Box Press

He’s been a coach, a teacher, a vice principal, a financial advisor and a Jersey Shore cigar shop owner. So with a doctoral diploma on the wall, why is Steve Zengel running a cigar company for a living? Um, because it’s awesome. Hear the whole twisty-turny origin of Los Caidos from its founder who sat down with Boveda’s Rob Gagner at 2021 PCA in Las Vegas. And learn how neither sleet, nor rain, nor gloom of night stopped Steve’s motorcycle ride across the U.S. for the Life of a Ride Time, a non-profit organization for fallen first responders. (And why Steve will stick to regional rides from now on!) For Steve, a cigar is more than just a smoke, it’s a connection to a fallen friend who was a financial advisor and victim of the terrorist attack at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Los Caidos translates to the fallen.  Currently, $1 from every Los Caidos cigar sold goes to support family members of first responders. Cigar smokers can choose either Los Caidos Blue for a fallen police officer or

When you share a cigar, you open up to each other. It’s no different for Raquel Quesada who  grew up in a cigar dynasty. She revealed some never-told stories to Boveda’s Rob Gagner over Quesada 1974 cigars at 2021 PCA in Las Vegas.  Raquel talked openly about childhood hijinks; the least favorite training rotation of cigar operations; secret grows on the Quesada tobacco farm; and blending swaps she pulled on her dad, Manuel "Manolo" Quesada. As president and owner of the family-owned cigar factory, Manolo raised two strong daughters to succeed in the C-suite boy’s club of premium cigars.  Highlights of the cigar conversation with Quesada include:  Shaking her booty to Dance VXN (1:07) Tweaking tobacco blends in dad’s cigar recipe (13:52) Coloring a box of cigars for consistency (16:07) Making your mark to get what you paid for (18:47) Studying and working at a tobacco shop in Boston—a tropical girl in the snow (21:20) Playing well with competitors strengthens the Dominican cigar industry (

Tunneling. Band burning. Puffing too soon. Puffing too late. One by one, a cigar smoking err takes them down. See who’ll represent the U.S. at the world event of the Cigar Smoking World Championship (CSWC). Will it be a BOTL or SOTL? Coined the Slowest Race on Earth, this international competition is all about “slow smoking” cigars. Pick up smoking strategies as Box Press Podcast Host Rob Gagner talks to cigar smoking competitors at BURN by Rocky Patel in Pittsburgh, PA. In 2021, 13 qualifying rounds were held at smoke clubs and lounges across the U.S. There were qualifying events in more than 30 countries. The winner from each country attended the grand finale in Split, Croatia, in September 2021. A well-humified cigar burns more slowly and evenly. Extend your own smoking experience by storing cigars in your humidor with Boveda, a global partner of CSWC. Boveda, is the maker of https://store.bovedainc.com/collections/boveda-for-tobacco (2-way humidity control for cigars), https://store.bovedainc.com/collecti

Ferio Tego is like a greatest hits album for cigar lovers. All your favorites, less of the “something new we’re working on and we hope you like it” smokes. Learn why there’s room in your humidor for oldies-but-goodies and hot-new-hits. Ferio Tego’s Herklots joined Boveda’s Rob Gagner at 2021 PCA in Las Vegas for this episode of Box Press, the cigar lifestyle podcast. Metropolitan and Timeless cigars are alive today because of Herklots and his business partner Brendon Scott. When the now-defunct Nat Sherman International closed, the two former employees started a cigar company with saved legacy brands and cigar accessories and two new blends, Elegancia and Generoso. Highlights of the cigar conversation with Herklots include: 6:00 Getting a job at a tobacco shop to pay for his cigar hobby 8:01 Succeeding at work is doing more than your job 13:30 Wearing a guayabera and Panama hat while standing in the middle of a tobacco field smelling green leaves is not him 15:50 Comparing wine to cigars 19.50 Learning h

How long can you make a cigar last? Watch cigar smokers go head to head in the U.S. Semifinals of the Cigar Smoking World Championship (CSWC). Coined the Slowest Race on Earth, this international competition is all about “slow smoking” cigars. Contenders talk smoking strategies with Box Press Podcast Host Rob Gagner at Club Leaf & Bean, a private cigar club just south of Pittsburgh, PA. In 2021, 13 qualifying rounds were held at smoke clubs and lounges across the U.S. There were qualifying events in more than 30 countries. The winner from each country attended the grand finale in Split, Croatia, in September 2021. A well-humidified cigar burns more slowly and evenly. Extend your own smoking experience by storing cigars in your humidor with Boveda, a global partner of CSWC. Boveda is the maker of https://store.bovedainc.com/collections/boveda-for-tobacco (2-way humidity control for cigars), https://store.bovedainc.com/collections/boveda-for-tobacco (easy seasoning for wood humidors), https://store.bovedain

Did you know that cigars, a lot of cigars, were once made in the U.S.? Learn your U.S. history of cigars in America’s West in this Box Press episode with Big Sky Cigar Company and Boveda’s Rob Gagner at 2021 Tobacco Plus Expo in Las Vegas. Jess Coleman and Brandon Marsh rejuvenated the Montana boutique cigar scene building on the state’s rich cigar heritage. Did you know that in the early 1900s, Montana was home to over 107 cigar factories? Today’s Big Sky Cigars are designed locally and created with the highest quality Nicaraguan tobaccos. This cigar podcast digs into: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEBjL44vXF0&t=126s (2:06) Big Sky Cigar’s Yellowstone River Box which was featured in Fly Fishermen Magazine’s 2021 Father's Day Gift Guide https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEBjL44vXF0&t=350s (5:50) Montana’s little-known but rich cigar history https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEBjL44vXF0&t=588s (9:48) Antiquing for cigar boxes and cigar tokens like American Pickers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t

Prep yourself: Your mouth will water during this Box Press episode with Jake Wyatt Cigars and https://bovedainc.com/tobacco/ (Boveda’s) Rob Gagner at 2021 Tobacco Plus Expo in Las Vegas. The company’s gourmet cigar lines are artisanal tobacco blends, say Jake Wyatt founders, Neil Garcia and Gerard Abajian.  Friends Neil and Gerard launched Jake Wyatt in 2020. Named after their two sons, the boutique cigar brand offers five gourmet lines of cigar blends you won’t find anywhere else. Looking for a new cigar to linger on your palate? Nab a Jake Wyatt sample box at your brick-and mortar cigar shop.  This cigar podcast delves into the men behind the business and includes: Where’s a good steak place in SoCal where you can smoke cigars? (12:22) How Neil Garcia transitioned from playing pro baseball to launching a cigar business. (13:01) How to stay friends with your business partner. (16:34) What’s a gourmet cigar? (25:00) Is your cigar palate consistent or varied? (25:34) Why 22 cigars in Jake Wyatt boxes

Shop for that first cigar with confidence. Cigar smoking friend or tobacconist suggesting a Connecticut wrapper? Learn what to ask for instead from Blackbird Cigar Company’s Jonas Santana. This rapper turned cigar maker joined https://bovedainc.com/tobacco/ (Boveda’s) Rob Gagner cigar podcast at 2021 Tobacco Plus Expo in Las Vegas. Find out why a Blackbird is the hot new cigar you gotta try. This new boutique cigar brand is the next wave of cigars born from those not born into a cigar empire.  A cigar talk where you’ll learn: What’s with these cigars named after birds in brightly colored cigar boxes (Crow, Finch, Cuco, etc.) How to smoke Blackbird cigars in the right order (Perfect advice for a three-cigar-a-day smoker looking for progressive blends.)  What famous cigar smoker to share a cigar with. How to sharpen your skills beyond college, smart from someone who designed https://blackbirdcigar.com/product/cant-clip-my-wings-hat-black-blue/ (Can’t Clip My Wings) cigar swag. Jonas protects Blackbird

Sticks and sticks! Listen how to improve your golf game from the founder of Carolina Blue Cigars. It’s all course management and ball placement, explains Chris Moore to https://bovedainc.com/box-press-podcast/ (Box Press) Host Rob Gagner of https://bovedainc.com/tobacco/ (Boveda) at the 2021 Tobacco Plus Expo in Las Vegas.  Along with golf tips, learn: How not to kill your palate smoking cigars How to kill tobacco beetles without ruining your cigars How to spot a fake Cuban How Chris launched his North Carolina cigar company Why you couldn't find Carolina Blue Cigars for awhile Why Chris relaunched his cigar brand In this Boveda cigar podcast, Rob and Chris are smoking the https://shopcarolinabluecigars.com/products/limitada-20pc-box (CBC Limitada). Chris protects Carolina Blues with Boveda to preserve the sugars and oils of his boutique cigars. You can protect your cigars just like cigars makers, too. Preserve your passion with Boveda, makers of https://store.bovedainc.com/collections/boveda-for-tobacc

Is there a cigar companies for dummies book?

Hear how the U.S. Marine Corp. changed his life and primed him for the entrepreneurial journey that was ahead. Hit up a Room101 Hit and Run and lose yourself in this steam-of-consciousness interview with cigar man, Matt Booth presented by Boveda. Pay attention, follow your “belly radar” and pivot. “My business should have failed a hundred times over,” the founder of Room101 brands told Rob Gagner at the 2021 Tobacco Plus Expo in Las Vegas. Call it kismet. Call it tenacity. Call it intuition. Matt knows how and when to call it. From boutique cigars to stylized humidors. From Room101 urinal pads to bespoke custom bling worn by the likes of Snoop Dogg, DeAndre Jordan and Guy Fieri. Just try to predict Room101’s next gig. Matt stepped away from the cigar game and Davidoff in 2017. He’s launched a comeback with AJ Fernandez and Caldwell collaborating on new cigar lines, such as Doomsayer, Farce and The T. His Room101 cigar knives and cigar lighters make great statement gifts for the edgier cigar lover. Pres

When you’re in active combat, a cigar can be your lifeline, why you hang on to fight another day. Hear how donated cigars from cigar smokers like you provide relief, respite and a taste of home to U.S. military men and women. An inspirational cigar hour with Box Press Host, Rob Gagner and Storm Boen, Operation: Cigars for Warrriors Chairman of the Board and CEO. The nonprofit organization collects, then disperses premium cigars, cigar accessories, coffee and more to troops serving in combat zones. Learn the CFW origin story and how the group protects the more than a millions cigars it’s shipped overseas with Boveda, its first corporate sponsor. What cigar are they smoking? The Hiram & Solomon Operation: Cigars for Warriors Live2Serve, which is a collaboration limited-edition cigar only available at CFW donation sites. Drop off cigars at one of the more than 450 OP: CFW’s donation sites. Many are in smoke shops, where you can also buy a box of your favorites and leave it there. *Shot at the 2021 at Tobac

Rob traveled down to Honduras to sit down with Oscar Valladares, who has one of the more unique cigar journeys out there! Sit back and light one up as we talk Oscar Valladares cigars, Honduras and more!

Featured Guest Dave Imber from cigarclub.com talks about how he has managed to turn his vices into his career. Dave shares some amazing stories during this episode like how he, in just 3 months at cigarclub.com, found himself in Nicaragua learning the wonderful process cigar making.

On this special episode of Box Press, Rob fishes and talks with the man who gave him his first job in the cigar world. Jeff Haugen, President and owner of Crux Cigars, talks about everything from his pot of coffee a day routine to the history of Crux and the future of cigar retails (all while trying to catch fish). Light one up and enjoy!

Featured Guest Leanor Abzaradel, CEO of Platinum Nova Cigars, sat down with Rob while in Colorado to talk about her start in the industry, and how she was able to create her own cigar brand! What would you name your cigar brand? *Previously Recorded in 2019*

Featured guest Alexander Berezowski travled all the way from Dominican Republic to Minnesota to tell us his story. Sit back and enjoy!

Featured guest Erik Espinosa, stopped by during 2019 IPCPR to explain how his favorite color inspired his Laranja Reserva. The cigar we smoked: https://bit.ly/2GLUqjJ

Do you know who is responsible for some of your favorite cigar wrappers? Featured guest John Oliva, Oliva Tobacco Co., sits down with us to share the cigar wrappers he's grown for some of the biggest cigar brands in the industry. You'll definitely recognize their names. Where do you think the flavor comes from in a cigar? Filler? Wrapper?

Featured Guest, Dean Parsons of Epic Cigars, shares stories of real-estate, kiteboarding, and of course cigars! What's your favorite Epic Cigar?