Simply Stogies

Episode 92:The Cuban Sub-Series Cohiba’s 55th Anniversary Interview

I welcome Nick Syris, owner and blender of LH Cigars, back to the show. Nick discusses the impact Hurricane Ian had on Cuba. He also lets us know if Cuba has improved since his visit earlier this year. Nick then dives into Cohiba's 55th Anniversary event in Cuba last month. We focus on his interview with Habanos SA vice presidents José María López Inchaurbe (Development VP) and Leopoldo Cintra González (Commercial VP). He lets us know what he thinks about their answers to his questions. 

 

Watch the full interview with Habanos SA here.

Episode 91: Lucas Da Silva of Oxford Cigar Company

I return from vacation and catch up with Lucas Da Silva, owner of Oxford Cigar Company. We discuss our experience at Grand Cathedral Cigars in Tampa, FL before we jump into the industry. We talk about the Davidoff price increase, inflation, what's changed since COVID and a whole lot more.

 

Order our coffee blend at Janus Coffee Roasters.

Episode 90: A Conversation with Rick and Sara Rodriguez of West Tampa Tobacco Co

This episode, I am joined by the father and daughter team of Rick and Sara Rodgriguez of West Tampa Tobacco Co. The three of us discuss how Rick started his cigar journey, and who taught him to blend and run a cigar company. We talk about their vision for the West Tampa Tobacco Co. and Sara's role in the company. We find out Sara's journey and how she wanted to work with her dad. This was a very fun episode, as we got to see how family comes together to make something special. 

 

ORDER SIMPLY STOGIES COFFEE HERE!

Episode 89 The Cuban Sub-Series: Cuban Soil & More

James is joined by his Cuban Sub-Series host, Nick Syris of LH Cigars, as they discuss what makes Cuban cigars so unique...the soil. Before they discuss the unique properties of the soil in Cuba and the different growing regions around the island, Nick catches us up on some of the news coming our of Cuba. We also discuss the upcoming 55th birthday celebration of Cohiba, white ash vs black ash, and storing your cigars.

 

To order the Simply Stogies coffee blend from Janus Coffee Roasters, click here.

Episode 88: Janus Coffee Roasters

In a simulcast with Simply Stogies Presents: Cigars & Coffee, James welcomes his co-host from Cigars & Coffee (Timothy Allen) back to the podcast. They also welcome Shad and Shea Bates of Janus Coffee Roasters to the show. 

We talk with them about their cigar journeys, how Janus Tobak started, and their first foray into coffee roasting. Part two we dive into how Janus Coffee Roasters was started, their process and creativity, “coffee for a cause,” and some of the mistakes people make while making their coffee at home.

Plus, we announce the launch of our own coffee blend from Janus Coffee Roasters: the Simply Stogies Podcast blend! It's a 3 bean dark roast that is full body.  Simply Stogies has has notes of earth, nuts, cocoa, hints of caramel.   This blend and roast has relatively low acidity and can be enjoyed no matter your brewing choice.

Episode 87: Cigar Media on Cigar Media w/Dan Ravanelli of 505 Cigar Review

While at the PCA 2022 Trade Show I sat down with Dan Ravanelli of 505 Cigar Review. Dan and I discuss this year's trade show before finding out more about Dan's cigar journey and how his 505 Cigar Review came into being. We talk about how he's gained traction and how he's been perceived by some in the industry. We then shift gears and talk about cigar media, our roles in that "sphere" and how we see ourselves.

 

Check out 505 Cigar Review's linktr.ee to find all of his content.

Episode 86: PCA 2022 Part 2

We continue our interviews from the PCA 2022 Trade Show floor with Rick Rodriguez of West Tampa Tobacco Co., Lee Marsh of Stolen Throne, John Laurendi of Peter James, Desiree Sylver of Drunk Chicken Cigars, Bradley Rubin of Alec Bradley Cigars, and Dan Thompson of Micallef Cigars. There is a lot of great information on their new blends, PCA attendee exclusives, and some thoughts on Cigar Aficionado from Dan Thompson.

Episode 85: PCA Trade Show 2022 Part 1

James takes to the PCA 2022 Trade Show floor to interview Jeremy Casdagli of Casdagli Cigars, Uncle Bobi of XhaXhi Bobi Cigars, Dr. Stephan Lampert of Lampert Cigars, and Luis Falto of Falto Cigars. With James battling COVID he picked up as he was leaving Las Vegas, it falls to Tim to close this episode out!

 

You can see all of our PCA 2022 Trade Show coverage here!

Episode 84: The Cuban Sub-Series: The Impact of the Cuban Embargo

I am joined by Cuban cigar expert and the owner of LH Cigars, Nick Syris, as we discuss the impact of the US embargo on Cuban cigars. The conversation begins with some news coming out of Cuba and quickly turns to the Habanos SA price increases. Nick gives his thoughts on why Habanos SA has raised their prices and what impact that will have on the cigar industry around the world. We talk discuss the future of Cuban cigars, if new manufacturers will be able to sustain their success given the current economic climate, and how the price increases will affect "New World" cigars.

 

If you'd like to have Nick Syris on your podcast, please contact him at his webiste.

Episode 83: On a Zoom with John Laurendi of Peter James

I sit down, via Zoom with Peter James founder, John Laurendi. John and I discuss how he got into his cigars, and John shares with us his very first cigar experience. John tells us how Peter James came to be and the some of the obstacles that the company faced upon its inception. We then talk about his new cigar line, Los Estoico, that includes a Habano and a Maduro, his vision behind them, and how they were blended. John and I get into the weeds on coffee, before John talks about being an entrepreneur. Look for his podcast coming soon!!!

Peter James is a company that is synonymous with class, style, and luxury. They have a wide variety of high end products for any cigar aficionado or enthusiast. Check them out at peterjames.ca

 

*NOTE: We did have some technical issues later in the podcast where some audio was lost due to signal degradation. It has been edited.