Simply Stogies Podcast

James visits the crew of FatAsh Cigar Lounge in Ashland, Kentucky for the third annual My Old Kentucky Herf! James talks with Dwight Adkins, owner of FatAsh Cigar Lounge and founder of MOKH, to discuss what's new this year. During the event, James speaks with Riste of JSK, Greg Free of Fuerte Y Libre, Oscar Valladares of OV Cigars, Rick Rodriguez from West Tampa Tobacco Co., Luciano Meirelles of Luciano Cigars, David Blanco, from Blanco Cigars, Andy Yaffee of Micallef Cigars, and we find out about the Ohio Cigar Mafia and their charitable work.

Nick and James are joined by Zev Kaminetsky of Toscano Cigars. We get Zev's take on a litany of cigar issues: brokers, manufacturers, the PCA, the CRA, and cigar media. Zev doesn't hold back and has hilarious takes on the cigar industry as a whole. We enjoyed his perspective and the conversation; we hope you do too!

James and Nick welcome our friend Andy Yaffee, the National Sales Director for Micallef Cigars, to the show. For our 100th episode, we ask Andy about the new sizes of the Micallef Leyenda that are releasing soon and what Andy has learned in his role as National Sales Director for Micallef. We talk about how Micallef pulled their product from large online retailers to not only support their brick and mortar retailers, but also how that helps combat devaluation. We ask Andy about why Micallef runs the business differently than other premium cigar companies and how that helps them build their brand. We discuss the change in dates for the PCA Trade Show next year, Micallef Ambassadors, and much more. To join the Micallef Ambassador program, click here!

James and Nick discuss the 2023 Festival del Habano that was held in Cuba from Feb. 27 - March 3. Nick battles through the lingering cough from the "Commie Corona" to walk us through the good, bad, and the ugly of the festival. From swag to cigars and from long lines to overall costs, Nick takes us through what the 2023 Festival del Habano looked like.

James and Nick welcome Ismael "Ish" Olivan, owner of BAMF Cigars and part of owner of Rodriguez Olivan Cigars Facotry, to the show. We talk to Ish about how he started his cigar journey and find out what he thinks the differences between the European cigar market and the American cigar market are. Ish tells us about his love of using tobacco leaves from regions of the world that might surprise you, as well as how he sometimes blends them there on the farm. Ish talks about starting BAMF Cigars and his vision for the company. This is a fascinating interview with a boutique cigar and factory owner that you do not want to miss.

Nick and James are pleased to present the Smooth Draws Reunion Show. Nick welcomes part of the old Smooth Draws crew back: Chad "the Hangman" Potiers, Valerie Bradshaw, and William "Cigar Coop" Cooper. We find out how they started with the Smooth Draws radio show, some of what they did during their time with show, and what they're up to now. We look back fondly on the show and what Gary "Doc" Laden put together. Fans of the Smooth Draws Radio Show do not want to miss this reunion!

James and Nick welcome Island Jim to the first video show. Jim talks about how he got started in the business and his humble beginnings. We ask him about the industry, boutique cigars, and much more!