James and Jeff present: Tales from the Phoenix Cigar Lounge

What happens when you forget about cigars in your humidor for 2 years? Some get better, some get worse and some just mellow out very nicely.

What would you do if you had an extra day off on a rainy day? Whatever you said unless you said smoke a cigar with a friend, you're wrong!

Well, we have a new public bathroom downtown, we smoke some cigars and we chat about last season and this seasons pics for professional football americano, aka real foot ball. the other countries play soccer. Kyle had his favorite cigar so far La Gianna Corona Maduro, the rest of us have a selection of Opus X.We make references all the time to the dreaded experience we had with some petite corona opus xs we had a couple years back. What's with all the hype? Are high dollar limited releases worth it? You be the judge after you try a few. Listen to the end to hear our opinions.

Sadly due to tech issues I lost the last Episode with Jeff and Harold and 3 Star Jim and the Muestra De Saka The Bewhitched.So today I'm burning a 36 dollar cigar and telling you folks how to smoke a cigar and talking about the recent government shutdown and supreme court debates. I also talk about cigar events, some cigar and drink adventures, and how to deal with cigar beetles if you ever get them and how to avoid getting them.

We have a live studio audience because of the downtown Grass Valley wine walk and enjoy a returning favorite cigar, the Placencia 149 La Vega (that means robusto.)We talk about: crime and punishment, some family issues and money issues I (James) am having, some of our favorite past cigars and talk about future plans for our lounge relocation. We are still looking for a forever home for our club if you know of a space we can have a wet bar and smoke in leave us a comment. We can pay rent and utilities.

We had an audience until I (James) made them hook up a mic.We will definitely have them back as full episode guests!

We had Jason and Brad Call in from Vegas at the Smok Cigar Loung to talk about their cigar adventure abroad in Nicaragua.We smoked a La Aroma De Cuba Mi Amore and a Diesel Hair of the Dog.We had some echo etc from the phones but Brad sounded pretty good.Big thank you to Julian for getting us set up!Check out Jason at insurancebyred.comCheck out Brads shop atSmokcigarlounge.comThank you our listeners for sticking with us as we go through these changes with tech an editing!

We talk football predictions for the superb-owl 2026, address where we were wrong and right with the preseason and draft.We try the Tres Amigos by Kristoff and have some tech issues but recover. We are going to be back to regular recording and I, James, am taking editing lessons so we can post more regularly. Sit back, relax, and enjoy

Today we have the wonderful Harold join Jeff and James with a very generous gift. We smoke rate and review the Rocky Patel Conviction often over $100 in all states and over 125 in CA.THANK YOU ALL OUR LISTENERS! Here's to a great NEW YEAR!We will continue posting more episodes soon!

Joined by the always entertaining Silver Fox and his handler/better half, James Harold and Julian burn down a few different cigars and try to parse the entertainment world as it is currently and also looking back.

Down a man, but that won't stop James, Harold, and Julian from giving all their hottest takes on a variety of topics. Buckle up, as we hash it out over a tasty la Flor Dominicana Cabinet Maduro no. 5.

Today we chat again with Coach Kyle and reflect on our preseason predictions and make some guesses about this upcoming season of the NFL. We also talk about working people in general and and how we can hopefully bring our best and bring out the best in others

Calling all cigar students! James, Jeff, and Julian are joined by first time guest Audrey and friend-of-the-podcast Joe for a chance to get back to basics. We talk about how to smoke a cigar from beginning to end with some tips for novices. Our cigars for this study are the inviting CAO Moontrance as well as a set of intriguing Fireball Corona. We also enjoy some complimentary beverages as we talk a bit of everything with our delightful guests!

For this special and momentous episode of the podcast, Jeff, James, Harold, Julian, and the Romp Ranger are joined by the generous and delightful James Arbaugh (of Stucki Jewelers and Phoenix Humidor fame). James brings us some of the best (and most expensive) cigars from the Humidor, including a few Gurkha Triads, Rocky Patel Convictions, and Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Editions. While profusely enjoying these special smokes, we chat with James about the cigar business, how the lounge is a special space, cigars for occasions and occasions for cigars, and much more!

James, Jeff, Harold, and Julian are joined by the immensely charming and all-around-great-dude Luke Papararo of The Undercurrent Movie Podcast. In the spirit of collaboration, we talk Ben Affleck's directorial debut, and smoke a Rocky Patel Emerald until it is gone baby, GONE.Check out Luke's Podcast at:https://open.spotify.com/show/5sPGJ4lBN6GC4mUJietNnl?si=03d7868a35eb4285

Jeff, James, Harold, and Julian get together to partake in a handful of delicious Kristoff Viente cigars. We also share some thoughts on the second Trump administration thus far (with plenty more to explore in the future), sober summers, and crazy food pairings that we enjoy.

Producer Note: I've unfortunately built a bit of a backlog of our recorded episodes, with some real gems waiting to be put out there... This one is from early April, and too good to keep under wraps any longer! -Julian We are joined by two returning guests, the delightful Romp-Ranger and lovely Cassady, to talk a little bit about Trump's second term, education, LARP-ing, food, and much more. We also try the intimidatingly named "World's Strongest Cigar." Does it live up to its moniker? Find out this episode!

Jeff, James, and Julian are joined by esteemed friend of the podcast and culinary tour de force Jim, who graciously brings a Cohiba Siglo III for us to enjoy. We get to talk where to buy cuban cigars, how to tell if one is authentic, Jim's travels, immigration, rum, and of course

Jeff, James, and Julian are joined by always adventurous and intimately intriguing Romp-Ranger to talk exclusivity in cigars, the process of developing merch, making a home out of a house, driving anxiety, and even some philosophy.

Jeff, James, Harold, and Julian are joined by esteemed guest and sports guru, Kyle, to talk about the upcoming draft. We also get the chance to chat about the world's oldest profession, the worst game on steam, what makes an athlete hungry for success, and much more! We also have a polarizing (amongst us) HVC Cerro cigar.

James, Jeff, and Julian get together for a conversation about cigar humidification systems, motorcycle maintenance, when you have to murder your friends, and whether James is the AH? All over a El Güegüense by foundation cigars.

He's a good time but don't call him a fungi! Friend of the podcast Jim, providing us with an exceedingly enjoyable My Father Lancero, joins to talk about food, Jeff's little mistakes, Jeff's culinary war crimes, our favorite types of mushrooms, what it means to serve food, and much more!

The immensely talented and entertaining John Voelz joins us for a smoke (John partakes with a pipe and we have La Barba Red Label) and to talk about where he's at, where he is going, playing music, the nature of ideas and how to prime the mind, what the clothes we ware mean, and so much more! Also, John rocks our socks off with a sweet original tune!Check out his website so you can see where he's playing next:https://johnvoelz.com

We are joined by first time guest, self described "just another guy" Dylan. Dylan graciously provides us with a handful of lovely Montecristo 1935 cigars, and we chat all matters of cigar preferences, ordering online, what got us into tobacco, how we found our place at the lounge, home cigar storage, and much more!

Joined by friend of the podcast Joe Bailey, we attempt to smoke two varieties of Cromagnon cigars (Roma Craft) and catch up on the workings of work, politics, happenings in the hockey world, the delicate art of raising children, and much more!

Producer extraordinar, King Julian, brings a very special guest!

Today we try The Plugg from the cigar authority, every year the cigar authority comes out with a cigar or two and we light up this unknown blend torpedo. As usual we hit all the no go topics with sensitivity and care. We discuss: how some factories make cigars for other brands, how older cars were better, and hit some news and politics.

We enjoy a La Palina Black Label cigar while recounting our trip down to the Bay Area. Prepare for stories of pride night at the arena, pure prius power, Hops & Scotch, what went down at the Danville cigar lounge, and more!You can check out the Danville Cigar Fine Wine and Gifts website at:http://danvillecigar.com/

Kyle joins Jeff, James, and Julian to talk all things football! We also enjoy an excellent, and powerful, La Palina KB series PT 3 cigar.

Micheal, AKA The Fishin Mortician, joins James, Jeff, and Julian to have a Free Will cigar and talk about how his online presence came about, some of his experiences fishing, how he got into bait making, and much more! You can check out his YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@TheFishinMortician And also his website at https://thefishinmortician.com

Jeff, James, Harold, and Julian come together to celebrate their favorite episodes, guests, and cigars of the year. We review the podcast stats, explain our individual picks, and reach an expert committee consensus, all while enjoying some Atabey Brujos (plus other delightful) cigars.

James, Jeff and Julian meet up at the lounge towards the end of peak to smoke a La Barba Ricochet Blue and talk the roundness of the earth, debrief on James' housewarming party, reflect on Jeff's motorcycle odyssey, and much more!

This episode was recorded near the start of peak with James, Jeff, and Julian (plus some others who briefly stopped by the lounge). We talk diving into the new season with Black Friday, a little bit of party prep and housekeeping, Jeff's astounding luck, reasons to smoke a cigar, and much more over an agreeable Kristoff Kristania.

It's the start of peak for UPS so James, Harold, Julian plus a fashionably late Jeff get together for a Micallef Red and some catching up! Harold tells us about Texas travels and basketball, James gets into his new living situation, Jeff wonders what's up with his neighbors, and Julian talks about shooting his first firearm? All that and more in our 80th episode!

Jeff brings a wonderful and highly anticipated guest, his almost-sister-in-law Marissa of "The Carnivore Nutritionist" (link below). Marissa gives us the rundown on her educational background, her variety of jobs, general philosophy on food, and the some of the science and research that informs that philosophy. James and Julian soak it all in and enjoy a sublime Davidoff Aniversario #3. Marissa's Website: https://thecarnivorenutritionist.com

Does your throat ache? Feeling unwell or congested? You're not alone! Join a partially ill crew of James, Jeff, and Julian for some lighter cigars and medicinal beverages.

Join Jeff, James, Harold, Ken and Julian at our delightful dinner party! James makes some delicious birria tacos, Julian messes up the recording, and we all share our election predictions (with plenty of cigars and drinks as well).

Joe joins James, Jeff and Julian to have a box-pressed Norteño and chat about pests, motorcycles, food, diet/eating habits, and much more!

New friend of the podcast Curtis joins us to introduce himself, tell some jokes, and regale us with stories of his family, cars, pool, and golf. Thoroughly entertained, the crew enjoys a variety of cigars including the intriguingly named Fah King Good cigar.

Friend of the podcast Jim joins us, bringing some special slaw and extra special angelica wine. With some additional treats from James, Jeff, and Harold, we share plenty of laughs and chat about food, fine dining, yoga, and not recognizing people you see frequently.

James brings a few lovely Diamond Crown Maximus cigars for Jeff and Julian to enjoy as we all catch up on the happenings of the week. Also, further debriefing on the New England Cigar Expo courtesy of James.

James returns fresh from the New England Cigar Expo to tell Jeff, Julian, and Graydon all about the happenings. Who was there and what goodies did he get? What did he smoke and eat? What went down with that bundle of literal gold? Plus, Jeff graciously brings a Cuba Libre One for everyone to enjoy and discuss.

Jeff brings an Alec Bradley Superstition for James and Julian to enjoy. Plus, Julian has questions about setting up his tupperdor, what to look for with online retailers, and what cigar brands and types to explore. We also touch on a wedding James ministered, some tobacco shops to visit, the Vikings doing their thing, and James' upcoming trip.

Jeff, James, Julian, and Harold are joined by friends of the podcast Graydon and Gary for a Quesada Oktoberfest cigar and conversations about football, how we buy cigars, James Earl Jones, white guilt, under and overrated sticks, and much more! Julian also gets (and shares) some wonderful gifts for helping with the pod.

Ante and Cirbie welcome Jeff, James, Julian, and Harold to their home for a wonderful meal and a very special podcast episode. We enjoy a variety of cigars and beverages as we talk fair food, how Ante and Cirbie met, Ante's history at UPS, mixed drinks, paranormal experiences, our favorite bars, and much more. Be sure to check out the incredible duets by Ante and Cirbie at the conclusion of the pod!

A fashionably late Harold joins James, Julian, and Graydon for a Grupo de Maestros vintage 2015 cigar curtesy of Graydon. During our smoke we talk about beer, local brewers, leadership in music, beer, Graydon's education, Oktoberfest, beer, and our personal favorite episodes of the podcast. We also get the opportunity to have a few more cigars and converse about beer, the nature of politics in the podcast, and what we look forward to in future episodes.

James, Graydon, and Julian enjoy a Plasencia Alma Fuerte Sixto I Hexagon in the lounge, while Jeff calls in and has Rocky Patel The Edge Corojo. We also talk about rum, whiskey, Jeff's healthy food drive to Minnesota, RFK, history in America before 1942, Immanuel Kant, and much more!

Graydon and James showcase cigars that are friendly to both palate and budget. Is there a enjoyable stick costing under eight dollars? What about three? Julian gets schooled on what to look for and expect in the realm of affordable smokes. This episode also includes conversations on local fires, social security, and upcoming beers from Grass Valley Brewing Co.

Jeff, James, and Julian enjoy a Bandolero Serie A Aventureros cigar and talk about wildfires, the unhoused, H.O.A.s, how socks refuse to find their match, and when dogs turn not cool. Julian also plays a "little" ukulele, which opens up a discussion about music, instruments we find approachable and/or enchanting, and the jaw dropping performances GV Brewing Karaoke night.

After some delectable sandwiches and lemon ricotta carrots, we sit down for some cigars and beverages. Join us for discussion about childhood foods redeemed, the culture of Costco, who gets a FBJ and who is a hoddy, tattoos, color blindness, hate crimes, fluoride, and much more!