Simply Stogies

Episode 47: A Conversation w/the Organizers of the Queen City Cigar Fest

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 and local small businesses in Charlotte. We discuss how the Queen City Cigar Fest was brought about and the challenges of organizing such an event during a global pandemic. We also nerd out over the movie Hand Rolled: A Film About Cigars and find out about Clinton's time on a reality show. It was a great conversation that you won't want to miss.

Tickets will be going on sale soon! Please follow the Queen City Cigar Fest on Facebook and Instagram for up-to-date ticket information, a full list of partner lounges and even sponsors, and for information on the launch of their website.

https://www.facebook.com/queencitycigarfest/

https://www.instagram.com/queencitycigarfest/?hl=en

You can follow Clinton Douglas on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/mrcdiddy/

You can follow Damon Robinson on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/damon_thecigarculturalist/?hl=en

You can follow Drida Hyde on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/elegantplume/?hl=en

If you would like to become a sponsor or have questions concerning the Queen City Cigar Fest you can email them at queencitycigarfest@gmail.com

Partner Lounges for Queen City Cigar Fest:

Tailored Smoke

Gold Leaf Cigar Lounge

Smoke & Barrel

Aroma Cigars Etc. Lounge

Episode 46: Cigar Aficionado and Short Smokes

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 everyone. 

Please consider rating Simply Stogies Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or wherever you listen to Simply Stogies.

Episode 45: Cigar Community Round 1 with Simply Stogies Club

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 cigar club. 

 

If you'd like to join simplystogies.club please email Ryan and the moderators of simplystogies.club at simplystogies@gmail.com

When in the Buffalo area, visit one of the Buffalo Cigar Lounge locations.

 

*NOTE: Simply Stogies Podcast is not a part of, or affiliated with SimplyStogies.club

 

If you'd like to become a part of the Simply Stogies Cutter Club or support Simply Stogies Podcast, please visit our Buy Me A Coffee site.

Episode 44: 2020 in Review and Looking Ahead to 2021

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 a Coffee "Cutter Club" memberships and one-time donations are now up and running!

I also take a look at how the cigar industry was affected by 2020: delays, shortages, and FDA wins are all discussed. Will the CRA and PCA be able to pivot from a fight against the Feds to state level politics? 

 

Episode 43: 2020 Holiday Gift Guide and Budget Cigar Reviews

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 cigars as gifts and what we would want if given a box of cigars as gift this holiday season.

We round out the podcast by explaining our new Budget Cigar Review series. We believe that the sub $6.00 price point deserves to be graded on a scale, and we explain why there is a multiplier for the value found in budget cigars.

Episode 42: Stolen Throne Oath Taker Review and Celebration Cigars

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 new way to support the podcast coming January 1st!

 

Episode 41: A Chat with Diana Hutton from Perfect Ash

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, the cigar community, the industry, and regulation. 

Please visit Perfect Ash at 9080 Buchanan Trail, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076
Visit Perfect Ash's website
Perfect Ash on Instagram
Perfect Ash on Facebook
Perfect Ash on Twitter 

Episode 40: Catching-Up with Lee Marsh of Stolen Throne Cigars

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!!! 

Episode 39: A Revisit with Capital Cigar Lounge in Lincoln, NE

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 project came from, and who it is benefiting.

 

Visit Capital Cigar Lounge at 5505 South 16th Street, Lincoln, NE 68512 or at https://capitalcigar.com/

 

Please check out Tony Goins new book at https://somethinginthewaterbook.com/

Episode 38: Jeff and Mari Doll of Safari Cigars & Lounge

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://safaricigarsandlounge.com/

Safari Cigars and Lounge
13110 Birch Dr #108
Omaha, NE 68164