#ELOsoFumarTakes

This week, #ELOsoFumarTakes brings the #CigarCoopCoalition Court to you. The Premium Cigar Association 2024 Trade Show is now complete. For the best Post-PCA wrap up show, check out Developing Palates Wrap Up show here: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-fkq4s-15cc8fa But, as usual, I have a different #Take, for our #287thTake. William Cooper, Ben Lee, Tripp Waldrop, Denis Tsvang, and John McTavish all come together for the fanatical fun! We will deliberate and discuss some of our favorite moments and highlights. It all starts at 9:30pm CST, see you Sunday. Enjoy! Continue to follow all PCA coverage at: https://cigar-coop.com/

This week, #ELOsoFumarTakes welcomes the return of Michael Herklots for #Take286! In what has become a post Trade SHow tradition, Michael has agreed to grace not only PCA, but us with a swift turnaround and return. We reflect on the the trade show together and, of course, enjoy some terrific Ferio Tego cigars together! Enjoy! https://www.feriotego.com/

This week, #ELOsoFumarTakes welcomes the Coalition. That's right, the Cigar Coop Coalition in its entirety will rock the airwaves and live streams one last time before the Premium Cigar Association Trade Show 2024 kicksoff later this week. The esteemed group of gentlemen of William Cooper, Ben Lee, Erron Nielsen, Tripp Waldrop, and Denis Tsvang will unite together to answer some of the serious, most pointed, but also the most laughable questions about this year's "Super Bowl" of cigars. Buckle Up Sports Fans, Enjoy! https://cigar-coop.com/2024/01/announcement-2024-big-board-for-pca-trade-show-is-live.html

This week, #ELOsoFumarTakes welcomes the return of Kristoff Cigars' Glen Case back for our #284thTake. Kristoff is celebrating an impressive milestone in 2024 and to kickoff this year's Premium Cigar Association Trade Show season they announced a 20th Anniversary cigar will soon be available. Kristoff continues his steadfast and firm success over the past two decades with an amazing past 5 years. We catch up with Glen and all things Kristoff. Enjoy! Kristoff celebrates 20 years: https://cigar-coop.com/2024/02/kristoff-twentieth-anniversary-to-debut-at-pca-2024-cigar-news.html New Packaging: https://cigar-coop.com/2024/02/new-packaging-for-kristoff-vengeance-to-launch-at-pca-2024.html Kristoff continues to provide PCA exclusive: https://cigar-coop.com/2024/02/kristoff-pca-signature-series-2024-to-be-released-at-trade-show-cigar-news.html

This week, #ELOsoFumarTakes welcomes the return of Denis Tsvang & Tripp Waldrop of Let’s Get Pairing! We’ve had some epic shows over the years! Let’s have another one! Bring your favorite pairing and join us!! Enjoy! https://www.letsgetpairing.com/

This week, #ELOsoFumarTakes welcomes the return of one of our favorite, and OG #Takes! Welcome Back Nicolás Antonio Jiménez of Pan Con Podcast, Dade Magazine and El Vecino Cigar Lounge for or #282ndTake! It's been a while since Nick has been on the pod and a lot of water has gone over the dam and under the bridge for the former Cigar Snob Senior Editor. What's Nick up to these days and how's life as it pulls him in 1000 different directions? The answer: cigars. Cigars are the answer to every question. We can't wait to catch up with Nick! See you Sunday at 9:30pm CST! Enjoy! Dade Magazine: https://www.dademag.com/ Pan Con Podcast: https://www.dademag.com/panconpodcast El Vecino Cigar Lounge: https://elvecinomiami.com/ Midnight in Havana: https://www.cigarsnobmag.com/editorial/2015/02/06/midnight-in-havana/ Cuba: Between the Lines: https://www.cigarsnobmag.com/editorial/2015/02/06/midnight-in-havana/ Rosa Maria Paya interview: https://www.dademag.com/features/2020/10/27/pan-con-podcast-rosa-maria-paya-cuba-decide Norman Van Aken interview: https://www.dademag.com/features/2019/9/13/pan-con-podcast-chef-norman-van-aken Ariete Hospitality Group: https://arietehospitality.com/concepts/ Foie Gras: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cka7_aeNRAj/ LGC Trunk Show: https://twitter.com/nicolasajimenez/status/1762318269946499180 Kim Jong-Il reference: https://kimjongillookingatthings.tumblr.com/

This week, #ELOsoFumarTakes is proud to welcome for the first time, the dapper and distinguished mind behind Black Star Line Cigars! Aric Bey sits down for our #281stTake and we sample some of his wares. This former firefighter brings a lot to the table and to the industry, but you know me, I'm all about the journey.

This week, #ELOsoFumarTakes welcomes the return of the 'Ro' in RoMa - Mr. Mike Rosales of RoMa Craft Tobac! Our #280thTake should be one to remember as there have been A LOT of goings on with Manbacco Folk. We dive into all things new with Mike's company, Skip's new solar panels, and of course, we peel back the layers on the new projects. Enjoy! https://romacrafttobac.com/

This Sunday, #ELOsoFumarTakes welcomes the return to the greatest day of our lives. That's right sports fans - our #279thTake will feature Terence Reilly of Aganorsa Leaf. From 100 gauge cigars to Supreme Leafs to Rare Leafs, Firecrackers and more. Terence and the Aganorsa Leaf team continue to forge forward. Fresh off time at Puro Sabor, we kick back with Terence and enjoy our first conversation in too long. Looking forward to this one, Enjoy! https://aganorsaleaf.com/ https://cigar-coop.com/2024/01/united-cigars-to-release-aganorsa-leaf-lunatic-firecracker-cigar-news.html https://cigar-coop.com/2024/01/cigar-news-aganorsa-leaf-supreme-leaf-rothschild-announced.html https://cigar-coop.com/2023/11/cigar-review-jfr-lunatic-maduro-10-x-100-by-aganorsa-leaf.html https://cigar-coop.com/2023/08/pca-2023-aganorsa-leaf.html

This week, #ELOsoFumarTakes welcomes back the brilliant documentarian behind the incredible Hand Rolled project that took the cigar industry by storm a few years ago. Jesse Mariut make their return for #Take278, to talk about the next chapters in the Hand Rolled series. Their first stop is the illustrious J.C. Newman Cigar Family and their 'American Dream' story. We'll talk with Jesse and Steve and get to know more about their world and how cigars have come to be apart of their mission and work. Enjoy! Hand Rolled Original Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dkWPv0gtj8 Hand Rolled: JC Newman Cigar Company Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjfsITz6_0s

This week, #ELOsoFumarTakes welcomes Francisco Cossio III of Foreign Affair Cigars to sit down for our #277thTake. "Frankie" has had an incredible run in his young life. I'm excited to sit down with this "newcomer" to the cigar industry that is truly making waves. More importantly, we go back with Frank and learn about his journey what it took to get here and where he's taking Foreign Affair after its explosive entrance into the industry. Enjoy! Frank and I would like to spotlight Els for Autism Foundation. Learn more and consider donating here: https://www.elsforautism.org/ https://www.cigaraficionado.com/top25cigar/foreign-affair-by-luciano-cigars-corona-2023

WELCOME BACK! HAPPY NEW YEAR! The day is near! The time is right! It's time for the #ELOsoFumarTakes Top 10 Cigars of 2023! Once again, the legendary George Brightman joins us for the Top 10 Countdown for the ages! I've sent George my top ten cigars for him to sample and taste test blind. He gives an honest breakdown alongside my own assessments, Enjoy! Criteria: 1) It's vitola based. 2) I had to have smoked the cigar for the first time in the last year and a half.* 3) It must not suck. 4)No limited edition cigars (i.e. TAA, shop exclusive) are eligible. 5) A previous number 1 cigar winner (blend-specific, i.e. 2017 Winner Espinosa Habano) cannot be on this year's Top 10 or repeat as winner.* 6) A company cannot have more than 1 cigar on the Top 10, however, may be considered for honorable mention.* 7)THE BIG ONE: frequency of smoke. Basically, I had to have the means AND opportunity AND did, in fact, smoke the cigar frequently. Just to review, here is last year's list: Top 10 2022: : 1) Espinosa Crema Box Press Toro 2) Artista Cigars Buffalo Ten Connecticut 3) St. Luis Rey Carenas Toro 4) Howard G Magic Stick Cameroon Toro 5) CAVALIER GENÈVE BII Japala Viso Robusto Gordo 6) Crux Bull & Bear Double Corona 7) Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Brulee Blue 8) Rocky Patel Disciple Robusto 9) The Arrival Robusto 10) Luciano Cigars (ACE Prime) The Seargeant Honorable Mentions 2023: Macanudo Flint Knoll Churchill Black Label La Madonna Negra Atabey 10th Anniversary 601 La Bomba Warhead VIII Ferio Tego Timeless Limited 10 Years Top 10 Cigars of 2023 (this year): 1) Gran Habano 20th Anniversaro Edicion Limitada El Sueno Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo Shade Wrapper Binder: Nicaraguan Filler Nicaraguan, Colombian, and Peruvian Country of Origin: Honduras Factory: GR Tabacaleras Unidas SA 2) Luciano Cigars Maria Lucia Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Binders (Double): Sumatra Ecuador / HBN 92 Ecuador Fillers: Nicaragua, Dominican, and Peru Country of Origin: Nicaragua Factory: Luciano Cigars S.A., Maria Lucia 3)Black Label Trading Co Deliverance Porcelain Robusto Wrapper: Connecticut Binder: Nicaraguan Habano Filler: Nicaraguan and Pennsylvania Country of Origin: Nicaragua Factory: Fabrica Oveja Negra 4) Alec Bradley Double Broadleaf Gran Corona Wrapper: Honduran Broadleaf Binder: Honduran Broadleaf, Nicaraguan Filler: Honduran, Nicaraguan Country of Origin: Honduras Factory: Tabacos de Oriente 5) Casa Cuevas Sangre Nueva Double Perfecto Wrapper: Ecuadorian Cameroon Binder: Honduran Corojo Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan, Pennsylvania Broadleaf, Kentucky Fire Cured Country of Origin: Dominican Republic Factory: Las Lavas 6) Espinosa Knuckle Sandwich Connecticut Short Churchhill 7) Quesada Cigars Liga F toro Wrapper: Ecuadorian Corojo (Sun Grown) Binder: Dominican Filles: Dominican, Nicaraguan Country of Origin: Dominican Republic Factory: TABADEX (Quesada Cigars Factory) 8) HVC Selección No. 1 Natural Poderosos Wrapper: Habano ’92 Ecuador Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Country of Origin: Nicaragua Factory: Fabrica de Tabacos HVC S.A. 9) United Toro Maduro Wrapper: Mexican San Andres (Maduro) Binder: Dominican Filler: Dominican Broadleaf, Quisqueya, Dominican Seco, Dominican Olor Country of Origin: Dominican Republic Factory: Tabacalera Magia 10) Kristoff Cigars Guardrail Robusto Wrapper: Brazilian Arapiraca Binder: Dominican Filler: Burma Valley Zimbabwe, Dominican Country of Origin: Dominican Republic Factory: Tabacalera Von Eicken (Charles Fairmorn)

It’s an ALL NERD ALERT! Tomorrow night, ELOsoFumarTakes welcomes back Samuel Spencer, Matt Tye, and Tripp Waldrop to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Lord of the Rings: Return of the King for our #275thTake! It’ll be a barn burner and a good-fashioned nerd out. Love these guys and am looking forward to putting the crown jewel on top of this series. Enjoy! Film: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167260/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt Cast: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167260/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_cl_sm Awards: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167260/awards/?ref_=tt_awd Oscars: https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2004 Please support the Whitney in honor of Reagan Duplisea: https://whitney.org/support/individuals/annual-fund

This week, #ELOsoFumarTakes welcomes back two distinguished gentlemen back for our #274thTake! Scott Pearce and Jay Robert Davis of the Premium Cigar Association sit down to talk about a first in Association history. Five months ago we had a trade show and normally, we'd gearing up for the half way point to the next trade show. Now, we're about 90 days away! For the first time in its history, the annual PCA trade show will take place in March. What are the challenges? What are the successes? We'll see what these two say about this elephant in the room, as well as other industry topics and trends! Enjoy! https://premiumcigars.org/ https://www.bluesmokeofdallas.com/

This week, #ELOsoFumarTakes is please to welcome the return of fan-favorite and birthday-loving Steve Saka back for our #273rdTake! Steve is always a good time, despite what he says. His cigars finesse the palate and his axioms boggle the mind. We'll see what we can do to enjoy both all in one night. Love our #Takes with Steve! Enjoy! https://www.dunbartoncigars.com/ https://cigar-coop.com/2023/08/pca-2023-dunbarton-tobacco-trust.html - PCA coverage https://cigar-coop.com/2023/10/cigar-news-dunbarton-tobacco-trust-rebranding-original-sobremesa-line-as-sobremesa-solita.html - Sobremesa rebranding

This week, #ELOsoFumarTakes welcomes back the Gordo-Loving, Kapler-Hating, Press Release-Asking, Burger Fiend himself - Mr. William Cooper for #Take272! The Cigar Coop founder and I will sit down and throw it back! We look back at all the pods over the years and reflect on some of faves, some of the best, some of the most impactful, and yes, even some we'd like to forget. Prime Time, Special Edition, Jukebox, #ELOsoFumarTakes, and Smoking Syndicate, we talk about it all. Enjoy! https://cigar-coop.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@WilliamCooperPrimeTime https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVzGpes143J2yslmEQd4pEw

#ELOsoFumarTakes IS TURNING 6!!!! Today marks the year 6 of #Takes and we're so please to welcome the return of two of our original #Takes to celebrate the occasion. As always, Tim Wong as agreed to return as he has every year to celebrate the festivities. Tim was my guest for my very first #Take and I will never forget it! #MrWarmth Héctor J. Alfonso Sr. of Espinosa Cigars returns as well. Hector has made numerous appearances including in #Take3 on our opening weekend! Six years in the making and I have a feeling we're just getting started! Espinosa Cigars

This week, #ELOsoFumarTakes welcomes the return of one of our favorite nerds! Matt Tye of How Bout That Cigar returns as the guest for our #270thTake! It's been almost four months since the Premium Cigar Association Trade Show back in July and believe it or not, we're gearing up for the next one as the first in Spring 2024. Plus, the end of the year is coming and that means we talk about some of the best cigars we've smoked all year. But, Matt always has a hand on the pulse of the comings and goings in the industry. We see what some of his favorite interviews of 2023 were and some thoughts on where the industry is, was and is going into the new year. It's November already and 2023 has flown by. Stop by for a great conversation with a good friend, a better man and always great cigars. Enjoy! We are raising awareness for K9s for Warriors! Please donate HERE. https://howboutthatcigar.com/

This week, #ELOsoFumarTakes welcomes the return of Nick R. Agua, Founder of Foundation Cigar Company to sit down for our #Take269. With the latest releases, Charter Oak Pegnataro-CT Shade and Pasquale CT Broadleaf, heading to stores this week, we unfold some of the new chapters in this next Foundation era. Nick is always fraught with unending knowledge of cigars, tobacco, and more. We explore some of the newest from Nick as well, but we never forget to explore the past. For the entire month of October, we are raising awareness for K9s for Warriors! Please donate HERE. Foundation PCA recap: https://cigar-coop.com/2023/08/pca-2023-foundation-cigar-company.html Tabernacle Knight Commander: https://cigar-coop.com/2023/06/cigar-news-foundation-cigar-co-to-release-the-tabernacle-knight-commander-at-pca-2023.html Metapa: https://cigar-coop.com/2023/06/cigar-news-foundation-cigar-company-to-launch-metapa-at-2023-pca-trade-show.html Metapa Shipping: https://cigar-coop.com/2023/10/102614.html CHarter Oak Pasquale and Pegnatoro shipping this week: https://cigar-coop.com/2023/06/cigar-news-foundation-cigar-company-adding-charter-oak-pegnataro-and-pasquale.html

Tonight, #ELOsoFumarTakes welcomes two exceptional guests for our annual Bear's Birthday Extravaganza! This year Mike Szczepankiewicz & Erron Nielsen will sit down for a celebration of fun and hijinks! This annual show has always been one of my favorites and its been my goal to always welcome in folks from the industry that I consider dear friends. Mike and Erron are no exception. We tackle previous birthdays, the comings and goings of the industry and predictions for the upcoming year as we gear up for the first trade show not held in the summer! Enjoy! For the entire month of October, we are raising awareness for K9s for Warriors! Please donate HERE. https://cigarhustler.com/ https://cigar-coop.com/