Dive into the latest episode as the team unpacks the shifting buying patterns in the cigar industry—spotlighting who’s getting it right and who’s missing the mark. Explore the realities of rising cigar prices and the looming risk of pricing out loyal customers. Ever wonder what it means when sales are down but revenue is up? The crew breaks it all down, then brings it back to Dave and the appeal of Small Batch. Tim shares insights from a military mindset, drawing parallels to how Small Batch and Avowed approach the market compared to other industry players. It’s a candid, no-holds-barred look at the business side of cigars, and why some brands continue to stand out.

Dave West joins James and Nick to catch up on everything that's been going on throughout 2025. Dave addresses if the industry is seeing a slow down in sales or a shift in buying patterns. He tells us what he thinks it all boils down to. Dave tells us why some cigar shops are thriving and why others aren't. We discuss Avowed Cigars' growth and their plan for the future, how they find lounges to invite, and what Avowed has done in their inaugural year. Dave discusses cigar reviews, changing the game for the industry, and much more! Dave West is one of the most positive people in the industry. We hope you enjoy listening to this conversation as much as we enjoyed having it!

Tim, James, and Jimmy return to Clear The Air to unpack the latest Simply Stogies Podcast with guest Brian Desind of Privada Cigar Club, taking on free speech in cigar artwork and the myth that edgy designs are marketed to kids. They dig into Privada’s collectible info cards, debate the good and bad of gatekeeping in cigar culture, and make the case for why cooler-dors still deliver despite industry pushback. Stick around for bonus questions that keep the conversation candid and fun.   Join our Patreon and watch us record LIVE beginning Dec 2!

James and Jimmy welcome Privada Cigar Club owner and founder, Brian Desind, back to the podcast. The two catch up with Brian and find out what he, Privada Cigar Club, and the LCA have been up to. Brian discusses being passionate about cigars and the industry, as well as being good at marketing. Brian talks about working with factories and blenders as they are the true force and artists in the industry. Brian tells us he's more "seasoned" and how that's help him face some of the changes that 2025 brought to Privada Cigar Club.

James, Jimmy, and Tim opine on the recent news of How Bout That Cigar, a cigar media outlet, closing their business. What does this mean for the cigar industry? What is "cigar media?" Who's responsibility is it to define "cigar media?" The three give their opinions and thoughts on what all of this means for the industry.

Tim, James, and Jimmy return for another episode of Clear the Air to dive deeper into the last episode of Simply Stogies Podcast with guest Zack Van Ginkel of HDA Cigars. The crew dive into a range of topics from their conversation with Zack — including how brick-and-mortar shops can better support homegrown brands, why HDA chooses to maintain consistent pricing by avoiding discounts and sticking to MSRP, and what really separates micro cigar brands from boutique ones. Tune in for an insightful discussion on authenticity, brand identity, and the evolving cigar market.

James and Nick welcome Zack Van Ginkel of HDA Cigars to the program. The trio discuss how Zack and his business partner, Andray, got into the cigar industry. We find out that Zack is a good 'ole Iowa boy who is making his way in the cigar industry. We discuss Iowa retailers and retailers in general, we also find out about Zack's military background. Zack talks about working with James and Angela Brown at Oveja Negra and wanting to blend their own cigars that stand on their own. Zack then touches on milestones for HDA, the cigar industry, and retailers in general.

In this episode of Clear The Air, Tim, James, and Jimmy return to the microphone for another engaging discussion. This time, they take a closer look at the latest episode of Simply Stogies. Tim handles the intro and outro with a bit of self-deprecating humor. James and Jimmy step in to guide the conversation, diving deeper into the content and themes presented. The episode ultimately shifts into a thoughtful discussion about the need for greater transparency and knowledge across the entire cigar industry, from consumers to manufacturers. The hosts argue that fostering this openness can help the industry not only survive but thrive in the future.

With Nick Syris on vacation, James welcomes Jimmy Dailing to the show. In addition to being a reviewer at simplystogies.com, James announces that Jimmy is a new host at Simply Stogies Podcast. Jimmy also manages a brick & mortar called The Drawing Room in Davenport, Iowa. The duo discuss the cigar industry, cigar lounges, the proper etiquette while at a cigar lounge, cigar media, and much more. Join us in welcoming Jimmy to the roster of hosts at Simply Stogies Podcast!

Tim, James and Nick are back for another installment of Clear The Air, this time about Aaron Paoletta of LaVega Cigars. The three talk about creative types in the industry, the hardships in starting a new cigar company, and much more all at Tim's expense. James and Nick try their best to make Tim cry the entire time.

James and Nick welcome Aaron Paoletta of LaVega Cigars to the show. Aaron tells us how he went from culinary school, to chef, to music producer, to a heavy metal band, and then the cigar industry. We discuss LaVega Cigars, The LaVega lounge, the industry, and Aaron's views on all of it. We find out what skills Aaron brought to the cigar industry from each of his previous careers.

In an unusual episode of Clear The Air, Tim and James are back to dive a little deeper into the stories told by Sean Brown and Jillian Hinton of Dogs Inc from the latest episode of Simply Stogies Podcast. The conversation jumps through a few other key points from the episode including how service members may look at companies that say they are all about the veterans, cigar communities that support causes such as Dogs Inc, and much more. To donate to Dogs Inc. please go here: https://dogsinc.org/ To purchase the Dogs In. Cigador ($20 of every purchase goes to Dogs Inc.) please go here: https://thecigador.com/pages/dogs-inc-cigador  

James and Tim kick off National Service Dog Month by welcoming Sean Brown and Jillian Hinton of Dogs Inc. to the show. Jillian and Sean share their stories and how Dogs Inc. helped them during some of the toughest times in their lives. Dogs Inc. provides guide dogs, service dogs, therapy dogs, and companion dogs to gold star families and veterans who need them. Jillian and Sean tell us how Dogs Inc changed their lives and why they're now giving back to Dogs Inc. We find out how Dogs Inc. has become so loved in the cigar community, how and why J.C. Newman is such a big backer, how Sean met Bobby Newman, and much more.  To donate to Dogs Inc. please go here: https://dogsinc.org/ To purchase the Dogs In. Cigador ($20 of every purchase goes to Dogs Inc.) please go here: https://thecigador.com/pages/dogs-inc-cigador

Back to the microphones after last week's episode of Simply Stogies Podcast where Tim brings James and Nick back to the microphone to talk behind Zino Brand Ambassador, Law Ream's back. The three talk a little bit more about the Republic of Debauchery and how the industry really needs some more laughs. They spend time talking about the amount of time and effort it can take to produce such content. They end the episode with some conversation about the Zino Tour and life on the road before we finally find out, "What's Bugging James!".

James and Nick welcome the Zino Cigars Brand Ambassador, Law Ream, to the show. The former host of the Republic of Debauchery talks cigar media and content creation. We pick his brain and get his thoughts on comedy in the cigar space, how news is covered, and his transition from content creator to brand ambassador.

James is holding Cigar Apocalypse in Livermore, IA at Smoldering Cigar so Tim has no choice but to find a replacement. Tim and Nick welcome first time guest host Jimmy who is not only a video reviewer for Simply Stogies but a lounge owner. Jimmy owns and operates The Drawing Room in Davenport, IA. Anyway, Tim, Nick, and Jimmy dive deeper into the discussion that Nick and James had on the last episode of Simply Stogies Podcast with Les Mann of ST Dupont Cigar Accessories. They talk about the different collabs that ST Dupont has done, Nick provides his guidance on getting into your first ST Dupont lighter, and the three wrap up the show throwing a few guesses as to who the big collaboration would be that would make Les think about having up his busy hat and enjoying some retirement time.

James and Nick welcome Les Mann from ST Dupont to the show. Les discusses how he came to work for ST Dupont and the challenges that came with it. We ask Les how he's developed the relationships in the cigar industry and the importance of trust with each of his clients. Les gives us his perspective of working with some of the big names in the cigar industry and beyond, what it's like to work with pop culture icons, the care and thoughtfulness that ST Dupont puts into every product they produce, and much more!

Tim brings James and Nick back to the microphone to discuss some of the topics that were discussed in the latest episode of Simply Stogies Podcast with guest Robert Caldwell of Caldwell cigars. Tim digs a little deeper into the back story of how Nick and Caldwell became friends before digging into the science behind how your cigars are presented to you in a humidor. They talk about LE's and Core Lines and how cigar enthusiasts choose their cigar and the cigar journey that comes with years of enjoying a premium product.

James and Nick welcome Robert Caldwell of Caldwell Cigars to the podcast. We find out about the friendship between Robert and Nick. We discuss the pitfall of the overconsumption of information without context, that leads some "cigar geeks" to make false assumptions. We discuss if "a cigar made is a cigar sold" still holds true, if limited edition cigars are still out of control, why nobody interviews Robert, and much more!

In this episode of Clear the Air, Tim brings James and Nick back to the microphone to discuss more of the last episode of Simply Stogies Podcast with guest Trey Mac Shipley, National Sales Manager of JRE Tobacco. They discuss the industry and how deals are starting to go away from handshakes, how business is conducted in different regions of the country, the generational changes in how business is conducted int the cigar industry and much more.