Simply Stogies

James and Nick sit down for an in-depth discussion about business and entrepreneurship with Al Micallef, founder of Micallef Cigars, and his daughter and head of marketing, Amanda Micallef. The conversation begins with Al discussing how he had an interest in business from a young age and how he parlayed that into where he is now. We find out that Amanda started as a producer in Hollywood, and has her own IMDB page. The four of also...

Tim brings James and Nick back to the studio to talk about the latest episode of Simply Stogies Podcast with Miguel Schodel with Crowned Heads and OZ Family Cigars. We notice there are no screaming children in the background while we  appreciate the hard work  and dedication that goes into leading a team to success. Nick tells us how boutique cigars are still a vital part of the industry and we discuss how information at our finger...

This episode we have a great conversation with Crowned Heads and OZ Family Cigars' National Sales Manager, Miguel Schoedel. Miguel walks us through his history in the cigar industry: from his early interest in tobacco and agriculture, to his time with CAO, and ultimately to where he is today. Miguel discusses informed cigar consumers and how they have made the industry better and more competitive. We also talk about how technology ...

James and Nick sit down with Ben Rotem, one of the founders and owners of Luxury Cigar Club. If you're not familiar with luxurycigarclub.com now, you will be after this episode. Luxury Cigar Club is more than just a "cigar of the month" club. They have a large online inventory of cigars, accessories, and humidors for the discerning cigar enthusiast. They boast a discord server that connects their customers to both manufacturers and...

<span;>James and Nick welcome Lou Cross III, founder of Lure Cigars to the show. Lou talks about honoring his late father, Lou Cross Jr., to naming his cigars after his family, and walks us through his journey. We discuss the "grind" that boutique cigar manufacturers go through to promote their brands and his focus on connecting directly with consumers. We also learn about his latest offering, "The Last Cast," an...

James visits FatAsh Cigar Lounge to talk with Dwight Adkins and Stephen Wray about FatAsh Cigar and My Old Kentucky Herf. We discuss how FatAsh started, why Dwight started it, how Dwight and Stephen met, and their new Live from the Lounge series on YouTube by MyTownTVHD, where they highlight local singers and musical artists at the lounge. We also talk about how My Old Kentucky Herf got started, where it's at, and where it's going.

James and Nick welcome Blackbird Cigar Co. owner Jonas Santana and his National Sales Rep. Miyagi Montes to the show. We discuss how Jonas got into the business, his focus, and his passion for the industry, as well as their newest core line: Superb. We discuss how Miyagi and Jonas met and why Miyagi joined Blackbird. We talk about Jonas' music, which you can find at @jontanard on Instagram, and how he finds time to make music, prod...

We end our PCA 2024 Convention & Trade Show coverage from the floor of the show with some great interviews with: Skip Martin of RoMa Craft, John Laurendi of Peter James, Hendrik Kelner Jr. of Smoking Jacket Cigars and KBF, Toscano Cigars, and what a first time retailer thought of the show with Brian and Seana Bolen of Smoldering Cigars.  You can find  all of our coverage of the PCA 2024 Trade Show on YouTube, Rumble, or simply...

We have quite the lineup for part 2 of our coverage of the PCA 2024 Convention and Trade Show, sponsored by My Old Kentucky Herf. We begin with Nick at the General Cigars booth. He talks with Macanudo, CAO, Cohiba, Sancho Panza, and Matt Booth. Nick then heads over to Freud Cigar Co. and speaks with John Salley. James then talks to Ian Reith of Dapper Cigars, before heading over to the Foundation booth and speaking with Nick Melill...

James, Tim, and Nick bring you interviews from the 2024 PCA Convention and Trade Show from the Las Vegas Convention Center. All of our PCA 24 coverage is brought to you by My Old Kentucky Herf! This first episode has interviews with Sebastien Decoppet of Cavalier Cigars, Jonathon Drew of Drew Estate, Cigars for Warriors, Luciano Meirelles of Luciano Cigars, Jeremy Casdagli of Casdagli Cigars, Micky Pegg of All Saints Cigars, and ne...

James and Nick welcome co-founder, author, and editor of halfwheel.com, Brooks Whittington to the show. James asks Brooks and Nick about their time in Cuba for the 2024 Festival del Habano. The trio discuss the Festival, the humidors, and the events; they also talk about the general state of Cuba and Cuban cigars. Brooks explains how he first met Nick and just how difficult it can be to get around in Cuba. The three also discuss me...

We are excited to welcome back our friend, William "Cigar Coop" Cooper to the podcast. Cigar Coop, Nick, and James discuss the upcoming PCA '24 Trade Show in Las Vegas. Coop lets us know what he's looking forward to the most this year, changes to the PCA over the years, and who will be there and who won't. We then discuss the TPE vs PCA shows and if TPE will continue to have premium hand-rolled cigars there, and what the future hol...