Cigar Hacks

Hamlet Paredes, master cigar roller, from Rocky Patel is our special guest this week. We are also joined by Mike the Cop, our local Rocky Patel rep and winner of a “Rep of the Year” Hackie Award in 2020. The weather is perfect for our first outdoor episode of the year, the fire pit is … Continue reading "Episode 180: Hamlet from Rocky Patel Special – Local Spotlight: Hamlet Cigars"

In-lounge at the new location of El Toro Cigar & Lounge, we get a preview of what’s coming when they reopen. We are joined by the the shop owners; Netal and Vilma, a few regulars, and our local Pura Soul Cigar representative; Bugsy. The Hidden Herf is from Pura Soul and receives high marks. The … Continue reading "Episode 179:Where is White Chocolate? – Local Spotlight: El Toro Cigar & Lounge; Hudson, NH"

With a cast of eight in rare form, the Podcast Juice is flowing and it shows. The Hidden Herf is a great choice and is well received, but it’s guessed instantly by a couple of the panel members. We reinstate the Current Events error “bar” because the list is so long. Local Spotlight – March … Continue reading "Episode 178: Try Not To Laugh – Local Spotlight: March Madness at the Domicile"

We swear in (or at) our newest Hack, but not before he goes through a gaultlet of questions. The Hidden Herf is a split desision, but still overall it’s a decent smoke. Comedy Chris returns to lighten up the show. Local Spotlight – Cloud Lounge; Salem, NH Controversy Corner – Prepare to have your questions … Continue reading "Episode 177: I Swear – Local Spotlight: Cloud Lounge; Salem, NH"

A regular listener wants to see how we do the show, so we drag him right into the episode. Taco Steve and Dommie the Dominator are back. The mail bag is full. The Taco does it again; using the clues, he nails the Hidden Herf. A few new words are coined during the current events. … Continue reading "Episode 176: The Scarlet Knight – Local Spotlight: Greek Night, The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA"

It’s just like hanging out in the local lounge for this episode. The Baroness is reunited with the impact driver. Paige sets us up with an interesting Hidden Herf that takes a while to figure out. The Reverend steps out for a few moments. Local Spotlight – The smoking bus, Cigars R Us; Danvers, MA … Continue reading "Episode 175: Cigars, Bars, and Cars – Local Spotlight: The smoking bus, Cigars R Us; Danvers, MA"

We are joined by Steve Saka, Cindy Saka and Casey of the Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust team at the Twins Hookset lounge. Steve gives us some interesting insight into DT&T world. Pastor Padron (Dan) is our lounge host and tells us about the shop and his first year managing this location. We have the usual … Continue reading "Episode 174: Steve Saka of DT&T – Local Spotlight: Twins Smoke Shop; Hooksett, NH"

Nurse Rick and The Reverend Harvey team up to peg the Hidden Herf right out of the gate. Harvey receives a challenge coin. Ludwig writes in from across the pond. We talk about drifting cars on slippery roads. Paige asks why she has such a lousy nickname, so we give her an even worse nickname. … Continue reading "Episode 173: Pathogina – Local Spotlight: March Madness at Two Guys, Salem, NH"

We are joined by The “Salty” Stephanie (Mrs. Bastard) for some fun and “MotherLovinCoffee”. The Mail bag is full of items and The Reverend Harvey is in rare form with “The Dew” podcast juice recipe. Some of the panel think they know the Hidden Herf just by looking at it but everyone is stumped. Local … Continue reading "Episode 172: Salty Dew – Local Spotlight: World Famous Cigar Bar; Ft. Meyers, FL"

Direct from a hot tub at the Holiday Inn in Jacksonville, FL, it’s Nurse Rick on the remote. He gives us a view into the Florida cigar scene while traveling around the state on college tours. This week we hear about his visit to Cigar Life in Lakeland. We answer a question e-mailed in by … Continue reading "Episode 171: In Hot Water – Local Spotlight: Cigar Life; Lakeland, FL"

It’s been a couple months since we’ve done an in-lounge episode and years since we’ve recorded in a cigar and hookah lounge. Jocelyn gives us a refresher course on hookahs. Nurse Rick brings in a Hidden Herf that, after a few hints,  we get close to guessing the brand. Elie and Jocelyn tell us their story … Continue reading "Episode 170: The Hookah Queen – Local Spotlight: Elie’s Smoking lounge; Nashua, NH"

Hackapalooza weekend is now just a memory, we recap all the activities since the last episode. The Hidden Herf turns out to be a mixed bag because it’s a bit strong for most of the panel. Of course, no one comes close to guessing what it is. We “swear” in the newest member of the … Continue reading "Episode 169: Hackapalooza 3.0 Part 2 – Local Spotlight: Cloud Lounge; Salem, NH"

It’s night one of The Third Annual Hackapalooza (A.K.A. The RetroHack Spectacular), we’ve taken the out-of-town visitors to their first stop of the weekend. There are four additional lounges on the schedule over the next two days. We cover the day’s events and preview what’s planned. The Hidden Herf is an aged gem that garners … Continue reading "Episode 168: Hackapalooza 3.0 Part 1 – Local Spotlight: The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA"

Getting spun up for Hackapalooza we smoke a great Hidden Herf that moves right to the top of the ratings list. We have a mystery guest in the audience who comes bearing gifts for the upcoming festivities. Local Spotlight – Smoke & Flame; Pelham, NH Controversy Corner – Planet X Hidden Herf 167 / Smoke … Continue reading "Episode 167: Riff-Raff and Ballers – Local Spotlight: Smoke & Flame; Pelham, NH"

Hop Tarts in Scranton! Lots of news and items from the mail bag. The Reverend Harvey and Nurse Rick try out the double recliner. The Caballero is on a roll and goes for two in a row out of the gate with the Hidden Herf, this time the shape and appearance of the cigar was … Continue reading "Episode 166: Two in a Row – Local Spotlight: Cuban Crafters; Miami, FL"

We have the Kracken Spiced Podcast Juice this week. Voice mail etiquette. The Caballero pegs the Hidden Herf after just a couple clues. We interview Gil and he tells us about his travels to some cigar related video shoots. See FB and GilVideosVisual.com for samples of Gil’s work. We go into more detail on the … Continue reading "Episode 165: Hey Ernie, Welcome to Venezuela – Local Spotlight: Eli’s Smoking Lounge; Nashua, NH"

It’s the 2020 Hackie Awards direct from Can’t Connect Conneticut. The Hidden Herf is picked off early by The reverend Harvey and Nurse Rick with a couple of lucky guesses. We learn about six new or restarting cigar lounges in the area and cover the NH regulations related to Cigar Bars. Local Spotlight – Utopia … Continue reading "Episode 164: The Hackie Awards Special 2020 – Local Spotlight: Utopia Lounge; Plaistow NH"

It’s the Christmas episode so we do something different with the Hidden Herf and have a head-to-head blind cigar review with holiday gifts from a couple of our fans. There’s a mailbag segment with messages from some of the listeners. Local Spotlight – A Shack Christmas; Rowley MA Controversy Corner – The original Ponzi Scheme … Continue reading "Episode 163: Christmas Eve Eve – Local Spotlight: A Shack Christmas; Rowley MA"

The Hacks take the Oscuro III out for it’s maiden podcast voyage to the Christmas Party at Two Guys in Seabrook, NH. We run into Jim “The Price is Right” from CLE Cigars and Santa himself! We pull in Mr. Bojimbles and few folks from the lounge throughout the show. Local Spotlight – Two Guys … Continue reading "Episode 162: A Visit with Santa – Local Spotlight: Two Guys Smoke Shop; Seabrook, NH"

Due to a screw-up on behalf of the production staff we have a Hidden Herf Pot Luck where each panelist smokes a different blind cigar. Comedy Chris calls in on the remote from Jake’s Place. It’s someone’s birthday on Hanukkah, guess who. We talk a little history of gas prices. The Reverend Harvey coins a … Continue reading "Episode 161: Pasto Resisto w/Hidden Herf Pot-Luck – Local Spotlight: Football at the Tobacco Shack; Rowley MA"