Cigar Hacks

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"

The original Domicile was our staple location for many episodes during the era of shutdowns. This is the second episode from the new Domicile 2.0, but the first with the regular Hacks crew. It’s an overnight event so the podcast juice is flowing and the panel is well lubricated, which makes for a raucous episode. … Continue reading "Episode 346: Return to the Domicile 2.0 – Local Spotlight: The Diplomat Cigar Lounge; Keene, NH"

The Tobacco Shack rescues the episode by having us after hours on short notice. It’s brownie sundaes all around. The Hidden Herf is a bit obvious and is pegged right away. Local Spotlights – The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA – Leaf & Bean; Pittsburgh, PA – The Royal Cigar Bar & Bistro; Fort Mill, SC … Continue reading "Episode 345: The Tobacco Shack to the Rescue – Local Spotlight: Multiple Venues"

Direct from McGroin Manor we do a mid-week episode with a special call-in from JoJo Mo and Luscious Laura, who are on vacation in Ocean City, MD. The Hidden Herf is given enough clues to narrow down the guesses. The New England Cigar Expo is almost sold out, we look back at the interviews from … Continue reading "Episode 344: Mute Your Phone – Local Spotlight: McGroin Manor"

The Hacks drop in to Grumpy’s Cigars & Lounge for the Rocky Patel Cigars Event. We are joined by Mike the Cop and Walter from Grumpy’s. A new hack is sworn in and with enough clues the Hidden Herf is figured out, Local Spotlight – Grumpy’s Cigars & Lounge; Hudson, NH Controversy Corner – Late … Continue reading "Episode 343: You Can’t be Grumpy Here – Local Spotlight: Grumpy’s Cigars & Lounge; Hudson, NH"

We are back at the firepit with a cast of what seems like a dozen. Comedy Chris and a mystery guest drop by and then phones start ringing. The Hidden Herf is almost pegged. Local Spotlight – Cigar Raffles Controversy Corner – Smurfs and next steps.

It’s the Memorial Day episode so we do a little extra for those who made the sacrifice. It’s a full house of Hacks with a couple of participants in the peanut gallery. The Hidden Herf is an interesting selection, but it still stumps the panel. Local Spotlight – Plaistow Cigar Co; Plaistow, NH Controversy Corner … Continue reading "Episode 341: You Can’t Say That – Local Spotlight: Plaistow Cigar Co; Plaistow, NH"

After watching the Bruins get eliminated on the big screen by the firepit we load in a few more logs to keep the panel warm. We have a guest who was an impromptu call-in a few weeks back. The hidden herf is a follow up from last week. Local Spotlight – The First Firepit of … Continue reading "Episode 340: Buttered Meat – Local Spotlight: The First Firepit of 2024"