It’s a small group this week, a bunch of Hacks are out of town, but Nurse Rick calls in from sunny Florida. We have some local lounge news, a report from March Madness, updates, and more. The Hidden Herf is interesting and does well with the panel. Local Spotlight – Eli’s Smoking Room and The Shriners Event Controversy Corner – Look behind the curtain.
There are plenty of cigar related topics this week along with the usual hijinks. The Hidden Herf stumps the panel, but gets a good rating. We take the Oscuro III out on Presidents Day for a cruise around the countryside and visit four lounges. Local Spotlight – Touring in the Oscuro III Controversy Corner – Where Presidents and Cigars intersect
The Hidden Herf is an 8×38 Lancero and the panel is intrigued by this one. It turns out to be an 8 year old Dominican that after a few clues Taco Steve figures out. There are the usual news and events updates, a few laughs, and plenty of cigar talk. We went to the Tobacco Shack to watch the Superbowl last Sunday and we stopped by the Drew Estate Event at El Toro this past Thursday. We have a few stories from the road. Local Spotlight – Local Spotlight: El Toro; Hudson, NH Controversy Corner – It...
Hackapalooza 1.0 gave us the infamous saying: “Are you trying to break my freakin’ leg bro?”. Well, this week Nurse Rick does it to himself on some black ice and then calls in while on the loopy meds. It’s pretty funny as he zones in and out of the conversation. We also have a visit from Arnie and the Silent Partner. The hidden Herf is awful wonky, some would say: “awful and wonky”. It’s the usual fun and antics along with a few laughs. Local Spotlight – Plaistow Cigar; Plaistow, NH Controversy ...
On the remote we have Rabbi Cut-Above (aka Mike from New Jersey) as we recap the Hackapalooza weekend including getting snowed in for a day. Not only do we discuss the weather outdoors we tackle the weather inside our humidors – temperature and humidity. The Hidden Herf is an illusive but decent cigar. Local Spotlight – El Toro ; Hudson, NH Controversy Corner – This Was CNN The Tobacco Shack / Rocky Patel The Oscuro III Snowed In...
Hackapalooza 4.0 gets underway at the Tobacco Shack with the Bahama Bob Band and a Rocky Patel Event for the occasion with Mike The Cop. It’s Thursday of our annual four-day weekend bash. Bret calls in and the panel is well primed after the party at The Shack with plenty of laughs. The Hidden Herf is – let’s just say interesting, and that’s not just Whistling Dixie (or Ernie). Local Spotlight – Reception at The Tobacco Shack ; Rowley, MA and more Controversy Corner – 5G cell interference with ai...
Resting up for Hackapalooza we do a relatively relaxing episode at The Domicile, but there are still a few good jokes. The Hidden Herf is a real wildcard this week and we have a backup just in case it’s needed. The number of events is ramping up after all the holiday hoopla has subsided. We tell a few stories, talk about where we watch football while smoking cigars, and drink some podcast juice alternatives. Local Spotlight – The Bus at Cigars R Us; Danvers, MA Controversy Corner – Do you really...
Three Hacks walk into a cigar lounge… We do a small group show with Eastie Paul of the Tobacco Shack before the Pats/Bills game. It starts out quiet, but as we get closer to game more hecklers arrive. Have some cream pie and a chocolate bourbon with that newly released Hidden Herf. Yankee Bill tags in for Mr. Mybalzich. Local Spotlight – The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA & El Toro; Hudson, NH Controversy Corner – Do you remember 2019?...
It’s the 2021 Hackie Awards direct from parts unknown. We welcome our new Hackie Award Show sponsors. The Hidden Herf is a special award show cigar that has been aging in the Hackador longer than the Cigar Hacks has been in production. Along with the awards we do a whiskey and bourbon tasting throughout the show featuring a couple Australian samples we found at Lighthouse Liquors . The tasting is in honor of our listener Simon , down under at The Cigar and Scotch Co. in Sydney. Controversy Corne...
Closing out 2021 and ringing in 2022 it’s the New Year’s episode. We have a few good jokes from The Domicile with the regulars and a decent Hidden Herf to go with it all. We reflect on a few thing in the past and discus what’s possible in the future. Local Spotlight – The Tobacco Shack ; Rowley, MA Controversy Corner – Ice Holes Down Under
Joining the hacks at the Tobacco Shack Christmas Party in Rowley, MA are Bugsy Segal of Pura Soul Cigars and Jeffrey Amendola of Amendola Family Cigars . Not only do we find out about the Pura Soul Barber Pole Cigar and Amandola Family Cigars, we learn just how small the cigar world is. Local Spotlight – Boston Cigar Club ; Charlestown, MA Controversy Corner – From Harvard to Wuhan and beyond. Boston Cigar Club...
Nashville Dave is on a cigar shop road trip reporting direct from the Florida pan handle at Zack’s Beach Castle Cigars . The hidden Herf is a bit of a dog but, the panel can’t seem to pin it down even with plenty of clues. We give a report on the Two Guys Christmas Party and a stop in at Smoke & Flame to get an update on the new retail outlet progress. Local Spotlight – Zack’s Beach Castle Cigars ; Mary Esther, FL Controversy Corner – Can you believe anything any longer?...
We are at the Hammer + Sickle – Plaistow Cigar Christmas Party, which means Erik and Brian of Hammer + Sickle along with Matty the Magnificent join the panel for this annual occasion. We launch the H+S 2021 EPH Limited Edition Cigar and it scores big on the Hack scale. It’s also a birthday, Cowboy says a word or two, and Chappy drops by just as we are about to wrap. Local Spotlight – H & S Christmas at Plaistow Cigar Co.; Plaistow, NH Controversy Corner – An Eric Hanson (EPH) Favorite, it mi...
This week’s Hidden Herf is very good, with just a hint or two, and more than a few guesses, the panel lands it. The Oscuro III is set up as a cigar lounge at the Route One BNG event this week and we have a blast with it. Local Spotlight – Route One Business Networking Group Extravaganza Controversy Corner – It’s just another Ponzi scheme.
The Reverend Harvey returns after a bit of a hiatus. The panel samples an unusual hard cider made by “ Far From the Tree ” in Salem, MA. The Hidden Herf is also a bit unusual and quite a surprise. The Hacks will be at the “ Route ONE Business Networking Group” Extravaganza on Thursday December 2nd from 4-8pm at the Spring Hill Suites in Peabody, MA. Local Spotlight – Black Friday at Two Guys Smoke Shop ; Salem, NH Controversy Corner – Cold Cases...
It’s the 4th Anniversary episode and we deliver. This episode contains almost an hour of one liners and jokes. Sure there’s a cigar but it melts into the background like it should. It’s a winner and we couldn’t have picked a better performing cigar for the occasion. Local Spotlight – Our 4th Anniversary Controversy Corner – Current Events
Matty The Magnificent is back with the crew in the original spot for the last episode of the fourth year. It’s tinfoil hats all around and running jokes that keep this one on track. The Hidden Herf is a total guess after many clues and the process of elimination. Local Spotlight – Plaistow Cigar Co.; Plaistow, NH Controversy Corner – Debt Relief
After Brinner (Breakfast for Dinner) we recruit a special guest, The Closer, to join us this week. There is plenty of cigar talk, but a lot of other ground is covered too. Local Spotlight – Brinner (Breakfast for Dinner), Two Guys Smoke Shop; Salem, NH Controversy Corner – The Supply Chain
We’re at the Rocky Patel event at The Shack with Mike The Cop and the crew for another fun evening with a cast of thousands. The Hidden Herf is a hit with everyone. It Black Bottle Beard Co time again with MJ on the panel. Local Spotlight – The Tobacco Shack ; Rowley, MA Controversy Corner – It’s election time again and it’s a small world. Hidden Herf 207 and the ash that hit the floor...
Find out what happens when a dozen Hacks land at Best Cigar Pub for lunch during Pocono Palooza. We are joined by a surprize guest; Cigar Craig . We interview one of the most knowledgable Best Cigar Pub staff members. ATB sets us up with an interesting Hidden Herf that stumps everyone. Local Spotlight – Best Cigar Pub; Drums, PA Controversy Corner – Reading, Writing and Arithmetic Hidden Herf 206...
It’s PoconoPalooza next week so we call JoJo Mo to get the 411 on what’s coming up. The Blue Ash returns from Alaska with a review of a new cigar lounge called Rat Pack Cigars. The objective for the Hacks this week is to not get eliminated from the squid events game. The Hidden Herf turns out to be another good one that has aged nicely. Local Spotlight – Rat Pack Cigars; Fairbanks, AK Controversy Corner – Hit ’em high, hit ’em low! Hidden Herf 205...
We’re direct from the newly renovated and reopened El Toro Cigar & Lounge. We are joined by the shop owners, Bugsy from Pura Soul , a group of regulars, and a few folks who just happened by. The Cigar is a relatively strong one so it gets mixed reviews from the mild smokers in the group, as is expected. There are some fishing stories and baseball is on the TV. Local Spotlight – El Toro Cigar & Lounge; Hudson, NH Controversy Corner – Where are all the workers? Let’s ask Brandon. Hidden He...
Were just back from “ Smokey Karaoke ” and it’s only a panel of four this week. We score a box of great lanceros while at the event, so we forego the Hidden Herf and just go with these cigars. We also discuss the two first release cigars that we received at the event. Plenty of cigar content this week plus the usual fun. Local Spotlight – Smokey Karaoke at Two Smoke Shop; Salem, NH Controversy Corner – Mandates and the pension angle. Hidden Herf 203...
Nurse Rick is under the weather and calls in on the remote. The mail bag brings us back to last week’s area code discussion and we receive a surprise package. The Hidden Herf is a perfect beginner cigar and after a few clues Comedy Chris nails it. There’s a full compliment of jokes and laughs. Somehow we mention cats, weddings, Alaska, and wisdom teeth, then tie it all back to cigars. Local Spotlight – Twins 24th Annual Smokin’ Blues BBQ Controversy Corner – Some things never change. Hidden Herf...
It’s off the rails before we get started. The panel is literally “primed” for this one. If you want plenty of laughs this is the episode, we do eventually light the cigar. The Hidden Herf takes a few guesses, but we get there. Local Spotlight – Two Guys Smoke Shop 36th Anniversary Dinner Controversy Corner – Under a bridge. Hidden Herf 201 / Nike-A / Sixteen Brands...
Two Hundred! Time sure flies when you are having fun. We take a look back at all the things we’ve done under the Cigar Hacks umbrella, including the people we’ve met and the places we’ve been. A special thanks to all who have been part of this journey, on the show, behind the scenes, and especially the listeners. We have a birthday on the panel! The Hidden Herf is a real surprise for everyone. A new Hack and cigar smoker joins the panel on this special occasion. Local Spotlight – Football at The...
It’s a perfect evening on Enema Lake for this week’s episode. The Hidden Herf stumps the panel and gets a decent rating. NH Cigar Bar license updates and more in the news segment. We interview Abe Flores of PDR Cigars during the event at Plaistow Cigar . Local Spotlight – Corona Cigar; Orlando, FL Controversy Corner – Bass, Texas, and the weather hype. Hidden Herf 199...
Lauren from Ashton joins the Hacks for this episode during the Ashton Cigar Event at Cigars R Us . It’s 90 degrees and 90% humidity at sundown, we’re outside in the “alley” and the only thing keeping us cool is a nice cigar and the Podcast Juice. A few of the Danvers regulars also join in the fun. Nurse Rick calls in from Florida to give us a cigar lounge report. Frank won’t put on a headset and heckles us from the sidelines. Lauren tells us about the Ashton Company , San Christobal , La Aroma d...
We have a couple of letters in the mailbag that drive the episode. CSM George sends us a set of Hidden Herfs that stump the panel and get a very high rating. This is a relaxed episode from The Domicile with plenty of laughs. Local Spotlight – Castaways Seafood & Grille; Seabrook, NH Controversy Corner – To the Moon and Back Hidden Herf 197
We are at the Tobacco Shack for 2nd Anniversary of Eastie Paul at the helm. By the end of the evening it’s practically a full house with all the folks that drop in. The Hidden Herf stumps the panel and gets just an OK rating. Comedy Chris is in rare form, we do a Podcast Juice comparison with a hard seltzer, George calls in, and Frank won’t get on the mic. Paul tells us his “brush with greatness” story. There’s some Black Bottle Beard Co. news. Local Spotlight – The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA Con...
