The Ash Holes

Today we ask are shorter cigars better? There have been lots of new cigars coming in that aren’t your typical sizes, especially shorter smokes. What is causing this trend & should we be smoking more funky shaped cigars?

Lets Talk about Cigar Cookouts! We’re getting into BBQ season what types of cigars, tools & more should you offer at cookouts or other outside events!

Today we breakdown the 2026 PCA Trade Show from New Orleans! Dan was working the booth, Dave was on the floor shopping, lets hear their perspective from the field & what to expect the coming year in cigars.

Today we ask what makes a classic cigar? The landscape has changed & not just old school brands fit in this category. What cigars could be considered a classic now?

Today we preview all of PCA 2026 happening in New Orleans later this week, What should retailers expect from this year’s show & will it be another record breaking year??

PCA 2026 is just 2 weeks away! Agnes breaks down what people can expect from United Cigars this year at the trade show & what exciting things are happening in the world of United Cigars!

Today we play Cigar Brands - Hot or Not? What are the hottest brands on the market today & what cigar brands have cooled off recently or need some work? Find out this week!

Today we give our top cigar travel tips & hacks for 2026! Traveling this year has been interesting to say the least, & with Dan fresh off a trip to Italy & Dave heading to Tampa for TCA’s 16th Anniversary we give you the best ways to make sure your cigar experience is not affected!

It's St. Patrick's Day & The Ash Holes are goin green with the Stadium Series #1! We'll talk about our favorite St. Patrick's Day traditions including in the cigar world.

Today we’re talking all thing Connecticut Wrapper cigars! The most popular wrapper in the cigar world is Connecticut, but why don't all of them succeed? What makes it s difficult to stand out in this competitive section & we’ll tell you some of our favorite CT wrapper cigars!

Let’s talk season changes / care for your cigars between winter to spring, & dive into details on what to look out for with humidors as temps and humidity change! Plus Agnes tell us about her recent trip to Arizona!

Today we ask what makes a luxury cigar in 2026?! There's lot of s cigars over $20 now buy It’s not just a price tag that can qualify a cigar as a true luxury cigar or brand. Lets discuss what it takes to become a luxury cigar brand & what manufacturers should consider when attempting to create a new cigar in this category

It’s time for everyone’s favorite seasonal episode, our favorite winter cigars for 2026! Whether you’re looking for dog walkers or something to smoke in your ice fishing tent we go you covered! 

Today we talk about our Favorite Cigar Things! If you are looking for the perfect valentines day gift for the cigar lover in your life we breakdown our favorite cigars or cigar accessories that will be a beloved gift this year!

Let’s talk about how we can introduce a friend to cigars! Sarah was talking to a new friend who has not smoked a cigar before, but had a lot of good questions Lets discuss what to recommend to them & why! 

Today we ask, why can’t I find this cigar!? Everyone loves limited edition or limited production cigars these days but some are harder to find than others. We give you tips on how to find the special cigars you are looking for!

In 2026 are Strong Cigars The Way to Go?, some cigar trends are changing again, & is it now the time for strong cigars to be the focus again? Or did it ever change over the past few years?

2026 is here! Let's discuss what's next for the cigar world? New products, industry changes & more!   #Cigar #Ashholes #Cigars #Theashholes #UnitedPodcastNetwork Follow Us On: Facebook:   / ashholesradio   YouTube:    / @theashholes9602   Listen to Us on: theashholes.podbean.com    or anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts Join us as we broadcast live on location from Studio 21 Podcast Cafe high above Two Guys Cigars in Salem, New Hampshire on the United Podcast Network, every Tuesday @ 4pm.

2025 is in the books & it was the year of The Ash Heel! Lets discuss how we thought 2025 went & what we should talk about on the podcast now in 2026!?

Today it’s our 2025 Cigar of the Year Announcement! Who will win the Ash Holes 2025 Cigar of the Year?! 

Today it's our 2025 Christmas Episode! We'll talk about what the Ash Holes are up to this Christmas & what cigars we plan on lighting up over the holidays!

Today we ask if you can still find cigars under $10, the obvious answer is yes but are there cigars under $10 that are really great in this economy? Lets discuss!

It’s that time year! We’re bringing our The 2025 Cigar Holiday Gift Guide to you. The perfect list of the must have cigars, accessories, and sets that the cigar lover in your life will love or maybe something to treat yourself!

In the spirit of the holiday season The Ash Heels have invited the boys to the show for this week! Let’s talk about how Ash Heels has been & if we think the boys got the contenders list right!

It’s The 2025 Contenders Show!!! We name the 6 contenders for 2025 Cigar of the Year, along with some honorable mentions that didn’t make the cut.

The warnings are over… the cigar crisis has officially hit the industry. In this episode, we break down what’s really happening behind the scenes as manufacturers struggle, retailers feel the pressure, and the post-COVID boom becomes a distant memory. Are we witnessing a repeat of 1998’s industry collapse, or is this downturn temporary? We dig into the data, trends, and insider conversations shaping the future of premium cigars.

This week we're celebrating the 9th Anniversary of the Ash Holes! Lets look back on almost a decade of the Ash Holes and predict where we'll be by next year's show. Can we make it to a decade of shows!?

Lets Talk about our favorite cigars! The guys have talked about what their favorite smokes are in the past but the Ash Heels will let you know some of our favorite cigars to enjoy all year long! 

This week we’re talking smoking cigars internationally! Dan is in Ireland right now looking for cigars. What’s the best way to enjoy cigars outside of the US? Bring your own or find something new from Cuba etc!?

Dave interrupted our plans today, and gave his honest review of Dan's wedding. How was the music? How was the food? Was it fun? Find out, and a listen for an early preview of our upcoming contenders list.

This week we’re talking wedding cigars strategy! Dan’s getting married this Saturday & breaks down all the things you need to have a perfect cigar wedding experience from groomsmen gifts to cocktail hour!

Lets talk about some of the things we wish we knew about the cigar world before getting into the hobby! What could we tell someone who’s new to cigars what pitfalls to avoid or things to keep doing from being a beginner to becoming fully into the culture!?

This week lets see if there’s been a shake up in Cigar Maker Power Rankings, who are the top players right now in the cigar world!?  

This week lets talk about what’s better for a cigar brand? New Lines or limited editions? Companies are having success right now using each method but which will work in the long run?

The 2025 New England Cigar Expo & Two Guys 40th Anniversary Party is over! Lets talk about how it went & what each of our experiences were since we all did different things throughout the weekend.

It’s here! We are just 3 Days away from the 2025 New England Cigar Expo & Two Guys 40th Anniversary Party! Lets talk about what you can expect if you’re joining us this weekend for the sold out event & what we’re most looking forward to!

The Ash Heels are back to make the perfect cigar kit! Lets Talk the perfect tools you’ll need for a perfect smoking experience: Butane lighter, V or straight cutter, travel humidor, proper humidification devices.

This week on The Ash Holes,  Labor Day is right around the corner! Let’s talk about the perfect cigars to light up this Labor Day Weekend!

This week we’re playing What IF? Two Guys Edition! Dan has a series of questions for Dave about key moments in Two Guys Smoke Shop History & we’ll discuss what could have happened if the timeline was different!

This week we are joined by Ed Santamaria, buyer at Two Guys Smoke Shop. Two Guys may be celebrating it’s 40th Anniversary this year but there's another special Two Guys Milestone to talk about as Ed is celebrating his 30th year working for the company!

This week on The Ash Heels the girls chat with Mel from Elevated Humidor! Let’s talk about her origins into the cigar world & what’s it like owning her own cigar store!

This week we’re going to give you the secret, or secrets, to making a perfect cigar. Dave’s not here to weigh in but we’ll tell ya our perspective on what is needed to make a perfect cigar successful! 

Today we ask who’s your Cigar Starting 5 if you were to start a “Cigar Team” and had to pick 4 other people to lead you to success who would it be & why!? Could be anyone from master blender, corporate officer, spokesperson, or cigar roller! No wrong answers here!

With the Padron Ruby Red Exclusive Edition Release Around The Corner we ask why make a great cigar once?! Sometimes a cigar comes out & it’s a big hit then its never to be seen again. Why do manufacturers do this? & what could change it for the future?

Summer is in full swing, lets talk about the new hot cigars of the summer 2025 & what’s still left to come out this cigar smoking season!

We’re smoking Outcast Cigars this week so it’s a good time to ask are Women Outcasts In the Cigar Industry?? Times have changed & there’s lots of women involved in all aspects the business from stores to Corporate Leaders but are the challenges still the same for women in the industry?

2025 has been a very different year for cigars than last 5 & it’s time for cigar retailers to work on better strategies for this year & we’re here to help!

The Micallef Black Firecracker has debuted & we’re gonna review it live on the show while we talk about the history of Dave’s most explosive creation, the firecracker cigar size!

Father’s Day is this Sunday & it's time for our Father's Day Cigar Gift Guide 2025!  We have the perfect cigar gifts for you to get your Dad or someone special who loves cigars! 

This week on a Special Ash Heels episode, let’s talk about the people who got us into cigars! How did these people influence us to not only start smoking cigars but make it our careers!?