor and consistent performance • Ten medium cigars with...

Tom Lazuka, co-founder of Asylum Cigars, joins Fred Rewey for a deep dive into how a wild idea turned into one of the most recognizable brands in the cigar world. They cover everything from 70-ring-gauge cigars and Detroit roots to pizza shops, travel grind, and building a brand from scratch. Tom talks about lessons from the Camacho days, working with Christian Eiroa, and what’s next for Asylum—in...

Hostos Fernandez isn’t just rolling cigars—he’s rolling out a new era of Dominican craftsmanship. As the man behind Tabacalera LA iSLA, Hostos has become one of the most respected names in boutique cigar making. From blending magic to mentoring the next wave of cigar talent, he’s redefining what it means to build a factory and a legacy. In this episode of Not A Cigar Show, Hostos sits down with Fr...

Abe Dababneh isn’t just the guy behind Smoke Inn — he’s built one of the biggest retail empires in the cigar world, launched The Great Smoke (one of the industry’s most over-the-top events), and somehow still finds time to host KMA Talk Radio. In this episode of Not A Cigar Show, Abe sits down with Fred to talk about what it really takes to build something that lasts, the business behind cigar cul...

Matt Booth isn’t your typical cigar maker — he’s a storyteller, a troublemaker, and the kind of guy who can make chaos sound poetic. In this episode of Not A Cigar Show, Fred Rewey sits down with the man behind Room101 Cigars for an unfiltered talk about creativity, authenticity, and why the cigar industry needs a little more rebellion and a little less pretending. Expect sarcasm, honesty, and a f...

Michael Herklots isn’t just a cigar guy—he’s a walking masterclass in how to mix passion, performance, and perfectly tailored suits. From Nat Sherman to Ferio Tego, he’s built a reputation on doing things his way—elevating the cigar experience without taking himself too seriously (well… maybe just seriously enough). In this episode of Not A Cigar Show, Fred Rewey sits down with Michael to talk bus...

Jon Huber, co-founder of Crowned Heads Cigars, joins Not a Cigar Show for a conversation as bold as the blends he creates. Building one of the most recognizable boutique brands in the cigar world, Jon shares his unfiltered take on the state of the industry, why Crowned Heads has always zigged when others zagged, and what keeps him inspired after more than a decade of defying expectations. Equal pa...

On this episode of Not A Cigar Show, we sit down with Josh Habursky, Deputy Executive Director of the PCA and the guy fighting the political battles to keep premium cigars in your humidor. From ridiculous regulations to behind-the-scenes lobbying wins, Josh shares what’s really going on in Washington—and why it matters to every cigar smoker. If you’re into premium cigars, care about protecting cig...

In this episode of Not A Cigar Show, we sit down with Laurel Tilley, one of the most recognizable and outspoken voices in the cigar world. Laurel shares behind-the-scenes stories from the industry, her journey into cigars, and the realities of life on the road representing major brands. Expect plenty of laughs, a little cigar geekery, and some brutally honest takes. This is part interview, part st...

On this episode of Not A Cigar Show, we sit down with Jack Heyer, Product Manager at Camacho Cigars. From bold blends to behind-the-scenes stories, Jack brings a fresh perspective and plenty of laughs. If you’re into Camacho, premium cigars, or just love hearing the unfiltered side of the industry, you’ll want to light up and enjoy this conversation. 👉 Subscribe for more Not A Cigar Show episodes...

In this episode of Not a Cigar Show (from CigarPress.com), we sit down with Skip Martin, the outspoken and unfiltered co-founder of RoMa Craft Tobac. Known for his bold takes and no-BS attitude, Skip dives into everything from boutique cigar culture to international tariffs, manufacturing challenges, and what really grinds his gears in the cigar world. If you like your cigar talk honest, raw, and...

In this episode straight from www.cigarpress.com, we hang out with Lauren Koper, National Sales Executive and Community Manager at Micallef Cigars. Known for her vibrant energy, genuine love of cigars, and strong connection with the cigar community, Lauren shares her journey into the industry and the passion that drives her work. From building meaningful relationships with cigar lovers to helping...