Cigar Hacks

The crew is back at the Shack for another party and podcast. Rick is back from Florida with more stories. Jim Price, from Rocky Patel Cigars, and Eastie Paul, the owner of The Tobacco Shack, join us this week. The Hidden Herf is an Ybor City staple. Local Spotlight – The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA … <p class="link-more"><a href="https://cigarhacks.com/blog/2026/04/06/episode-438-the-party-for-the-hell-of-it-5-0-local-spotlight-the-tobacco-shack-rowley-ma/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "Episode 438: The Party for the Hell of it 5.0 <br>– Local Spotlight: The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA"</span></a></p>

The heater is installed at the Mustang Shed and it seems to be a success. The Hidden Herf is so obvious we don’t bother trying to hide it, but it does rate high. Local Spotlight – Rhino’s Cigar Lounge by Owl Shop Tobacconists Controversy Corner – From Prophets to Profits

The weather is good enough for an episode from the Mustang Shed. Ricky calls in from Florida and puts Steve on the phone so we can learn about his businesses and the Tampa cigar scene. The Hidden Herf is a blast from the past. Local Spotlight – The Mustang Ranch Controversy Corner – 2nd Mortgages … <p class="link-more"><a href="https://cigarhacks.com/blog/2026/03/23/episode-436-horses-and-irish-pizza-local-spotlight-the-mustang-ranch/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "Episode 436: Horses and Irish Pizza <br>– Local Spotlight: The Mustang Ranch"</span></a></p>

We are back at Twins with a cast of long-lost, newly minted, and regular Hacks totaling a dozen including the peanut gallery. The Hidden Herf is a re-try of a wet 3Leaf Azalea and we find it makes a big difference with proper aging. Local Spotlight – Twins Smoke Shop; Londonderry, NH Controversy Corner – … <p class="link-more"><a href="https://cigarhacks.com/blog/2026/03/16/episode-435-im-confused-w-jim-from-3leaf-local-spotlight-twins-smoke-shop-londonderry-nh/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "Episode 435: I’m Confused w/Jim from 3Leaf <br>– Local Spotlight: Twins Smoke Shop; Londonderry, NH"</span></a></p>

We return to the Founding Fathers Executives private lounge for this week’s episode. We are joined by Joe, one of the principals of the club for an update on what’s new since our last visit. The Hidden Herf is a unique selection from Florida, and it get decent reviews from the panel. Local Spotlight – … <p class="link-more"><a href="https://cigarhacks.com/blog/2026/03/09/episode-434-founding-fathers-revisited-local-spotlight-founding-fathers-executives-danvers-ma/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "Episode 434: Founding Fathers Revisited <br>– Local Spotlight: Founding Fathers Executives, Danvers, MA"</span></a></p>

Its another double cigar Hidden Herf, but this time we do mild and bold variations suited to the panelist. Nick Laramie from Drew Estate joins half way in. Local Spotlight – Grumpy’s Cigar & Lounge; Hudson, NH Controversy Corner – Havana Syndrome

We have two short figurados this week and somehow it turns into a long ash challenge. Ricky and Pat send in a couple interviews from Florida. Local Spotlight – The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA Controversy Corner – Tariffs

Many of the regular Hacks are out of town this week, so it’s another small group episode. Ricky and Pat send in a series of interviews from the Ybor City area. The full versions are tacked on at the end of the episode. The Hidden Herf is guessed after a massive clue and receives good … <p class="link-more"><a href="https://cigarhacks.com/blog/2026/02/16/episode-431-lets-go-bowling-local-spotlight-castros-backroom-manchester-nh/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "Episode 431: Let’s Go Bowling <br>– Local Spotlight: Castro’s Backroom; Manchester, NH"</span></a></p>

It’s a small group, simple setup, this week as we recover from last weekend’s escapades. Ben Dover returns with jokes. The Hidden Herf stumps the panel and receives good reviews. Local Spotlight – Federal Cigar; Dover, NH Controversy Corner – The Trifecta

It’s halfway through Hackapalooza 8.0 where we meet up with the Rocky Patel crew in North Conway at The Original Cigar & Bar. We also sit down with the three brother-owners, Tim, Tom, and Craig. This is our eight stop of the weekend. The Hidden Herf stumps the entire panel. Local Spotlight – The Original … <p class="link-more"><a href="https://cigarhacks.com/blog/2026/02/02/episode-429-hackapalooza-8-0-local-spotlight-the-original-cigar-north-conway-nh/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "Episode 429: Hackapalooza 8.0 <br>– Local Spotlight: The Original Cigar & Bar; North Conway, NH"</span></a></p>

Hackapalooza 8.0 is this week. We run down the itinerary and plans for the weekend. We try to stay on topic, Nick. Ricky’s back so we get an in-person Florida report. The Hidden Herf is a throw-back. Local Spotlight – JR Cigar Outlet; Tampa, FL Controversy Corner – Football Theories

Jim and Hailey from Great Cigars Podcast are in town and join us at Federal Cigar for this week’s episode after No-Name John’s birthday party. We introduce Ben Dover. The Hidden Herf is a special “sleeper”. Local Spotlight – Federal Cigar; Portsmouth, NH Controversy Corner – Epstein Update

A cast of six land at Grumpy’s to play out the spoof we set in motion last week. The Hidden Herf is a spoof of it’s own. Local Spotlight – Grumpy’s Cigar & Lounge; Hudson, NH Controversy Corner – Vegas Shoot Out

Opening the 2026 season we have another Hack father join the panel. The Hidden Herf is decent and we almost forget to do the reveal. Local Spotlight – The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA Controversy Corner – Daycare Financing

The panel meets up at Twins in Londonderry for the last episode of 2025. Papa McGroin joins us as do other friends that we pull in from the lounge along the way. The Hidden Herf is a unique selection. Local Spotlight – Twins Smoke Shop; Londonderry, NH Controversy Corner – Classic Christmas Movies

Direct from The Tobacco Shack in Rowley, MA it’s the 2025 Hackie Awards Show. We get the RI run-down from Ricky and Pat. The Hidden Herf is unexpected. Local Spotlight – The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA Controversy Corner – The Proper Cut for Your Cigar

Jim from 3-Leaf Cigars joins the Hacks in more ways than one. The hacks turn out in force this week. We retry a cigar that was fresh off the boat 16 weeks back on episode 406. Local Spotlight – Plaistow Cigar Company; Plaistow, NH Controversy Corner – Tina Peters from Colorado and What’s Up in … <p class="link-more"><a href="https://cigarhacks.com/blog/2025/12/15/episode-422-its-better-with-age-3leaf-with-jim-local-spotlight-plaistow-cigar-company-plaistow-nh/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "Episode 422: It’s Better with Age – 3Leaf with Jim <br>– Local Spotlight: Plaistow Cigar Company; Plaistow, NH"</span></a></p>

Nimish from Rocky Patel Cigars is in town for an event at Federal Cigar. We sit down to talk cigars with Nimish and Federal Cigar with the new management. Local Spotlight – Federal Cigar; Portsmouth, NH Controversy Corner – Pat McPsycic

Shacky Greene, Pat McGroin, and Cigar Hack Dave do a special Thanksgiving week episode to launch year nine. The Hidden Herf is a Shack staple and receives good grades. Local Spotlight – The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA Controversy Corner – Shout Out to Cam Higby

It all started here eight years ago east of just west of this very location. We discuss the last eight years and what the next eight years will bring. The Hidden Herf stumps the panel and is an interesting selection. Local Spotlight – Plaistow Cigar Company; Plaistow, NH Controversy Corner – Seth Who?

It’s not every week that we have a new cigar brand owner join us for an episode. Jimmy Miller and long-time friend of the Hacks, Max, have a New England launch event of Miller Cigar at Castro’s in Manchester. The Hidden Herf is well received and collectively the Hacks have smoked the other vitolas so we’re able … <p class="link-more"><a href="https://cigarhacks.com/blog/2025/11/17/episode-418-miller-cigars-with-jimmy-and-max-local-spotlight-castros-backroom-manchester-nhh/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "Episode 418: Miller Cigars with Jimmy and Max <br>– Local Spotlight: Castro’s Backroom; Manchester, NH"</span></a></p>

The multi-award-winning cigar rep, Mike the Cop from Rocky Patel, is at Grumpy’s this week. We drop in to catch up with Mike and find out about the 30th Anniversary cigar release. The Hidden Herf is a bit of a sleeper and is well received by the panel. Local Spotlight – Grumpy’s Cigar & Lounge; … <p class="link-more"><a href="https://cigarhacks.com/blog/2025/11/10/episode-417-rocky-patel-cigars-with-mike-the-cop-local-spotlight-grumpys-cigar-hudson-nh/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "Episode 417: Rocky Patel Cigars with Mike the Cop <br>– Local Spotlight: Grumpy’s Cigar & Lounge; Hudson, NH"</span></a></p>

It’s our 7th annual trip to the Poconos. We record on Halloween after smoking and partying all day, so you know what to expect. Local Spotlight – Junko’s Cigar Lounge; Hazelton, PA Controversy Corner – Weather Station Anomaly and Alien Spaceships.

It’s back to the firepit for what my be the last time this year as we discover a time traveler in our midst. The Joke-O-Meter and HR are workimg overtime this week as almost nothing is off limits. We have a visit from a prodigal Hack and a guest from an episode a long time … <p class="link-more"><a href="https://cigarhacks.com/blog/2025/10/27/episode-415-calling-hr-local-spotlight-rickys-firepit/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "Episode 415: Calling HR <br>– Local Spotlight: Ricky’s Firepit"</span></a></p>