Cigar Hacks

It’s the 7th annual summer trip on the barge and we are at the lake house for the fifth year. The weather is perfect, and many cigars are smoked. The catch phrase this year is Boot & Rally! The Hidden Herf stumps the panel and mistakes were made. Summa-Episode numbers by year and location 2018 … Continue reading "Episode 349: Summa-Palooza 2024 – Local Spotlight: On the lake; New Hampshire"

Direct from the Route One Business Networking Group (BNG) event for our fourth year, we talk with the BNG members while enjoying cigars under the tent on the back patio at the Rosaria Restaurant. We have the band turn it down before we start but by the time we wrap up the volume is way … Continue reading "Episode 348: Back for More 4.0 – “The Battle with the Band” – Local Spotlight: Route One BNG at Rosaria; Saugus, MA"

Continuing the Garage Series we find ourselves at Chucks’s Palace this week with a cast that was mostly absent from the Domicile. The Hidden Herf stumps the panel and has mixed favorability due to its spice and strength. Somehow, the discussion turns to golf a few times, the podcast juice is a factor. Local Spotlight … Continue reading "Episode 347: The Garage Series – Local Spotlight: Chuck’s Palace"

The original Domicile was our staple location for many episodes during the era of shutdowns. This is the second episode from the new Domicile 2.0, but the first with the regular Hacks crew. It’s an overnight event so the podcast juice is flowing and the panel is well lubricated, which makes for a raucous episode. … Continue reading "Episode 346: Return to the Domicile 2.0 – Local Spotlight: The Diplomat Cigar Lounge; Keene, NH"

The Tobacco Shack rescues the episode by having us after hours on short notice. It’s brownie sundaes all around. The Hidden Herf is a bit obvious and is pegged right away. Local Spotlights – The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA – Leaf & Bean; Pittsburgh, PA – The Royal Cigar Bar & Bistro; Fort Mill, SC … Continue reading "Episode 345: The Tobacco Shack to the Rescue – Local Spotlight: Multiple Venues"

Direct from McGroin Manor we do a mid-week episode with a special call-in from JoJo Mo and Luscious Laura, who are on vacation in Ocean City, MD. The Hidden Herf is given enough clues to narrow down the guesses. The New England Cigar Expo is almost sold out, we look back at the interviews from … Continue reading "Episode 344: Mute Your Phone – Local Spotlight: McGroin Manor"

The Hacks drop in to Grumpy’s Cigars & Lounge for the Rocky Patel Cigars Event. We are joined by Mike the Cop and Walter from Grumpy’s. A new hack is sworn in and with enough clues the Hidden Herf is figured out, Local Spotlight – Grumpy’s Cigars & Lounge; Hudson, NH Controversy Corner – Late … Continue reading "Episode 343: You Can’t be Grumpy Here – Local Spotlight: Grumpy’s Cigars & Lounge; Hudson, NH"

We are back at the firepit with a cast of what seems like a dozen. Comedy Chris and a mystery guest drop by and then phones start ringing. The Hidden Herf is almost pegged. Local Spotlight – Cigar Raffles Controversy Corner – Smurfs and next steps.

It’s the Memorial Day episode so we do a little extra for those who made the sacrifice. It’s a full house of Hacks with a couple of participants in the peanut gallery. The Hidden Herf is an interesting selection, but it still stumps the panel. Local Spotlight – Plaistow Cigar Co; Plaistow, NH Controversy Corner … Continue reading "Episode 341: You Can’t Say That – Local Spotlight: Plaistow Cigar Co; Plaistow, NH"

After watching the Bruins get eliminated on the big screen by the firepit we load in a few more logs to keep the panel warm. We have a guest who was an impromptu call-in a few weeks back. The hidden herf is a follow up from last week. Local Spotlight – The First Firepit of … Continue reading "Episode 340: Buttered Meat – Local Spotlight: The First Firepit of 2024"

It is playoff season so we are at The Tobacco Shack for the Celtics game. The Hidden Herf is another Florida find from Nurse Rick, it gets a decent rating. Local Spotlight – The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA Controversy Corner – Lunar Months.

Bar tenders from three of our favorite cigar bars get together with us this week as we talk cocktail trivia and cigar pairings. This is one of our more creative episodes as we demonstrate how the New Hampshire cigar bars are diverse, yet able to come together for one fun episode with The Hacks. Local … Continue reading "Episode 338: The Cigar Bar Tenders Special – Local Spotlight: Castro’s, Twins, and Grumpy’s"

For two weeks in a row we record on an off day. This week we head to the upstairs at Castro’s in Nashua for a conference room style sit-down. We have a call in from Brady of La Rosa Negra Cigars. The podcast juice is flowing and the Hidden Herf knocks it out of the … Continue reading "Episode 337: Saturday Night in Nashua – Local Spotlight: Castro’s Back Room; Nashua, NH"

We find ourselves at Grumpy’s this week to find out what’s new and why things are more grumpy than before. It’s more than just the cigars. The Hidden Herf is a good one, but someone was paying attention and figures it out at the 11th hour. Local Spotlight – Grumpy’s Cigars & Lounge; Hudson, NH … Continue reading "Episode 336: Have a Grumpier Day – Local Spotlight: Grumpy’s Cigars & Lounge; Hudson, NH"

It’s the annual Masters Weekend at Plaistow Cigar, but this year it’s with the new brand: 3Leaf Cigars. The Charcuterie pairing is a hit and enhances the Hidden Herf rating. We learn about the 3Leaf Cigars brand, the cigars, and Erik’s journey, over the past year or so, starting a new cigar company. The new … Continue reading "Episode 335: 3Leaf Masters w/Erik Wentworth – Local Spotlight: Plaistow Cigar Co; Plaistow, NH"

This episode starts out like any other, but just as we we get the Hidden Herf going we are thrown a curve-ball and have to switch cigars. Two Hidden Herfs perhaps? We drag a few people in from the lounge as we work our way through the regular segments. If you follow boxing, be sure … Continue reading "Episode 334: “In the Pink” Surprise – Local Spotlight: Castro’s Back Room; Manchester, NH"

Mike the Cop, our local Rocky Patel rep, is just back from The PCA 2024 Trade Show in Las Vegas. We are at the Tobacco Shack’s “Party for the Hell of it 3.0” and it’s a full house. The Hidden Herf is a “yet to be available” PCA release. Ricky calls in from Florida for … Continue reading "Episode 333: Direct from the PCA 2024 Trade Show – Local Spotlight: The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA"

The Reverend Harvey is back, but with a few restrictions. The Third Unit Production Manager organized this week’s location at The Ash Lounge and proceeds to nails the Hidden Herf within the first few minutes. Who knew we had a couple of cross-fit trainers in the group. Nurse Rick calls in with the Florida report. … Continue reading "Episode 332: The Reverend Returns – Local Spotlight: Ash Cigar Lounge; Kingston, NH"

It’s back to Twins for the St. Paddy weekend episode. Our special guest is actually a Hack but, he has his Twins Manager hat on so he gets special billing. We have a quick call from Ricky in Florida to start things off. The Hidden Herf stumps the panel and receives a decent overall rating. … Continue reading "Episode 331: It feels like we were just here. – Local Spotlight: Twins Smoke Shop; Londonderry, NH"

We are back at the private smoking lounge this week with a full crew for a high energy episode. Ricky is back in Florida, he calls in from King Corona and puts a couple guys on the line with us. Something goes wrong with the Hidden Herf. We add a new segment to discuss generational … Continue reading "Episode 330: Return to the Undisclosed Location – Local Spotlight: King Corona Cigars and Cafe; Tampa, FL"