What's the difference between Maduro and Oscuro? Or Connecticut Shade and Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade? The guys break it down for you before getting into 3 outstanding Imperial Stouts. They tasted the beers blind and tried to match them up with the newly released Camacho Factory Unleashed. Speaking of Camacho, we sat down with Brand Ambassador George Rami aka Latin Thunder for our share a smoke segment. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative ...
Jul 21, 2021•1 hr 20 min
The guys weigh in on how far down you should smoke your cigar while enjoying the Crux Epicure Maduro down to the nub! They blind-taste 3 accessible rums, one which apparently "needs a push-up bra" and determine which pairs best with smoke of the day and Erik tells a story of playing golf and drinking heavily at a golf course surrounded by active volcanoes. Perhaps the best golf story of the day belongs to our guest, Casey Haugen who let a guy he'd only just met tee off from his "nether regions"!...
Jun 04, 2021•1 hr 21 min
It's a loaded show! Ivan shares a backstory about a topless model photo shoot that got us kicked out of a California park. We answered a listener-driven question: what vitola or shape do professional cigar smokers enjoy the most? Plus we caught up with Michael Herklots of Ferio Tego to discuss the latest news surrounding his cigar company. Lastly, we blind-tasted 3 Mezcals and paired them with a Timeless Prestige No. 2. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed...
May 21, 2021•1 hr 23 min
Having a hard time picking out the flavors and aromas of your cigar? The Cigar Snob guys can help! On the show they smoked the new and limited Rare Leaf Reserve from Aganorsa Leaf and interviewed Terence Reilly of Aganorsa to get the scoop on this limited blend. In the Perfect Pairings segment they matched up 3 cask strength ryes with the Rare Leaf Reserve and were blown away by one of the three. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons:...
Apr 22, 2021•1 hr 27 min
The guys smoke Wild Hunter Oscuro by Oscar Valladares while they discuss whether it's bad form to keep the label on or off of the cigar. They also blind-taste 3 top-rated bourbons in search of the Wild Hunter's perfect match, interview Erik Espinosa about the impact of winning Cigar of the Year, and Ivan shares the backstory of the very first Cigar Snob fashion shoot. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License c...
Apr 13, 2021•1 hr 23 min
The guys are back to announce the Top 25! Along with their standard goofiness, they also previewed the new issue of Cigar Snob Magazine including a trip to Atlanta to interview the founders of Warrior Poet Society, a fun travel story about Omaha, a super sexy cover shoot and finally they reflected on the Super Bowl. All the while they smoked 2020's Cigar of the Year. Don't miss this episode! Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By A...
Feb 16, 2021•46 min
We're getting ready for Thanksgiving COVID-edition but before we start frying socially distanced turkeys, we sat down to smoke an Aladino Cigar. We talked about all manner of goofiness including Pope Francis' Instagram gaff, a cigar-chomping puppy savior, and a massive collection effort in support of the hurricane-impacted families of Honduras and Nicaragua. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecom...
Nov 25, 2020•36 min
The guys are back to discuss the madness that is this election and how it could impact the cigar business with special guest Glynn Loope, former executive director of Cigar Rights of America. Things got much lighter from there when they got into serious Masters talk with predictions from Erik and Ivan. They also responded to some interesting listener feedback! All of this while smoking the new Sobremesa Brûlée Blue!! Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed un...
Nov 14, 2020•57 min
HVC's Reinier Lorenzo joined our host Erik Calviño to talk about the latest HVC Black Friday release. Reinier also shares his ideas on blending, Cuban cigars, and which cigars make him want to have a glass of milk! Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Nov 03, 2020•23 min
Master blender and co-owner of Mombacho Cigars, Claudio Sgroi paid us a visit at Cigar Snob HQ. Erik surprised Claudio with a special cigar that he'd been aging for 5 years. Claudio shared his inspiring and serendipitous story of how he went from never smoking cigars, to falling head over heels, to eventually being offered his dream job of master blender. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommon...
Oct 20, 2020•1 hr 7 min
We traveled out to Southern Utah for an epic photo shoot with two gorgeous models, a photo shoot crew, tons of Casa Cuba cigars, and way too much equipment to haul up and down slippery slopes. Also nearly lost a drone in the high winds of %&@#* Point! We'd tell you the name but swore that we wouldn't share that amazing spot. Did the drone survive? Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.or...
Sep 24, 2020•52 min
Not only is Aganorsa Leaf the largest tobacco grower in Nicaragua, but their cigars consistently garner some of the highest ratings in Cigar Snob Magazine. In today's episode we bring back Terence Reilly to discuss Aganorsa's latest release and what the future holds for the New England Patriots... Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Sep 08, 2020•40 min
Oscar Valladares is the man behind the insanely popular brands LEAF by Oscar, SuperFly, and The Oscar among others. He spent some time with us at Cigar Snob HQ before continuing down to Honduras. His story of grit, resourcefulness, and love for tobacco is one you won't want to miss. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Aug 22, 2020•1 hr 1 min
We're back with tons of Cigar Snob photo shoot talk while smoking the new Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua made at the AJ Fernandez factory. We discovered a bird that can predict hurricanes and recapped the recent PGA Championship along with Erik's trip to Sanibel Island. And once again we read some great listener feedback. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Aug 14, 2020•54 min
Harry made a series of cocktails for the team at Cigar Snob and sat down with Erik to share stories about his interesting background and what made him decide to dive into the competitive gin market in the middle of a global pandemic. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Aug 07, 2020•49 min
We smoked the new Liga Privada Unico Serie Year of the Rat 2020 Limited Edition while talking about our trip to Naples to attend the Traveling Road Show with Rocky Patel, Oliva, Alec Bradley, and Crowned Heads. We played golf and even told the story of the time Ivan hit a car with a golf ball from Erik's parents house. We also read some great listener feedback! Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creative...
Jul 17, 2020•53 min
We’re smoking one of our favorite cigars in lancero format and we got into some stories of when we visited Tabacalera Fuente and spent days smoking nothing but Opus X and Don Carlos. We then got into movies, Charlie Daniels, and Japanese roller coasters! Yes you read that right... Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Jul 09, 2020•48 min
We smoked the Brick House Culebra Maestra and went deep into what is a culebra, what's so good about it, and why it looks so funky! We also took a page from KROQ's on-air personality and our former classmate Nicole Alvarez and each came up with our perfect song. And finally we got into why cancelling Mt. Rushmore would suck. Brick House Culebra Maestra Shape: Culebra Manufactured by JC Newman in Estelí, Nicaragua Only available at JC Newman events Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeo...
Jul 02, 2020•43 min
We found our new favorite Davidoff in the pre-release Special 53 Capa Dominicana and we talk about how cigar companies are reacting to not having a trade show. We discuss Father's Day plans and a day at the shooting range. It was all going so well until we got into the idea of a time capsule and what cigars, booze, and copies of Cigar Snob Magazine we would want remembered... Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 L...
Jun 19, 2020•44 min
We smoke the My Father The Judge in Grand Robusto and we get into the tricky nature of blending cigars. It goes downhill after that when we get into Major League domestic disputes and some disastrous Cigar Snob photo shoot stories. My Father The Judge Robusto (5 x 60) box-pressed Manufactured by My Father Cigars Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Ecuador Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua MSRP: $12.70 Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: B...
Jun 15, 2020•36 min
Erik, Ivan (and Jasper) smoke the Viva La Vida robusto while talking about the protests, riots, and looting. They also get into the impact that COVID has had on the cigar business as well as the wacky drive-thru celebrations being held all over the country. Viva La Vida Robusto (5 x 54) Manufactured by AJ Fernandez Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua MSRP: $11.00 Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commo...
Jun 05, 2020•40 min
The guys introduced a new team member while smoking one of their all-time favorite smokes, the Oliva Serie V Melanio. There's also coronavirus talk including the end of social distancing at Cigar Snob HQ! Also the end of an era at the magazine and podcast, Nick is gone! Finally we announced the winner of the #QuarantineGiveaway and respond to reader feedback. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
May 28, 2020•41 min
The Cigar Snob team gathers around the mics (keeping a safe distance) to smoke Diplomatico by Mombacho, paired with Diplomático rum, and talk about how we've experienced the coronavirus outbreak. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
Mar 20, 2020•45 min
The gang smokes Protocol Themis cigars while talking corona virus, the Democratic primaries, Miami Heat basketball, cigar festivals, and more. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
Mar 06, 2020•52 min
We got a visit at Cigar Snob HQ from Eddy Guerra and George Rami, who told us all about what's new in the Avo and Camacho portfolios, along with information about events and factory tours. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
Feb 28, 2020•1 hr 2 min
On this episode, we smoked a Joya de Nicaragua cigar that's available exclusively at Drew Diplomat retailer events. We also recapped some of our recent travel (Dominican Republic, Austin, Palm Beach) and went over the latest developments in the Democratic Party's primary race, Tyson Fury's heavyweight rematch win, and the retirement of Dwyane Wade's jersey. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
Feb 25, 2020•1 hr 17 min
The Cigar Snob team has a good old fashioned smoke off, recaps the Puro Sabor festival in Nicaragua, talks about the Top 25 Cigars of 2019, and wonders about whether the Super Bowl Halftime Show would have been better without Shakira or Jennifer Lopez. Also, Donald Trump and Nancy Pelosi are ridiculous, Ivan saw a weird movie, and we got a song about cigars from a reader. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
Feb 06, 2020•1 hr 15 min
We were joined by phone by Scott Pearce, executive director of the Premium Cigar Association. He and senior editor Nick Jiménez discussed the PCA's history, the future of the trade show it hosts every year, and how rifts in the premium cigar industry are affecting that trade show and the cigar community at large. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
Jan 31, 2020•1 hr 24 min
Erik and Nick caught up with Fred Vandermarliere of J. Cortès at Casa Oliva in Estelí, Nicaragua after a tour of the expanded and improved TABOLISA factory. The three had a discussion about Oliva Cigars, technology in cigar making, and the care that's been taken to preserve the original spirit of Oliva. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
Jan 20, 2020•40 min
Fidel Valdés Rodríguez is the engineer behind thee recent expansion and overhaul of Oliva Cigar's Tabolisa factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. We sat with the Cuban-born COO to talk about his journey from Cuba to the Nicaraguan cigar industry, the technology behind the new production methods at Oliva, and the way that all the change at the company connects to the happiness of the workers who make it all go. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Com...
Dec 28, 2019•54 min
