The Cigar Pulpit

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Mobile Studios, Nick meets up with Mike Brinker, who was kind enough to break into his humidor and share two H. Upmann petite corona Cuban cigars for the show. The guys discuss the recent passing of OJ Simpson and the total solar eclipse from last week. Then in the Villiger Cigars Entertainment Report, the guys list off their Top 10 Favorite Horror Movies...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Mobile Studios, Nick sits down with Dave Garofalo of Two Guys Smoke Shop to discuss his recent editorial expressing concerns about price exploitation in the cigar industry. We have a frank conversation about why rising prices on cigars is for manufacturers and creates distrust with consumers.  We also discuss ways retailers can do better, more fun events...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Mobile Studios, Nick is joined by Mr. Jonathan as they fire up and enjoy the Olmec by Foundation Cigars. They discuss Nick's recent tax appointment and some of the tax benefits of buying cigars, as well as the eclipse, the New England Cigar Expo, and more. Find out what they've been watching lately in the Villiger Cigars Entertainment Report and what Thre...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Mobile Studios, Nick is joined by Noah as they discuss what cigars announced at PCA they're excited to try. While doing so, Nick fires up the new H Upmann Daytrader while Noah enjoys his old faithful standby, the Perdomo 10th Anniversary Champagne. There was some good stuff showcased at the trade show that Nick hadn't covered in prior shows and the guys g...

Coming your way from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Mobile Studios, Nick smokes the new Blackened S84 from Drew Estates and discusses a recent tragedy involving a podcast host he listened to. He addresses the internet mob culture that has come about through social media and how it needs to be addressed. He also shares what happened at his recent oil change and what you never want to hear from the guy goi...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Mobile Studios, Nick is joined by Trey Mac Shipley IN PERSON in the Ice Tent of Love to discuss his perspective on how PCA 2024 went down. We get some insight into the trade show and some of the changes Trey would make if he were in charge, while smoking the Project Lomas which is the Aladino event cigar. We also discuss what we've been watching lately in...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Mobile Studios, Nick finally is able to listen to and answer some long lost Ask the Boys calls. He fires up a gift from Listener Seth, the 2024 Jose Gaspar torpedo from JC Newman, and discusses burgers, bad gifts for cigar lovers, and more. We also get a very brief PCA update! Find out what Nick's been watching in the Villiger Cigars Entertainment Report...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Mobile Studios, Nick previews some of the announcements that caught his eye from the upcoming PCA trade show in Las Vegas. The press releases have been flying fast and furious and Nick sorts through them to discuss a few of the items he's most looking forward to trying. Also, Nick discusses blind cigar reviews as he smokes his selection for the Cigar Auth...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Mobile Studios, Nick is joined by a... special guest as they discuss St. Patrick's Day traditions while smoking the Aladino Candela Robusto. They also discuss the gangs of East St. Louis, the upcoming PulpitFest in Palm Coast, Florida, and more. Find out what they've been watching lately in the Villiger Cigars Entertainment Report and what Three Cigars Th...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Mobile Studios, Nick is joined again by Trey Mac Shipley of Aladino Cigars. Nick lights up the new Aladino Candela Toro and the two discuss, this time in detail, cigars coming out at PCA, including the one Trey couldn't talk about last time! We also discuss some of the trials and tribulations facing retailers and manufactures heading into the annual trade...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Mobile Studios, Nick is still a bit under the weather and could only do a short episode for today. He discusses a recent moment when he realized he'd gotten old. And in the Villiger Cigars Entertainment Report, he discusses not only what he's been watching lately but the Oscar winners from Sunday night. He tries to give an update as to some cigars he's sm...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Mobile Studios, Nick is joined by Trey Mac Shipley. Nick is down with the sickness after taking care of his son last weekend, but thankfully Trey Mac was able to help and always has stories to share! We hear about the plane flight from Hell he alluded to the last time he was on, but we also get a sneak preview of what Aladino will be unveiling at PCA in j...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Mobile Studios, Nick is joined by Mr. Jonathan of Two Guys Smoke Shop and the Cigar Authority. They continue the discussion from the previous episode about things smaller shops can do to differentiate themselves from the Big Box cigar shops, specifically how to deal with dead inventory and to recapture at least some revenue from cigars that aren't moving....

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Mobile Studios, Nick talks about the news that Cigars International is planning on building a superstore in St. Louis. While smoking a Diamond Crown Julius Caeser toro from JC Newman, he gives his unsolicited advice to retailers, both in St. Louis and also other cities where CI is looking to expand, as to how to consider improving their shops to offer a b...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Mobile Studios, Nick is joined by Mike Brinker as they smoke the Platinum Bash from EP Carrillo. Given Mike's background managing a cigar lounge, they discuss the upcoming PCA trade show and their thoughts leading up to it.  Also, since plans are rapidly getting underway for the 2024 PulpitFest, they discuss what the current status is and some of what att...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Mobile Studios, Nick is joined by Kenn Klarich of Ash & Ale Cigar Lounge and Trey Mac Shipley to discuss their recent trip to the Aladino Farm in Honduras. The guys discuss everything that happened over the five day, four night, trip including all of the education, fun, and shenanigans that took place! If you've ever wondered what takes place on a far...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Mobile Studios, Nick answers a listener email and smokes a Henry Clay Warhawk Rebellious he's been aging since he got it in 2020. We discuss how the cigar is smoking, as well as some recent life events. And Nick gives an update on PulpitFest 2024! Find out what Nick has been watching lately in the Villiger Cigars Entertainment Report and get a new Fun Fac...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Mobile Studios, Nick is joined by Dave of the Smokin' Butts and Tappin' Ash podcast to discuss some preparation tips for people interested in being ready to barbecue and cook outside when the Spring weather hits. Nick lights up a Villiger 1888 Nicaragua while Dave enjoys CAO Flathead. We discuss different grill types, Dave's new griddle, different rubs an...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Mobile Studios, Nick sits down and chats with Jonas Santana, owner of Blackbird Cigars. They discuss the new cigars from Blackbird, the Superb and the Glitch line, as well as what's new with Blackbird as a brand. We also discuss Jonas's belief that to make an impact in the cigar industry you must make some noise and the importance of authenticity. Find ou...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Mobile Studios, Nick takes you to Las Vegas for TPE 2024! Aside from giving his thoughts on the show and a recap of how the trip went, Nick brings you interviews with a ton of different cigar brands all interested in telling you about their products. Did PCA moving their show to March hurt TPE like Nick has said it would for the past year? Find out here!...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Mobile Studios, Nick is joined by his Dad and Kenn Klarich of Ash & Ale Cigar Lounge. His Dad was in Palm Coast, Florida, visiting Kenn and the three caught up and talked long time friendships. They also discuss the importance of cigar shops and how they are more than just retail locations, they can be a place to find a family. The guys also discuss N...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Mobile Studios, Nick is joined by Nick Gervais, owner of My Monthly Cigars and FahKing Good Coffee, to smoke a couple of Bandolero cigars. They go over all of the announcements prior to TPE and give a preview of what is expected at the first trade show of the year.  They also discuss a FahKing big announcement that was recently made! Find out what they've...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Mobile Studios, Nick is joined by the Aladino sales team, Trey Mac and Joel, as they smoke a variety of Aladino cigars. They discuss a newly announced cigar from Aladino and the upcoming TPE trade show. They also discuss a very very interesting piece of mail Nick received at his newspaper... And in the Villiger Cigars Entertainment Report, we hear from Jo...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Mobile Studios, Nick is joined by Mr. Jonathan of Two Guys Smoke Shop and the Cigar Authority to smoke the Perdomo 30th Anniversary Sungrown Epicure. They get into a discussion about cigar mentorship and how that makes for a better retail experience for both the shop employee and customer.  They also discuss some recent announcements about the Firecracker...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Mobile Studios, Nick is once again joined by Dave of Smokin' Butts and Tappin' Ash (no comic books this time!). Nick lights up the Boliche Blvd from West Tampa Tobacco while Dave smokes the Rocky Patel Edge. They discuss baking, worker's rights, the evolution of snow days, and why you shouldn't ever use a urinal. They also discuss what they've been entert...