Simply Stogies

Tim does some time traveling with Nick and James to discuss the latest Simply Stogies Podcast Episode with Luciano Meirelles of Luciano Cigars. This episode also brings to you the newest place to enjoy your cigar, the CTA Temple, as Nick, James, and Tim discuss what they believe cigar smoking is all about. We realize life is short and it's important to enjoy the finer things in and about life.

Nick and James sit down with Master Blender and owner of Luciano Cigars, Luciano Meirelles. Luciano tells us why the Maria Lucia is so special to him and how it fulfills his promise from the 2022 PCA Trade Show. We talk about what's real in the cigar industry and how Luciano Cigars is helping mentor new brands and blenders. Luciano discusses hi "a ha!" moment when it comes to cigars, some of what he has in store for everyone at this year's trade show, and much more. This is an interview you can't miss!

Tim welcomes Nick and James back to dissect their conversation with Greg Free of Fuerte Y Libre. The conversation leans heavily into trademarks, protecting them, and how the cigar industry seems to have jumped the shark when it comes to them. The conversation turns to how the sausage is made in the cigar industry.

James and Nick sit down and chat with the owner of Fuerte Y Libre Cigars, Greg Free. We find out how Greg got started in the cigar industry and he has more than a few surprises in store for us. We talk about his karaoke prowess (copyrights prevent me from sharing the footage with all of you) and how he got his work ethic from his father and growing up on a farm. We also discuss trademarks within the cigar industry and how that has impacted Greg and Fuerte Y Libre.

Tim is joined by Nick and James and the trio dissect the latest Simply Stogies Podcast episode that features William "Cigar Coop" Cooper. There's a lot of talk around what is "cigar media" and what isn't. Who should be allowed to cover the trade show? What's an influencer? What is the "job" of cigar media? They try to cover all of it, and do so poorly. Tim also gets a big head as they talk about Will's comment of Clear the Air being the "secret sauce" of Simply Stogies Podcast. 

James and Nick welcome William "Cigar Coop" Cooper back to the show. This time we pick Coop's brain about what exactly constitutes "cigar media" and their role in the industry. We also discuss the upcoming PCA 2023 Trade Show in Las Vegas, Coop tells us what his theme is this year, and he gives Simply Stogies some tips to make the most of the trade show. Coop also gives Tim and our after show, Clear the Air, some love and James breaks his mic arm.

Tim welcomes the Simply Stogies Podcast hosts, James and Nick, back for another Clear the Air. This time the trio discuss Episode 104: Catching Up with Jeremy Casdagli. The discussion starts with some of what Jeremy Casdagli had to say before winding up discussing the logistics of on location recording. Once we get done bemoaning the pitfalls of podcasting, we turn our attention to price, the Cuban market impact on New World cigars around the world, and Tim has some issues with his garage door.

Our first time on location (for video), and James is at the Humidor of Lisle, in Lisle, Illinois, to sit down with Jeremy Casdagli of Casdagli Cigars. The pair discuss everything from upcoming releases and cigar reviews, to the Casdagli themed room at the Humidor of Lisle and the FDA. There might be a few surprises talked about as well.

Tim welcomes James and Nick back to Clear the Air and the trio talk a little bit about everything. The trio discusses Simply Stogies Podcast Episodes 102 & 103, the interview with Zev Kaminetsky of Toscano and the My Old Kentucky Herf interviews.. Starting with Zev, the conversation starts to get political before pulling back and bringing it home to My Old Kentucky Herf. 

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.