Simply Stogies

I travel to sunny Orlando, Florida to chat live and in person with Jeremy and Donovan from Deep South Cigars. The three of us have a candid conversation about everything from politics, southern culture, diversity, family, cigars, self-promotion, the future, dating, starting your own business, and demystifying the cigar industry. This was a great conversation with a couple of real, down to earth, a...

I visit Capital Cigar Lounge in Lincoln, Nebraska to sit down and talk with Jeff Gaston. Jeff is the owner and founder of GSTN Cigar , who makes quality wood ashtrays for every budget and every need. Jeff and I discuss how he started his cigar journey and what led him to start GSTN Cigar. We talk about his process of making ashtrays, what inspires him, his inventory, and how long it takes him to s...

This episode I chat with Evan, the founder of The Blend Newsletter, via Zoom and we discuss his cigar journey, how he fell in love with cigars, how the global pandemic helped him find his passion for the leaf, and how he curates the newsletter each week. We end up talking about what it's like being a content creator in the cigar industry, the time it takes to create content, how it affects our per...

I visit the Drawing Room QC and chats with two of the owners, Eric Norton and Shale Sage. The trio discuss the cigar community and rich cigar history in Davenport, Iowa, the cigar industry, how cigar manufacturers sell cigars to B&Ms, and how Eric and Shale started their cigar journeys. They also discuss opening a cigar lounge during a pandemic, how they train their staff, and so much more.    Vis...

I sit down with the third generation owner of David's Fine Tobaccos in Clive, Iowa, Sean David. Sean and I discuss a wide range of topics that both his customers and cigar aficionados and enthusiasts will find interesting. We talk about the 40+ year history of David's Fine Tobaccos, what's changed over that time, and the growing diversity of cigar smokers. We find out what goes into an event, how...

I welcome Robin Blue, founder and creator of Blue Smoke ATL, to the show. Robin and I discuss how she approaches creating her line of cigar pokers, flasks, and key chains. We talk about how she began her cigar journey, what prompted her to start her business, and how women are different cigar smokers than men. We find out how she chooses which lounges to do business with and how women have found t...

I sit down and chat via Zoom with the founder and admin of Keepers of the Flame cigar club, Anthony. We discuss how Anthony got into the cigar hobby as well as his thoughts on boutique cigars, diversity, growth during COVID, his approach to moderating, and the Cigarmageddon contest with the Simply Stogies cigar club. This was a great conversation that I hope you enjoy as much as I did.   Keepers o...

I chat (via a Zoom call) with two of the three organizers of the Queen City Cigar Fest, Clinton Douglas and Damon Robinson. Clinton and Damon tell us about the upcoming Queen City Cigar Fest being held in Charlotte, NC from May 19 - May 23, 2021. There will be daily and nightly events held at different cigar lounges across the Queen City those five days that will highlight both the cigar culture a...

I give you my shortened opinion on the Cigar Aficionado Top 25 of 2020 list, why I think it is not a true list of the top cigars of 2020, and why we do not have advertisers or sponsors for the show and website. I then give you my list of Top 10 short cigars for winter or when you just don't have an hour to smoke. With both Cuban and non-Cuban cigars on the list, it's sure to have something for eve...

I sit down with the new Administrator of SimplyStogies.club, Ryan Janus. Ryan and I discuss his cigar journey and how he started smoking, to working in a cigar lounge, to running simplystogies.club. We talk about the cigar community, the impact that COVID-19 has had on the online cigar community, some of the fun things they do, and the upcoming Cigarmageddon contest with the Keepers of the Flame c...

I invite everyone to go to The Blend News and sign up for their newsletter and for their holiday giveaway ! I then take a look back at the trials, tribulations, and victories of 2020. Yes, 2020 was a tough year on everyone and Simply Stogies Podcast and simplystogies.com were not immune from the 2020 curse. I then take a look at our future, what we hope to accomplish, and announce that our Buy Me...

I welcome our Content Director, Matthew Kang ( Twitter  and Instagram ), and our Photographer, Wonho Frank Lee ( Instagram ) to the show. The three of us go through our 2020 Holiday Gift Guide on simplystogies.com and break down the gifts, why we chose particular products, and how they'll help you land on the nice list of the special BotLs and SotLs in your life. We also discuss how to choose ciga...

I go through my review of the Stolen Throne Oath Taker , a Cigar Federation exclusive offering from Stolen Throne. I tell you why it scored what it did and where I believe the fault lies. Then, with the holiday season upon us, I cover what celebratory cigars are to me, and what I'm planning on smoking this year. I then ask you to tell me what you're looking forward to smoking.   I also announce a...

I sit down with the Diana Hutton, the owner of Perfect Ash in Inver Grove Heights, MN. We discuss how an attorney from Mexico City winds up in Minnesota and then becomes the only Latina sole-owner of a cigar lounge in the state (and possibly the country). Diana opens up about what it took to open the new location of Perfect Ash. Diana also gives her perspective as a businesswoman on the business,...

James catches up with one of the founders and blenders of Stolen Throne Cigars, Lee Marsh. The pair discuss how Stolen Throne has handled the pandemic, their new releases (Call to Arms, Argos, and Oath Takers), what makes boutique cigars boutique, and much more!   Check out Stolen Throne's Facebook page   Visit Stolen Thone on Instagram     Get your Simply Stogies Podcast swag!!!  

I sit down and catch-up with co-owner Tony Goins, and humidor coach Jeff Fry. We discuss their response to COVID-19 and how it has impacted their business. Jeff and I talk about the changes in their stock, their approach to customers, and how they treat their employees and customers like family. I also got the opportunity to talk with Tony about his new book Something in the Water, where the proje...

James sits down with the owners of Safari Cigars & Lounge, Jeff and Mari Doll. They discuss lounge etiquette, the impact that small business has on the local economy, how they got into the industry, and much more. This is a great interview with a couple of genuine, and down-to-earth entrepreneurs. Safari Cigars and Lounge is THE destination cigar lounge in Omaha, NE or Council Bluffs, IA.  https:/...

I am finally back in my studio with power and internet! Thank you for your patience during my forced hiatus! I talk about the victory the cigar industry had over the FDA in court, what it means to small businesses and the industry at-large. I also give my opinion on where the next legal battles will likely take place. Then I move on to discussing my favorite Cuban Cigar retailers, and who I think...

First, allow me to apologize to my listeners who may not follow me on social media. Where I live was hit hard by a derecho on August 10. I lost power until August 20 and I lost internet until August 30. For more information, check out the latest episode of Simply Stogies Podcast Presents: Cigars and Coffee here . This episode, I welcome Cuban Cigar expert, Joe, back to the podcast. Joe and I discu...

I give you my review of the Epic Cigars limited edition Project E Gran Ola. You can follow along with my review here. I also go over our new Statement of Ethics and why it's important to our staff and to our fans.   You can get your own Simply Stogies Podcast SWAG here !

James welcomes the new Content Director/Editor of simplystogies.com , Matthew Kang. Matthew discusses his cigar journey, and how his real job at Eater LA will help us give us some direction. We also talk a little COVID-19, and Matthew mistakes a travel humidor for a takeout box. James also announces a brand new Cuban Cigar review, a new pipe tobacco reviewer , and a new YouTube Channel featuring a...

I had the opportunity to sit down with co-owner of Up Down Cigar (located at 1550 N. Wells St., Chicago, IL) and current PCA Board Member, Phil Ledbetter. Phil and I discussed his cigar journey, starting from pipe smoking and going all the way through his becoming co-owner of Up Down Cigar. We discussed the cigar industries love limited editions, the cigar community, how COVID-19 has affected his...

I get to catch up with the Executive Director of the Cigar Rights of America, Glynn Loope. We discuss how COVID-19 has impacted cigar retailers and manufacturers, the government's response, and the current fight against regulation and why it's so important given the global pandemic. We also discuss the cigar industry as a whole, we talk about the political divide in the country right now and how c...

I sat down, via Zoom, with Andy Yaffe, National Sales Director for Micallef Cigars. Andy tells the story of how his cigar journey began, how he came to in the cigar industry, and the friendships he has made. Andy and I then have a frank discussion on the impact COVID-19 has had on local B&Ms, and how Micallef is making good on their promise to support brick and mortar retailers, including Micallef...

This week, I quickly gives my thoughts on the PCA cancelling the 2020 trade show and how this presents the PCA with a unique opportunity for change; change for themselves, and change for the industry. I then jumps into my review of the Cigar Scanner Application and the Cigar Scanner WiFi Hygrometer and Thermometer. I discuss my experience using both their cigar tracking application and their wirel...