Cigar Hacks

It’s been five years of the Cigar Hacks and we celebrate by inviting representatives from the six other local cigar podcasts to join us for this special occasion. We discuss cigar podcasting, some of our collective history, how the shows are all different but oddly connected, and as usual we go in a few unexpected … Continue reading "Episode 262: 5th Anniversary Special – Local Cigar Podcasts – Local Spotlight: Studio 21 at Two Guys Smoke Shop; Salem, NH"

Direct from the Veterans Day event at The Tobacco Shack sponsored by Rocky Patel Cigars, we improvise and set up on the side patio because it’s standing room only inside! Mike The Cop, our local Rocky Patel rep, talks with us about the brand. This week’s Panel of Hacks are lucky to have the first … Continue reading "Episode 261: Veterans Day w/Rocky Patel Cigars – Local Spotlight: The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA"

Direct from another live lounge recording we are joined by Bugsy of Pura Soul Cigars and Elie of Elie’s Smoking Lounge. The news section covers some interesting topics including the current international listener statistics and NH cigar bar licensing. The Hidden Herf is another surprise for the panel. Local Spotlight – Elie’s Smoking lounge; Nashua, … Continue reading "Episode 260: International Hits w/Bugsy and Elie – Local Spotlight: Elie’s Smoking lounge; Nashua, NH"

We dive into one of the latest releases from Forged Cigars with our local rep and special guest Jim Price. The Hidden Herf receives a good rating from the panel. Then in the second half we have a spirited debate on the merits of the shape of the earth. There’s no shortage of bad jokes … Continue reading "Episode 259: Is the Earth Flat? With Jim Price of Forged Cigars – Local Spotlight: Plaistow Cigar; Plaistow, NH"

Back from the Poconos and Wedding Palooza we find ourselves at El Toro in Hudson, NH with the newlyweds, who just happened to be in the area. Early in the week Nurse Rick ran into Michael Granito, the Micallef Cigar North East Rep, and Michael joins us before heading back to Long Island. We learn … Continue reading "Episode 258: Pocono Wedding Palooza Recap w/Micallef Cigars – Local Spotlight: Regency Cigar Emporium; East Greenwich, RI"

As we prepare to head to The Poconos for the wedding weekend, we record this episode earlier in the week than usual. The man of the hour calls in, but we also have a surprise caller with great timing. Two hack couples prepare to tie their knots. It’s the kind of event you smoke a … Continue reading "Episode 257: Pocono Wedding Palooza Pre-Game – Local Spotlight: Castro’s Back Room; Manchester, NH"

Direct from the Lions Club cigar event at the Saddle Up Saloon in Kingston, NH we help raise funds for a resident in need. We have some extra guests and new panelists that join in the fun. The Hidden Herf gets widely mixed reviews and stumps the panel. Event sponsors included Molon Labe Cigars and … Continue reading "Episode 256: Fundraising with the Lions Club – Local Spotlight: The Saddle Up Saloon; Kingston, NH"

Just like a good cigar, the profile of this episode ramps up as the time goes on. The Dominator comes down from the north country and we have a special guest, Long Haul Mark, who schools us on the car carrier business. The laugh-O-Meter climbs in the second half with Matty the Magnificent leading the … Continue reading "Episode 255: Return of the Dominator – Local Spotlight: Plaistow Cigar; Plaistow, NH"

Robert Wright of Pura Soul Cigars drops in to The Tobacco Shack where we have him on the podcast. Our local Pura Soul rep, Bugsy, is also in the house. We learn all about Robert and his journey to Pura Soul cigars. The Hidden Herf is a surprise because of the vitola. Local Spotlight – … Continue reading "Episode 254: Pura Soul w/Robert and Bugsy – Local Spotlight: The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA"

We have a sit-down with Justo and Andrea Eiroa of JRE Tobacco and Aladino Cigars during the Aladino Cigar event at Two Guys in Seabrook. Mr. Bojimbles jumps in for the interview with Justo and Andrea. We learn a few things and have a few laughs. The Hidden Herf, a lancero, surprises the panel and … Continue reading "Episode 253: Aladino Cigars w/Justo and Andrea Eiroa – Local Spotlight: Two Guys Smoke Shop; Seabrook, NH"

We are joined by Steve and Blake from Molon Labe Cigar this week. Molon Labe Cigar is a local New Hampshire company, we learn all about their cigars and the journey. We record this episode out back by the pond at The Saddle Up Saloon in Kingston, NH. The Hidden Herf receives a top rating. … Continue reading "Episode 252: Molon Labe Cigars – Local Spotlight: Victory and Michael’s Cigar Bars; Worcester, MA"

No rowing was required as we do another episode out on the boat. No fish were harmed (or caught) in the production of this episode. We swear in, or at, a new Hack and have him read some cringe-worthy urban dictionary entries. The Hidden Herf is picked out by Nurse Rick at the 11th hour. … Continue reading "Episode 251: Trumpets of Success – Local Spotlight: The Cigar Station; Spring Hill, TN"

Direct from Ricky’s Recluse, AKA the screen house, we have a new guy and an old guy join us. We do a call-in interview with the owners of The Cigar Quarters. Ricky brings us a great Hidden Herf from his trip and fills us in on his cigar lounge travels. Local Spotlight – The Cigar … Continue reading "Episode 250: The Florida Report – Local Spotlight: The Cigar Quarters; Haines City, FL"

We’re at the Mustang Ranch with stories from the past few weeks. The Hidden Herf is a new blend with an old name and really surprises the panel. Local Spotlight – Molon Labe Cigars at Seacoast Harley; North Hampton, NH Controversy Corner – Burke Mountain Curse

Direct from El Toro, with all nations represented, we’re back at one of our favorite lounges and are joined by a few of the regulars. We have a follow up on a couple of topics from last week. The Hidden Herf stumps the panel, but is well received. Smoke along while we tell stories and … Continue reading "Episode 248: The United Nations – Local Spotlight: El Toro; Hudson, NH"

We are on the S.S. Low Voltage, where the weights are made up, and the fish don’t matter! It’s our first time this summer doing the show from the boat. We have a couple of Comedy Chris’ out-of-town relatives who join in on the fun. The Hidden Herf gets a decent rating but no close … Continue reading "Episode 247: Who’s Line Is It? – Local Spotlight: Night Fishing on the Lake"

This week we find ourselves invited to the Amici Club in Medford, MA. for a BBQ and Cigars. We are joined on the show by Angelo, Gus, Andrew, and Paul with dozens of fellow cigar enthusiasts in the background. The members tell us about the Amici Club while smoking the hidden Herf. Lots of guesses … Continue reading "Episode 246: Associazione Amici BBQ – Local Spotlight: Associazione Amici Smoking Patio"

It’s our fifth summer special from the north country of New Hampshire. Join the crew for more fish stories as we continue the tradition of smoking a lot of cigars on the water over the weekend. See Episodes 34 and 89 from the Saco River and episodes 139 and 191/192 for the Summa-Palooza series from … Continue reading "Episode 245: Summa-Palooza 2022 – Local Spotlight: On the lake; New Hampshire"

Direct from the Route One Business Networking Group (BNG) event for our second year, we talk with various BNG members while enjoying cigars on the back patio. We are then joined by a pair of Marine Vets who tell us about their new podcast on YouTube called Hard to Kill. It’s the usual laughs with … Continue reading "Episode 244: Back for More on the Back Patio – Local Spotlight: Route One BNG at The Breakaway; Danvers, MA"

Continuing our Farewell Tour, we do our last episode at Radloff’s Cigar Shop and On the Rox Lounge before they cease operations on July 31st 2022. It’s a bittersweet transition for the proprietors as they move on to the next chapter. We smoke a brand new release, which is a bit of a metaphor for … Continue reading "Episode 243: The End of an Era – Local Spotlight: Radloff’s Cigar Shop and On the Rox Lounge; Rochester, NH"