Deep Cuts Live

In this all-new episode of Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, guest Michael Dounoulis details his journey from working in the hospitality industry in New York City to learning about the cigar making process in the tobacco fields of Nicaragua. After growing up in Jersey, Michael knew he loved working with people and found his place as a host and general manager in establishments in New Jersey a...

In this latest episode Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, Oliver Nivaud, director of operations at United Cigar Group, shares how he made the move from hospitality to working with premium cigars. Oliver gives some insight into what some of his retail customers are dealing with right now and why United Cigar Group puts so much focus on brick-and-mortar retailers in a digital age. Also learn mor...

In part 2 of this conversation with Dr. Gaby Kafie we're given a science lesson in what makes nicotine addictive and what many people get wrong about cigars. Dr. Kafie also reveals why he moved the production of Kafie 1901 cigars from Honduras to La Aurora in the Dominican Republic. In the end, he also shares what his ultimate philosophy is and what keeps him motivated.  -- Thanks for listening! V...

When Dr. Gaby Kafie learned he could no longer practice medicine due to an ailment, he turned to his other passion for a profession–cigars. How exactly does a doctor get into cigars? Listen to part 1 of this intimate interview with Dr. Kafie where he shares stories of his childhood and what led his family to leave Honduras and relocate in Miami. Learn about the impact his father had on his work et...

From the vault! Check out this "lost" 2015 interview with Jonathan Drew, founder and president of Drew Estate. Here you'll learn about the origin of one of the cigar industry's most unique and popular brands from one of the men who founded it. Learn about ACID, the cigar brand that started it all and Undercrown, the ultra-premium cigar line created on the factory floor that was totally unplanned f...

In this episode of Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, Mo Maali discusses a problem many new businesses face–how do you make your brand or product legitimate in the eyes of the retailer or consumer? In 2014, Mo decided to launch his own premium cigar brand, Patina Cigars. From the start, Mo's biggest challenge has been convincing retailers that his brand is legit and worth carrying. Learn how M...

In this episode of Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, Brandon Oveson shares how he and his business partner turned a challenging life situation into a unique brand. Brandon and his business partner, Kendrick, were once Mormons but left the religion and were branded apostates, which is someone who renounces a religion, political belief or principle. In search of a community to be a part of, bot...

In this episode of Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, Chris Doyle and Ben Rotem share the story behind their popular monthly cigar subscription service, Luxury Cigar Club. Learn how they select the cigars for each month's box, why they think it's good for you to smoke cigars you may not be guaranteed to like, and two cigars they've smoked that totally took them by surprise. Watch until the end...

In this latest episode of Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, Alexander Berezowski discusses his company, My Cigar Pack. In the past, the only way a person could buy and learn about cigars was to go into a physical store. Now, Alexander's company is delivering cigars directly to people's mailboxes through an innovative monthly cigar subscription service. Learn how Alexander chooses the cigars f...

In this all-new episode of Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, Brandon Hayes talks about the 12th anniversary of Richardson, Texas-based cigar lounge and store Renegade Cigars. Learn how Brandon and his staff has built an engaged community within its store, how he chooses the cigars to stock, and why education is the driving force behind much of what makes Renegade Cigars a unique cigar store....

In this all-new Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, James Agopian shares his unexpected entry into the cigar world. At the request of a family friend, James started working at a cigar store even though he himself knew very little about cigars. Learn how his experiences as a retailer eventually inspired him to start his own brand, Sinistro Cigars. James talks about his experiences as a new bouti...

In this all-new Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, father and son duo Dave and Brandon Frakes from Industrial Cigar Co. give you the information you need to make your next trip to a cigar lounge even better. We oftentimes see cigars described by their wrapper, binder and filler but that's not going to help you find a cigar that fits your palate. Hear their advice for choosing cigars and findin...

In this episode of Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, Ian and Rebecca Harvey share what it's like to be a tobacconist in 2022. Learn why ventilation is a major concern for them and why they feel more retailers need to be worried about it, too. The Harveys share their experiences with choosing product for their store, managing customer expectations, and dealing with manufacturers. Plus, learn h...

In this all-new episode of Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, John Laurendi shares how he turned his cigar hobby into a lifestyle brand, Peter James Co. Learn how John approached building his company and expanding it from its original product category of luxury leather cigar cases to include other cigar accessories and adjacent products such as organic coffee, parfums, sofas and more. John als...

In Episode 106 of Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, Alec Cuevas shares the story behind Sangre Nueva, the first cigar he's blended for Casa Cuevas Cigars. Learn how Alec worked with his grandfather to create this special cigar that earned him a lot of buzz and attention at this year's Premium Cigar Association (PCA) trade show. Also, Alec gives his take on cigar marketing today: what factors...

In this episode of Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, Jesus Martinez shares the story of his family's cigar factory located in New York City's Manhattan borough. Learn how Jesus is carrying on a business that's over 50 years old and how he uses New York City's diversity to inspire his cigar blends for Martinez Cigars. David Rivera also shares how he approaches product development when helping...

In this episode of Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, Jerrold Miles and Corey Turner explain why being a smaller, independent premium cigar brand is actually an advantage. Learn how these two lawyers set out to create a cigar brand that would appeal to the masses and how their go-to-market method can be used by any business looking to gain traction in a competitive category. In addition to sha...

In this episode of Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, Rick Rodriguez shares what life is like after leaving his position at General Cigar Company and the CAO cigars brand. When Rick decided it was time for a change, he and a friend decided to launch their own premium cigar brand named West Tampa Tobacco Company. Find out how they got started and the steps they took to find the right manufactur...

In this episode Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, Jesse Mariut & Steve Gherebea look back on their documentary, "Hand Rolled: A Film About Cigars." Learn how these two film makers built an entire documentary around a subject they were curious about–cigars–and how they went about finding the right people to interview and include in their documentary's production. Jesse and Steve give insight i...

In this episode of Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, George Rico shares how he expresses his creativity through making cigars. George's father worked in the cigar industry and soon after the famed '90s cigar boom, George decided to launch his own boutique cigar brand. He decided early on his brand's unique selling point would be the story behind each blend and the different approach to brandi...

In this episode of Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, Leonor "Leo" Abzaradel, Platinum Nova Cigars shares her secret to success–what your profession, whatever you do, you have to be passionate. Leo has never let stereotypes or other's opinions stop her from achieving her goals. She's sold wine, she's worked in some of New York City's leading cigar retail stores and lounges and now is the CEO o...

In Episode 99 of Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, Lee Marsh shares how his love for premium cigars led him to launch his own brand, Stolen Throne Cigars. Knowing how competitive and overly saturated the premium cigar industry is, Marsh and his business partner opted to do things differently with their boutique brand. Learn how Marsh set his company and its products apart from their competito...

In this latest episode of Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, Litto Gomez, Jr., shares what it's like growing up in the cigar industry. Litto's father is one of the Dominican Republic's well-known cigar makers. Litto talks about growing up in the cigar industry, what made him want to join the family's business and what it was like blending his very first cigar, the La Flor Dominicana Solis. In...

In this latest episode of Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, guests Manolo Santiago, Jamie Baer and Serge Bollag talk about how they joined forces to launch Casa 1910, a premium cigar brand inspired by the Mexican Revolution with blends that incorporate Mexican tobacco. Hear why they wanted to use their new brand to put Mexico and its tobacco and cigar history on the map and how they brought t...

In this episode of Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, Matt Booth discusses his cigar brand, Room101, and why he sold it to Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG). Get insight into why Booth believes this acquisition will level up Room101, the surprising cigar brand he wants to collaborate with and his surprising prediction for the boutique cigar industry going forward. -- Thanks for watching! Websit...