Cigar Hacks

We are at the Tobacco Shack’s “Party for the Hell of it 4.0” and it’s a fuller house than last year. We are joined by Mike the Cop, our local Rocky Patel rep who conspires with one of our own on the Hidden Herf. It turns out to be a good one! Local Spotlight – … Continue reading "Episode 386: Party for the Hell of it 4.0 – Local Spotlight: The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA"

It’s a six-pack of Hacks this week in the Mustang Barn. It’s time for low keyed recording but it turns out to be a very funny episode with a few surprise gifts. Sure, alcohol was a factor. The Hidden Herf falls “short” but still gets a good rating. Local Spotlight – The Cigar Authority; Salem, … Continue reading "Episode 385: The Gifts – Local Spotlight: The Cigar Authority; Salem, NH"

It has been 5 years to the week since we’ve done an episode at Federal Cigar and The Slow Burn Lounge in Dover. With the new management, a Hack behind the bar, and Jim from the Great Cigars Podcast in town the stars aligned in Dover. The lounge is full and the jokes are almost … Continue reading "Episode 384: Great Cigars – Local Spotlight: Federal Cigar; Dover, NH"

Jonathan Carney joins the Hacks this week to talk about his new venture; Bentley Tobacco | USA and Bentley Cigars. We start out be going to the beginning and telling stories around our collective cigar adventures. This is a long one so we smoke two different cigars, both are well received by the panel. Somehow … Continue reading "Episode 383: Story Time with Special Guest: Jonathan Carney – Local Spotlight: Twins Smoke Shop; Londonderry, NH"

Nurse Rick, Pat McGroin, and Mustang Mike return from Florida with tall tales. This week we record in the 7-20-4 Lounge at Twins Smoke Shop in Londonderry, NH where Nick Goss is holding an HVC Cigars event. The Hidden Herf is an unusual novelty cigar. Three new Hacks are sworn in. Local Spotlight – Cigar … Continue reading "Episode 382: Back from Florida – Local Spotlight: Cigar Castle; Tampa, FL"

The crew drops in to Grumpy’s Cigar & Lounge for the Oliva Cigar event this week and we seem to win the majority of the swag. We have to wait until after the event to do the recording because it was just too busy in the lounge. There is a contingent of half a dozen … Continue reading "Episode 381: Not Tired of Winning – Local Spotlight: Grumpy’s Cigars & Lounge; Hudson, NH"

We return to the The Mustang Barn for another panel stumping Hidden Herf. This week it’s cars and driving related stories along with our cigars and bourbon. Ricky and Pat are in Florida this week and leave us a few voice mail messages. Detroit Steve reports on his travels and the cigar lounges he stopped … Continue reading "Episode 380: Fast Car and Auto-Driving Stories – Local Spotlight: Elite Cigar and Smoke; Rochester, NY"

Here is a Valentines Day we won’t soon forget! Nick Goss joins The Hacks for an episode on 2/14 after the Black Label Trading Company Cigar Event at Plaistow Cigar. We try a new format for the Florida Report with Nurse Rick. The Hidden Herf receives high marks. Local Spotlight – Plaistow Cigar Company – … Continue reading "Episode 379: Random Voice Mail with Nick Goss – Local Spotlight: Plaistow Cigar Company – Bar and Lounge; Plaistow, NH"

Hackapalooza 7.0 is all over but the shouting. We run down what happened after we recorded last week’s episode. The Hidden Herf is an old friend that no one recognizes, I guess it’s been too long. We spark up a second Herf and do some comparisons. Local Spotlight – The Mustang Barn Conspiracy Corner – … Continue reading "Episode 378: Out in the Cold – Local Spotlight: The Mustang Barn"

It’s the second day of Hackapalooza 7.0 with a cast of so many that we split the panel into two halves. We talk about the first 24 hours of the three day annual event and the six lounges we have visited so far. We add a couple new Hacks. Conspiracy Corner is back, no more … Continue reading "Episode 377: Hackapalooza 7.0 – Local Spotlight: Castro’s Backroom; Bedford, NH"

We bring a few first-timers to the infamous “Undisclosed Location” for this week’s episode. We have a couple of brief call-ins ahead of Hackapalooza. Pat McGroin give us a run down of his adventure to the White Ash event with Mike the Cop from Rocky Patel Cigars. The Hidden Herf is easy to determine by … Continue reading "Episode 376: Back at the Undisclosed Location – Local Spotlight: White Ash Cigar Lounge; Pawtucket, RI"

We are back at Shack for the Hackapalooza pregame and rum tasting. Ricky calls in with the Florida report and another Hack is sworn in. The Hidden Herf is picked off early and receives both high and low marks with about an even split. Local Spotlight – The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA Controversy Corner – … Continue reading "Episode 375: Rum and Cigar Pairings – Local Spotlight: The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA"

We arranged to meet our special guest, Varnell, at Grumpy’s for an introduction to Orisha Cigars, a Haitian brand. Nurse Rick calls in for the Florida Report. We have a few new voices, some fun and games, and a swearing-in to round out the episode. The Hidden Herf is very well received by the panel. … Continue reading "Episode 374: Orisha Cigars of Haiti – Local Spotlight: Grumpy’s Cigars & Lounge; Hudson, NH"

We’re back at Castro’s in Manchester for another fun-filled episode and a sequel to Episode 354, “Drink the Rainbow”. The crew is in rare form this week with lots of jokes and poking fun at each other. Ricky’s call-in is a fail. The Hidden Herf is another classic “unicorn status cigar” from Killer’s vault. Local … Continue reading "Episode 373: Rainbow Shrimp – Local Spotlight: Castro’s Back Room; Manchester, NH"

As 2024 comes to a close we have a special guest, Jennifer Thorson, the SVP of Marketing for the Molon Labe brands. It’s a large crew and a very busy lounge this week but we have a lot of laughs and learn about brand marketing. The Hidden Herf is identified early. Local Spotlight – Ash … Continue reading "Episode 372: 2024 Wrap Up and Market Branding – Local Spotlight: Ash Cigar Lounge; Kingston, NH"

Direct from The Tobacco Shack in Rowley, MA it’s the 2024 Hackie Awards Show. Everyone braved the first snow storm of the season for The Tobacco Shack Christmas Party and to do this episode. We get the RI run-down from Pat McGroin. The Hidden Herf is something very different. Local Spotlight – The Tobacco Shack; … Continue reading "Episode 371: The 2024 Hackie Awards Special – Local Spotlight: The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA"

We return to the Two Guys Christmas Party at the Seabrook location for the fourth time. Returning to the Christmas Party series are Steve DeOssie of the NFL (Episode 267) and Jarrid Trudeau EVP of Kristoff Cigars (Episode 319). Our first time guest is John Cena Sr. AKA Johnny Fabulous of Pro Wrestling. Also see … Continue reading "Episode 370: A Wrestler, Linebacker, and Cigar Exec Walk Into a Party… – Local Spotlight: Two Guys Smoke Shop; Seabrook, NH"

The panel is made up of regulars at the United Cigar Event at Plaistow Cigar. Our newly minted tobacconist picks out the Hidden Herf, it’s a bit obvious what it is. We have a couple of items in the mailbag and plenty of Cigar content. Local Spotlight – Plaistow Cigar Co; Plaistow, NH Controversy Corner … Continue reading "Episode 369: United We Smoke – Local Spotlight: Plaistow Cigar Co; Plaistow, NH"

It’s Black Friday again and we are all worn our from too much turkey and frantic shoppers. The panel gathers in Bedford at Castro’s for a relaxing evening after the holiday to discuss the Hidden Herf and other topics. Local Spotlight – Castro’s Backroom; Bedford, NH Controversy Corner – Laughing at the Criers

The crew retires to The Tobacco Shack after hours for a quiet respite. We have a new cigar smoker join us for the festivities. The Hidden Herf is a surprise that we all missed in epic fashion. Local Spotlight – The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA Controversy Corner – You Look Marvelous