Cigar Snob Podcast

Robert Holt came into the cigar business after careers in the military and telecommunications. Now, he’s at the helm of Southern Draw, whose cigars are made exclusively by AJ Fernandez in Nicaragua. In a recent interview he did with Cigar Snob's Nick Jiménez not long before the annual IPCPR trade show in Las Vegas, he talked about his life before cigars, what it’s been like to work with his wife Sharon (the namesake of Southern Draw Rose of Sharon, which he and Nick were smoking during this conversation) and how he and Sharon have made their faith and values the cornerstone of their business approach. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Rick Rodriguez dropped by Cigar Snob HQ for an interview. Rick is the blender and ambassador at CAO Cigars, the General Cigar brand known for products like Flathead and Pilón, among others. Unlike so many other blenders, Rick came into his role from the sales side of the business. We talked about how he got his start, what it was like learning to blend with a cigar legend, and what’s on the horizon for the CAO brand. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

We got cigars in the mail from Davidoff ... ad we blended them ourselves! Join us as we smoke through some of the cigars we blended while in the Dominican Republic for Davidoff's Viaje al Origen. We also recap the World Cup, talk about leaf blowers, celebrate the survival of the Thai cave kids, and review the latest issue of Cigar Snob Magazine. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

The Cigar Snob Team races to eat not one, not two, but THREE hot dogs while smoking Debonaire Daybreak in the ultimate contest of refinement and patriotic gluttony. We also discuss World Cup soccer, SweatCoin, Lebron James, and a whole lot more. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

These days, it seems like there’s no aspect of our lives that is outside the reach of divisive politics. Cigars are no exception, with government seemingly on a perpetual assault of the rights of cigar smokers, tobacconists and manufacturers at the federal, state and municipal levels. Few states are more notorious for their restrictive anti-tobacco policies than New York. With a gubernatorial election coming later this year, incumbent Andrew Cuomo (who is a safe bet in the Democrat primary) faces not only a Republican challenger, but also an unusually competent third-party challenge from Libertarian Larry Sharpe. Cigar Snob senior editor Nicolás A. Jiménez had a chance to speak with Larry about FDA regulation, state and local prohibitions, and what his own libertarian approach to these issues might be if he ended up taking the helm in Albany. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

In this episode, the team smokes Viaje Exclusivo Nicaragua cigars and discusses the World Cup, Koko the Gorilla, Trump's immigration policy, continued unrest in Nicaragua, and some of the latest news coming out of the cigar industry. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

If you’re a fan of Aganorsa Leaf tobacco, there’s a good chance you’ve come across the HVC brand name. We put the HVC San Isidro, which is made at the Aganorsa factory in Estelí, at number 15 on our list of the top 25 cigars of 2017. HVC founder Reinier Lorenzo stopped by our office to watch some World Cup soccer. After the match between Portugal and Spain was over, we moved over to the mics so our publisher Erik Calviño could get an interview in. If you don’t already know his story, you might be surprised to learn what Reinier was doing for a living before he got into the cigar business. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

In this packed episode of the podcast, the Cigar Snob Team smokes Vegas Cubanas by Don Pepín García (except Nick, who still has a cold) and talks about Nicaragua, North Korea, Donald Trump, Alex Ovechkin, the World Cup, snorkel masks, and a whole lot more. One thing's for sure: this episode's not gonna be effin' suck! Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Our office got a visit from Erik Espinosa, the founder of Espinosa Cigars, which is known for brands like Laranja, 601, and Murcielago. As long as he was here, we figured we’d sit him down in front of a mic for a conversation with our publisher Erik Calviño that ended up touching on his cigars, his singing, and his bucket list. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

We reached into the Vault for Humo Jaguar cigars by Plasencia, which were distributed only briefly back in 2011. We also remember Anthony Bourdain the day the world learned of the chef's suicide. All that — plus UFC 225, Yoel Romero, the Camel Clutch, and why you shouldn't watch The Handmaid's Tale — on this episode of the podcast. Listen to the episode for information on how you can win a box of Humo Jaguar cigars from 2011 like the ones we smoked on this podcast! Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

In a recent issue of the magazine, we ran a story about Aganorsa, its tobacco, its cigars, and its founder Eduardo Fernández. Aside from its own brands, like Casa Fernández, Aganorsa manufactures cigars for various brands. One of those is Illusione, one of the most highly regarded of the “boutique” brands of premium cigars. While I was in Estelí for that story, I had a chance to interview Illusione founder Dion Giolito. We talked about Aganorsa and, more broadly, about his own company and approach to cigar making. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Need a friend who can join you for motorcycle rides and improve your golf game? Stick around to the end of the podcast for more information on Trumpy Bear! In the meantime, you'll hear us smoking 601 La Bomba Warhead II, recapping game 1 of the NBA Finals, and going over some of our favorite YouTube tutorials. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

The team smokes Bellas Artes by AJ Fernandez while talking about Guatemalan shamans, the NFL's kneeling ban, and a soothing composition Ivan uses to fall asleep called "The Salty Chino." All this and more on the latest episode of the podcast. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

We reach into the Cigar Snob Vault for a Room 101 Master Collection One (in Mutante), talk sports, and ponder a crappy day at Tim Horton's. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

In this episode, the team talks about recent trips to Puerto Rico and Key West. We also enjoy Don Rey cigars, recap recent NBA Playoffs progress, and breakdown the caca risk of various fast foods. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

The cigar industry is dominated by families whose tobacco stories begin in Cuba. But one company in particular stands out as not only having a deeply Nicaraguan identity, but also having a history that is tightly woven into that of its home country. In this episode, you’ll hear Erik Calviño’s interview with Alejandro Martínez Cuenca, the man behind Joya de Nicaragua. Alejandro dives deep into the history of Joya, the tumultuous political climate that surrounded it, how it came to be the official cigar of the White House, and what lies ahead for the brand. You won’t want to miss this one. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Cuba has a new president. What does that mean? Also, we smoke FSG by Drew Estate and talk about brand owner Jeff's revealing tobacco farm video. Fake Obama: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ54GDm1eL0 John Suárez on Communism in Cuba: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf7M5SP3Q Al Jazeera English panel on Cuba's new president: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IX6ObcacAU Video from the Florida Sun Grown farm: https://www.facebook.com/FloridaSunGrown/videos/2030465380608376/ Dave Rubin interviews Thomas Sowell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ivf9jrXGAY Boxers of briefs? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6tbrbALSUU&t= Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

The team celebrates our 25th episode with Hamlet 25th Year cigars. We also dive into the world of sports, touching on the NBA Playoffs, the Masters, and Tristan Thompson's motorboating. In addition, we recap Erik's trip to Pittsburgh, Nick's time in New Orleans, and Ivan's adventures in male garter belts. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Spend enough time around professional chefs, and you’ll find that they are — disproportionately — lovers of premium cigars. Maybe it’s the need to relax after all the long hours in the kitchen or the fact that they have the refied palates to appreciate complex flavors. Whatever it is, it’s been my experience that you’re more likely to find fellow cigar smokers among the chef ranks than most other professions. Recently, our own Erik Calviño got a chance to chat with Michael Beltran, the chef and partner at Ariete, a great new Miami restaurant. They talked about his perspective on food, how it was informed by his leaving Miami for a time, and how dominoes played a role in his developing a passion for cigars. Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

The team reaches into the Cigar Snob Vault to smoke Camacho Blackout Limited Edition 2013. We also talk about lighters, Reddit cigar trades, and beer that makes your butt bleed. Mentioned in this episode: GT's Kombucha: http://gtslivingfoods.com/ Clapton: The Autobiography: https://www.amazon.com/Clapton-Autobiography-Eric/dp/076792536X Marc Maron "Too Real" (Netflix standup special) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6M_y99jqTgk GTS Kombucha Music in this episode: "BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/