Simply Stogies

Jimmy and James discuss their recent conversation with Jon Simons of Warfighter Tobacco. The duo discuss veteran owned businesses, the learning curve of sales, and the ability to adapt and overcome. They also discuss some recent cigar media shenanigans.

James and Jimmy sit down with Jon Simons from Warfighter Tobacco. Jon gives us the story of how Warfighter Tobacco Co. came to be. From gun store to 10yrs in the cigar industry, Jon talks about lessons learned, mentors, factory changes, and if he'd do it all again. We ask Jon how his military background helped prepare him for the business world and the decisions they've made. The conversation turns to scaling a business as it grows and what those growing pains look like. Congratulations to Warfighter Tobacco Co. on 10yrs in the cigar industry!

Jimmy and James discuss their recent conversation with Nimmer Ahmad of Valacari Cigars. They discuss Valacari Cigars' 10yrs in the industry, whether Valacari is "boutique" now, and how being in the industry for a decade changes how the rest of the industry views a brand. The duo also talk about Nimmer Ahmad's role as mentor and if there is a duty or obligation for this with experience in the industry to become mentors. Somehow, Jimmy finds a way to talk about Star Wars.

James and Jimmy sit down with Nimmer Ahmad of Valacari Cigars. Valacari Cigars is celebrating their 10th year in the cigar industry in 2026 and James asks Nimmer about it. Nimmer discusses some of the changes the brand has gone through, what it takes to make it in the industry, and some of the ongoing trends. Nimmer discloses what he believes is his biggest regret in the last 10yrs, as well as his "obligation" to be a mentor to new brands coming into the industry. We also discuss the Decimus, the limited annual release celebrating Valacari's 10ys in the industry.<...

Jimmy and James return to "talk about Vance Taylor behind his back." The duo spend a lot of time giving their opinions of Stoicism. While Vance did a great job answering some of the darker themes of the popular philosophy, Jimmy and James weren't satisfied. Did Vance sway James from Nihilism? Can Stoics fall in love? Is Stoicism indifferent? Do Stoics make better leaders or colder leaders? Can religion and Stoicism coexist? Jimmy and James don't have answers...but they certainly have a lot of questions.

James and Jimmy sit down with Vance Taylor of Stoic Cigars. We catch up with Vance and find out how his first two yeas in the cigar industry have gone and what lessons he's learned in that time. We then turn our attention to the "dark side" of Stoicism. What does Stoicism and Nihilism have in common? Can James not road rage? How do Stoics look at tragedy. It is a high level conversation over different philosophies and how to approach life and business.

New host of Clear the Air, Jimmy D, brings James and Tim back to the microphone to discuss the latest interview with Tim Ozgener of  Oz Family Cigars. The trio discuss the trust manufacturers put in the retailers (and vice versa), the relationship aspect of the business (manufacturers and factories, and retailers and manufacturers), how cigar sizes affect sales, and cigar events. The trio dive into Tim Ozgener's relationship with his father and the lessons he's learned both in his time in the cigar industry and away from it.

James and Jimmy sit down with Tim Ozgener of Oz Family Cigars at The Drawing Room in Davenport, Iowa. The trio discuss Tim's creativity, his history in the cigar industry, and the impact his father had on him. From his days with CAO to coming back to the industry, Tim dives into what lessons he learned, what his father taught him, his family, and working with retailers.

In this after-show of Simply Stogies Podcast, hosts Tim, James, and Jimmy sit down to recap their recent interview with Mo Malley of Patina Cigars. The guys dive deep into the nuances of cigar blending, reviewer objectivity, and the rapidly shifting dynamics of the cigar economy.

James and Jimmy sit down with Mo Maalu of Patina Cigars. The trio discuss a wide range of topics. The conversation begins with the Red Pill and the difference in the vitolas and how they smoke and moves in to cigar revies. What's the right score? Do reviewers know the difference between a bad cigar and a cigar that just isn't for them? We ask Mo about keeping a positive attitude and why he is so well liked in the industry, before diving into the current state of the economy in America. What is usury? Why is it the...

Clear the Air turns this after-show into a relentless, unfiltered battlefield as the hosts drag rival commentators for launching cowardly, passive-aggressive attacks against an independent lounge owner and manufacturer. Instead of focusing primarily on the last episode of Simply Stogies Podcast, the conversation exposes the toxic gatekeeping and fragile egos of self-proclaimed industry authorities who hide behind their microphones. One host (bet you can't guess who) unleashes a fiery, zero-tolerance rant, declaring war on these media hacks and promising continuous public humiliation until they issue a public apology for their bullying. While the target of the mockery takes the...

With Jimmy out sick, James sits down with Aaron Paoletta of LaVega Cigars. The two discuss how Aaron and LaVega got involved with Dogs Inc. and the LaVega Il Cane cigar. This leads to a larger discussion on why you shouldn't "f*ck people over" in the cigar industry. Aaron shares his thoughts on making and keeping commitments, follow-through, and why it matters. The two discuss Aaron's recent appearance on KMA Talk Radio and the incident that brought that about. Aaron clears the air about a few things and the duo talk about cigar media, Aaron's thoughts, and what's...

This week, hosts Tim, James, and Jimmy break down the latest episode of Simply Stogies Podcast interview with Rob Blumenthal from Tradecraft Cigars. They discuss Rob's deep family history in the cigar world and how that experience helps him build his own brand. The guys also debate the pros and cons of traditional twenty-count cigar boxes versus modern space-saving designs. Finally, they share their honest opinions on the current state of the industry, including the trend of Limited Edition releases and the frustration of backorders

James and Jimmy sit down with one of the owners and founder of Tradecraft Cigars, Rob Blumenthal. Rob talks about his family's five generation in the tobacco business, something that started during the Civil War era with his family selling tobacco and cigars. The trio discuss what Rob has learned from owning a cigar company, how he approaches events, choosing to grow organically, and much more. Rob's family also owns the Tinder Box, which gives Rob a unique perspective on the cigar industry. We found the conversation fascinating, and we hope you do too!

This week, Tim, James, and Jimmy are back at the microphones to dissect their recent interview with Vince McGlone of Vicente Blends. The audience feedback has been a total mixed bag, and the crew isn't holding back on why Vince's engineering background, low-volume production mindset, and luxury $60 price tags are polarizing the cigar community.

From debating the definition of a true "industry disruptor" to exposing the smoke and mirrors of factory blends, the guys clear the air on how the demographics of premium tobacco are shifting in 2026.

James and Jimmy welcome Vincent McGlone, owner and blender of Vicente Blends, to the show. Vince talks about his engineering background and how he started Vicente Blends. What was a passion project has turned into a business. Vince discusses how his engineering background impacts is approach to blending and marketing. We talk about the difference in cultures between the Dominican Republic and the US and what Vince does to work through those. Vince gives us his take on the industry, cigar bands, and much more!

James interviews Fat Ash Cigar Lounge owner Dwight Adkins and GM Paul Wood to launch the sixth annual My Old Kentucky HERF, introducing exclusive cigars like the "Open Carry" and "Sturdy Girl" that reflect the lounge's culture of freedom and hospitality. Jimmy later joins James and Tim for a recap, detailing the event's charitable support for the Gary Sinise Foundation and genuine industry networking with blenders like Rick Rodriguez and Hector Alfonso. The episode also highlights guest Detective Samantha Baliles' work with first responders, reinforcing that the HERF prioritizes relationships and community over profit.

James and Tim (Jimmy is on vacation) welcome Samantha Baliles from Code4Cigars. Sam explains that Code4Cigars supports first responders mental health by coming together over their love of the leaf. Sam gives first responders an informal way to support each other while dealing with traumatic events. Sam tells us how she started the group, how it has grown, future plans, how she got into cigars, and...somehow...becomes best friends with Tim.

We sat down with some of the most interesting people at this year's Premium Cigar Association Convention & Trade Show in New Orleans, Louisiana. Despite a few hiccups with both audio and video, we sit down with Steve Saka of Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust, Rick and Sara Rodriguez of West Tampa Tobacco, Lou Cross of Lure Cigars, Nimmer Ahmad of Valacari Cigars, Zack Van Ginkel and Andray McCuien of HDA Cigars, and Michael Knowles of Mayflower Cigars. A big shoutout to the entire team...Jimmy Dailing, Timothy Allen, Mimi VonSwagg and Mike Morrow. Their tireless work and dedication made our coverage...

The team at Simply Stogies has officially wrapped up another incredible year at the annual Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show! In this special edition episode of Clear the Air, James takes the host’s chair to lead a lively discussion with Jimmy and Tim. Together, they break down their experiences from the massive convention floor, sharing their personal highlights and honest thoughts on each day of the big event.

In this episode of Clear the Air, hosts Tim, James, and Jimmy spend time reviewing a recent interview with Lou Cross of Lure Cigars and sharing their thoughts on different cigar products. They also discuss their upcoming trip to a major cigar trade show in New Orleans and officially announce that Jimmy D will be stepping up as the new co-host following the departure of a long-time team member.

James and Nick welcome Lou Cross of Lure Cigars back to the program. Lou promotes his new PCA exclusive, the "Wahoo." We discuss the changes for Lure Cigars and Valacari Cigars, Lou's role with both brands, and their relationship with La Tabacaria. We ask Lou what he's learned in his 2 years in the cigar industry, the challenges he's faced, and how he's overcome them. Lou discusses branding and bringing in new cigar smokers the lifestyle, before talking about a brands relationship with B&Ms. What does support for a brand look like, who's responsibility is to move product at...

Tim and Jimmy D lead this episode of Clear The Air by examining the balance between modern technology and classic cigar traditions. They explain how artificial intelligence can manage data and inventory so that professionals have more time for genuine human interaction. Jimmy D supports this focus on relationships by often giving away free cigars to help customers discover new blends. The hosts also advocate for more cooperation within the industry to ensure that the community remains strong for the next generation. Finally, they highlight the intense dedication of traveling brand representatives who spend hundreds of days on the...

James is out sick so Jimmy is stepping into the host's chair for the first time to interview Antonio Lam of Reinado Cigars alongside co-host Nick. Antonio discusses his return to the business and shares the fascinating story behind a limited-edition cigar where he actually fermented broadleaf tobacco in Pinot Noir wine. He also explains his strict quality control process of refusing to release a blend until it is perfect, while the group dives into how popular cigar sizes have shifted away from massive 6x60s. They round out the conversation with their personal thoughts on the benefits of...

James and Nick welcome Jonas Santana from Blackbird Cigars. The trio discuss Blackbird's 10 years in the industry and how they're celebrating...with three new blends! Jonas talks about working with his mentor and master blender at his factory in the Dominican Republic. Jonas goes through the challenges he's faced, overcoming failures, and his greatest successes in his ten years in the industry. We talk about work/home balance and what we can expect from Blackbird at this year's PCA Convention & Trade Show in New Orleans, Louisiana.

James and Jimmy welcome Amanda & Paul Wood of FatAsh Cigar Lounge in Ashland, Kentucky. We discuss Paul's new job as the GM of FatAsh and what he brought with him from his time as a sales rep for Luciano Cigars. Amanda talks about life with Paul on the road vs life with Paul working in the lounge. Amanda and Paul discuss women in the lounge and the culture that drives women to a lounge and the culture that keeps them coming back. Paul lets us in on how much work goes in to putting on an event like My...

In this unfiltered "Clear the Air" session, Tim, James, and Jimmy break down the highlights and behind-the-scenes moments from the last episode of Simply Stogies Podcast with the most recent powerhouse interview with Mike Szczepankiewicz of Powstanie Cigars. The trio dives deep into the "Santa Claus" effect of the cigar industry, debating whether knowing the raw reality of the people behind the brands adds to the experience or ruins the magic of the smoke. From candid discussions on humidor shelf space and the true value of high-ticket sticks to a sneak peek at the upcoming trade show season and...

James and Nick welcome Mike Szczepankiewicz from Powstanie Cigars, Pospiech Cigars, Cigar Hustler Lounge in Florida, and  ⁨A Cigar Hustlers Podcast.  Mike talks about getting into the cigar industry, working with Mike "BDP" Palmer, and doing a daily podcast. He talks about how important his family is to him and how he's able to juggle podcasting daily, Powstanie Cigars, his lounge, and coaching while still prioritizing "family first." The trio discuss cigar media, Halfwheel's importance to the industry, and cigar media. We ask Mike about Powstanie Cigars' San Andres being named Halfwheel's number 2 cigar of 2025 (only .079 behind number 1), before he t...

Tim, James, and Jimmy discussed the career and controversial opinions of industry veteran Dave Garofalo. The conversation focused heavily on Garofalo's bold business moves, specifically his decision to close profitable stores in Massachusetts and relocate to New Hampshire to escape a 12% tax—a gamble he took after competitors refused to unite against regulations. 
 
The hosts also explored Garofalo's specific philosophies regarding retail strategy and media content. Key topics included the psychology behind his rule of placing price tags on every open box to avoid customer embarrassment and his "needs assessment" sales approach, illustrated by a story about upse...

James and Nick welcome entrepreneur, author, and podcaster David Garofalo to the show. The trio discuss Dave's 40 years of experience with Two Guys Cigars, his reason for moving his stores from Massachusetts to New Hampshire, and how he has fought against raising taxes on cigars at the state level. We dive in to the retail side of the business as Dave talks about competition and working with them instead of against them, selling cigars vs being an "order taker," collaborating with cigar manufacturers, and much more. We ask Dave about starting United Cigars, The Cigar Authority podcast, and The...

In this episode of Clear the Air, the crew celebrates Simply Stogies’ seven-year anniversary of the show , reflecting on its massive growth from a monthly hobby to a major industry voice. The conversation transitions into a deep dive on boutique cigar culture, comparing the different entrepreneurial paths taken by Lou Cross of Lure Cigars and recent guest Alex Martinez of Exile Cigars. A major theme of the discussion is the role of legacy and family, specifically focusing on how Martinez honors his father's Cuban immigrant story by naming his cigar lines after his father’s shoe stores. Finally, the host...

James and Nick welcome Alex Martinez of Exile Cigars to the show. We find out how Alex got into cigars, as he discusses his 25yrs as a cop. Alex talks about how retirement led to his managing a cigar shop and eventually to owning his own cigar brand. Alex discusses his love for his family, his desire to build a legacy, and lessons learned in both the retail and manufacturing sides of the business. You do not want to miss this episode!

Industry titans collide as James, Nick, and Jimmy step into the arena to dissect the fallout from their explosive sit-down with PCA CEO Joshua Habursky. Representing the powerhouse trio of Manufacturer, Retailer, and Media, they bring perspectives that rarely align—and the tension is palpable. Just as the debate threatens to spiral out of control, a surprise return from an old friend shifts the energy, but the peace is short-lived. Nick pulls back the curtain on the manufacturing world with a revelation that changes the context of the trade show, while Jimmy pulls no punches, voicing the raw, unfiltered co...

We welcome CEO of the Premium Cigar Association, Joshua Habursky, back to the program. We catch up with Joshua and find out how 2025 went for the cigar industry. We also take a look ahead and discuss some of the legal challenges facing the industry and how the PCA stays on top of 50 individual states. Josh talks about how the PCA collaboration with author Nick Hammond came about, as well as the PCA working with cigar organizations around the world. Of course, no conversation with Joshua would be complete without talking about the upcoming trade show in New Orleans later...

Tim returns for another edition of Clear the Air: A Simply Stogies Podcast After Show. Joined by James and Jimmy, the crew breaks down the latest episode featuring Law Ream, Ambassador for Zino Cigars (now with Camacho brand...thanks LAW!). But there is a major plot twist: Tim enlists a friend—Drew Estate Territory Manager Dave Payne—to facilitate a "conversation" regarding James' recent rants. All hell breaks loose, and you won't want to miss the fallout.

Law Ream, the Zino Brand Ambassador, closes out 2025 with James and Jimmy D. The trio look back at the highlights of the year and look ahead at what 2026 may have in store. We talk about cigar media, are "best of" lists good, do food reviews belong in cigar media, who got it right this year, and who is poised to take over the space in 2026. We discuss the trade show, Davidoff, Law's huge road trip, and much more!!

In this episode of Clear the Air, the Simply Stogies crew breaks down their interview with industry legend Pete Johnson of Tatuaje Cigars. They dive into Pete's genuine nature, his thirty-two-year journey in the cigar world, and his unique perspective on limited editions and supporting brick-and-mortar shops. The conversation gets lively as the hosts debate Pete's take on self-regulation and marketing in the industry, offering their own unfiltered opinions on the state of cigars today.

Beyond the serious cigar talk, expect plenty of laughs as the guys share stories about double entendre , bass guitars, and Tim's new "...

We celebrate Petemas with Pete Johnson. Rebel? Student? Teacher? Historian? We find out how Pete sees himself and his place in the industry. We ask Pete what changes he's seen in the cigar industry over the past 32 years and what he would change if he could. Pete talks about the "unusual suspects," cigar pricing, and how the industry truly is relationship driven. We talk a little about cigar media, cigar reviews, and the "craft" cigar industry.

This episode of Clear the Air features the Simply Stogies crew reflecting on Matt Booth's transformative role in the cigar industry, from his bold Room 101 brand to his provocative marketing that redefined premium cigars. They discuss how Booth and similar trailblazers injected irreverent energy, driving innovation in blends and branding that elevated the culture.

James and Nick welcome Matt Booth of Room 101 Brand. Recorded LIVE for our Patreon supporters, Matt fields questions from them as well as discussing several topics with James and Nick. Matt talks about his time in the Marine Corps and how it shaped his career. Matt discuses being "on" all the time and whether or not it's a grind. Matt keeps James on his toes throughout the delightful and in-depth conversation.