About this podcast
A weekly podcast where we have regular segments that include the Hidden Herf, where we don't know what cigar we are smoking for the first half of the show; Local Spotlight, featuring a local or no-so-local cigar lounge or bar; and the Conspiracy Corner where any topic is fair game as long as it carries some controversy.
Episodes
The newest 50 of 300 episodes
- Episode 468: Whiskey vs. Bourbon & 3Leaf Cigars – Local Spotlight: Grumpy’s Cigar & Lounge; Hudson, NH · 1 h 15 minThe crew is joined at Grumpy’s by Tom of The Original Cigar & Bar in North Conway and Jim from 3leaf Cigars. It’s been a long day for our resident Irishman who is now into the…
- Episode 467: Thirty Years in Nashua – Local Spotlight: Castro’s Backroom; Nashua, NH · 1 h 12 minCastro’s Nashua celebrates 30 years in the cigar business and we are there to record an episode. Five of the eight Hacks on the episode are first-timers at the Nashua location…
- Episode 466: A Year in the Humidor – Local Spotlight: The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA · 1 h 36 minThis week’s Hidden Herf is a selection that had been put away for just ove a year. We compare it to how we remember it when it was freshly released and to a recent try at a…
- Episode 465: It’s a Sweet Cap – Local Spotlight: Cigar & Lounge; Watertown, MA · 1 h 32 minSitting around the fire pit with an assortment of spirits, from Zacapa to the Red Pecker, we have a blast with this week’s crew. The twins are initiated and get new Hack-names…
- Episode 464: The Cigar Twins – Local Spotlight: Grumpy’s Cigar & Lounge; Hudson, NH · 1 h 18 minOur special guests are a set of twins we met duting the NE Cigar Expo weekend. Oddly enough thay are Grumpy’s regulars. We reap the Expo and other Hack happenings from last…
- Episode 463: 2026 New England Cigar Expo Pre-Game – Local Spotlight: Twins Smoke Shop; Londonderry, NH · 1 h 3 min‘Twas the night before the Expo where we meet up with a group of out of state Hacks, brand owners, and reps. Nimish Desai and the crew from Rocky Patel, Terence Reilly with…
- Episode 462: On a Boat – Local Spotlight: Plaistow Cigar Company; Plaistow, NH · 1 h 19 minNot exactly “on” a boat, but right next to it. We record at the marina on Lake Winnipesaukee before the boats al come out for the season. The Hidden Herf is something unusual…
- Episode 461: It’s Firepit Weather – Local Spotlight: The Boat and Firepit · 1 h 17 minSitting around the firepit we take a call from Fabian for the Florida weather report. The Hidden Herf stumps the panel. Local Spotlight – The Boat and Firepit Controversy Corner…
- Episode 460: You are at the Wrong Location – Local Spotlight: Federal Cigar; Dover, NH · 1 h 17 minSignals get crossed and we have a situation where we are at two locations. The Hidden Herf is a pre-release that turns out to be released so it stumps the panel. Local Spotlight…
- Episode 459: The Birthday Boy – Local Spotlight: Castro’s Backroom; Manchester, NH · 1 h 20 minKiller joins the panel as we celebrate a Hack birthday and get a Hack name change. The Hidden Herf is a tough one to figure out but it’s a real contender for top rating. Local…
- Episode 458: McGroin Manner with Mama McGroin – Local Spotlight: Rhino’s Cigar Lounge by Owl Shop Tobacconists; Windham, NH · 1 h 30 minWe are joined by Mama McGroin for some laughs and story telling. The Hidden Herf stumps the panel and makes the list. Local Spotlight – Rhino’s Cigar Lounge by Owl Shop…
- Episode 457: Golf & Cigars – Local Spotlight: Thompson Country Club; North Reading, MA · 1 h 20 minIt’s a cast of old and new friends at the golf course on the 19th hole under the tent. The Hidden Herf receives mixed reviews. Local Spotlight – Thompson Country Club; North…
- Episode 456: Mid-Week at The Mustang Ranch – Local Spotlight: The Original Cigar & Bar; North Conway, NH · 1 h 6 minIt’s another mid-week episode, this time we’re in the screen tent at the ranch. The panel is in rare form and it’s a bit of a surprise. The Hidden Herf stumps the panel and…
- Episode 455: Stacking the Deck at the CANH – Local Spotlight: Twins Smoke Shop; Londonderry, NH · 1 h 21 minSometimes the stars align and you can pull together a “Bunch of Hacks” on short notice to do a mid-week episode. The Cigar Association of New Hampshire (CANH) Golf Tournament was…
- Episode 454: It’s Been a Minute – Local Spotlight: Castro’s Cigar Lounge; Bedford, NH · 1 h 6 minIt’s a short crew for this episode. It has been a year since doing a recording in Bedford and it feels like we were there last week. The Hidden Herf is unique, stumps the panel…
- Episode 453: Summa-Palooza 2026 – Local Spotlight: On the lake; New Hampshire · 1 h 15 minIt’s the 9th annual summer trip on the barge and we are at the lake house for the seventh year. The weather is almost perfect, many cigars are smoked, and plenty of fish are…
- Episode 452: Back for More 6.0 – Local Spotlight: Route One BNG Summer Cigar Event · 51 minDirect from the Route One Business Networking Group (BNG) event for our sixth year, we speak with a few BNG members while enjoying cigars under the tent on the back patio at the…
- Episode 451: All About McGroin – Local Spotlight: The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA · 1 h 5 minIt’s cast of thousands for the roasting of McGroin. The Hidden Herf is picked out early but gets a wide range of reviews. Local Spotlight – The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA…
- Episode 450: Take Me Out to the Ballgame – Local Spotlight: Castro’s Backroom; Manchester, NH · 1 h 21 minOur special guest is a former MLB player, so it’s lots of baseball and cigar stories for this episode. The Hidden Herf is obvious after just a single clue. Local Spotlight –…
- Episode 449: The Front Lawn with Blue – Local Spotlight: Fumare Fine Cigar Boutique; Reno, NV · 1 h 26 minWhile we’ve been outside plenty it’s the first time we are on the front lawn, but not the first time we are with a dog. Detroit Steve is back from Reno and gives us a recap of…
- Episode 448: Holy BEEEP – Local Spotlight: Castro’s Backroom; Manchester, NH · 60 minCount how many times you hear “Holy BEEEP”. It’s another small group episode and The Hidden Herf is another vintage selection from Killer’s vault. Local Spotlight – Castro’s…
- Episode 447: The Rhode Island Report – Local Spotlight: Mr. J’s Havana Cigar Lounge; Coventry, RI · 1 h 31 minThis episode is a recap of our trip to RI and MR. J’s 6th anniversary celebration. We also visited Tammany Hall, The Gentleman Cigar Lounge, and The Ale House Cigar Bar. We also…
- Episode 446: A Monster of an Episode – Local Spotlight: The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA · 1 h 11 minThe Hidden Herf theme is a follow up to last week’s theme where we all sample a variation of the same line. Checkout the cigar holder, ashtray, coaster. Local Spotlight – The…
- Episode 445: We’ve Gone to the Birds w/Jonas Santana – Local Spotlight: Two Guys Cigar Shop; Salem, NH · 1 h 33 minJonas Santans calls in to tell us about his cigar brand, our Hidden Herf for this week. We report on the Perdomo Father & Son cigar release by Two Guys. Local Spotlight – Two…
- Episode 444: High Speed – Local Spotlight: Castro’s Backroom; Manchester, NH · 1 h 11 minAfter last week’s current events we try another effect. We have a real Hidden Herf that was selected by “The New Guy” and he hit a home run. Killer pops in for a few minutes…
- Episode 443: The New Guy – Local Spotlight: Plaistow Cigar Company; Plaistow, NH · 1 h 14 minThere’s a Rocky Patel event at Plaistow Cigar, so we drop in to record after it’s over. The “new guy” is initiated into the Hack family. The Hidden Herf is a pre-release from the…
- Episode 442: It’s Firepit Weather – Local Spotlight: Ricky’s Firepit · 1 h 27 minThe weather breaks for just a bit so we gather the firewood and a large compliment of hacks for this one. Half the panel has not been on in quite a while so it’s different than…
- Episode 441: The Tiki Taxi and Toro Taxi – Local Spotlight: Grumpy’s Cigar & Lounge; Hudson, NH · 1 h 59 minOne of our special guests is Brian Sonia with West Tampa Cigars. He also operates The Tiki Taxi in Hampton Beach, NH. The stories from last season are great. He also brings us a…
- Episode 440: Going to the Dogs – Local Spotlight: Federal Cigar; Dover, NH · 1 h 33 minA regular listener is in the lounge, so we drag him in to the fourth chair this week. He happens to own Barkingham Mobile Pet Spaw. The Hidden Herf should have been obvious, but…
- Episode 439: The Return of The Gringo – Local Spotlight: Plaistow Cigar Company; Plaistow, NH · 1 h 8 minThe Gringo is in from Florida and holds down the fort this week. Nurse Rick is under the weather and misses the big news item. Pat-GPT figures out the Hidden Herf almost…
- Episode 438: The Party for the Hell of it 5.0 – Local Spotlight: The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA · 1 h 22 minThe 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…
- Episode 437: Doubling Down at the Mustang Ranch – Local Spotlight: Rhino’s Cigar Lounge by Owl Shop Tobacconists; Windham, NH · 1 h 22 minThe 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…
- Episode 436: Horses and Irish Pizza – Local Spotlight: The Mustang Ranch · 1 h 21 minThe 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…
- Episode 435: I’m Confused w/Jim from 3Leaf – Local Spotlight: Twins Smoke Shop; Londonderry, NH · 1 h 20 minWe 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…
- Episode 434: Founding Fathers Revisited – Local Spotlight: Founding Fathers Executives, Danvers, MA · 1 h 43 minWe 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…
- Episode 433: Cigar Simulator – Local Spotlight: Grumpy’s Cigar & Lounge; Hudson, NH · 2 h 8 minIts 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 –…
- Episode 432: Figurado Ash Challenge – Local Spotlight: The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA · 1 h 25 minWe 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…
- Episode 431: Let’s Go Bowling – Local Spotlight: Castro’s Backroom; Manchester, NH · 1 h 41 minMany 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…
- Episode 430: Recovapalooza – Local Spotlight: Federal Cigar; Dover, NH · 1 h 15 minIt’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…
- Episode 429: Hackapalooza 8.0 – Local Spotlight: The Original Cigar & Bar; North Conway, NH · 1 h 40 minIt’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…
- Episode 428: Hackapalooza Pre-Game – Local Spotlight: JR Cigar Outlet; Tampa, FL · 1 h 26 minHackapalooza 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…
- Episode 427: Hitting the Wall – Local Spotlight: Federal Cigar; Portsmouth, NH · 1 h 11 minJim 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…
- Episode 426: A Couple of Spoofs – Local Spotlight: Grumpy’s Cigar & Lounge; Hudson, NH · 1 h 19 minA 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…
- Episode 425: Who’s the New, New Guy? – Local Spotlight: The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA · 1 h 21 minOpening 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…
- Episode 424: Nakatomi Tower – Local Spotlight: Twins Smoke Shop; Londonderry, NH · 1 h 29 minThe 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…
- Episode 423: 2025 Hackie Awards Special – Local Spotlight: The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA · 57 minDirect 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…
- Episode 422: It’s Better with Age – 3Leaf with Jim – Local Spotlight: Plaistow Cigar Company; Plaistow, NH · 1 h 37 minJim 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…
- Episode 421: Rocky Patel Cigars with Nimmy D – Local Spotlight: Federal Cigar; Portsmouth, NH · 1 h 56 minNimish 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 –…
- Episode 420: Football at The Shack – Local Spotlight: The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA · 1 h 6 minShacky 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…
- Episode 419: Eight Years In – Local Spotlight: Plaistow Cigar Company; Plaistow, NH · 1 h 28 minIt 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…
