Not A Cigar Show*

Keeping cigars properly humidified sounds simple right up until you start asking cigar smokers what RH they use, how many packs they put in a humidor, whether they rotate them, and what happens when they bring home a brand-new box. On this episode of Not A Cigar Show, I’m joined by JP Awad, Boveda’s Eastern U.S. Sales Representative, and Nate Beck, Western U.S. Sales Representative, to talk about cigar storage, two-way humidity control, common mistakes, choosing the right RH level, and what actually happens inside your humidor. We also cover what JP and Nate see while traveling the country, the questions they hear most often from retailers and consumers, and why something as basic as humidity can still spark a pretty serious cigar argument.

Terence Reilly of Aganorsa Leaf joins Fred Rewey on Not A Cigar Show for a conversation about tobacco, cigars, marketing, retailers, and what actually goes into building a brand in today’s cigar business. We get into what makes Aganorsa tobacco different, the advantage of controlling so much of the process from the fields forward, how cigar smokers understand, and sometimes misunderstand, tobacco, and what Terence sees happening at the retail and consumer level. We also talk about Aganorsa’s brands, the challenge of getting people to notice what is inside the cigar instead of simply what is wrapped around it, and how you market something when your biggest differentiator literally grows out of the ground. Plus, because this is Not A Cigar Show, the conversation occasionally wanders into places a normal cigar interview probably would have avoided.

No guest this week. Just your questions. Welcome to the first episode of Office Hours, a new edition of Not a Cigar Show where the conversation is driven by cigar smokers. This episode tackles questions about cigar lounge etiquette, whether the industry really needs more new brands, cell phones in lounges, aging cigars, and several other topics submitted by viewers. Have a question for a future episode? Email [email protected], or record a short audio or video message and send it in. You might hear your question on the next Office Hours. Light up a great cigar and join the conversation.

Charles Gibb had been CEO of Tabacalera USA for roughly 48 hours when this interview was recorded live at PCA. That timing makes this conversation unique. Before the talking points were polished and before months of industry headlines could shape the narrative, Gibb sat down with Cigar Press to discuss his vision for some of the most recognizable brands in premium cigars. Coming from the luxury spirits world, Gibb shares his thoughts on premium branding, storytelling, innovation, partnerships, and the balance between honoring tradition and avoiding gimmicks. He also discusses how he views brands like Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, H. Upmann, and the broader Tabacalera USA portfolio. Most importantly, he explains what success looks like in his first year and where he hopes to take the company over the next five years. This is an early look at a new CEO, his mindset, and the direction he believes premium cigars can go next. Recorded live at the PCA Trade Show. For more cigar news, reviews, interviews, and industry coverage, visit CigarPress.com.

James Brown of Black Label Trading Company and Black Works Studio joins Fred Rewey on Not A Cigar Show for a deep conversation about blending, branding, artwork, factories, tobacco, and why some cigar smokers still refuse to try a petite corona. This episode goes far beyond “tell us about the new release.” James talks about his path from the wine industry and hospitality to running cigar expeditions through Central America before eventually building Oveja Negra Factory in Nicaragua. He explains how Black Label grew organically from cigars he originally made for expedition guests, and why controlling every step of production completely changed the company. Fred and James also get into: • The difference between Black Label Trading Company and Black Works Studio • Why owning a factory matters • The challenge of consistency across vitolas • Why strength and complexity are not the same thing • How cigar branding became part lifestyle brand and part underground art project • Candela wrappers, broadleaf experiments, and blending philosophy • Food, travel, New York restaurants, and life in Nicaragua One of the most interesting parts of the conversation is hearing James explain how a cigar blend and artwork evolve together. For him, the cigar has to tell a story before the artwork even begins. If you enjoy cigars, art, branding, or the creative side of boutique cigar making, this is one of the most insightful episodes we’ve done.