Cigar Hacks

It’s our Seventh Anniversary this week and we are joined by Lee Graves our local Kristoff Cigars Rep. We are at Twins Smoke Shop and the 7-20-4 Lounge celebrating with Pat the “former” law student on his swearing in as a lawyer. The Hidden Herf is well received by the panel. Local Spotlight – Twins … Continue reading "Episode 366: The Seventh Anniversary – Local Spotlight: Twins Smoke Shop; Londonderry, NH"

The crew joins up at The Ash Cigar Lounge for the Pocono Palooza recap and the election results. The Hidden Herf does not live up to what everyone expected, size does matter! Next week begins our eighth year. Local Spotlight – Ash Cigar Lounge; Kingston, NH Controversy Corner – It’s a red wave and a … Continue reading "Episode 365: Pocono Palooza ’24 Part II – Local Spotlight: Ash Cigar Lounge; Kingston, NH"

It’s time again for our annual trip to the Poconos. We record on the first night after driving, smoking and partying all day. It a virtual laugh track on this after midnight episode. Local Spotlight – Big House Tobacco Outlet; Scranton, PA Controversy Corner – It just doesn’t add up

This week we land back at Grumpy’s with Nick Goss for the All Saints Cigars Event. We find a bonus guest at the bar that we have been wanting to talk with for a while, Tom Boot of The Original Cigar & Bar joins us. Mustang Mike reports on his trip to the Rocky Patel … Continue reading "Episode 363: The Goss Man Cometh with All Saints Cigars – Local Spotlight: Grumpy’s Cigars & Lounge; Hudson, NH"

Due to scheduling issues we only have time for a quick one this week. It’s like the old days; under an hour in the back lounge at Plaistow Cigar. Mike the Cop from Rocky Patel is on hand where he previews the upcoming trip to Rocky’s house in Honduras with a dozen or so cigar … Continue reading "Episode 362: A Quick Smoke with Mike The Cop – Local Spotlight: Plaistow Cigar Co; Plaistow, NH"

Erik and Jim from 3Leaf Cigars are the guests this week as we gather at Plaistow Cigar to check in with 3Leaf and learn what it takes to start a new cigar line. This is another one of those episodes with constant jokes, laughs and all around fun. Comedy Corner may have had it’s run. … Continue reading "Episode 361: 3Leaf Redux – Local Spotlight: New England Cigar Expo 2024"

The Hacks are Validating with Terrence Riley of Aganorsa Leaf Cigars in the 7-20-4 lounge. We are afforded the privilege of the “fuma experience”, where we smoke two different single leafs that are part of every Aganorsa cigar. We learn all about Aganorsa and the other brands that come from the same fields. Local Spotlight … Continue reading "Episode 360: The Greatest Night of Our Lives with Special Guest: Terrence Riley of Aganorsa Leaf – Local Spotlight: Twins Smoke Shop; Londonderry, NH"

It’s a trip to the land of Miserable Nick to visit with Paul Joyal of Mr. J’s Havana Cigar Lounge. Should kids go to college or not. If you already didn’t know, Pat just came back from Ireland. The Hidden Herf is identified early on and turns out to be a well aged and highly … Continue reading "Episode 359: On the Spot in Rhode Island – Local Spotlight: Mr. J’s Havana Cigar Lounge; Coventry, RI"

The Tobacco Shack celebrates its first five years under the current management. Our first Tobacco Shack episode was number 104, it seems like yesterday. The Anniversary party included a Rocky Patel Cigar Event so, for the Hidden Herf we get to try another yet to be released cigar from Rocky Patel. Local Spotlight – The … Continue reading "Episode 358: Five Years at The Shack – Local Spotlight: The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA"

The Madre Tierra team is in town for Grumpy’s First Anniversary weekend. We stretch this one out long enough to smoke and rate two Hidden Herf cigars from Madre Tierra. The results are a bit surprising. Local Spotlight – Grumpy’s Cigars & Lounge; Hudson, NH Controversy Corner – It’s Debatable

The Founding Fathers Executives Networking Group is based out of a speakeasy style lounge and meeting facility in Danvers, MA. We are joined by the principals of the Founding Fathers for an explanation of “Come as a guest, leave as a friend, and return as a brother”. We have a cast of many so get … Continue reading "Episode 356: The Speakeasy – Local Spotlight: Founding Fathers Executives Networking Group"

It’s Labor Day weekend and the summer is winding down so we head back to home-base for a relatively quiet evening with many of the OGs. The Hidden Herf did not stay hidden for very long, it’s one of those kind of obvious and unique cigars. Local Spotlight – Plaistow Cigar Co; Plaistow, NH & … Continue reading "Episode 355: Labor Day at Home – Local Spotlight: Plaistow Cigar Co; Plaistow, NH & Fuego By Sosa; Kissimmee, FL"

We head for the sidewalk on Elm St. but the weather is so good that it’s already jammed, so we go inside the front window. The Hidden Herf is identified immediately, the panel is getting too good at this. The podcast Juice is very colorful. We are joined by special guests “Killer” of Castro’s and … Continue reading "Episode 354: Drink the Rainbow – Local Spotlight: Castro’s , The Owl Shop, Mickey Blake’s, and Cigars International"

It’s another small-group recording from McGroin Manor where we prepare for this year’s New England Cigar Expo and recount four interviews from the 2023 Expo; Perdomo, Kristoff, Micallef, and Montecristo. Local Spotlight – New England Cigar Expo Controversy Corner – Grounding

Back to our regular Friday recording schedule the crew heads over to the Shack where we have a surprise visit from the Choir Boy who has been out of the podcast loop for a while. The Hidden Herf is kind of picked out despite the deceptive practice of the supplier. Local Spotlight – The Tobacco … Continue reading "Episode 352: The Prodigal Son Returns – Local Spotlight: The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA"

This week we have a last minute scheduling issue that cause us to do an impromptu small crew episode on a Wednesday. We could do a spin-off podcast called “Bad Joke Wednesday”. The Hidden Herf is picked off almost immediately. Local Spotlight – The Original Bar and Cigar; North Conway, NH Controversy Corner – The … Continue reading "Episode 351: Mashed Potatoes – Local Spotlight: The Original Bar and Cigar; North Conway, NH"

It’s our third summer vacation special from the north country of New Hampshire. See episodes 91 and 297 for the others in this series. The same family members from the 2023 episode join in again this year as we smoke a special set of Hidden Herfs. Local Spotlight – On the lake; New Hampshire Controversy … Continue reading "Episode 350: Cigar Hacks’ Family Vacation 2024 – Local Spotlight: On the lake; New Hampshire"

It’s the 7th annual summer trip on the barge and we are at the lake house for the fifth year. The weather is perfect, and many cigars are smoked. The catch phrase this year is Boot & Rally! The Hidden Herf stumps the panel and mistakes were made. Summa-Episode numbers by year and location 2018 … Continue reading "Episode 349: Summa-Palooza 2024 – Local Spotlight: On the lake; New Hampshire"

Direct from the Route One Business Networking Group (BNG) event for our fourth year, we talk with the BNG members while enjoying cigars under the tent on the back patio at the Rosaria Restaurant. We have the band turn it down before we start but by the time we wrap up the volume is way … Continue reading "Episode 348: Back for More 4.0 – “The Battle with the Band”– Local Spotlight: Route One BNG at Rosaria; Saugus, MA"

Continuing the Garage Series we find ourselves at Chucks’s Palace this week with a cast that was mostly absent from the Domicile. The Hidden Herf stumps the panel and has mixed favorability due to its spice and strength. Somehow, the discussion turns to golf a few times, the podcast juice is a factor. Local Spotlight … Continue reading "Episode 347: The Garage Series – Local Spotlight: Chuck’s Palace"