Welcome back to another episode of Smoke and Steel! This week’s episode was a bit different. We decided on a Thursday night to hit record and just hang out. No planned topics, no structured segments. Just four guys smoking cigars and talking about what matters most to us: the gear, the shops, the deals, and […]
Inside Avowed Cigars: A Conversation with Dave West on Quality, Craft, and the Invite-Only Approach
We recently had the privilege of sitting down with Dave West from Avowed Cigars for what turned into one of our most insightful conversations about the cigar industry. What started as a casual evening in our Pennsylvania makeshift lounge evolved into a deep dive on everything from tobacco sourcing to pricing strategy, and why this […]
Cigars in Quarantine
Over the past few weeks, the world has become a very different place. Gone are the laughs at your local cigar lounge and, worse yet, the company of family and friends. During stressful times in my life I’ve always used the local cigar lounge as a way to decompress. A place to bust balls, make […]
Whiskey and Cigars
Back in later September, Gilbertsville Cigar Factory hosted an event with Island Jim. In addition to the usual cigar event, there was also Live Music by Dan O’Brien and a Whiskey Tasting from Manatawny Still Works. I always enjoy these events because its a great opportunity for my wife (who doesn’t smoke cigars) and I […]
7th Annual Smoke a JJ for JJ
Seven years…has it really been that long? It feels just like yesterday when my wife was in the bathroom that Saturday morning as I laid in bed, asked “what did the doctor say it would feel like when my water broke?” In a sleepy voice I replied, “like you peed yourself” followed by a short […]
6th Annual Smoke a JJ for JJ Day
We are two weeks away from the 6th Annual Smoke a JJ for JJ Day. 6 years? The older you get, the faster time goes by. This is always a bitter sweet time of year. I find myself always looking forward to the camaraderie that we experience together but at the same time, dreading the […]
For Walt
It has been a crazy 2013 so far for us here at The Stogie Review Family. It is hard to put into words all the emotions. What we wouldn’t give for the problems of the past where our biggest worry was whether the server would stay up for IPCPR. Walt and I have formed a […]
Another Final Goodbye
I must have stopped and started this post a million times. The particulars don’t matter too much. I learned when we lost the Little Robusto that the “if’s” and “why’s” can drive you mad. My older brother died this past weekend. He was four years older than me which came in handy my high school […]
Mike’s Top Cigars of 2012
Cigar of the year Emilio AF Suave An amazing mild to medium cigar that I have already bought 2 full boxes plus numerous singles of. I can smoke this stick one right after another and still enjoy them all the same. I bought more of this cigar than any other cigar released this year and […]
November 30th
Last November I penned a post about the 5 Things I Know To Be True (Cigars Edition). November is always a crazy month for me. Lots of highs and lows filled with a roller coaster of emotions. There is the thankfulness for family and friends around Thanksgiving, the sadness of the Little Robusto and today, […]