Cigar Hacks

Hackapalooza 4.0 gets underway at the Tobacco Shack with the Bahama Bob Band and a Rocky Patel Event for the occasion with Mike The Cop. It’s Thursday of our annual four-day weekend bash. Bret calls in and the panel is well primed after the party at The Shack with plenty of laughs. The Hidden Herf … Continue reading "Episode 220: Hackapalooza 4.0 Part 1 – Local Spotlight: Reception at The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA"

Resting up for Hackapalooza we do a relatively relaxing episode at The Domicile, but there are still a few good jokes. The Hidden Herf is a real wildcard this week and we have a backup just in case it’s needed. The number of events is ramping up after all the holiday hoopla has subsided. We … Continue reading "Episode 219: Titanium Balls – Local Spotlight: The Bus at Cigars R Us; Danvers, MA"

Three Hacks walk into a cigar lounge… We do a small group show with Eastie Paul of the Tobacco Shack before the Pats/Bills game. It starts out quiet, but as we get closer to game more hecklers arrive. Have some cream pie and a chocolate bourbon with that newly released Hidden Herf. Yankee Bill tags … Continue reading "Episode 218: Pre-Game at The Tobacco Shack – Local Spotlight: El Toro; Hudson, NH"

It’s the 2021 Hackie Awards direct from parts unknown. We welcome our new Hackie Award Show sponsors. The Hidden Herf is a special award show cigar that has been aging in the Hackador longer than the Cigar Hacks has been in production. Along with the awards we do a whiskey and bourbon tasting throughout the … Continue reading "Episode 217: The 2021 Hackie Awards Special – Local Spotlight: Whiskey from Down Under"

Closing out 2021 and ringing in 2022 it’s the New Year’s episode. We have a few good jokes from The Domicile with the regulars and a decent Hidden Herf to go with it all. We reflect on a few thing in the past and discus what’s possible in the future. Local Spotlight – The Tobacco … Continue reading "Episode 216: We Hope ’22 is Good for You – Local Spotlight: The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA"

Joining the hacks at the Tobacco Shack Christmas Party in Rowley, MA are Bugsy Segal of Pura Soul Cigars and Jeffrey Amendola of Amendola Family Cigars. Not only do we find out about the Pura Soul Barber Pole Cigar and Amandola Family Cigars, we learn just how small the cigar world is. Local Spotlight – … Continue reading "Episode 215: Tobacco Shack Christmas Special – Local Spotlight: Boston Cigar Club; Charlestown, MA"

Nashville Dave is on a cigar shop road trip reporting direct from the Florida pan handle at Zack’s Beach Castle Cigars. The hidden Herf is a bit of a dog but, the panel can’t seem to pin it down even with plenty of clues. We give a report on the Two Guys Christmas Party and … Continue reading "Episode 214: Nashville Dave on the Road – Local Spotlight: Zack’s Beach Castle Cigars; Mary Esther, FL"

We are at the Hammer + Sickle – Plaistow Cigar Christmas Party, which means Erik and Brian of Hammer + Sickle along with Matty the Magnificent join the panel for this annual occasion. We launch the H+S 2021 EPH Limited Edition Cigar and it scores big on the Hack scale. It’s also a birthday, Cowboy … Continue reading "Episode 213: It’s Hammer time – Local Spotlight: Hammer + Sickle Christmas at Plaistow Cigar Co.; Plaistow, NH"

This week’s Hidden Herf is very good, with just a hint or two, and more than a few guesses, the panel lands it. The Oscuro III is set up as a cigar lounge at the Route One BNG event this week and we have a blast with it. Local Spotlight – Route One Business Networking … Continue reading "Episode 212: A Non-Attorney Spokesman – Local Spotlight: Route One BNG Extravaganza"

The Reverend Harvey returns after a bit of a hiatus. The panel samples an unusual hard cider made by “Far From the Tree” in Salem, MA. The Hidden Herf is also a bit unusual and quite a surprise. The Hacks will be at the “Route ONE Business Networking Group” Extravaganza on Thursday December 2nd from … Continue reading "Episode 211: Light Italian Dressing – Local Spotlight: Black Friday at Two Guys Smoke Shop; Salem, NH"

It’s the 4th Anniversary episode and we deliver. This episode contains almost an hour of one liners and jokes. Sure there’s a cigar but it melts into the background like it should. It’s a winner and we couldn’t have picked a better performing cigar for the occasion. Local Spotlight – Our 4th Anniversary Controversy Corner … Continue reading "Episode 210: Four Years of Laughs – Local Spotlight: Our 4th Anniversary"

Matty The Magnificent is back with the crew in the original spot for the last episode of the fourth year. It’s tinfoil hats all around and running jokes that keep this one on track. The Hidden Herf is a total guess after many clues and the process of elimination. Local Spotlight – Plaistow Cigar Co.; … Continue reading "Episode 209: Island Boy – Local Spotlight: Plaistow Cigar Co.; Plaistow, NH"

After Brinner (Breakfast for Dinner) we recruit a special guest, The Closer, to join us this week. There is plenty of cigar talk, but a lot of other ground is covered too. Local Spotlight – Brinner (Breakfast for Dinner), Two Guys Smoke Shop; Salem, NH Controversy Corner – The Supply Chain

We’re at the Rocky Patel event at The Shack with Mike The Cop and the crew for another fun evening with a cast of thousands. The Hidden Herf is a hit with everyone. It Black Bottle Beard Co time again with MJ on the panel. Local Spotlight – The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA Controversy Corner … Continue reading "Episode 207: Let the Ashes Hit the Floor – Local Spotlight: The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA"

Find out what happens when a dozen Hacks land at Best Cigar Pub for lunch during Pocono Palooza. We are joined by a surprize guest; Cigar Craig. We interview one of the most knowledgable Best Cigar Pub staff members. ATB sets us up with an interesting Hidden Herf that stumps everyone. Local Spotlight – Best … Continue reading "Episode 206: Pocono Palooza 3.0 – Local Spotlight: Best Cigar Pub; Drums, PA"

It’s PoconoPalooza next week so we call JoJo Mo to get the 411 on what’s coming up. The Blue Ash returns from Alaska with a review of a new cigar lounge called Rat Pack Cigars. The objective for the Hacks this week is to not get eliminated from the squid events game. The Hidden Herf … Continue reading "Episode 205: The Squid Hacks – Local Spotlight: Rat Pack Cigars; Fairbanks, AK"

We’re direct from the newly renovated and reopened El Toro Cigar & Lounge. We are joined by the shop owners, Bugsy from Pura Soul, a group of regulars, and a few folks who just happened by. The Cigar is a relatively strong one so it gets mixed reviews from the mild smokers in the group, … Continue reading "Episode 204: Let’s Go Brandon – Local Spotlight: El Toro Cigar & Lounge; Hudson, NH"

Were just back from “Smokey Karaoke” and it’s only a panel of four this week. We score a box of great lanceros while at the event, so we forego the Hidden Herf and just go with these cigars. We also discuss the two first release cigars that we received at the event. Plenty of cigar … Continue reading "Episode 203: It’s a Four Pack – Local Spotlight: Smokey Karaoke at Two Smoke Shop; Salem, NH"

Nurse Rick is under the weather and calls in on the remote. The mail bag brings us back to last week’s area code discussion and we receive a surprise package. The Hidden Herf is a perfect beginner cigar and after a few clues Comedy Chris nails it. There’s a full compliment of jokes and laughs. … Continue reading "Episode 202: I Don’t Get It – Local Spotlight: Twins 24th Annual Smokin’ Blues BBQ"

It’s off the rails before we get started. The panel is literally “primed” for this one. If you want plenty of laughs this is the episode, we do eventually light the cigar. The Hidden Herf takes a few guesses, but we get there. Local Spotlight – Two Guys Smoke Shop 36th Anniversary Dinner Controversy Corner … Continue reading "Episode 201: A Pair of Loafers and a Four Lane Highway – Local Spotlight: Two Guys Smoke Shop 36th Anniversary Dinner"