Cigar Hacks

We meet a couple of unexpected guests in the lounge and they join us for a surprise episode, sometimes these surprises make for the best episodes. JoJo Mo drops in from afar. The Hidden Herf is a recent release and get high marks from the panel. We learn a lot about Etiquette Cigars in Laconia, … Continue reading "Episode 159: Mike T. is Bringing the Heat – Local Spotlight: Castro’s Back Room; Bedford, NH"

It’s back to The Shack for the postponed Rocky Patel event w/Mike the Cop. We are just about at “Shack Capacity” with a the group spread out across the lounge this week. Nurse Rick is in quarantine because of a “close contact” and calls in on the remote. We smoke a special Rocky Patel cigar … Continue reading "Episode 158: Tasers with Mike the Cop – Local Spotlight: Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA"

It’s our 3rd anniversary and we are at the Masters Event in Plaistow with Erik Wentworth of Hammer & Sickle Cigars. Back at home-base and recording on a Saturday afternoon, we had quite a turn out. I don’t know how we manage to have a dozen people on, but somehow it works. We do our … Continue reading "Episode 157: 3rd Anniversary – Hammer & Sickle and the Masters – Local Spotlight: Plaistow Cigar Co.; Plaistow, NH"

We have a group of Shack regulars join us for a fun episode. The Hidden Herf receives mixed reviews but is picked out after a couple clues by the crack panel. Local Spotlight – The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA Conspiracy Corner – The Sting Hidden Herf 156 / The Tobacco Shack

The Gringo is heading south to Florida so we have a ton of laughs on his last in-person show for a while. Why Baby Shark and who is Ludwig? We received an Instagram tag from enjoying_a_cigar in the Netherlands and the discussion around it turns to mayhem. The Hidden Herf stumps the panel and receives … Continue reading "Episode 155: Goodbye Gringo Stah – Local Spotlight: Crawford’s Cigar Shoppe; Vernon, CT"

Hacks from all over meet in the Poconos for the fall classic – Pocono Palooza. We visit three lounges and smoke up a storm over the weekend. This episode is carried by a couple of the ladies who jump right in and dominate their segment. Olivia from the Big House does the Local spotlight and … Continue reading "Episode 154: Pocono Palooza 2.0 – Local Spotlight: Big House Tobacco Outlet; Scranton, PA"

It’s a nice evening for a fire pit, but a random rain cloud drops by for a couple minutes just as we get started. A cool evening and a crackling fire are the back drop for the episode. The Hidden Herf is deja vu, but still stumps the panel. Local Spotlight – Toscano at Two … Continue reading "Episode 153: Raindrops at the Fire Pit – Local Spotlight: Toscano at Two Guys; Salem, NH"

Nick from Rhode Island (that’s where Mary was from) writes in to clear up a few points related to our salvo of The Cigar Authority mail bag entries. Nurse Rick is uncharacteristically quiet during the opening. The Hidden Herf is a bit off the beaten path and gets marks in the same vein. Comedy Chris … Continue reading "Episode 152: There’s Something About Nick – Local Spotlight: The Oscuro III Limousine Search"

What happens when nine Hacks land on a great cigar? It’s true; the better the cigar, the better the show! It’s not often we have a universally enjoyed Hidden Herf that’s a hit with the the mild, medium, and full smokers on the panel. The Podcast juice may have also been a factor. This episode … Continue reading "Episode 151: I’d Like To Reclaim My Time – Local Spotlight: Smoke on the Water; Enema Lake, NH"

Brian from United Cigar is with us this week and we learn about United Cigar’s offerings. We cover Strategic moves and marketing by some small to mid-sized manufactures. It seems that every turn requires another explanation that leads into other explanations. We talk about a number of different cigars and brands; United, Micallef, DT&T and … Continue reading "Episode 150: Non-Ferrous Fistbook – Local Spotlight: United Cigar at Plaistow Cigar; Plaistow, NH"

It’s another story from the boat with Captain Rick and First Mate; Reverend “Gilligan”. The Hidden Herf is far too strong for half the panel and no one is even close on a guess. We stop in on a Rocky Patel event at Plaistow Cigar on our way to the spotlight event. Gilligan must have … Continue reading "Episode 149: Anchors Away – Local Spotlight: Eiroa Brothers at Two Guys; Salem, NH"

Eight Hacks enter a domicile… It’s the usual mayhem and frivolity with plenty of cigar talk after we do a little 9-11 segment. The Hidden Herf is figured out at the last minute. We find that The Barroness likes power tools. Video Reference:  The Boys of Smokin Tabacco Cause Havoc at The 2020 New Hampshire … Continue reading "Episode 148: The Impact Driver – Local Spotlight: Watch City Cigar & Pipe; Framingham, MA"

Direct from the sidewalk, we kick off Labor Day weekend and have a great event at Cigars R Us in Danvers. We are joined by Bugs from Hiram & Solomon Cigars and Sweets from the local Mason Shrine. We smoke the Hiram & Solomon Traveling Man Lanceros while we learn about the brand and what … Continue reading "Episode 147: Hiram, Solomon and The Shriners – Local Spotlight: Cigars R Us; Danvers, MA"

Half of The Cigar Authority joins the Hacks for another fun-filled show. This is Ed Sullivan’s’ first appearance with us and he fits right in. Mr. Jonathan gives us the history of his dance career, plus lots of insight into cigars and each Two Guys location. The Hidden Herf is nailed by one of the … Continue reading "Episode 146: Ed Sullivan and Mr. Jonathan – Local Spotlight: Two Guys Smoke Shop; Salem, NH"

The Barroness returns for a relaxing episode around the fire-pit. The Hidden Herf is bit of a mess with the clues, but we get there eventually with  a three-way effort. The Reverend makes the mistake of asking us to not mention unmentionables. Comedy Chris calls in unexpectedly and gives us an update from the Midwest. … Continue reading "Episode 145: Swearing In – Local Spotlight: Cigars R Us; Danvers, MA"

Two years ago this week we did episode #40 in the same location, Two Guys in Seabrook NH, with Mr. Bojimbles and it happened to be one of the regulars’ birthday, Dave was 78. Well, it’s two years later, he’s 80 and still smoking up a storm so we return to help celebrate. It’s another … Continue reading "Episode 144: It’s Your Birthday Again – Local Spotlight: Two Guys Smoke Shop; Seabrook, New Hampshire"

It’s a return to the Mustang Ranch for a sunset episode. The timing and weather is just about perfect for an evening cigar. Listen in as we transport you to a New Hampshire horse farm for a mid-summer sunset. The Hidden Herf is a follow up from a previous one, but still no one is … Continue reading "Episode 143: Sunset at The Ranch – Local Spotlight: The Mustang Ranch; New Hampshire"

Local representatives from three cigar companies and three shops meet up at The Shack for this week’s episode, it’s like a mini-convention. Rocky, Dunbarton, United, and Hammer plus The Tobacco Shack, Cigars R Us and Plaistow Cigar are represented. Add to that a cast of many and it makes for a unique episode. We take … Continue reading "Episode 142: North Shore Cigar Convention – Local Spotlight: The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA"

Out on Enema Lake under an almost completely clear sky and a dead calm, the setting is serene for this weeks episode. We have loons and train whistles in the background, a perfect backdrop for another “aged” Hidden Herf beauty that stumps the panel. Our special guest “Tim-Berr” joins us this week for lots of … Continue reading "Episode 141: Cigars, Comets, and Conspiracies – Local Spotlight: NE Regional Tradeshow"

Mike the Cop, our local Rocky Patel rep, and The Shadow join the Hacks for an introduction to the 2020 Rocky Patel release line-up. We smoke the new Quarter Century then learn about the Hamlet 2020, the return of The Winter Collection, ALR 2nd edition limited re-release, and more. With the PCA (formerly IPCPR) canceled the … Continue reading "Episode 140: Rocky Patel 25th Anniversary Releases – Local Spotlight: Plaistow Cigar Co.; Plaistow, New Hampshire"