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Box Press

148 episodes — Page 1 of 3

Jon Huber (Crowned Heads) & Pete Johnson (Tatuaje Cigars) | Live From PCA 2026

May 7, 202659 min

Enrique Seijas (Matilde Cigars) | Live From PCA 2026

May 7, 202649 min

Robert Caldwell (Caldwell Cigars) & Matt Booth (Room 101) | Live From PCA 2026

May 7, 20261h 13m

Nick Melillo (Foundation Cigars) | Live From PCA 2026

May 7, 202627 min

Michael Herklots (Ferio Tego) | Live From PCA 2026

May 7, 202647 min

La Flor Dominicana | It's a Beautiful Thing | Box Press Ep. 146

Apr 24, 20261h 4m

Ep 145The Cigar Alliance Explained: Quesada + Joya de Nicaragua | Box Press Ep. 145

Two pillars of the premium cigar industry. One conversation you don’t want to miss. #LoveYourCigars In this episode, we sit down with Joya de Nicaragua and Quesada Cigars to talk about legacy, collaboration, and what happens when Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic come together in the world of premium cigars. Episode features: Joya de Nicaragua's Juan Martinez and Quesada Cigars' Raquel Quesada. Interview by Boveda’s Box Press Hosts Nate Beck and JP Awad. What is Boveda? Boveda patented 2-way humidity control for storing premium cigars. Aging cigars with Boveda is the easiest and most effective way to preserve their quality, flavors, aroma, and integrity. By maintaining the ideal humidity, Boveda prevents mildew in a cigar humidor while also protecting cigars from drying out. With Boveda in your cigar humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor and a perfect smoke from every cigar. Looking for the best cigar humidor? The Boveda Humidor reimagines traditional cigar care by removing the guesswork and maintenance. Simple. Elegant. Precise. Your only task is to enjoy. Learn more about storing cigars with Boveda, click here for emails : https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0

Mar 27, 20261h 1m

Ep 144About that Maduro… | Crowned Heads + Oz Family Cigars | Box Press Ep. 144

You’ll laugh your ash off as 2 superstars from Nashville cigar companies join the Boveda cigar podcast. #LoveYourCigarsEpisode features: Jon Huber, Crowned Heads and Tim Ozgener, Oz Family CigarsBoth boutique cigar brands share a heritage over CAO, the cigar company founded by the late Cano Aret Ozgener in Nashville in the 1990s. (Cano was Tim’s father.)Oz Family Cigars of today upholds the family's craft with Turkish-named blends, such as Firsat and Karatoba. Crowned Heads specializes in small-batch blends, such as Four Kicks and Jericho Hill.Interview by Boveda’s Box Press Hosts Nate Beck and JP Awad.What is Boveda? Boveda patented 2-way humidity control for storing premium cigars. Aging cigars with Boveda is the easiest and most effective way to preserve their quality, flavors, aroma, and integrity. By maintaining the ideal humidity, Boveda prevents mildew in a cigar humidor while also protecting cigars from drying out. With Boveda in your cigar humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor and a perfect smoke from every cigar.Looking for the best cigar humidor? Check out the only humidor built to work with Boveda packs, the Boveda Humidor. The Boveda Humidor reimagines traditional cigar care. It’s simple. No guesswork. No maintenance. No humidity problems. Your only task is to enjoy.Highlights:00:00 Welcome to Box Press by Boveda00:50 Cigar legends & stories04:08 How Boveda got started05:17 Boveda makes Viva for cannabis curing and storage09:36 History of Crowned Heads cigars15:00 History of OZ Family Cigars32:01 What cigars are smokers liking right now38:35 Why foodies should try cigars42:57 Steps of making a good cigar44:37 What not to do in retirement47:12 Funny story: bring out the "ADULT" pipes49:34 Funny story: Timmy stuck in kindergarten01:03:33 Humidity for cigars in dry climates01:05:25 Find a mentor01:07:35 What will be your legacy?

Feb 27, 20261h 14m

Ep 142Adam Levine | League Of Fat Bastards Cigars Contribute to Mental Well-Being | Box Press Ep. 142

This cigar podcast could save your or a loved one's life. Following his own mental health crisis, Adam Levine founded the League of Fat Bastards Cigars. The boutique Nicaraguan cigar brand gives away 40% of its profits to men's mental health initiatives; hosts events where men can get real about their lives; and encourages intentional discussions about mental health over cigars. Interview by Drew Emmer at PCA 2024, the preeminent event for premium cigar and pipe industry.What is Boveda? League Of Fat Bastards Cigars recommends Boveda 2-way humidity control for wherever you store cigars. Boveda preserves the flavor and character of premium cigars by keeping them at ideal humidity. Boveda prevents cigars from drying out and mold growth. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor and a perfect smoke from every cigar. Feel better about storing cigars, use Boveda. Click here to get emails: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0 00:00 This is Box Press00:24 How did the League of Fat Bastards Cigars get its name?00:45 Creating space for men to chew the fat01:23 Organize cigar events with celebs and athletes to normalize mental health struggles01:47 LOFB Cigars gives back 40% of profits to men's mental health groups02:15 Using cigar smoking as therapy03:10 Living in London in the heyday of Cuban Cigars 03:34 Adam Levine had a severe mental breakdown04:46 Create a movement to help men live their best lives 05:16 Only cigar brand produced over Zoom? 05:51 The Goldilocks cigar blend, Serie L made in Nicaragua 06:40 League of Fat Bastards is an everyman cigar on purpose 07:06 What cigar should your first cigar be?07:26 Discover the joy of cigars and provide an opportunity for men to open up emotionally 09:20 Why did this happen FOR me?10:56 LOFB Cigars packaged with Boveda11:50 Reusing Boveda packets from cigar boxes12:22 Keeping cigars at the perfect humidity maintains their condition13:13 If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988

Jul 26, 202413 min

Ep 1413 Cigar Lovers from Green Bay Who Make Cigars They Want to Smoke | Lovely Cigars | Box Press Ep. 141

Use Boveda to protect all the Lovely Cigars in your humidor, click here to get emails: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0 This vintage 1800s Wisconsin cigar brand has a new life thanks to owners Mike Gehm, Keith Archiquette, and Dylan Masse. The trio blends cigar that they love, and it turns out a lot cigar smokers love Lovely Cigars, too. Hear more about this boutique cigar brand that produces Elegante X2 Ain't They Lovely Cigar, The Bay City Cigar, and the No. 162. Interview by Drew Emmer at PCA 2024, the preeminent event for premium cigar and pipe industry.00:00 This is Box Press01:36 First 2 years of a new business are rocky03:16 Gotta have a quality cigar, good marketing, and good relationship with tobacco shops04:27 Founders are regular cigar palate people05:00 Lovely Cigar brand is from the 1800s out of Green Bay, Wisconsin05:29 No.162 Lovely Cigar05:35 The new Lovely's Bay City Cigar06:19 Converting a great idea into tobacco stores adopting cigar lines12:41 What's ham-and-egging it?13:51 A delicious cigar to try18:57 Storing cigars in a Boveda Humidor Bag keeps cigars from disintegrating19:22 Cigar guys share cigars and share cigar recommendations20:17 Lovely Cigars protected by Boveda on the way to and while in Las VegasWhat is Boveda? Cigar makers like Lovely Cigars recommend Boveda 2-way humidity control for wherever you store cigars. Boveda preserves the flavor and character of premium cigars by keeping them at ideal humidity. Keep cigars well-humidified with Boveda B69 packets in your humidor. Boveda prevents cigars from drying out and mold growth. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor and a perfect smoke from every Lovely Cigar. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BovedaInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/?..

Jul 19, 202423 min

Ep 140Get In on This Next Cigar Wave | Daniel Lance | Domain Cigars | Box Press Ep. 140

NEW CIGAR BRAND: Domain Cigars, whose flavor and construction are protected by Boveda. Use Boveda to protect the cigars in your humidor, click here to get emails: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0 Domain Cigars is the crest of the third wave of cigar making. Fully vertically integrated. Craft. Innovative. If they can't produce a cigar, they won't make it anymore.This new guy in town was developed by Daniel Lance and his business partner, Esteban Disla, a master blender who has created cigars for 30 cigar companies. Domain will change the way you see cigars, including a new way to package cigars with Boveda 2-way humidity control. Lance only uses Boveda to keep his cigars, like Domain's new Neutron and Negentropy tasting and smoking great. Interview by Drew Emmer at PCA 2024, the preeminent event for premium cigar and pipe industry.00:00 This is Box Press00:43 Esteban Disla experienced cigar man02:19 Third wave cigar maker is where the cigar industry is headed02:27 First cigar wave = Cuba embargo04:01 Second wave of cigars is like Starbucks is to coffee 05:33 Built Boveda into its cigar packaging06:02 Boveda first integrated branding06:59 Positioning Boveda at the foot of cigars07:21 A cigar naturally dries out from the foot to the cap08:38 Domain Neutron cigar's flavor notes12:13 Lessons learned from Sylvia the cigar roller14:18 People have begun valuing relationships post pandemic14:52 If we can't produce that cigar, we won't make it anymore16:49 Boveda branded cigar boxes18:04 Boveda saves Fuente Añejo cigarsWhat is Boveda? Cigar makers like Domain recommend Boveda 2-way humidity control for wherever you store cigars. Boveda preserves the flavor and character of premium cigars by keeping them at ideal humidity. Use Boveda B84 packets to season your wood humidor before adding cigars. And then keep cigars well-humidified with Boveda B69 packets in your humidor. Boveda prevents cigars from drying out and mold growth. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor and a perfect smoke from every cigar. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BovedaInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/?..

Jul 12, 202420 min

Ep 139Why Does the Bad Guy Smoke Cigars? | Alex Estrella, Actor | Porto Real Cigars | Box Press Ep. 139

Protect your cigars from bad guys like mold and low humidity by using Boveda in your humidor, click here to get emails: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0 Unlike a bad guy, his Maduro cigar won't kick you in the head. Discover Porto Real, actor Alex Estrella's boutique cigar brand. Porto Real cigars are tasty Dominican and Nicaragua blends that are affordable. Cigars are from $8 to $12.When playing a ne'er-do-well in a film or series, Alex would often smoke a cigar. (Hey, cigar smokers are not so bad!) So it's natural that the actor parlayed his love of smokes into a cigar biz. Alex and Boveda's Drew Emmer talk cigar storage and more at PCA 2024, the preeminent event for premium cigar and pipe industry.00:00 This is Box Press00:01 This IS the actor/producer Alex Estrella01:29 The actor who has a cigar brand and the cigar brand run by an actor02:31 Started in cigars when he started acting for TV03:05 Sampling the Porto Real Maduro cigar03:44 Maduro cigar that's not going to kick you in the head05:07 Living la vida loca06:02 A cigar is a moment of time spent with a friend06:18 Estrella watch Porto Real cigar edition based on his late dad's watch08:51 Why Boveda for cigars?11:15 Cigars don't have to be too expensive to be goodWhat is Boveda? Cigar makers recommend Boveda 2-way humidity control wherever you store cigars. Boveda preserves the flavor and character of premium cigars by keeping them at ideal humidity. Use Boveda B84 packets to season your wood humidor before adding cigars. And then keep cigars well-humidified with Boveda B69 packets in your humidor. Boveda prevents cigars from drying out and mold growth. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor and a perfect smoke from every cigar. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BovedaInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/?..

Jul 5, 202415 min

Ep 138The Cigar I'd Never Smoke | Abe Flores | PDR Cigars | Box Press Ep. 138

Protect the flavor and character of boutique cigars like PDR with Boveda. Click here to get emails: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0 Does the size of a cigar matter? Sure does for PDR founder Abe Flores. Find out if he prefers fatter stogies versus shorter, slimmer cigars. Then get cigar recommendations from this award-winning master blender. Looking for an accessible Cubanesque cigar? PDR (Puro Dominican Republic) blends Cuban traditions with boutique modern manufacturing . The cigar makers employ a complex tobacco rolling technique that originated in Cuba called “entubado.” The cigar roller rolls each filler leaf into a straw shape to fit a greater number of filler leaves into a PDR cigar, which results in amazing air flow.PDR's Flores talks with Boveda's Drew Emmer about protecting the condition of cigars at PCA 2024, the preeminent event for premium cigar and pipe industry.00:00 This is Box Press01:58 To buy instruments, I was selling cigars on the side03:36 Abe Flores already knew tech and marketing, needed to learn cigars04:23 Pinar del Rio, Cuba is where tobacco seeds are from06:41 #1 PDR cigar: El Criollito07:37 For My Humidor I Use Boveda08:43 Boveda maintains the perfect humidity for cigars 10:00 Bad humidor, no Boveda is very bad for cigars10:14 What's your favorite cigar?10:31 PDR 10th Anniversary Millefleurs Corona cigar11:06 Pepin Black Lancero cigar and 601 Green cigar11:25 Fuente Añejo Shark cigar What is Boveda? Master blenders recommend Boveda 2-way humidity control to protect cigars you store. Boveda preserves the flavor and character of premium cigars by keeping them at ideal humidity. Boveda humidor packets prevent cigars from drying out and mold growth. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor and a perfect smoke from every cigar. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BovedaInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/?..

Jun 28, 202412 min

Ep 137I'm a Sucker for Cameroon Wrappers | Arnoldo Serafin | Serafin de Cuba Cigars | Box Press Ep. 137

Protect the flavor and character of artisan cigars with Boveda. Find out how to use Boveda in your humidor, click here to get emails: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0 Cigar smokers in the Pacific Northwest, you made this Tampa cigar famous. Try the latest iteration of the Juan de Fuca cigar blended by Serafin de Cuba.Fourth generation cigar maker Arnoldo Serafin talks with Boveda's Drew Emmer about reviving forgotten cigar brands at PCA 2024, the preeminent event for premium cigar and pipe industry.00:00 This is Box Press00:09 Juan de Fuca cigars packaged with Boveda00:31 What is a Juan de Fuca cigar?00:47 Strait of Juan de Fuca in Pacific Northwest01:38 Why smoke a closed foot cigar01:56 Don Ramon 1917 Series cigar—cigar fit for a BOSS! Created to honor patriarch, Don Ramon Serafin, Jr. 02:18 How did you fall in love with cigars?04:23 Sweeter cigar, medium that's not too strong, not too harsh04:34 I'm a sucker for Cameroon wrappers06:00 How many fourth generation cigar makers are there?06:31 History of Tampa and cigars07:04 Prince of Wales cigars (Principe de Gales cigars)What is Boveda? Generations of cigar makers recommend Boveda 2-way humidity control to protect cigars you store. Boveda preserves the flavor and character of premium cigars by keeping them at ideal humidity. Boveda humidor packets prevent cigars from drying out and mold growth. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor and a perfect smoke from every cigar. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BovedaInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/?..

Jun 21, 20248 min

Ep 136Yacht Owner Traveled with Cigars in a Ziploc® | Cyril Brizard, Brizard & Co. | Box Press Ep. 136

So they're ready for cigars right away, Brizard & Co. ships humidors with Boveda's specialty seasoning packets. Brizard airflow humidors have compartments that position Boveda above and below the cigars to surround them in the idea humidity. Find out how to use Boveda in your humidor, click here to get emails: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0 Brizard & Co. makes premium cigar accessories from exotic woods and genuine leather. Manufacturing in Southern California allows Brizard & Co. to control the quality of their woodwork, leather work, and metal work.Founder of Brizard & Co., Cyril Brizard talks proper cigar storage with Boveda's Drew Emmer at PCA 2024, the preeminent event for premium cigar and pipe industry.00:00 This is Box Press01:05 People connect over cigars01:37 Brizard & Co. makes no mass produced humidors03:17 Southern California maker of high-end humidors, cigar cases, and lighters03:48 Brizard & Co. golf cigar collection04:09 Brizard & Co. luxury cowboy cigar collection06:09 From luxury toiletry cases to high-end cigar accessories06:37 ...but I travel with my cigars in a Ziploc® bag 10:58 First limited-edition luxury cigar case for OpusX for Carlito Fuente13:13 New Limited-Edition Fuente Black Pink cigar case14:46 Brizard & Co. airflow humidors designed for using Boveda to control humidity for cigarsWhat is Boveda? Humidor makers, like Brizard & Co. recommend Boveda 2-way humidity control wherever you store cigars. Boveda preserves the flavor and character of premium cigars by keeping them at ideal humidity. Use Boveda B84 packets to season your wood humidor before adding cigars. And then keep cigars well-humidified with Boveda B69 packets in your humidor. Boveda prevents cigars from drying out and mold growth. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor and a perfect smoke from every cigar. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BovedaInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/?..

Jun 14, 202417 min

Ep 135Would You Smoke a $100 Cigar Every Day? | Sans Pareil Cigars | David Swinburne | Box Press Ep. 135

Whether you're holding on to a $100 Sans Pareil Gold or a value smoke, preserve that cigar's flavor with Boveda, click here to get emails: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0 Sans Pareil is pronounced sahn-pah-rehy. (BTW, Boveda is pronounced boh-veh-dah.) Sans Pareil is French and translates to "without equal or unparalleled." Fitting for four lines of ultra-premium cigars that command $38 to $100 a stick. Should you save a Sans Pareil for a special occasion? Or work celebratory sticks into your cigar rotation? If you smoke luxury cigars regularly, do they lose their panache? David J. Swinburne, CEO and co-founder of Sans Pareil cigars talks luxury cigars and new releases with Boveda's Drew Emmer at PCA 2024, the preeminent event for premium cigar and pipe industry.00:00 This is Box Press00:12 NEW Green line of Sans Pareil Cigars01:51 Shout out to the Cedar Room Fine Cigars & Lounge, Scottsdale, Arizona02:54 Re-release of Super Lancero in the Sans Pareil Gold line04:48 New Sans Pareil Toro cigar, The Jeddo05:09 What Sans Pareil cigars should a new cigar smoker try? 05:54 Sans Pareil cigars origin story07:41 How the wrong humidity affects cigars—Sans Pareil cigars are packaged with Boveda09:51 What's next for Sans Pareil cigars?What is Boveda? Luxury cigar brands like Sans Pareil protect blends with Boveda 2-way humidity control—that brown pack that you find in the box with your cigars. Boveda preserves the flavor and character of premium cigars by keeping them at ideal humidity. At home, continue to use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor and a perfect smoke from every cigar. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BovedaInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/?..

Jun 7, 202411 min

Ep 133Best Bang for Your Buck Humidor | Remon Mansour | CigarBros | Box Press Ep. 133

What's in your humidor? Protect it with Boveda—sign up for cigar care tips here: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0 A whole lotta smart cigar storage in this one. Along with its popular 80-count model, CigarBros personal humidors are now available in 4 new sizes to keep 5, 10, 20, and 30 cigars. CigarBros founder Remon Mansour announced that retailers, like the online wine merchant, Wooden Cork are now carrying a prefilled CigarBros personal humidor. This heavy-duty black foam cigar vault is reusable but comes prefilled with premium cigars, like Oliva, Romeo Y Julieta, Acid, and more. Find out about how this family-owned humidor biz has taken off since CigarBros patented a stand-alone climate-controlled humidor to keep cigars fresh and well stocked for non-traditional cigar sellers, like gas stations, convenience stores, liquor stores, lounges, casinos, golf courses, etc.Remon talks to Boveda's Drew Emmer at PCA 2024, the preeminent event for premium cigar and pipe industry.00:00 This is Box Press00:31 Luck is when hard work meets opportunity00:57 Designed a stand-alone climate-controlled humidor for non-traditional cigar retailers03:17 Easy-to-use humidor that you don't have to season04:13 Airtight, waterproof affordable cigar humidor05:14 Soon to be available in 5 sizes to hold 5 cigars, 10, 20, 30 8006:11 New branded personal humidor that's prefilled with cigars and Boveda08:33 No more dry, damaged online cigars09:54 Wooden Cork online retailer carries cigar filled CigarBros personal humidors11:47 Making it easy for people to store cigars at home12:18 Finding affordable multiple personal humidors (great gift for cigar smokers)16:13 When do you replace Boveda? Every 3 monthsWhat is Boveda? Successful cigar storage starts with Boveda 2-way humidity control—that brown pack that you find in the box with your cigars. Boveda preserves the flavor and character of premium cigars by keeping them at ideal humidity. At home, continue to use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars from drying out. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor and a perfect smoke from every cigar. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BovedaInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/?..

May 24, 202416 min

Ep 132When Cuban Cigars Were King—Then What? | Jeremiah Meerapfel | Meerapfel Cigar | Box Press Ep. 132

If $60 cigars are stored with Boveda, shouldn't yours be? Click here to receive cigar care tips: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0 UberLuxury cigars are a new segment of premium cigars created by Jeremiah Meerapfel. His family's legendary Meerapfel Cameroon tobacco is touted as the most exclusive wrapper in the world. This fifth generation cigar man talks how his family evolved cigar smokers beyond Cubans toward New World Cigars (AKA cigars originating from any country that isn't Cuba!). Meerapfel and Boveda's Drew Emmer talk cigars and Boveda at PCA 2024, the preeminent event for premium cigar and pipe industry.00:00 This is Box Press02:40 Responsibilities come with being the patriarch of a family, a company04:33 Amassment is a word06:34 Combatting Cuban cigars with non-Cuban New World cigars08:00 Cigars followed the same trajectory as wine08:55 Sad that my father isn't next to me13:32 How the cigar craft has changed over 20 years16:07 Say NO to big cigar ring gauges17:15 Wrapper is the most expensive part of a cigar20:40 Pricing Meerapfel cigars created mayhem in the company35:33 There's magic fairy dust in handcrafted premium cigars37:20 If you want to smoke a perfect cigar, store it first with Boveda What is Boveda? Premium and UberLuxury cigar brands like Meerapfel Cigar protect blends with Boveda 2-way humidity control—that brown pack that you find in the box with your cigars. Boveda preserves the flavor and character of premium cigars by keeping them at ideal humidity. At home, continue to use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars from drying out. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor and a perfect smoke from every cigar. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BovedaInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/?..

May 17, 202438 min

Ep 131Cigar Newbies & Boutique Chasers— 👀 Patina's Connecticut | Mo Maali | Box Press Ep. 131

Keep the cigars you buy from drying out, use Boveda. Click here to get cigar care tips: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0 Mo reveals a new release for Patina Cigars! Founder of Patina Cigars, Mo Maali believes a cigar is a two-hour vacation, a cost-effective psychiatrist session, and a barrier-breaker. Cigars ARE the best way to bring people together, including Mo and Boveda's Drew Emmer at PCA 2024, the preeminent event for premium cigar and pipe industry.00:00 This is Box Press00:14 A COVID podcast that launched Patina Cigars01:30 NEW RELEASE: Patina Oro de Nicaragua cigar02:17 Unique cigar wrapper to try03:07 Dream of owning your own cigar line?04:27 Nicaraguan American supplies tobacco—shout out to cigar makers Raul Disla and Gus Cura 05:06 Giving Boveda a try when you store cigars05:48 Shout out to James Brown of Black Label Trading09:39 Patina represents age and beauty17:14 New to cigars? Or so-so on Connecticuts? Pick up a Patina Connecticut cigarWhat is Boveda? Boutique cigar brands like Patina Cigars protect blends with Boveda 2-way humidity control—that brown pack that you find in the box with your cigars. Boveda preserves the flavor and character of premium cigars by keeping them at ideal humidity. At home, continue to use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars from drying out. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor and a perfect smoke from every cigar. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BovedaInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/?..

May 15, 202418 min

Ep 130Chase this Discontinued Cigar | Nicholas Melillo | Foundation Cigar Co. | Box Press Ep. 130

Cigar loving wise men (and women) preserve the flavor, aroma, and character of sticks with Boveda, click here to get emails: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0 Foundation is no longer making the El Güegüense cigar nor the original Wise Man Maduro blend. In their place, find out what Nicholas Melillo, Foundation founder has in store for lovers of this popular boutique brand of thoughtfully blended, hand-rolled cigars. See what's new for Foundation cigars with Boveda's Drew Emmer at PCA 2024, the preeminent event for premium cigar and pipe industry.00:00 This is Box Press00:12 Nick Melillo riffs on Robert Caldwell02:58 Connecticut gets a bad rap04:32 Shout out to Foundation's Olmec cigars and Cigar Jones, Minnetonka, Minnesota06:01 Hiphop and cigars07:01 Foundation music video by The Reminders filmed in A.J. Fernandez factory, on the fields 08:01 Worked cigar retail in Hamden, Connecticut08:26 Discontinuing El Güegüense cigar09:56 New Foundation cigars The Wise Man Maduro and Corojo15:57 PCA 2025 trade show April 11-14 in New Orleans16:04 Foundation Cigar's 10th anniversary is comingWhat is Boveda? Boutique cigar brands like Foundation Cigar Co. protect blends with Boveda 2-way humidity control—that brown pack that you find in the box with your cigars. Boveda preserves the flavor and character of premium cigars by keeping them at ideal humidity. At home, continue to use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor and a perfect smoke from every cigar. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BovedaInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/?..

May 10, 202416 min

Ep 129Why I Sold My Company | Robert Caldwell | Caldwell Cigar Co. | Box Press Ep. 129

Long Live the King! Learn how to preserve cigars with Boveda, click here to get emails: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0 After running Caldwell Cigar Co., for a decade, Robert Caldwell and co-founder, Juan Jaramillo sold the company to Laudisi Enterprises. How will your favorite Caldwell cigars, like Blind Man's Bluff and Anastasia be affected? Find out directly from Robert himself. By acquiring the boutique cigar brand, Laudisi is branching out from the premium pipes and pipe tobacco arenas. Catch the whole story with Boveda's Drew Emmer at PCA 2024, the preeminent event for premium cigar and pipe industry.00:00 This is Box Press00:33 Caldwell Cigar founders sell their cigar company03:14 Smoking the Caldwell Long Live The Queen Maduro04:34 How do you go from being an owner-operated business to not?07:46 Is Robert Caldwell still running Caldwell cigars? 08:56 What's you sweet spot?10:40 Video bomb by Nicholas Melillo, Foundation Cigar Co. What is Boveda? Boutique cigars like Caldwells protect blends with Boveda 2-way humidity control—that brown pack that you find in the box with your cigars. Boveda preserves the flavor and character of premium cigars by keeping them at ideal humidity. At home, continue to use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor and a perfect smoke from every cigar. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BovedaInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/?..

May 8, 202411 min

Ep 128Cigars for Wine Lovers | Somm Cigars | Vlad Stojanov | Box Press Ep. 128

Missing something from your cigars? Learn what humidity has to do with cigar flavors, click here to get Boveda emails: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0 Connoisseurs of fine wines who love cigars, this cigar talk is for you. Get in the know on Somm's limited-release boutique cigars. Somm is short for sommelier. Somm's lines are named after wines and blended to tap into your palate for wine and cigars. BDX is Red Bordeaux. BDX Blanc is White Bordeaux. Rioja Blend is inspired by the eponymous Spanish wine region. And the Premier Cru - Limited Edition is a rarified 3,000 release of cigars for wine lovers.Who knew sommeliers (pro wine experts) are also schooled in cigar tasting? Pick up 3 tips on how to taste your cigars better from Vlad Stojanov, founder of Somm Cigars. Hosted by Boveda's Drew Emmer at PCA 2024, the preeminent event for premium cigar and pipe industry.00:00 This is Box Press00:22 How to correctly light a cigar AKA toast the foot of your cigar00:37 Light the edges of your cigar first03:33 First cigar? Cuban Punch Punch05:37 Somm Cigars has 3 limited-production cigar blends08:24 Great gift for cigar lovers: THE CIGAR, FROM SOIL TO SOUL by Didier Houvenaghel10:29 Why you retrohale a cigar17:18 Train your palate to taste cigar better23:25 5-pack cigar bundle25:40 Is a big cigar better than two shorter cigars?27:49 Somm Cigars use rare Honduran Broadleaf 34:19 Which RH is right for your cigars?35:08 Does a cigar's humidity affect how it smokes?What is Boveda? Premium cigars like Somm Cigars protect their blends with Boveda 2-way humidity control—that brown pack that you find in the box with your cigars. Boveda preserves the flavor and character of premium cigars by keeping them at ideal humidity. At home, continue to use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor and a perfect smoke from every cigar. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BovedaInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/?..

May 3, 202443 min

Ep 127How I Saved My Cigar Collection | Michael Herklots | Ferio Tego | Box Press Ep. 127

Never miss cigar care reveals. Click here for Boveda's email insider news: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0 Who are you gonna call to save a massive cigar collection you have to take possession of in a few weeks? Find what Michael Herklots did as he takes you through launching his storied cigar brand, Ferio Tego. Ferio Tego is behind Elegancia and Generoso cigars and the cigar maker that brought back best-selling legendary cigar lines, including Metropolitan. Michael is the co-founder of Ferio Tego. He sat down with Drew Emmer, Boveda's guru of strategic relationships at PCA 2024, the preeminent event for premium cigar and pipe industry. 00:00 This is Box Press00:09 What cigar is Drew smoking? Ferio Tego 2023 Elegancia cigar06:12 Ferio Tego cigar launch06:38 Cigar lines predate the company09:48 Only 5 guys in the room could pull this off11:56 Cigar retailer, now a cigar brand owner14:16 Reach back and lend a hand up18:00 What's a boutique cigar brand?18:57 What does Ferio Tego mean?19:39 How many cigar brands does Ferio Tego have?20:39 Michael Herklots invited to cigar icons' Boveda For My Humidor20:58 Ferio Tego 5-pack cigar is coming back!21:49 Michael's first paid gig as a drummer in Boston was at a Fuente cigar event 22:16 Every cigar I own is protected by Boveda22:38 Need help with cigar humidity, who you gonna call?23:21 What Ferio Tego cigar to try firstWhat is Boveda? Storied cigars brands like Ferio Tego protect their blends with Boveda 2-way humidity control—that brown pack that you find in the box with your cigars. Boveda preserves the flavor and character of premium cigars by keeping them at ideal humidity. At home, continue to use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor and a perfect smoke from every cigar. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BovedaInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/?..

May 1, 202424 min

Ep 126Powerhouse Cigar Roundtable | Litto & Tony Gomez | LFD Cigars | Box Press Ep. 126

Never miss cigar greatness. Click here for Boveda's email insider news: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0 It's like having a smoke in a cigar lounge WITH 5 CIGAR NOTABLES. Light up you best celebratory cigar (perhaps La Flor Dominicana Andalusian Bull, rated #1 cigar of 2016 by Cigar Aficionado, BTW?) for this virtual smoke sesh featuring:- Cigar Aficionado Hall of Famer Litto Gomez, Co-owner of La Flor Dominicana (LFD)- Tony Gomez, LFD Vice President- Sean Knutsen, Boveda CEO- Tim Swail, Boveda Executive VP of Sales- Drew Emmer, Guru of Strategic RelationshipsOne of the top premium cigar brands, LFD creates some of the strongest smoking profiles and full-flavored Dominican cigars around. LFD is known for its consistency thanks to the cigar maker's vertical integration—from farming its own tobacco to producing its own cigars in its own factory. LFD's highly skilled artisanal cigar rollers produce distinctive cigar shapes and limited-edition designs. Recorded at PCA 2024, the preeminent event for premium cigar and pipe industry. 00:00 This is Box Press08:28 What's it like to be Litto Gomez's son?13:00 Creating a successful cigar business from nothing20:31 Litto Gomez knew nothing about cigars when he started in the cigar business20:54 Versace silk shirts, gold chains and Dominican cigars24:59 Litto and Ines Gomez cold called cigar stores 29:31 The cigar brand that didn't grow during the 1990s cigar boom32:40 You'll know you made it when you don't pay the bill35:06 A cigar maker is only as good as your last cigar37:58 $100 cigar—what a cigar should cost38:23 LFD Cameroon Cabinet #342:09 Creating the world's first cigar NFT and Alex Martinez of Mane Street Cigars46:42 The Cigar Merchant in Atlanta was an early adopter of LFD cigars50:53 Tony surprised Litto Gomez with a 70th birthday party on the eve of the 2024 PCA Show56:58 Litto Gomez made his own vacuum chamber1:00 Litto Gomez talks about his dad's factory accident1:08 Tale of two different perspectives on life1:14 LFD cigars and Boveda 2-way humidity controlWhat is Boveda? Legendary cigars brands like LFD protect their blends with Boveda 2-way humidity control—that brown pack that you find in the box with your cigars. Boveda preserves the flavor and character of premium cigars by keeping them at ideal humidity. At home, continue to use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor and a perfect smoke from every cigar. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BovedaInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/?..

Apr 27, 20241h 15m

Ep 125!Celebramos! Cinco De Mayo with Casa 1910 Cigars, Tequila & Mariachi | Box Press Ep. 125

Good cigar talk? Learn more about cigar storage with Boveda. Click here to get emails: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0 Casa 1910—THE Cinco De Mayo cigar of choice!Add this cigar trip to your bucket list: Miami, Florida, Cinco De Mayo (Cinco De Dade!) for tequila and Casa 1910's new Mexigars—affordable bundled cigars that “encapsulate the essence of Mexico, using diverse seeds, tobaccos, and fermentations to create unique flavor profiles.” Manolo Santiago, co-founder of Casa 1910 cigars joins Boveda's Drew Emmer to discuss Mexico's storied tobacco history. Learn about Casa 1910's premium aged cigars, too, which are named after heroes, sheroes, and events celebrating the Mexican Revolution.00:00 This is Box Press01:05 La Coronela cigar has a lot of flavor transitions02:58 What's it like to start a new cigar company?03:33 Mexico has amazing tobacco03:49 Manolo is from Jalisco, Mexico—the land of tequila and Mariachi05:04 3 Casa 1910 premium cigar lines06:02 What's a Mexigar, the tasty affordable Mexican cigar?08:18 Soldaderas were women who participated in the Mexican Revolution10:28 Cinco de Mayo in Miami with Reserva de la Familia11:02 Casa 1910 Experience13:15 Keeping Casa 1910 cigars at the ideal humidity with Boveda 2-way humidity controlWhat is Boveda? Premium cigars brands like Casa 1910 protect their blends with Boveda 2-way humidity control—that brown pack that you find in the box with your cigars. Boveda preserves the flavor and character of premium cigars by keeping them at ideal humidity. At home, continue to use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor and a perfect smoke from every cigar. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BovedaInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/?..

Apr 24, 202414 min

Ep 123Hot Topic—Fire-Cured Tobacco Farming in Tennessee | Jennifer Davis | Box Press Ep. 123

Learn about the sweat equity that goes into fire-curing tobacco for cigars. See baby tobacco plants grow and mature. And hear how a tobacco plant becomes cigar ready in this field trip to a tobacco farm on the central northern border of Tennessee with cigar connoisseur Rob Gagner and Tennessee realtor/historian Jennifer Davis. What is Boveda? Craft cigars brands and big name cigar companies protect their blends with Boveda 2-way humidity control—that brown pack that you find in the box with your cigars. Boveda preserves the flavor and character of premium cigars by keeping them at ideal humidity. At home, continue to use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor and a perfect smoke from every cigar. Get more cigar tips and news from Boveda emails: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BovedaInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/?.. 00:00 This is Box Press00:17 How tobacco seeds are started00:30 What do tobacco seeds look like?00:38 How do you plant tobacco?00:49 Staking fresh tobacco leaves01:21 See inside a fire-cured tobacco barn in Tennessee03:05 Every piece of wood holds generations of memories03:56 You're not a man until you've had a man's **** in your face04:17 See where tobacco was processed and auctioned off05:45 Loose leaf floors are now full of antiques bought with tobacco money

Mar 25, 20247 min

Ep 122No Cigar Man is An Island | Cigar Family Charitable Foundation | Box Press Ep. 122

OpusX, Chateau Fuente, Julius Caeser, Cuesta-Rey, shall we go on? You wouldn't have Dominican cigars without the Dominican people.The mountainous agricultural Bonao region of the Dominican Republic, however, suffers from extreme poverty, an inadequate educational system, and poor water quality, which greatly affects people's health. Two giants in premium cigars—Carlos “Carlito” P. Fuente, Jr., chairman of Arturo Fuente Cigars and Eric Newman, president of J.C. Newman Cigar Company—set out to change all that. In the D.R., the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation (CFCF) has funded the creation of a 23-acre campus with a K-12 school, community kitchen, medical and dental clinics, sports facilities, an organic farm and fishery, and local infrastructure improvements for the region. Tony Kattengell, vice president of sales and marketing for The LEAGUE and Dellas Edmisten Jr, global technical manager for Infinera represent CFCF in this interview with Boveda's Drew Emmer. Learn how to give your time, talents, and tax deductible donations to improve the lives of people who create your cigars, visit https://cf-cf.org/ways-to-donate/. Boveda is a proud contributor to the CFCF.What is Boveda? Luxury and craft cigars brands protect their blends with Boveda 2-way humidity control—that brown pack that you find in the box with your cigars. Boveda preserves the flavor and character of premium cigars by keeping them at ideal humidity. At home, continue to use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor and a perfect smoke from every cigar. Get more cigar tips and news from Boveda emails: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BovedaInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/?.. 00:00 Never risk your cigars, use Boveda 00:30 This is Box Press02:14 Bring two rival communities together in the D.R.02:45 First step to help children in need—educate their parents03:11 Happy Montesino Monday!07:12 We're changing lives by breaking the chain of poverty09:07 The first thing CFFC worked on was providing clean water12:41 It's not about the cigars, it's about the people13:13 Arturo Sandoval heading musical arts14:21 Motivation gets you started, discipline keeps you going14:49 We're building leaders, not followers15:12 How to contribute talent, time, and money to the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation

Mar 4, 202419 min

Ep 121Be Present: Conscious Living Through Cigars | Reinhard Pohorec, Meerapfel Cigar | Box Press Ep. 121

Ready to get metaphysical over cigars? "Everything is an experience," says sensory expert and cigar passionado Reinhard Pohorec. And what a vision quest this entrepreneur is on since he joined UberLuxury cigar brand Meerapfel as its vice president. You might recognize Reinhard as host of the live cigar podcast, Light 'em Up Lounge, where he talks to cigar insiders. Tables turn as Boveda's Drew Emmer interviews Reinhard to talk first cigars, work-life balance, and finding your purpose. What is Boveda? Luxury and craft cigars brands protect their blends with Boveda 2-way humidity control—that brown pack that you find in the box with your cigars. Boveda preserves the flavor and character of premium cigars by keeping them at ideal humidity. At home, continue to use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor and a perfect smoke from every cigar. Get more cigar tips and news from Boveda emails: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BovedaInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/?..

Feb 19, 202434 min

Ep 120Get Spiritual with Apostate Cigars, Brandon Oveson | Box Press Ep. 120

Are Apostate Cigars God's gift to cigar smokers? Prepare to be converted by this boutique cigar maker whose blends are based on the symbolism of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Founded by former LSD members, Brandon Oveson and Kendrick Woolstenhulme, Apostate Cigars are blended at Jochy Blanco's Tabacalera Palma cigar factory in the Dominican Republic. Boveda's Drew Emmer interviewed Brandon to delve into these D.R. cigars created for flavor, not strength. What is Boveda? Large and small cigars brands protect their blends with Boveda 2-way humidity control—that brown pack that you find in the box with your cigars. Boveda preserves the flavor and character of premium cigars by keeping them at ideal humidity. At home, continue to use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor and perfect smoke from every cigar. Get more cigar tips and news from Boveda emails: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BovedaInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/?.. 00:00 Never risk your cigars, use Boveda 00:30 This is Box Press01:16 Apostate's Deseret cigar01:58 Cigar makers met at Beehive Cigars in Salt Lake City02:18 Apostate's Zarahemla cigar AKA that Z cigar02:51 Jochy Blanco cigars03:34 Utah cigar brand reference to Mormon mythology09:59 Why a Candela shouldn’t just be a St. Patrick’s Day novelty cigar12:11 Best selling Apostate cigar is the Deseret13:58 There's no bad cigar—that's not for me, but I know somebody who would love it16:58 "It's not about the cigar, it's about what the cigar does."18:17 What were Brandon's cigar go-tos at Beehive Cigars? 20:58 Where's Apostate isn't doing multiple sizes per tobacco blend21:39 A good draw makes all the difference in the world

Feb 5, 202425 min

Ep 119Green Bay: Home to Lovely Cigars and the Packers | Box Press Ep. 119

Green Bay isn't just about football. Now this is some wild card—an upstart cigar company outta Green Bay, Wisconsin! Learn about Green Bay's rich history of cigar making that's been revived by the Lovely Cigars, a midwestern artisan cigar brand. Boveda's Drew Emmer talks cigars and Green Bay with two of Lovely's owners, Keith Archiquette and Dylan Masse, who along with Mike Gehm developed the Elegante X2 Ain't They Lovely stick and the No. 162, which is an homage cigar to union workers. Lovely Cigars are hand rolled in Nicaraguan. What is Boveda? Large and small cigars brands protect their blends with Boveda 2-way humidity control—that brown pack that you find in the box with your cigars. Boveda preserves the flavor and character of premium cigars by keeping them at ideal humidity. At home, continue to use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor and perfect smoke from every cigar. Get more cigar tips and news from Boveda emails: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BovedaInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/?.. 00:00 Never risk your cigars, use Boveda 00:30 This is Box Press03:50 Lovely Cigars brought an old cigar brand back to life04:19 The Green Bay cigar brand is available in 14 states04:27 What's the Elegante X2 Ain't They Lovely like?06:10 Cigar company was created sitting at a picnic table and smoking cigars with friends07:16 Give us a good draw because we don't want to work to smoke a cigar09:29 Shout out to Stogies on Grand, cigar shop in St. Paul, Minnesota10:28 No. 162 Cigar named after UA 162, United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry, which started in Green Bay 12:17 Boveda encourages upstart cigar brands14:52 We're selling the history of U.S. cigar making16:05 Growing tobacco in Wisconsin16:38 When in town, the visit Neville Public Museum to learn more about Wisconsin cigar making

Jan 22, 202419 min

Ep 117Glaciers, Lakes, Volcanos & Cigars | Nick Melillo, Foundation Cigars | Box Press Ep. 117

Know why tobacco grows well in Connecticut? Or what revitalized Nicaraguan cigars? Or why a layer of sand on top of clay makes a great foundation for a tobacco plant? Learn cigar facts, how to pronounce Foundation's award-winning El Güegüense Cigar and more. Go deeper into the history of the cigar Motherland of Nicaragua with Foundation Cigars Founder/Owner, Nick Melillo and Boveda's Drew Emmer.What is Boveda? Premium cigars brands protect their blends with Boveda 2-way humidity control—that brown pack that you find in the box with your cigars. Boveda preserves the flavor and character of premium cigars by keeping them at ideal humidity. At home, continue to use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor and perfect smoke from every cigar. Get more cigar tips and news from Boveda emails: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/ X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BovedaInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/?..00:00 This is Box Press01:09 Creating the first All-Nicaraguan blend—El Güegüense cigar01:45 Smoking a Foundation Olmec Cigar03:09 Do you put a cigar in the blue flame of a lighter?04:09 Are you supposed to puff on a cigar a lot? 04:25 Low humidity changes how a cigar smokes, burns and tastes05:43 Nick Melillo worked at a cigar shop through college07:41 How Nick Melillo met, started blending tobacco and making cigars with Jonathan Drew, Drew Estate Cigars18:37 How do you say El Güegüense cigar?19:54 Are Nicaraguan cigars good?23:35 Why is tobacco grown in Connecticut?25:31 What's does the Foundation Cigar logo mean?28:30 What cigars does Nick Melillo smoke most out from his own brand?30:19 Olmec Cigar honors the first cigar smokers32:07 Foundation packaging complements the tobacco blends33:01 How can tobacco shops get new customers? 34:06 How to make you first cigar experience a good one34:56 Joe Rogan and Foundation Cigars' Joe Rogan Special Cigar Blend35:25 Cigar smoking brings people togetherLearn more about:Nicaragua's El Güegüense here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UtXF9uRB-sOlmec civilization: https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/olmec-civilization/

Jan 8, 202439 min

Ep 118Get Ya New York Style Cigars Here | Debut! West Side Story Cigars | Box Press Ep. 118

FIRST IN A NYC CIGAR SERIES—2 BLENDS, 1 BOX. Pick your side. Baseball bat cigars or knife cigars? Get ready to rumble over cigars named after the weapons of choice by rival gangs in West Side Story, 1957 play/1961 movie/2021 reboot. The 20-count boxes of West Side Story cigars feature both blends, which you can tell apart by their secondary bands. You get 10 blue bats (Mexican San Andres) and 10 red knives (Brazilian Arapiraca). Blended and hand rolled in New York City, West Side Story cigars are a collaboration between Martinez Cigar Factory and Amendola Family Cigars. Rob Gagner interviews Owner of Martinez Cigar Factory, Jesus Martinez, and Co-owners of Amendola Family Cigars, Jeff Amendola and Chris Monaco. What is Boveda? Boutique cigars brands and large manufacturers protect their blends with Boveda 2-way humidity control—that brown pack that you find in the box with your cigars. Boveda preserves the flavor and character of premium cigars by keeping them at ideal humidity. At home, continue to use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor and perfect smoke from every cigar. Get more cigar tips and news from Boveda emails: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/ X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BovedaInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/?..00:00 Never risk your cigars, use Boveda 00:30 This is Box Press00:45 Shopping for cigars in NYC? Visit Martinez Cigar Factory, 171 W 29th St off of West Side Hwy01:14 Made the Hangry for Luxury Cigar Club01:29 First generation cigar blender, Jeffrey Amendola, founder and co-owner of Amendola Family Cigar Co.02:19 Learned how to roll in Miami's Ybor City03:19 Creating the West Side Story cigar04:05 Toast to the NYC cigar with Jeffrey Amendola and Chris Monaco04:19 Why is it called the West Side Story cigar?04:46 Box of cigars with two different kinds of cigars inside05:28 Choice your weapon—baseball bat cigar or knife cigar05:47 NYC cigar release party

Dec 22, 20237 min

Ep 116Does A Cigar Have to Be Perfect? | Quesada Cigars | Box Press Ep. 116

But dad, why? Every daughter has said it. When Raquel Quesada entered the family business, she questioned why good wasn't good enough when it came to making premium cigars. She soon learned that construction, consistency, and quality have to be perfect, especially if your father is Cigar Aficionado Hall of Famer, Manuel (Manolo) Quesada. Raquel is among the fifth generation producing the Dominican premium brand, which includes Quesada, Casa Magna, Vega Magna, and Oktoberfest cigars. Find out why humidity control is key to enjoying a Quesada cigar to its fullest from father-daughter cigar makers and Boveda's Drew Emmer.What is Boveda? Premium cigars brands like Quesada protect their blends with Boveda 2-way humidity control—that brown pack that you find in the box with your cigars. Boveda preserves the flavor and character of premium cigars by keeping them at ideal humidity. At home, continue to use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor and perfect smoke from every cigar. Get more cigar tips and news from Boveda emails: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/ X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BovedaInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/?..00:00 Never risk your cigars, use Boveda 00:30 This is Box Press02:07 Where can you buy Boveda in Madrid, Spain?02:30 Why store cigars with Boveda03:23 Connection happens over a cigar05:17 Watch Manuel Quesada's For My Humidor here: https://vimeo.com/73875930305:37 Raquel Quesada is the first woman featured in a Boveda For My Humidor ad06:41 The Quesada cigar that's not your typical Connecticut08:11 Release of the Casa Magna XV Anniversary11:45 Where can you find a Quesada Salomon Oktoberfest cigar

Dec 11, 202318 min

Ep 115INNOVATION! Fresh Take on Where You Buy Cigars | CigarBros | Box Press Ep. 115

Picture choosing your own premium cigar from a fully stocked humidor while you fill your tank. And it's a smoke you want to smoke, not some rocket dog. Think Montecristo, Oliva, Cohiba, Rocky Patel, or other aficionado-approved cigar. CigarBros founder Remon Mansour is making it easier for you to buy cigars where you already go—non-traditional cigar sellers, like gas stations, convenience stores, liquor stores, lounges, casinos, golf courses, etc. The company provides a patented stand-alone climate-controlled humidor, which is how it keeps cigars fresh, then keeps it stocked with premium smokes. Hear all about it in this cigar talk with Boveda's Drew Emmer. NEW! JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS. Check out the affordable Personal Humidor on the CigarBros website. Practical cigar storage for the cigar lover in your life. What is Boveda? Cigar retailers preserve the flavor and character of their hand-rolled cigars with CigarBros Commercial Humidor. At home, use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast, or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor from every cigar. Boveda has been keeping cigars tasting great for more than 25 years. Age and store premium cigars with Boveda in your humidor. No humidor? Pick up a Boveda Humidor Bag for easy, portable cigar storage. Get more cigar tips and news from Boveda emails: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BovedaIncInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/?..00:00 Never risk your cigars, use Boveda 00:30 This is Box Press04:54 How retailers can keep cigars fresh06:27 Stand-alone humidor changes how and where you buy cigars07:25 Buy cigars from a self-contained humidor in a liquor store, convenience store, gas station, casinos, hotel, golf course, etc. 09:18 How to buy a cigar if you're a new cigar smoker10:30 If someone has a bad first cigar experience, it's game over11:25 Getting started with cigars15:46 Does this take business away from brick-and-mortar cigar stores?21:01 Try Boveda Humidor bags once to keep your cigars in perfect condition21:50 Cigar gift bag that's a portable travel humidor23:36 How to store cigars at home without the hassle—CigarBros Personal Humidor, which comes preloaded with Boveda

Dec 4, 202329 min

Ep 113Is Cigar Club Right For You? | Boveda Cigar Club Week | Box Press Ep. 113

Walking into a cigar shop's humidor can be intimidating. As a member of the Cigar Club, you get curated premium cigars auto-shipped right to you every month. The way to go for new smokers, busy smokers, or cigar smokers who don't live near a decent tobacco shop. You can specify the types of cigars you favor—mild-medium, medium, full, or a variety of all three (3). There's also a bi-monthly subscription of limited-edition blends developed by the club called Cigar Club Customs. Or sign up for a quarterly premium subscription of high-end cigars via Cigar Club Black.Cigar Club membership subscriptions make the perfect gift for a cigar lover in your life from new cigar smokers or aficionados. Boveda's Drew Emmer interviews Cigar Club podcaster, host, David Pugh. Why do cigar clubs package cigar shipments with Boveda?The crew at Cigar Club wants you to experience the full flavor, aroma, and character of those cigars they vet for your subscription. Boveda keeps premium cigars at the ideal humidity, which preserves the nuances of the blends and protects the tobacco, so you'll enjoy a perfect smoke as soon as your cigars arrive. Whether you store your cigars in a humidor, tupperdor, cooler, wineador, or humidor bag, use Boveda to protect your passion.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BovedaIncInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/?...Get more cigar tips and news from Boveda emails:: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF000:00 Never risk your cigars, use Boveda00:30 This is Box Press00:52 Origin story of Cigar Club01:56 Shout out to former Bovedian, Ramsey Cronin, Cigar Club videographer02:13 Is Cigar Club worth it?03:50 Does Cigar Club send new cigars brands or just traditional blends?04:11 Cigar Club Black is a quarterly premium cigar subscription 04:58 Sign up for a cigar subscriptions at cigarclub.com05:17 Cigar Club Customs is a bi-monthly subscription featuring blends developed by Cigar Club 06:00 Why Cigar Club's podcaster, David Pugh only uses Boveda in his personal cigar humidor07:16 Launched first AI-blended cigar, Havana Gold, perfected by TABACALERA LA iSLA's Hostos Fernandez for Cigar Club

Nov 16, 20239 min

Ep 112Is Standard & Twain Cigar Club Right For You? | Boveda Cigar Club Week | Box Press Ep. 112

Standard & Twain is the 1st blind tasting cigar subscription. Like a surprise? The cigars' brand bands are removed to do away with hype, bias, and your own pre-conceived notions. You smoke the cigar for the cigar. Afterward, scan the QR code on the S&T band to reveal what cigar you just smoked. The cigar club for you if you want to discover hidden gems, develop your own palate, and cut through the noise of shopping for cigars. Just fill out a quick cigar quiz, then choose how often you want to receive the mystery cigars—either every month or every two months. Each delivery is packaged with Boveda to protect the cigars' flavor and character. Cigar club gift subscriptions are available for the cigar lover in your life.Rob Gagner interviewed Standard & Twain's founder, Kellen Gorbett on location in Tennessee. Why do cigar clubs package cigar shipments with Boveda?The Standard & Twain cigar club ships your sticks with Boveda, so you can experience the full flavor, aroma, and character of each blind taste test. Boveda keeps premium cigars at the ideal humidity, which preserves the nuances of the blends and protects the tobacco, so you'll enjoy a perfect smoke as soon as your cigars arrive. Whether you store your cigars in a humidor, tupperdor, cooler, wineador, or humidor bag, use Boveda to protect your passion.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BovedaIncInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/?...Get more cigar tips and news from Boveda emails:: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF000:00 Never risk your cigars, use Boveda00:30 This is Box Press03:54 What's a sharp cigar?09:32 Is marketing, branding, and labels changing cigars?10:37 Origin story of Standard & Twain Cigar Club11:59 When you blind smoke a cigar, you have to focus on what's happening15:26 Does price influence how much you enjoy a cigar?17:33 What affects a cigar's price?17:44 S&T highlights a cigar factory in factory-reveal shipment20:43 "Concerning Tobacco" by Mark Twain23:06 "Cigar Aficionado" blind cigar tastings23:53 You scan the QR code on the cigar to see what you smoked26:44 Cigar reveal29:07 Have you ever recycled a cigar?

Nov 15, 202331 min

Ep 111Is Privada Cigar Club Right For You? | Boveda Cigar Club Week | Box Press Ep. 111

If you crave cigars, knowledge, and community, Privada Cigar Club is for you. Every month as a member, you'll get three (3) of limited-edition cigars, many are exclusive sizes and blends. All of which have been aged at the ideal humidity using Boveda to protect the cigars as their flavors meld and mature. With those curated cigars, you'll receive tasting notes, pairing notes, and stories of how those cigars came to be, plus personal insights from the cigar blenders who created the month's selection. You'll join thousands of Privada members who share a similar cigar experience each month, then connect about it online.Boveda's Drew Emmer interviews Privada Cigar Club founder, Brian Desind.Why do cigar clubs package cigar shipments with Boveda?Not only does Privada Cigar Club age its cigars with Boveda, it ships your cigars with the cigar protection, too. Brian Desind wants you to experience the full flavor, aroma, and character of Privada's curated rare cigars. Boveda keeps premium cigars at the ideal humidity, which preserves the nuances of the blends and protects the tobacco, so you'll enjoy a perfect smoke as soon as your cigars arrive. Whether you store your cigars in a humidor, tupperdor, cooler, wineador, or humidor bag, use Boveda to protect your passion.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BovedaIncInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/?...Get more cigar tips and news from Boveda emails:: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0A cigar club membership subscription makes the perfect gift for a cigar lover in your life. 00:00 Never risk your cigars, use Boveda00:30 This is Box Press00:46 Privada Cigar Club started with a downsizing and a cross-country move02:23 "This guy just wants free cigars."03:47 People didn't know the value of limited-edition cigars08:07 Friends are people who get to know you and still like you.09:27 No membership tiers at Privada Cigar Club—everyone gets 3 cigars a month10:17 Privada Method of aging and storing cigars with Boveda10:51 As a Privada member, you get the full story on the cigars—why it was made, who it was made by, tasting notes, pairing notes, and more14:39 Privada's online community is a vibrant group of cigar lovers 15:46 Join Privada Cigar Club at privadacigarclub.com16:45 Once Privada hits a certain membership number, it will close17:57 Limited Cigar Association was created by Privada to encourage its members to buy limited-edition cigars at participating brick-and-mortar shops

Nov 14, 202320 min

Ep 110Is Luxury Cigar Club Right For You? | Boveda Cigar Club Week | Box Press Ep. 110

BOVEDA SPECIAL! Sign up for Luxury Cigar Club with coupon code BOVEDA and get FREE shipping on your first cigar shipment! A cigar club membership subscription makes the perfect gift for a cigar lover in your life. BOVEDA CIGAR CLUB WEEK kicks off with Luxury Cigar Club. Choose among 4 tiers to have 3 to 5 cigars delivered to you every month—all shipped with Boveda cigar protection. Expect up-and-coming cigar brands; boutique artisanal cigars, such as Crowned Heads, Tatuaje, Foundation; and club exclusives, like the Viva La Vida Lancero or Choshi. Luxury is also the exclusive cigar club for Atabey cigars—some of the most Cubanesque cigars around today.Boveda's Drew Emmer interviews Luxury Cigar Club co-founders, Ben Rotem and Chris Doyle.Why do cigar clubs package cigar shipments with Boveda?Luxury Cigar Club hand-picks the vitolas it sends to members every month. The founders want you to experience the full flavor, aroma, and character of those select cigars. Boveda keeps premium cigars at the ideal humidity, which preserves the nuances of the blends and protects the tobacco, so you'll enjoy a perfect smoke as soon as your cigars arrive. Whether you store your cigars in a humidor, tupperdor, cooler, wineador, or humidor bag, use Boveda to protect your passion.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BovedaIncInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/?...Get more cigar tips and news from Boveda emails:: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF000:00 Never risk your cigars, use Boveda00:30 This is Box Press00:59 Let's make some money doing what we love02:19 We wanted to get a cigar club box that would excite us every month03:55 Luxury Cigar Club is the only cigar club that works with Nelson Alfonso, known for brands such as Atabey and Byron04:18 What do you get in each tier of Luxury Cigar Club membership?05:30 Entry level membership tier: Core Line = 3 cigars per month06:21 Mid membership tiers: Platinum and Palladium = 5 cigars per month 11:15 What do cigar brands think of cigar clubs?12:10 Choshi, is a blend exclusive to Luxury Cigar Club13:20 Viva La Vida Lancero was made especially for Luxury Cigar Club14:27 Luxury Cigar Club shipments are packaged with Boveda to preserve the cigars15:57 Available top membership tier: Sapphire = 5 Ultra Premium cigars17:26 Diamond membership tier is wait-listed, features guaranteed aged, rare limited-edition cigars17:57 Do cigar clubs close their membership if they're full?21:20 Use coupon code Boveda on luxurycigarclub.com to get free shipping on the first month's cigar shipment

Nov 13, 202322 min

Ep 109How to Keep Cigars from Drying Out—These Travel the World | Cigars For Warriors | Box Press Ep. 109

🇺🇸 Boveda Veterans Day Challenge: Smoke a cigar, give a cigar to Cigars for Warriors: https://cigarsforwarriors.org/ Boveda's Drew Emmer is joined by foodie, cigar lover, Matty Rock and Trey Boring, Senior Vice Chairman of Cigars for Warriors (CFW).This cigar talk jumps from supporting troops with cigars to $70 Cubans, Robert Burns tubos, why foodies would love cigars, and how to keep cigars fresh while you travel. CFW is a non-profit organization that sends cigar care packages filled with donated cigars and cigar accessories to troops who are in active war zones. Each care package is protected by Boveda, the brown 2-way humidity packs you put in a humidor to preserve cigars. Find out how you can get cigars to the troops here: https://cigarsforwarriors.org/donate/What is Boveda?When you own a humidor, you need to make sure the cigars inside stay well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast, or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll get better flavor from a cigar. Boveda has been keeping cigars tasting great for more than 25 years. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BovedaIncInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/?hl=enGet more cigar tips and news from Boveda emails:: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF000:00 Never risk your cigars, use Boveda00:30 This is Box Press03:56 Sent 1.5 million cigars and counting to troops serving in active war zones06:26 Matty stopped drinking but kept food, coffee, and cigars as his vices.07:47 "We're gonna go up to Montreal. We're gonna drink Canadian beer. We're gonna smoke some Cuban cigars."09:10 "When you learn what really goes into it a cigar, your respect grows."11:40 Are you a boutique cigar chaser, like CFW's Trey Boring?14:37 Why foodies would love cigars 15:20 Smoking a cigar calms you16:44 Cigar smoking is inclusive17:18 How important cigars are to U.S. service men and women18:24 "Well if I have a bad day, I can go sit on the couch, you know, eat a whole bag of Cool Ranch Doritos..."20:17 Cigars dry out without Boveda in the bags21:30 "My cigars need to be humidified, give me a Boveda."21:45 You don't need a humidor, use a humidor bag preloaded with Boveda24:46 You'll never recharge your humidor again if you use Boveda in your humidor

Nov 11, 202326 min

Ep 108A Tasty Little Critter | Black Label Trading Company, James Brown | Box Press Ep. 108

Cigar Journal winner of the Best Boutique Brand Nicaragua 2023: Black Label Trading Company Royalty! Since it won this major award, the small-batch limited release cigar company has been in even higher demand—and shorter supply. Just to establish the hierarchy of this Nicaraguan cigar maker: Oveja Negra (AKA black sheep) cigar brand family begets Black Works Studio and All Black Label Trading Company. The company was co-founded by the husband-and-wife team, James and Angela Brown. Boveda's Drew Emmer—who loves the BWS Killer Bee cigar, BTW—sat down with James to discuss why these boutique cigars are for smokers who are still looking for their favorite stick.What is Boveda? Cigar makers age and preserve the flavor and character of their hand-rolled cigars with Boveda, that brown 2-way humidity pack that you find in a cigar box. At home, continue to use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor from every cigar. Boveda has been keeping cigars tasting great for more than 25 years. Age and store premium cigars with Boveda in your humidor. Get more cigar tips and news from Boveda emails: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BovedaInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/ 00:00 Never risk your cigars, use Boveda 00:30 Cold open02:22 #1 selling vitola is a Petite Corona 03:06 Co-founders James and Angel Brown are citizens of the world05:25 Cigars and wine 06:59 Story behind Black Sheep Cigars (Oveja Negra translates to “black sheep” in English)08:31 The Killer Bee cigar is tasty10:28 Love a complex full-bodied cigar? These are the cigars you've been looking for!11:54 Limited-edition Poison Dart cigar14:19 Smoking a cigar is a very intimate experience

Oct 30, 202316 min

Ep 107Why Are Cuban Cigars So Expensive? | Juan Martínez | Joya de Nicargua | Box Press Ep. 107

Joya de Nicaragua Executive President Juan Martínez talks new releases and competing with Cuban cigars with Boveda's Drew Emmer. Nicaragua is the biggest producer of handmade cigars in the world. And Joya de Nicargua has everything to do with that. Most of its cigars sales are outside of the United States, so the 55-year-old+ company knows a thing or two about going head-to-head with Cuban cigars. In countries other than the U.S., you can buy Cuban cigars, but they're expensive. Joya de Nicargua makes damn good premium cigars priced right. (And you can buy them in the U.S.!)Look for the Joya de Nicargua Clásico Original, a great everyday smoke. And this mild, woody cigar is under $10. (Why can't you buy Cuban cigars in the U.S.? Short Cuban cigar history lesson: In 1962, a trade embargo was put in place between the U.S. and Cuba, which makes it illegal to sell Cuban cigars in the U.S.) What is Boveda? Cigar makers age and preserve the flavor and character of their hand-rolled cigars with Boveda, that brown 2-way humidity pack that you find in a cigar box. At home, continue to use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor from every cigar. Boveda has been keeping cigars tasting great for more than 25 years. Age and store premium cigars with Boveda in your humidor. Sign up for Boveda email updates: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bovedainc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/00:00 Never risk your cigars, use Boveda 00:30 Cold open01:36 Nicaragua is a premium cigar powerhouse 02:17 The everyday smoke JOYA Red was the first Nicaraguan Puro—a cigar rolled from tobaccos grown in a single country09:23 Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make Competition Irrelevant09:44 Why is Boveda in cigar boxes?12:52 Where to find Joya de Nicaragua's Clásico cigar in the U.S.14:01 Why are Cuban cigars in Europe so expensive?19:26 Holiday gift for the high-end cigar smoker: the one-time, limited-release Número Uno Deluxe Humidor from Joya de Nicaragua20:02 Joya de Nicaragua celebrates its 55th anniversary with a new cigar line called Cinco de Cinco, which was inspired by the blending records from private blending sessions23:08 Nicaraguans are resilient 24:43 It's very hard to have a bad time when you're having a good cigar25:39 The COVID pandemic was a turning point in premium cigars

Oct 23, 202330 min

Ep 106#1 Cigar Meets #1 Life Lesson | Rafael Nodal | Box Press Ep. 106

Great specs make you see the world a little clearer, yes? Rafael Nodal, visionary in the world of small-batch cigars for Aging Room, says that the cigar lounge is a laboratory for democracy. How can you enjoy a great cigar with a fellow smoker who might be a little right or left for your taste? You must hone the skill of respectful communication. Listening with civility encourages those rich conversations, like this cigar talk with Boveda's Drew Emmer. Freedom to create is one reason this Cuban-born cigar maestro is proud to be in America. In 1980, Rafael Nodal left Cuba when he was 15 with his mother, father and younger sister. They boarded a 50-foot-long shrimping boat with 300 others. Through storms, the trip, which normally takes 12 hours, took four days. The love of his adopted country comes through in this Box Press episode as well as in the newly released VegaFina Patriot cigar, which is exclusive to the U.S cigar market with a limited-release of 1,776 numbered boxes. What is Boveda? Premium cigar makers, like Altadis U.S.A. protect the flavor and character of their sticks with Boveda, that brown 2-way humidity pack that you find in a cigar box with Aging Room cigars and other greats. At home, continue to use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor from every cigar. Boveda has been keeping cigars tasting great for more than 25 years. Age and store premium cigars with Boveda in your humidor. Sign up for Boveda email updates: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bovedainc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/00:00 Never risk your passion02:18 The first cigar I made that I didn't care what other people thought03:20 Cigar of the Year 2019: Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Maestro 03:49 Origin of Sonata Cigars—he studied classical music in Cuba05:03 Creating a cigar is like creating music05:29 Which Aging Room cigar is dedicated to Nicaragua?09:56 Emigrated from Cuba in a small shrimp boat12:37 Cuban-born cigar maker is proud to be an American14:24 Why a cigar lounge is a laboratory of democracy16:06 How to manage humidity in a humidor

Oct 16, 202317 min

Ep 105Smoking Cigars in Dubai | Ra'ed Saqfelhait, The Leaf Master Tobacco Trading | Box Press Ep. 105

Travel virtually with us to learn what cigar smoking is like in the Arabian Peninsula. The Leaf Master Tobacco Trading is the largest tobacco shopping adventure within six Arab countries, which focuses on New World cigars, cigar accessories, and luxury cigar experiences. An eclectic, artsy walk-in cigar boutique awaits in Dubai. What looks like lessons in chemistry, test tubes are set up to infuse cigars with the essence of fine spirits and teas. For cigar traditionalists, the shop stocks the largest walk-in humidor in the region with premium sticks from Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Honduras and Mexico. Wherever you stand on the New World cigar versus Cuban cigar debate, the collection is impressive. In 2018, founder Ra'ed Saqfelhait switched careers to open The Leaf Master Tobacco Trading, which is tucked into the Hilton Dubai in Al Habtoor City, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Host: Rob GagnerWhat is Boveda? Cigar makers age and preserve the flavor and character of their hand-rolled cigars with Boveda, that brown 2-way humidity pack that you find in a cigar box. At home, continue to use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor from every cigar. Boveda has been keeping cigars tasting great for more than 25 years. Age and store premium cigars with Boveda in your humidor. Sign up for Boveda email updates: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bovedainc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/00:00 Cold open06:42 We're not box pushers at The Leaf Master Tobacco Trading 07:07 Would you turn down thousand dollars of cigar sales to someone who wasn't going to humidify them properly? Boveda salutes you, fine sir.10:40 Custom made cigar infusion jars were inspired by his father dipping cigars in cognac18:43 Premium cigars—the vice that relaxes you?21:01 Connecting with people's energy over cigars22:10 Fidget spinners for cigar smokers? What's the deal with Ra'ed cigar beads? 25:43 Somebody's end is a beautiful way for you to start over26:56 Switching gears professionally—I woke up one morning and said I have to be in cigars28:08 Cuban versus non-Cuban cigars

Oct 9, 202330 min

Ep 104Do Your Cigar Tools Reflect Who You Are? | LES FINES LAMES | Box Press Ep. 104

Cigar smoking is an art form, a lifestyle. That's why every SOTL & BOTL must don a Les Fines Lames Punch Bracelet. Ready to elevate the way you cut cigars? Pierre Jourdan & Pablo Rodet, creators of fine cigar accessories, delve into why you should invest in essential cigar tools, like the stylish LE PETITE cigar cutter. For cigar aficionados, the act of enjoying a fine cigar is about more than the smoke, it's the experience. Host: Rob GagnerWhat is Boveda? Cigar makers age and preserve the flavor and character of their hand-rolled cigars with Boveda, that brown 2-way humidity pack that you find in a cigar box. At home, continue to use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor from every cigar. Boveda has been keeping cigars tasting great for more than 25 years. Age and store premium cigars with Boveda in your humidor.Sign up for Boveda email updates: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bovedainc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/00:00 Cold open00:37 Pablo has a particular set of skills, watch out Liam Neeson02:25 3-2-1 Liftoff! LE PETIT MOON in space, the ultra-lux $15K cigar cutter03:29 How they sent something to space04:26 You can't smoke a cigar when you launch things in space12:24 L'ORIGINAL vs LE PETIT cigar cutter—what's the difference?15:38 SOTL say LE PETIT cigar cutter is so cute!16:03 Winning a woman's heart16:50 LE PETIT cigar cutter for BOTL and SOTL24:36 MMRPGs and cigar knives25:52 Pierre, too, has a very particular set of skills29:58 Punch bracelets, the hot new cigar gift33:14 This cigar cutter is TSA approved and has a sharp blade35:25 NEW PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENT from Les Fines Lames for smokers who love guillotine cigar cutters

Oct 2, 202337 min

Ep 103Patina Was Never Cool, So It Can't Be Uncool | Mo Maali | Box Press Ep. 103

MO KNOWS CIGARS! Look beyond Cigar Aficionado's Top 10. Patina is the best cigar you've never heard of—until now. Could Patina be the next Fuente of Padrón? Founder Mo Maali's heart and soul are in this small-batch cigar company. He wants you to be excited whenever you light a Patina. He wants Patina to be the cigar of choice when you celebrate a personal achievement or milestone. He wants you to try his new Lancero that is scheduled to launch in December 2023. (And if you still can find the limited-edition Anniversary Patina cigar, snap it up!)Host: Rob Gagner.What is Boveda? Cigar makers like Mo Maali of Patina protect the flavor and character of their hand-rolled cigars with Boveda, that brown 2-way humidity pack that you find in a cigar box. At home, continue to use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor from every cigar. Boveda has been keeping cigars tasting great for more than 25 years. Age and store premium cigars with Boveda in your humidor.Sign up for Boveda email updates: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bovedainc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/00:00 Cold open00:22 Mo Maali's walk-up music? "Ambitionz az a Ridah" by Tupac02:01 Patina "Can't Believe I'm Still Here 5 Year" cigar AKA Patina Anniversary cigar03:36 Are cigars a commodity?08:06 Patina cigars, the Happy Meal for adults09:31 I don't care what Davidoff you're going to buy...11:26 Sustainable business growth is organic growth12:19 Do you use Cigar Aficionado's Top 10 as a cigar shopping list?14:01 Could Patina cigars be the next Fuente of Padrón?18:05 You don't get into the cigar industry for the money24:20 Patina was never cool, so it's never going to be uncool

Sep 25, 202329 min

Ep 102Buying Cigars in Mexico—What to Know | Bernardo Andrés, Cigar Distributor | Box Press Ep. 102

In Spanish with English captions. Who's buying up all those premium cigars in Mexico? Learn why humidity and cigars is so important, especially in a country like Mexico where climates go from beach to desert in this southern-most North American country. Preventing humidity fluctuations protects a cigar's flavor.Boveda's Dan Murphy talks cigars and Mexico with Bernardo Andrés, Director General of Vitolas del Mundo, which manages brands exclusively in Mexico, such as Rocky Patel, Alec Bradley, Oliva, Gurkha, AJ Fernandez and Boveda, among others.What is Boveda? You can buy Boveda 2-way humidity control to protect cigars all over the world, including Mexico. Cigar makers protect the flavor and character of their hand-rolled cigars with Boveda, that brown 2-way humidity pack that you find in a cigar box. At home, continue to use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor from every cigar. Boveda has been keeping cigars tasting great for more than 25 years. Age and store premium cigars with Boveda in your humidor.Sign up for Boveda email updates: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bovedainc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/00:00 Cold open00:56 What premium cigars can you find in Mexico?01:30 Where can you buy cigars in Mexico?02:53 Where is cigar smoking popular in Mexico?04:15 What size Boveda should you use? 06:29 What Boveda RH should you use?09:26 When should you replace your Boveda pack?10:33 What Boveda RHs are good for cigars?12:07 Who smokes the most cigars in Mexico?

Sep 18, 202316 min

Ep 101LA Black Cigar Culture | Smoke Big Documentary | Kareem Fort | Box Press Ep. 101

Cigars are the equalizer that bring people together. Lord knows we need more of that right now. Smoke Big, created by Kareem Fort, is an independent film about the Black cigar culture in LA. Kareem captures short stories about cigar experiences to shine a realistic light on cigars in the Black community. Two of Boveda's founders, CEO Sean Knutsen and SVP Tim Swail were interviewed for the film. They explain how to protect the flavor and character of cigars by storing them at the proper humidity level with Boveda. Watch the Smoke Big Documentary Trailer here: https://www.smokebigfilm.com/What is Boveda? Cigar makers protect the flavor and character of their hand-rolled cigars with Boveda, that brown 2-way humidity pack that you find in a cigar box. At home, continue to use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor from every cigar. Boveda has been keeping cigars tasting great for more than 25 years. Age and store premium cigars with Boveda in your humidor.Sign up for Boveda email updates: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bovedainc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/00:00 Don't risk your cigars 00:30 Box Press intro00:44 Introducing Kareem Fort, creative director of Smoke Big, a cigar documentary01:23 People think LA doesn't have a cigar culture02:05 Documentary educates cigars novices and focuses on the West Coast people behind cigars03:28 LA premiere of cigar documentary: August 30, 202303:58 Future showings of cigar doc at cigar lounges across the country04:32 Started off by creating Beyond the Smoke, web series of cigar conversations05:39 The first cigar film to address cigars and the Black culture08:03 Boveda amplifies other people's passions, like cigars08:35 Boveda is in Smoke Big cigar documentary

Aug 30, 202310 min

Ep 100Hustle Recognized Hustle | Carlito Fuente Jr. + Boveda Founders | Box Press Ep. 100

100th Box Press episode! Cigar revolutionaries! Arturo Fuente CEO, Carlito Fuente Jr. & Boveda founders Sean Knutsen & Tim Swail talk premium cigar care and why humidity has everything to do with it. OpusX creator, Carlito is one of the most respected figures in the industry. This third generation cigar maker was an early adopter of Boveda and its 2-way humidity control that protects premium cigars. His company supports the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation, which gives children in the Dominican Republic education, health care, and other necessities. Boveda CEO, Sean Knutsen; SVP, Tim Swail; and Strategic Relations Manager, Drew Emmer interviewed Carlito at PCA 2023.What is Boveda? Cigar makers like Carlito Fuente protect the flavor and character of their hand-rolled cigars with Boveda, that brown 2-way humidity pack that you find in a cigar box. At home, continue to use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor from every cigar. Boveda has been keeping cigars tasting great for more than 25 years. Age and store premium cigars with Boveda in your humidor.Learn more about the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation here: https://cf-cf.org/Sign up for Boveda email updates: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bovedainc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/00:00 Cold open00:42 Introducing Carlito Fuente Jr. 02:03 Humidity fluctuation has an enormous effect on the enjoyment of a cigar03:06 Different cigars age differently04:06 There was no uniform humidity control for cigars before Boveda05:55 Fuente has been boxing cigars with Boveda since the early 2000s06:28 Boveda is the greatest product to ever enter the world of cigars07:32 Fuente revolutionizes cigar molds11:15 If you do what you say you do, this is going to revolutionize the industry.12:41 Properly age cigars with Boveda to preserve essential oils that give you aromas and flavors13:25 Cigar Family Charitable Foundation betters D.R. cigar community 14:59 No running water, no electricity, no schools

Aug 28, 202319 min

Ep 99Hit Me, Baby, One More Time! Conviction & Dark Star Cigars | Rocky Patel | Box Press Ep. 99

Stay tuned for the big take down! Rocky Patel got way more than he bargained for while debuting his new cigars, Conviction and Dark Star to Boveda's founders, Sean Knutsen and Tim Swail and company sensei, Drew Emmer. Rocky explains why he uses Boveda to preserve the flavor and character of his cigars. Just to clarify, Boveda was indeed developed in Minnesota, the land of sky blue water, but here's what the 2-way humidity pack actually contains: Purified water, natural salts and odorless food grade thickener, commonly used in salad dressing. What is Boveda? Cigar makers like Rocky Patel protect the flavor and character of their hand-rolled cigars with Boveda, that brown 2-way humidity pack that you find in a cigar box. At home, continue to use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor from every cigar. Boveda has been keeping cigars tasting great for more than 25 years. Age and store premium cigars with Boveda in your humidor.Sign up for Boveda email updates: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bovedainc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/00:00 Cold open00:13 What's Rocky Patel 's new cigar Conviction like?00:52 For My Humidor poster of José Oliva hits Rocky Patel! 01:33 What's the flavor profile of the new Conviction cigar?01:51 The Rocky Patel Dark Star cigar is an affordable luxury02:02 What cigar is like a classic Cuban cigar?03:26 Rocky Patel uses Boveda in his humidors and cigar boxes04:07 Why humidity affects a cigar's taste

Aug 22, 20235 min

Ep 98I Won a Starring Spot on this Cigar Podcast! | Nico Sanders | Box Press Ep. 98

Winner, winner, chicken dinner. In a Premium Cigar Retailers Association auction, Nico Sanders was victorious in earning a guest role on Boveda's cigar podcast, Box Press. "Sharing cigars with people and learning more about them and their experiences is the greatest thing," the long-time cigar smoker told hosts Nate Beck and Rob Gagner.Nico, a lover of anything Fuente, heads up Community Housing Associates, Inc. Making homelessness brief is the group's goal. CHA has developed, managed, or leased housing for more than 900 individuals and families in Baltimore, Maryland. Residents receive services to support physical and mental health, employment, and daily living skills. Find out how you can help at CHA here: https://communityhousingassociates.org/What is Boveda? Cigar makers protect the flavor and character of their hand-rolled cigars with Boveda, that brown 2-way humidity pack that you find in a cigar box. At home, continue to use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor from every cigar. Boveda has been keeping cigars tasting great for more than 25 years. Boveda Protects Your Premium Cigars. Guaranteed.Sign up for Boveda email updates: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bovedainc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/https://www.theqg.com/https://clubcarraway.com/00:00 Cold open00:49 What was your first cigar?01:28 I tried to hate this cigar, but couldn't05:56 Shout out to Tampa Sweethearts Cigar Co.06:33 What's a good everyday cigar from Fuente 07:28 Benefits of membership in a private cigar lounge, like Quintessential Gentleman in Baltimore, Maryland, and Club Carraway in Minneapolis, Minnesota11:19 Relying solely on the kindness of strangers, like in "The Kindness Diaries"12:41 Winning a Box Press interview in the PCA auction16:04 Executive director of Community Housing Associates, which works to secure housing for unhomed people in Baltimore17:32 People need the basics—shelter, food and jobs24:16 Where's the safe space to talk about difficult stuff? 30:29 We can always do more. I always strive to be better than I was the day before.31:29 There's more to life than working 80-hour weeks33:27 Finding a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Organization

Aug 7, 202344 min