The Cigar Pulpit

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Studios, Nick is joined by Villiger North America President René Castañeda to discuss the life and legacy of Heinrich Villiger, who passed away on July 25. René gives us insight into what kind of person Mr. Villiger was, what drove him personally and from a business perspective, and some personal anecdotes. 

The two also discuss the upcoming PulpitFest and some of the fun that will be taki...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Studios, Nick is back from a summer break with his son and is honoring the life and achievements of Heinrich Villiger, who passed away on July 25, 2025. Nick lights up a Villiger Limited Release Blend 51 and covers a few of the broad strokes of his career and the future of Villiger Cigars. 

This is part one of our week long tribute to Mr. Villiger. Tune in on Friday for Nick's conversation...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Studios, Nick takes to the phone lines for another Ask the Pulpit episode. The parishioners came to his rescue after the guest for this episode unfortunately had to cancel due to internet issues and Nick put out word he needed calls to the hotline. We cover a wide variety of topics from first cigar experiences, cigar budgets, what's smoking well right now, and AI cat videos...

And find out...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Studios, Nick is joined by Noah as they take a moment at the mid-point of the year to review their 2025 celebrity death predictions and to review those we've lost already. The guys did score a point this year so far, and then listen and find out who gets added to the list!

All this while smoking the Buffalo Ten Connecticut toro.

Listen to the Villiger Cigars Entertainment Report to hear wh...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Studios, Nick takes your calls on another Ask the Pulpit episode. While smoking the LFD Suave, Nick takes calls about napping, visiting Tampa and the JC Newman factory, travel to Iceland and where to visit when there, and lots more!

Find out what two shows Nick circled back to and completed in the Villiger Cigars Entertainment Report.

And learn about a man who changed lives using something...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Studios, Nick is joined by Kenn Klarich, owner of the Ash & Ale Lounge in Palm Coast, Florida, to give an update on the upcoming PulpitFest. The two smoke the Aladino 85th Anniversary toro and discuss the organization that will be receiving a donation from the proceeds of PulpitFest, Vincent's Clubhouse. Nick interviews the Executive Director of Vincent's Clubhouse, Erica Flores, to gi...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Studios, Nick is joined by Ed Sullivan and professional comedian Tony V to smoke the Perdomo Legacy Connecticut. The guys get to know Tony and introduce him to the Pulpit audience by talking about his time rising up in the young Boston comedy scene. They also discuss some of the various projects Tony has been involved in and his love of smoking cigars by dumpsters. 

Check out the Villiger ...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Studios, Nick lights up a new go-to cigar, the JFR Lunatic Hombre Libre, and touches on a bit of housekeeping. He goes over some of the solo show ideas you all submitted and how he thinks he can do those as shows. Nick also gives a health update for those interested.

Find out what show Nick just started watching in the Villiger Cigars Entertainment Report.

And learn about a Canadian man wh...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Studios, Nick takes your calls in another Ask the Pulpit episode. He fires up a Cactus Wren by Blackbird Cigars and discusses a variety of topics including whether or not dolphins give each other specific names like humans do.

Find out what Nick has been watching lately in the Villiger Cigars Entertainment Report.

And learn about a special child who went on an anti-bullying campaign in the...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Studios, Nick is joined by his dad, Jim, to address a listener's recent call about retirement. Jim goes through all of the planning he did, and didn't do, prior to being retired a few years ago. While retirement is something we all look forward to, if planning doesn't take place, it can be a rocky and emotional time. 

And to address another listener's recent call, the guys are smoking ciga...

Coming to you from the JRE Aladino Studios, Nick lights up the new JFR 20th Anniversary cigar. From there, he touches on some of the random thoughts and items pertaining to the show that he's been thinking about lately. He touches on topics like PulpitFest, the beginning of his weight loss journey, his cigar collection and the best time to smoke certain cigars, shifting timelines, and more.

Nick also announces a contest where liste...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Studios, Nick fires up a Crux Bull & Bear and discusses the various characters you meet in a cigar lounge. You've all encountered them. Maybe you are one of them. But he covers the various types of people you'll meet and how, no matter what shop you're in, you'll find these people.

Also, Nick makes a special guest announcement for PulpitFest! Don't miss it!

Find out what Nick has been ...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Studios, Nick is joined by Noah as they discuss some refreshing and nice pairings to go with your cigars during the summer months. They also go down a lot of rabbit holes and discuss cigar shop product ordering, Tinder search filters, and a lot more.

The guys fire up two different cigars in this episode. First up is the Trinidad Espiritu Series No. 3 followed by the Romeo y Julieta Reserva...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Studios, it's time for another Ask the Pulpit! Nick fires up the Fuma Noche from Aladino and takes your calls. Get your calls in for a future show by calling the hotline at (863)874-0000.

Among the calls we discuss areas of the world that don't have mosquitoes, how badly we need to see Mr Jonathan and Trey Mac square off in the Knight Fights at the 2025 New England Cigar Expo, and some off...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Studios, Nick and everyone's favorite deranged listener Jerry Pulaski fire up some Villiger Exports and discuss cigar memories. The guys go over some highlight memories, both good and bad, and what cigars they associate with each one. Not all memories are good, so we go on a reflective journey. 

Find out what we've been watching lately in the Villiger Cigars Entertainment Report.

And learn...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Studios, Nick is joined by Trey Mac Shipley to smoke the new Camp Aladino Cameroon gorbusto. Find out all about this new line of cigars, what a gorbusto is, and more. Also learn more about the new Aladino 85th cigar that has been released to honor Julio Eiroa for his birthday. 

And we hear the world premiere of a new song, right here on the show!

Oh... and Trey Mac is questioning Pandas an...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Studios, Nick fires up a Davidoff Nicaragua and discusses a couple of news articles that crossed his feed. First up, is a public service announcement to men to not be stupid and buy some very specific soap. Then, he discusses an outdoor smoking ban coming to France and the problems with government oversight. 

Then in the Villiger Cigars Entertainment Report, learn about a new podcast Nick ...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Studio, Nick takes your calls and answers your questions on another installment of Ask the Pulpit. We discuss the advantages of smaller cigars, what we'd do if a cigar brand disappeared, and much more. 

Also in a Pulpit first... Nick drops his cigar and it is very sad...

During the Villiger Cigars Entertainment Report, find out what Nick has been watching lately AND get his recap of the In...

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Studio, Nick is joined by Mike Brinker to discuss all things Memorial Day. We fire up a few cigars and discuss the important meaning of the day. We then discuss barbecues, food, cigars, games and more. What goes into a great backyard party? We lay out our thoughts here.

Find out what we've been watching lately in the Villiger Cigars Entertainment Report.

And learn about the real Lone Survi...