Deep Cuts Live

In episode 143 of Deep Cuts Live, host Antoine Reid has a conversation with Juan Lugo, founder of Don Doroteo Cigars. Juan comes from a four-generation tobacco growing family, though he did not immediately get into the tobacco business right away. Instead, he served in the military and worked in Silicon Valley where he learned a lot about what it takes to make a startup successful. Taking what he...

It's Deep Cuts Live's first ever tip show! Tune in for 30 minutes of viewer's questions about premium cigars. This show covers a number of commonly asked questions from cigar smokers including how to choose a cigar, the best budget cigars, how a cigar's shape affects how a cigar smokes, when to ash, and if price reflects quality in a cigar. Guests include: Allen Sanabria (Family x Loyalty), Lucian...

We're mixing things up a bit with this week's Deep Cuts Live! For Episode 141, the special guest is Julio Cabrera, the award-winning bartender behind Miami's Café La Trova and the new premium cigar brand Sacrificio Cigars. Julio has a unique and engaging story that's sure to inspire everyone to take some action in their life. After studying to become an agricultural engineer, Julio realized someth...

Becoming a content creator is a popular professional track for many people, but what does it take to be a successful content creator? What does it take to put together a video or to build a dedicated audience? In episode 140 of Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, Mechelle Merkerson shares how her desire to teach and educate others about premium cigars led to her creating her own online show, "C...

Hector Becerra is the national sales manager for Quesada Cigars, a well-established cigar manufacturer based in the Dominican Republic. In this interview with Deep Cuts Live, Hector dives into what makes Quesada a brand that should have a regular place in your humidor and what it takes to be a successful salesman and marketer in today's cigar industry. For anyone in sales, learn why "being on" at...

Ready to unlock the blueprint to conquering uncharted territories? Tune in now and be inspired by Panda Yan's exceptional expedition, proving that with tenacity and the right opportunities, you, too, can turn your dreams into reality.  Join us in this exclusive interview to uncover the untold story of how Panda Yan, armed with determination and curiosity, forged an extraordinary path. Dive into th...

How does an epiphany sparked by women's hair product lead to a premium cigar brand? You'll learn how that happened with this week's Deep Cuts Live interview with Kevin Brown. Brown has long been into entrepreneurship and has launched several businesses. It was when he found himself faced with an inner conflict selling hair product to women that eventually launched him into the cigar industry. Lear...

Aric Bey returns to Deep Cuts Live to talk about everything that's happened with his premium cigar brand, Black Star Line Cigars, since his first appearance in 2020. Since his first appearance, Aric has worked on and released several new cigars, most notably Mr. Fahrenheit and Rosewood 1923. Aric discusses working with new factories, such as Tabacalera La Isla and Fabrica Oveja Negra. Hear how Ari...

There's a misconception that "boutique" cigars aren't as good as more well-known brands, and this week's guest hopes to put that myth to rest once and for all with his company and its products. Mario Caraballo talks about what led him to launch his own premium cigar brand, Casa Caraballo, and a few lessons he's learned as a small business owner. Learn what the boutique cigar industry is really abo...

If you're bored with the typical name-brand cigars, this podcast will inspire you to venture into the unknown and explore the world of boutique cigars! This week's Deep Cuts Live features special guest Allen Sanabria, co-owner of Family X Loyalty Cigars. Over five years ago, Sanabria and his business partner launched a pipe accessory designed for use with premium cigars. After nine months, Allen s...

Join us for an exclusive interview with Christian Eiroa, the renowned founder and president of C.L.E. Cigar Company. In this captivating discussion, Christian takes us on a journey through his upbringing in Honduras, where his father imparted invaluable knowledge of tobacco cultivation and cigar craftsmanship. Discover Christian's transformation from a hesitant outsider to a passionate force in th...

Dive into an exclusive interview with Miguel M. Schoedel, the accomplished national sales manager of Crowned Heads, as he takes us on a compelling journey from the baseball diamond to the world of premium cigars. Uncover Miguel's inspiring career transition and invaluable insights into sales. Discover the fascinating story of Miguel's pursuit of his baseball dreams, his subsequent pivot into a sal...

In this episode of Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, famed cigar brand owner Nestor Miranda and his son-in-law, Jason Wood, the Vice President of Miami Cigar & Company, discuss their lives, careers, and the company's premium cigar portfolio. In this candid interview, Nestor Miranda talks about his childhood in Cuba, his move to the United States, and how he started Miami Cigar & Company in 19...

In this interview, Luis Miguel Torres, co-founder of Freud Cigar Co., shares his insights on how to create an ultra-premium cigar brand in 2023. Luis has spent his career working in the luxury product space, and he brings a wealth of experience to this conversation. He discusses the ultra-premium cigar category, how cigars are priced, and the link between price and quality. He also shares how his...

In this interview, Brandon Marsh, co-founder of Big Sky Cigar, shares his story of how he went from farming to making cigars. Brandon grew up on a farm in Montana and has always loved the outdoors. He started his own cigar company, inspired by his love of Montana. Big Sky Cigar and its products are named after iconic Montana landmarks, and its cigar blends are made to be enjoyed in the outdoors wh...

In this hour-long interview, Charlie Minato, editor and co-founder of Halfwheel, discusses his journey to becoming one of the most well-known voices in the premium cigar industry. Charlie shares his insights on the media landscape, the challenges of running a business, and his advice for anyone who wants to make it in the cigar industry. Whether you're a cigar enthusiast or simply interested in th...

In this episode of Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, we chat with Luciano Meirelles, owner of Luciano Cigars (formerly Ace Prime). When Luciano Meirelles' family faced a traumatic event, he knew he had to make a change. Determined to be more present with his loved ones, he decided to simplify his life and pursue his passion for cigars. But instead of launching his own brand right away, Lucian...

In this all-new Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, special guest Damon Robinson gives us all the details about Charlotte Cigar Week. Learn how this special week focusing on the cigar culture and lifestyle in and around Charlotte, North Carolina, came to be and the work it's taken to build this event up to a must-attend for many cigar enthusiasts in and outside of North Carolina. Damon gives us...

In episode 125 of Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, special guests Jeffrey Amendola and Chris Monaco from Amendola Family Cigar Co talk about their latest release, the Amendola NYC Series - West Side Story. You'll often hear that it takes 300 hands to make a cigar but what is the process behind taking a cigar from concept to a finished product on a store shelf? Learn how the NYC Series was cr...

In episode 124 of Deep Cuts Live, host Antoine Reid speaks with special guest Ernesto Padilla, the owner of Padilla Cigars. Born in Cuba, Ernesto has been a key player in the premium cigar industry for over 20 years. In this fascinating interview, Ernesto shares his journey in creating a traditional cigar and how small brands in the industry have to navigate their own distribution companies. He al...

In this week's Deep Cuts Live, I'm speaking with Philip Zanghi, the mastermind behind Debonaire Cigars and Indian Motorcycle Cigars. In this chat, we talk about his journey in the cigar industry and the realities of running your own premium cigar brand. Philip has been a part of the cigar industry for over 30 years, and let me tell you, he's got some serious knowledge to drop. He founded InterTaba...

What happens when you love wine and cigars? If you're Valda Stojanov, you take those two passions and create an exciting new premium cigar brand from it. In this all-new Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, Vlada Stojanov, founder and owner of Somm Cigars, talks about his background in the wine industry and how it eventually led him to world of premium cigars. Learn how Vlad's work with other pr...

Silicon Valley is known for being the tech Mecca of the U.S. but did you know it's the home base for a premium cigar brand as well? In this all-new Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, special guests Chris Olivares, Kerry Knight, Patrick Diaz, and Ozhen Arsenous from Casa de Sueños shares how a love of cigars brought them together to form their own brand. Learn how they got started in creating t...

Are you a premium cigar lover looking for a new, exclusive brand to try? Look no further than Howard G Cigars. Founded by Howard Gumbs Jr., this boutique cigar brand is inspired by his love of cigar culture and respect for the artisanship behind the craft. With a collection that offers a variety of intensities of premium aged Nicaraguan tobacco, Howard G Cigars are handcrafted with the finest atte...

In this latest episode of Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, Indiana Ortez, the youngest member of the Ortez tobacco family, talks about the launch of her new company, Casa De Ortez. Casa De Ortez celebrates the quality and experience of Nicaragua's oldest tobacco family, providing a vertically integrated approach to cigar production. Indiana's experience in blending and marketing, coupled wit...