Cigar Hacks Podcast

We bring a few first-timers to the infamous “Undisclosed Location” for this week’s episode. We have a couple of brief call-ins ahead of Hackapalooza. Pat McGroin gives us a run down of his adventure to the White Ash event with Mike the Cop from Rocky Patel Cigars. The Hidden Herf is easy to determine by … Continue reading "Episode 376: Back at the Undisclosed Location &#821...

We are back at Shack for the Hackapalooza pregame and rum tasting. Ricky calls in with the Florida report and another Hack is sworn in. The Hidden Herf is picked off early and receives both high and low marks with about an even split. Local Spotlight – The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA Controversy Corner – … Continue reading "Episode 375: Rum and Cigar Pairings – Local Spotligh...

We arranged to meet our special guest, Varnell, at Grumpy’s for an introduction to Orisha Cigars, a Haitian brand. Nurse Rick calls in for the Florida Report. We have a few new voices, some fun and games, and a swearing-in to round out the episode. The Hidden Herf is very well received by the panel. … Continue reading "Episode 374: Orisha Cigars of Haiti – Local Spotlight: Grumpy...

We’re back at Castro’s in Manchester for another fun-filled episode and a sequel to Episode 354, “Drink the Rainbow”. The crew is in rare form this week with lots of jokes and poking fun at each other. Ricky’s call-in is a fail. The Hidden Herf is another classic “unicorn status cigar” from Killer’s vault. Local … Continue reading "Episode 373:...

As 2024 comes to a close we have a special guest, Jennifer Thorson, the SVP of Marketing for the Molon Labe brands. It’s a large crew and a very busy lounge this week but we have a lot of laughs and learn about brand marketing. The Hidden Herf is identified early. Local Spotlight – Ash … Continue reading "Episode 372: 2024 Wrap Up and Market Branding – Local Spotlight: Ash...

Direct from The Tobacco Shack in Rowley, MA it’s the 2024 Hackie Awards Show. Everyone braved the first snow storm of the season for The Tobacco Shack Christmas Party and to do this episode. We get the RI run-down from Pat McGroin. The Hidden Herf is something very different. Local Spotlight – The Tobacco Shack; … Continue reading "Episode 371: The 2024 Hackie Awards Special &#82...

We return to the Two Guys Christmas Party at the Seabrook location for the fourth time. Returning to the Christmas Party series are Steve DeOssie of the NFL (Episode 267) and Jarrid Trudeau EVP of Kristoff Cigars (Episode 319). Our first time guest is John Cena Sr. AKA Johnny Fabulous of Pro Wrestling. Also see … Continue reading "Episode 370: A Wrestler, Linebacker, and Cigar Exec Walk Into...

The panel is made up of regulars at the United Cigar Event at Plaistow Cigar. Our newly minted tobacconist picks out the Hidden Herf, it’s a bit obvious what it is. We have a couple of items in the mailbag and plenty of Cigar content. Local Spotlight – Plaistow Cigar Co; Plaistow, NH Controversy Corner … Continue reading "Episode 369: United We Smoke – Local Spotlight: Plai...

It’s Black Friday again and we are all worn our from too much turkey and frantic shoppers. The panel gathers in Bedford at Castro’s for a relaxing evening after the holiday to discuss the Hidden Herf and other topics. Local Spotlight – Castro’s Backroom; Bedford, NH Controversy Corner – Laughing at the Criers

The crew retires to The Tobacco Shack after hours for a quiet respite. We have a new cigar smoker join us for the festivities. The Hidden Herf is a surprise that we all missed in epic fashion. Local Spotlight – The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA Controversy Corner – You Look Marvelous

It’s our Seventh Anniversary this week and we are joined by Lee Graves our local Kristoff Cigars Rep. We are at Twins Smoke Shop and the 7-20-4 Lounge celebrating with Pat the “former” law student on his swearing in as a lawyer. The Hidden Herf is well received by the panel. Local Spotlight – Twins … Continue reading "Episode 366: The Seventh Anniversary – Local...

The crew joins up at The Ash Cigar Lounge for the Pocono Palooza recap and the election results. The Hidden Herf does not live up to what everyone expected, size does matter! Next week begins our eighth year. Local Spotlight – Ash Cigar Lounge; Kingston, NH Controversy Corner – It’s a red wave and a … Continue reading "Episode 365: Pocono Palooza ’24 Part II – L...

It’s time again for our annual trip to the Poconos. We record on the first night after driving, smoking and partying all day. It a virtual laugh track on this after midnight episode. Local Spotlight – Big House Tobacco Outlet; Scranton, PA Controversy Corner – It just doesn’t add up

This week we land back at Grumpy’s with Nick Goss for the All Saints Cigars Event. We find a bonus guest at the bar that we have been wanting to talk with for a while, Tom Boot of The Original Cigar & Bar joins us. Mustang Mike reports on his trip to the Rocky Patel … Continue reading "Episode 363: The Goss Man Cometh with All Saints Cigars – Local Spotlight: Grumpy’s C...

Due to scheduling issues we only have time for a quick one this week. It’s like the old days; under an hour in the back lounge at Plaistow Cigar. Mike the Cop from Rocky Patel is on hand where he previews the upcoming trip to Rocky’s house in Honduras with a dozen or so cigar … Continue reading "Episode 362: A Quick Smoke with Mike The Cop – Local Spotlight: Plaistow Cigar...

Erik and Jim from 3Leaf Cigars are the guests this week as we gather at Plaistow Cigar to check in with 3Leaf and learn what it takes to start a new cigar line. This is another one of those episodes with constant jokes, laughs and all around fun. Comedy Corner may have had it’s run. … Continue reading "Episode 361: 3Leaf Redux – Local Spotlight: New England Cigar Expo 2024"

The Hacks are Validating with Terrence Riley of Aganorsa Leaf Cigars in the 7-20-4 lounge. We are afforded the privilege of the “fuma experience”, where we smoke two different single leafs that are part of every Aganorsa cigar. We learn all about Aganorsa and the other brands that come from the same fields. Local Spotlight … Continue reading "Episode 360: The Greatest Night of Ou...

It’s a trip to the land of Miserable Nick to visit with Paul Joyal of Mr. J’s Havana Cigar Lounge. Should kids go to college or not. If you already didn’t know, Pat just came back from Ireland. The Hidden Herf is identified early on and turns out to be a well aged and highly … Continue reading "Episode 359: On the Spot in Rhode Island – Local Spotlight: Mr. J’s...

The Tobacco Shack celebrates its first five years under the current management. Our first Tobacco Shack episode was number 104, it seems like yesterday. The Anniversary party included a Rocky Patel Cigar Event so, for the Hidden Herf we get to try another yet to be released cigar from Rocky Patel. Local Spotlight – The … Continue reading "Episode 358: Five Years at The Shack – Lo...

The Madre Tierra team is in town for Grumpy’s First Anniversary weekend. We stretch this one out long enough to smoke and rate two Hidden Herf cigars from Madre Tierra. The results are a bit surprising. Local Spotlight – Grumpy’s Cigars & Lounge; Hudson, NH Controversy Corner – It’s Debatable

The Founding Fathers Executives Networking Group is based out of a speakeasy style lounge and meeting facility in Danvers, MA. We are joined by the principals of the Founding Fathers for an explanation of “Come as a guest, leave as a friend, and return as a brother”. We have a cast of many so get … Continue reading "Episode 356: The Speakeasy – Local Spotlight: Founding Fat...

It’s Labor Day weekend and the summer is winding down so we head back to home-base for a relatively quiet evening with many of the OGs. The Hidden Herf did not stay hidden for very long, it’s one of those kind of obvious and unique cigars. Local Spotlight – Plaistow Cigar Co; Plaistow, NH & … Continue reading "Episode 355: Labor Day at Home – Local Spotlight: Plai...

We head for the sidewalk on Elm St. but the weather is so good that it’s already jammed, so we go inside the front window. The Hidden Herf is identified immediately, the panel is getting too good at this. The podcast Juice is very colorful. We are joined by special guests “Killer” of Castro’s and … Continue reading "Episode 354: Drink the Rainbow – Local Spotlig...

It’s another small-group recording from McGroin Manor where we prepare for this year’s New England Cigar Expo and recount four interviews from the 2023 Expo; Perdomo, Kristoff, Micallef, and Montecristo. Local Spotlight – New England Cigar Expo Controversy Corner – Grounding

Back to our regular Friday recording schedule the crew heads over to the Shack where we have a surprise visit from the Choir Boy who has been out of the podcast loop for a while. The Hidden Herf is kind of picked out despite the deceptive practice of the supplier. Local Spotlight – The Tobacco … Continue reading "Episode 352: The Prodigal Son Returns – Local Spotlight: The Tobacc...