Cigar Snob Podcast

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

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

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

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 Commons: By Attribution 3.0

During a visit to Estelí, Nicaragua, Erik and Nick met with Nestor Andrés Plasencia to talk about cigars, Nicaragua, and some of the more recent developments in the Plasencia portfolio. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Just before Christmas Eve, the team gathers 'round to try a variety of Drew Estate Flying Pigs, talk about a recent trip to Estelí, recap a photo shoot that'll be published in an upcoming issue of the magazine, and speculate as to whether it's safe to have mealworms eat our plastic. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

We smoke AJ Fernandez's Bellas Artes Maduro Lancero cigars in this latest Editors' Roundtable episode. Erik, Ivan and Nick get caught up on the Democratic primaries, Kamala Harris' drropping out of the race for the presidency, the new Black Widow trailer, the return of Conor McGregor to the UFC, and more.

We smoke Casa Fernandez Miami Reserva and get caught up on Erik's trip to China, the unveiling of Tesla's new electric truck, Colin Kaepernick's exploits, and a bunch more. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

In this episode, you'll hear an interview we recorded back in July. The story you'll hear is every bit as important now as then. Not only because it's narrowly about a cause you might want to support, but because it's broadly about the role cigars can and often do play in making positive change. Our guest here is Storm Boen, the decorated veteran who leads Operation Cigars for Warrriors, which delivers premium cigars (along with some other goodies) to American soldiers deployed overseas. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

The guys smoke Vegas del Purial Gran Reserva and chat about the NFL's helmet swinging scandal, Evo Morales' ouster in Bolivia, and the cost effectiveness of switching to streaming services. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

We smoke a new release from Illusione Cigars, recap UFC 244 (headlined by the BMF fight between Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz), wonder whether Jeffrey Epstein committed suicide, and discuss the phenomenon of "sleep divorce." Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Boris Wintermans of Royal Agio Cigars sat with Nicolás Antonio Jiménez to talk about Balmoral Serie Signaturas Paso Doble and what it was like to work with La Flor Dominicana's Litto Gómez on that blend, which is the second installment in the Serie Signaturas lineup. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Incredibly, we made it to episode 100 of the Cigar Snob Podcast! Erik, Ivan and Nick light up some limited-edition Viva La Vida Jester Cigars to talk sports – NBA, UFC, MLB, PGA, NFL — along with some of the latest news about American forces killing ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, Nick's dislocating his shoulder in a Boosted Board accident, and the Joker movie. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

We smoked Joya de Nicaragua Antaño CT, recapped our experriences at a couple of Miami cigar events, and wonder what's behind the controversies surrounding Kanye West and Kim Kardashian. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Friend and American tea master Michael Ortiz paid a visit to Cigar Snob HQ and brought a couple of guests along: Frank Baroudi, who came with a treasure trove of pre-embargo Cuban cigars in tow, and Kunikazu Mochitani, a matcha producer who brought along some of his own teas. Together, the three of them led us on one of the most unique tasting sessions we've ever experienced. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

We got a personalized box of Espinosa Cigars' Las 6 Provinicias MTZ. Join as we smoke a few, talk NASCAR, Sarasota golfing, the NBA's China controverrsy and the new Joker movie. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Senior editor Nicolás Jiménez went to Miami Cigar headquarters to chat with Nestor Miranda and Jason Wood about the new Don Lino Africa, their relationship with A.J. Fernández, Nestor's time in Africa, Jason's experiences working with his father in law, and more. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

The team talks wine after a Casillero del Diablo tasting, smokes Cain Daytona Coronas, and trashes a ridiculously gross Miami snack before contemplating whether they should order a few for the office. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Erik Calviño caught up with Nirka Reyes of De Los Reyes Cigars to talk about their products, her family's penchant for hospitality, her father's restaurant in the Dominican Republic, and more. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

In this episode, Nick interviews Nat Sherman VP Michael Herklots. They talk music, cigars, and how Mike's passion for one led to a career in the other. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License