Cigar Hacks

Closing out 2021 and ringing in 2022 it’s the New Year’s episode. We have a few good jokes from The Domicile with the regulars and a decent Hidden Herf to go with it all. We reflect on a few thing in the past and discus what’s possible in the future. Local Spotlight – The Tobacco … Continue reading "Episode 216: We Hope ’22 is Good for You – Local Spotlight: The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA"

Joining the hacks at the Tobacco Shack Christmas Party in Rowley, MA are Bugsy Segal of Pura Soul Cigars and Jeffrey Amendola of Amendola Family Cigars. Not only do we find out about the Pura Soul Barber Pole Cigar and Amandola Family Cigars, we learn just how small the cigar world is. Local Spotlight – … Continue reading "Episode 215: Tobacco Shack Christmas Special – Local Spotlight: Boston Ciga...

Nashville Dave is on a cigar shop road trip reporting direct from the Florida pan handle at Zack’s Beach Castle Cigars. The hidden Herf is a bit of a dog but, the panel can’t seem to pin it down even with plenty of clues. We give a report on the Two Guys Christmas Party and … Continue reading "Episode 214: Nashville Dave on the Road – Local Spotlight: Zack’s Beach Castle Cigars; Mary Esther, FL"

We are at the Hammer + Sickle – Plaistow Cigar Christmas Party, which means Erik and Brian of Hammer + Sickle along with Matty the Magnificent join the panel for this annual occasion. We launch the H+S 2021 EPH Limited Edition Cigar and it scores big on the Hack scale. It’s also a birthday, Cowboy … Continue reading "Episode 213: It’s Hammer time – Local Spotlight: Hammer + Sickle Christmas at Pla...

This week’s Hidden Herf is very good, with just a hint or two, and more than a few guesses, the panel lands it. The Oscuro III is set up as a cigar lounge at the Route One BNG event this week and we have a blast with it. Local Spotlight – Route One Business Networking … Continue reading "Episode 212: A Non-Attorney Spokesman – Local Spotlight: Route One BNG Extravaganza"

The Reverend Harvey returns after a bit of a hiatus. The panel samples an unusual hard cider made by “Far From the Tree” in Salem, MA. The Hidden Herf is also a bit unusual and quite a surprise. The Hacks will be at the “Route ONE Business Networking Group” Extravaganza on Thursday December 2nd from … Continue reading "Episode 211: Light Italian Dressing – Local Spotlight: Black Friday at Two Guys...

It’s the 4th Anniversary episode and we deliver. This episode contains almost an hour of one liners and jokes. Sure there’s a cigar but it melts into the background like it should. It’s a winner and we couldn’t have picked a better performing cigar for the occasion. Local Spotlight – Our 4th Anniversary Controversy Corner … Continue reading "Episode 210: Four Years of Laughs – Local Spotlight: Our...

Matty The Magnificent is back with the crew in the original spot for the last episode of the fourth year. It’s tinfoil hats all around and running jokes that keep this one on track. The Hidden Herf is a total guess after many clues and the process of elimination. Local Spotlight – Plaistow Cigar Co.; … Continue reading "Episode 209: Island Boy – Local Spotlight: Plaistow Cigar Co.; Plaistow, NH"

After Brinner (Breakfast for Dinner) we recruit a special guest, The Closer, to join us this week. There is plenty of cigar talk, but a lot of other ground is covered too. Local Spotlight – Brinner (Breakfast for Dinner), Two Guys Smoke Shop; Salem, NH Controversy Corner – The Supply Chain

We’re at the Rocky Patel event at The Shack with Mike The Cop and the crew for another fun evening with a cast of thousands. The Hidden Herf is a hit with everyone. It Black Bottle Beard Co time again with MJ on the panel. Local Spotlight – The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA Controversy Corner … Continue reading "Episode 207: Let the Ashes Hit the Floor – Local Spotlight: The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA"

Find out what happens when a dozen Hacks land at Best Cigar Pub for lunch during Pocono Palooza. We are joined by a surprize guest; Cigar Craig. We interview one of the most knowledgable Best Cigar Pub staff members. ATB sets us up with an interesting Hidden Herf that stumps everyone. Local Spotlight – Best … Continue reading "Episode 206: Pocono Palooza 3.0 – Local Spotlight: Best Cigar Pub; Drum...

It’s PoconoPalooza next week so we call JoJo Mo to get the 411 on what’s coming up. The Blue Ash returns from Alaska with a review of a new cigar lounge called Rat Pack Cigars. The objective for the Hacks this week is to not get eliminated from the squid events game. The Hidden Herf … Continue reading "Episode 205: The Squid Hacks – Local Spotlight: Rat Pack Cigars; Fairbanks, AK"

We’re direct from the newly renovated and reopened El Toro Cigar & Lounge. We are joined by the shop owners, Bugsy from Pura Soul, a group of regulars, and a few folks who just happened by. The Cigar is a relatively strong one so it gets mixed reviews from the mild smokers in the group, … Continue reading "Episode 204: Let’s Go Brandon – Local Spotlight: El Toro Cigar & Lounge; Hudson, NH"

Were just back from “Smokey Karaoke” and it’s only a panel of four this week. We score a box of great lanceros while at the event, so we forego the Hidden Herf and just go with these cigars. We also discuss the two first release cigars that we received at the event. Plenty of cigar … Continue reading "Episode 203: It’s a Four Pack – Local Spotlight: Smokey Karaoke at Two Smoke Shop; Salem, NH"

Nurse Rick is under the weather and calls in on the remote. The mail bag brings us back to last week’s area code discussion and we receive a surprise package. The Hidden Herf is a perfect beginner cigar and after a few clues Comedy Chris nails it. There’s a full compliment of jokes and laughs. … Continue reading "Episode 202: I Don’t Get It – Local Spotlight: Twins 24th Annual Smokin’ Blues BBQ"

It’s off the rails before we get started. The panel is literally “primed” for this one. If you want plenty of laughs this is the episode, we do eventually light the cigar. The Hidden Herf takes a few guesses, but we get there. Local Spotlight – Two Guys Smoke Shop 36th Anniversary Dinner Controversy Corner … Continue reading "Episode 201: A Pair of Loafers and a Four Lane Highway – Local Spotlight...

Two Hundred! Time sure flies when you are having fun. We take a look back at all the things we’ve done under the Cigar Hacks umbrella, including the people we’ve met and the places we’ve been. A special thanks to all who have been part of this journey, on the show, behind the scenes, and … Continue reading "Episode 200: A Milestone and a Look Back – Local Spotlight: Football at The Tobacco Shack;...

It’s a perfect evening on Enema Lake for this week’s episode. The Hidden Herf stumps the panel and gets a decent rating. NH Cigar Bar license updates and more in the news segment. We interview Abe Flores of PDR Cigars during the event at Plaistow Cigar. Local Spotlight – Corona Cigar; Orlando, FL Controversy Corner … Continue reading "Episode 199: The Poop Deck; Special Segment with Abe Flores of...

Lauren from Ashton joins the Hacks for this episode during the Ashton Cigar Event at Cigars R Us. It’s 90 degrees and 90% humidity at sundown, we’re outside in the “alley” and the only thing keeping us cool is a nice cigar and the Podcast Juice. A few of the Danvers regulars also join in … Continue reading "Episode 198: In the Alley with Special Guest: Lauren from Ashton – Local Spotlight: Cigars...

We have a couple of letters in the mailbag that drive the episode. CSM George sends us a set of Hidden Herfs that stump the panel and get a very high rating. This is a relaxed episode from The Domicile with plenty of laughs. Local Spotlight – Castaways Seafood & Grille; Seabrook, NH Controversy Corner … Continue reading "Episode 197: Letters to the Editor – Local Spotlight: Castaways Seafood & Gri...

We are at the Tobacco Shack for 2nd Anniversary of Eastie Paul at the helm. By the end of the evening it’s practically a full house with all the folks that drop in. The Hidden Herf stumps the panel and gets just an OK rating. Comedy Chris is in rare form, we do a Podcast … Continue reading "Episode 196: Two Years at the Shack – Local Spotlight: The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA"

CSM George joins us on the remote where we swear him in as a Cigar Hack. We recount the Vouchers for Veterans event from last week. The Hidden Herf is identified with an initial lucky guess and gets a high rating. The crickets are in the background while we sit around the firepit for the … Continue reading "Episode 195: Crickets at the Firepit – Local Spotlight: Out in the Limo Last Saturday Night...

This week the Hacks put on the Vouchers for Veterans; Smok’em If You Got’em Event at the Smokey Quartz Distillery in Seabrook NH, a veteran owned operation. The event was a huge success. The Hidden Herf was also a huge success, receiving a high rating from the panel.  CSM George made the trip up from … Continue reading "Episode 194: Vouchers for Veterans – Local Spotlight: Smok’em If You Got’em Ev...

It’s a Hacks’ outing with the goats, dogs and a bonfire on a perfect Saturday evening. We’re grillin’ and chillin’ while feeding peanuts to the animals before the show. The neighborhood joins in for the fun and a few join us on the show. The Hidden Herf is interesting and there is a fair amount … Continue reading "Episode 193: Goata-Palooza – Local Spotlight: Gran Havana; San Diego, CA"

Stories from Summa-Palooza weekend, Who fell in? Who caught the big ones? It’s a small world. The Hidden Herf draws a split decision. The Smoky Quartz Veteran’s event is Friday July 30th – Tickets available here. Local Spotlight – The Lake, The Original Cigar & Bar, Cigar Shenanigans Cigar & Cocktail Lounge; North Conway, NH … Continue reading "Episode 192: Summa-Palooza and Other Fish Stories – L...