Simply Stogies

Episode 55: Talking with Lucas from Oxford Cigar Company

James travels to sunny Orlando, Florida to have a conversation with Lucas Da Silva of Oxford Cigar Company. The pair sit outside next to large fans and a train station to discuss how Oxford Cigar Company does business, how they treat their customers, and their vision for the cigar industry. We also cover the PCA, the state of the cigar industry, some of the craziest things Lucas has seen, and the future of cigars. This is a great conversation that you're sure to enjoy.

 

Visit Oxford Cigar Company and give them a shot. You won't be disappointed.

Episode 54: Talking Shop with Deep South Cigars

I travel to sunny Orlando, Florida to chat live and in person with Jeremy and Donovan from Deep South Cigars. The three of us have a candid conversation about everything from politics, southern culture, diversity, family, cigars, self-promotion, the future, dating, starting your own business, and demystifying the cigar industry. This was a great conversation with a couple of real, down to earth, and generous BotLs that took time out of their schedule to sit down and have as open a chat as you'll find in the industry. You do not want to miss this.

 

Visit Deep South Cigars

Purchase the 770 BBC from Deep South Cigars and more here!

Episode 53: A Conversation with GSTN Cigars

I visit Capital Cigar Lounge in Lincoln, Nebraska to sit down and talk with Jeff Gaston. Jeff is the owner and founder of GSTN Cigar, who makes quality wood ashtrays for every budget and every need. Jeff and I discuss how he started his cigar journey and what led him to start GSTN Cigar. We talk about his process of making ashtrays, what inspires him, his inventory, and how long it takes him to ship out an order. We also dive into Jeff's background as a content creator, the podcasting process, and so much more. It was a great time getting to meet Jeff and spend some time with him.

Jeff is also GIVING AWAY a custom engraved Wade \/s Evans ashtray to one lucky listener! Just go to Episode 53: A Conversation with GSTN Cigar and leave a comment on the episode's page between May 1 and June 15, 2021 and you'll be automatically entered to win. Winner will be announced on the July 1 episode of Simply Stogies Podcast.

Go to GSTN Cigar and use code SImplystogies for a 15% discount off of everything in his store!!

Episode 52: Talking Shop with Evan from The Blend Newsletter

This episode I chat with Evan, the founder of The Blend Newsletter, via Zoom and we discuss his cigar journey, how he fell in love with cigars, how the global pandemic helped him find his passion for the leaf, and how he curates the newsletter each week. We end up talking about what it's like being a content creator in the cigar industry, the time it takes to create content, how it affects our personal lives, and the relationships we've made along the way. It was a great conversation that I hope you enjoy as much as I did.

To sign up for The Blend please click here.

If you'd like to find out more about Smoked, the cigar-centric event hosted by The Blend, or to buy your tickets, please click here.

Episode 51: Chatting at the Drawing Room QC

I visit the Drawing Room QC and chats with two of the owners, Eric Norton and Shale Sage. The trio discuss the cigar community and rich cigar history in Davenport, Iowa, the cigar industry, how cigar manufacturers sell cigars to B&Ms, and how Eric and Shale started their cigar journeys. They also discuss opening a cigar lounge during a pandemic, how they train their staff, and so much more. 

 

Visit the Drawing Room on their Facebook Page.

Episode 50: Sitting Down with Sean David of David's Fine Tobaccos

I sit down with the third generation owner of David's Fine Tobaccos in Clive, Iowa, Sean David. Sean and I discuss a wide range of topics that both his customers and cigar aficionados and enthusiasts will find interesting. We talk about the 40+ year history of David's Fine Tobaccos, what's changed over that time, and the growing diversity of cigar smokers. We find out what goes into an event, how Sean views the PCA and CRA, state level politics, and where he sees the business in the next few years.

Episode 49: Chatting with Robin Blue of Blue Smoke ATL

I welcome Robin Blue, founder and creator of Blue Smoke ATL, to the show. Robin and I discuss how she approaches creating her line of cigar pokers, flasks, and key chains. We talk about how she began her cigar journey, what prompted her to start her business, and how women are different cigar smokers than men. We find out how she chooses which lounges to do business with and how women have found their place in the cigar community. It was a great conversation that I hope you enjoy as much as I did.

 

Please visit and support Robin. She makes quality cigar accessories that are unique and can be customized to fit your tastes.

Blue Smoke ATL

Blue Smoke ATL Etsy

Follow Robin on 

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Episode 48: Cigar Community Round 2 with Keepers of the Flame

I sit down and chat via Zoom with the founder and admin of Keepers of the Flame cigar club, Anthony. We discuss how Anthony got into the cigar hobby as well as his thoughts on boutique cigars, diversity, growth during COVID, his approach to moderating, and the Cigarmageddon contest with the Simply Stogies cigar club. This was a great conversation that I hope you enjoy as much as I did.

 

Keepers of the Flame Instagram

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. 

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