The Ash Chat

In this special, bittersweet episode the crew gathers at Mickey Blake’s to celebrate Bill’s retirement and move to the Republic of Georgia. Friends share stories, toasts and memories while honoring his years of service, community-building and perfect cigar recommendations. The episode also highlights what they’re smoking and drinking (a Tatuaje 7 Broadleaf and E.H. Taylor small batch), the shop’s...

Live from Mickey Blake's in Orange, CT, Dave, Jay, Folch and Cappy sit down with guest Billy King to trade cigar and bourbon notes while sharing stories from his life in firefighting, EMS, police work, racing and aviation. The episode covers Billy's cigar origin and go-to sticks, bourbon pairings, race‑car test drives and memorable calls, plus a reveal about the podcast's new Dunn & Foster Con...

Join the Ash Chat Podcast at Mickey Blake's Cigar Lounge for a lively conversation with special guest Carlos Garcia. They cover cigars, whiskey pairings, military experiences, travel adventures, bottle hunts, and behind-the-scenes stories from bourbon festivals—plus tasting notes on unique cigar-focused spirits. Expect candid banter, tasting pours, cigar picks, and local recommendations as the gro...

The Ash Chat Podcast records live at Mickey Blake's in Orange, Connecticut, as the crew smokes Espinosa Murcielagos, sips a bold bourbon, and catches up on recent events. They discuss upcoming local events (a Crown Heads bourbon tasting, a chili cook-off, and a bottle swap), new cigar releases and industry news, and one host’s plan to open a 24-hour cigar lounge in Florida.

Join the Ash Chat Podcast at Mickey Blake's in Orange as they welcome a special guest, William Marante from La Aurora Cigars. In this engaging episode, listeners are treated to an honest and lively conversation with Willie, who shares insights into the creation and distribution of La Aurora's rich and flavorful cigars. Explore the journey of La Aurora USA, with its dedicated sales team and distrib...

Join us for a lively, smoke-filled episode where five friends sit down at Mickey Blake's to indulge in cigars, spirits, and plenty of laughs. This non-guest episode dives deep into the world of boutique cigars, exploring favorites like the A.J. Fernandez Blue Cheese and the intricacies of the Limited Cigar Association. As the cigars burn slower, the stories and insights come fast, from the nuances...

Welcome to another exciting edition of the Ash Chat Podcast, where we dive deep into the world of cigars with Nick Goss, the dynamic cigar broker and brand owner. Broadcasting from our home base, Alma de Hombre Society at Mickey Blakes, this episode explores Nick's fascinating journey from working in a cigar shop to becoming a renowned broker and creator of his own cigar line. Join us as Nick disc...

In this special episode, we are live from Prime Tobacconist with the remarkable Rick Ross from Ross Family Cigars. Join us as we delve into Rick's inspiring journey from a passionate cigar enthusiast to a successful entrepreneur. Discover how the love for cigars and the camaraderie they bring inspired Rick to create his own unique blends, leading to the birth of Ross Family Cigars. Rick shares ins...

Welcome to another engaging episode of the Ash Chat Podcast, live from Mickey Blake's. Join the Alma de Hombre Society as they indulge in a spontaneous and friendly discussion about whiskey, cigars, theater, and everything in between. In this episode, the gentlemen explore a unique Australian single malt whiskey aged in red wine barrels, sharing their tasting notes and pairing it with the Dias de...

Welcome to another lively episode of the Ash Chat Podcast, brought to you by the Alma De Hombre Society, live from Mickey Blake's in Orange. In this episode, we are joined by our special guest Lancero Lenny, who takes us through his vibrant journey into the world of cigars and bourbon. We reminisce about past episodes, including Richie's recent retirement, and dive into Lenny's personal narrative...

In this episode of the Ash Chat Podcast, join the hosts and the Alma de Hombre Cigar Society as they dive deep into the world of cigars and bourbon. Broadcasting from Mickey Blake's in Orange CT, listeners are treated to an engaging discussion on the art of cigar smoking, focusing particularly on the rich flavors and experiences each cigar offers. Richie and his co-hosts share personal stories, st...

Welcome back to another lively episode of the Ash Chat Podcast, featuring an inspiring conversation with Elisa Bowens Mercado, the dynamic owner of Rhythm Brewing Company in New Haven, Connecticut. Join us as we dive into Elisa's world of craft beer, dance, and cigars, exploring her journey from salsa dance studio owner to pioneering brewer in a male-dominated industry. Discover the story behind R...

Welcome to another episode of Ash Chat, where hosts Dave, Cappy, and Fulch are joined by Bill and special guest, John Cigar, a prominent cigar broker in the Northeast. Despite John's modesty about his status, he offers a wealth of knowledge on cigars, especially the Illusione brand, which he proudly represents. Recorded at Mickey Blake's, the conversation dives into the world of cigars.  John shar...

Welcome back to the Ash Chat Podcast! In this episode, our hosts Dave, Richie "Blaze One", Cappy, and Dave sit down with a longtime friend and esteemed guest, Ricky Rodz. Ricky shares his journey from his early days on the beat as a police officer to becoming a passionate advocate for Cigars for Warriors, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing cigars to deployed troops. We dive into the o...

Welcome to the Ash Chat with the Alma de Hombre Cigar Society! In this episode, we join the fine gentlemen from Artesano del Tobacco, the makers of the El Pulpo and Viva La Vida series. Despite some technical issues, we dive into a captivating conversation about their journey, the creation of their premium cigars, and their unwavering passion for the craft. Discover the inspiring story behind the...

Welcome back to the Ash Chat Podcast with the Alma de Hombre Society, hosted by Dave and the original cohorts Fulch and Cappy. This episode kicks off with a special guest, Dave G AKA "Wall Street", reminiscing about episode one and diving into the evening's theme. Tonight is all about smoothness, featuring the Herrera Esteli cigar by Drew Estate and a delightful Weller bourbon. The discussion delv...

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by the renowned Reinier Lorenzo from HVC Cigars. Reinier shares his fascinating journey from medical school in Cuba to becoming a rising figure in the cigar industry. He discusses the intricacies of blending cigars, the importance of maintaining consistent quality, and the unique challenges faced in the tobacco business. Listeners will get an insider's...

Welcome to a very special episode of the Ash Chats podcast! Join your hosts David Brown, Folch (a.k.a. Blaze One), and Cappy as they dive into an extraordinary gathering featuring the "Magnificent Six." This episode is packed with camaraderie, rich bourbon tales, and the passionate pursuit of cigar perfection. Our special guests, including Frankie, Nick, and Corey from Wines and More, share their...

Welcome to another episode of the Ash Chat Podcast with the Alma de Hombre Society! Your hosts, David Brown, Fulch, Cappy, alongside the other Dave, welcomes a very special guest, Mr. Bill. Broadcasting from Mickey Blake's in Orange, this episode dives deep into Bill's 43 years of experience in the cigar industry. Bill shares fascinating stories from his early days managing tobacco at Caldor to hi...

Immerse yourself in the indulgent world of cigars and bourbons in this episode of the Ash Chat Podcast with Alma de Hombre Cigar Society from the Mikey Blakes Cigar Lounge in Orange, CT. Hosted by Dave Brown, Richie and Cappy, along with two very special guests, it presents a detailed exploration of the sophisticated aspects of cigar and bourbon culture. Guest Jay Brisket shares his insights into...

Welcome to the Ash Chats Podcast, where we bring you inspiring tales, and compelling conversations about fine cigars and the people who enjoy them. In this episode, your host Dave Brown takes you inside the lively Mickey Blake's Cigar Lounge and explores the brotherhood and rich history of the Alma De Hombre Cigar Society. Dive into engaging conversations with our charismatic guests: Dave G, Rich...