Box Press

EXCLUSIVE! Get a behind-the-scenes look at how halfwheel, the source for cigar news and reviews, taste tests cigars. Learn how to pick out the flavors you only read about in cigar reviews. And how you cut, light and puff can affect a cigar’s taste. Hear how cigar humidity can change the way a cigar smokes. And how halfwheel co-founder trusts Boveda 2-way humidity control for proper cigar humidification. 

Cigar lovers, watch and get inspired. Southern Draw, a Texas-based, Nicaraguan-made cigar company has gotten creative—and not just with its cigar names and blends. Through its IGNITE program, Southern Draw is sharing its success while adhering to charitable giving guidelines set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (Since August 2016, FDA regulations prohibit those in the cigar industry from the decades-long tradition of donating cigars to charities.)

Founder Robert Holt explains how doing good is just as important as making good cigars.

What to catch in Box Press Ep. 09:

- ANNOUNCING: Southern Draw’s new cigar: IGNITE (0:40) - What is Operation: Cigars for Warriors? (1:45) - Why are cigars so important to active military? (2:25) - What are Robert and Rob smoking on-air? Southern Draw Jacob’s Ladder (https://www.jrcigars.com/brand/southern-draw-cigars/southern-draw-jacob-s-ladder) (4:06) - How did “Southern Draw” get its name? (9:48) - Cigars are a vehicle that brings people together (10:25) - How Southern Draw names cigars after family members (12:28) - Integrity is the first step to true greatness (16:49) - Give away the first and the best, and then keep the rest (20:21) - Marriage advice from Robert Holt (27:29) - What does Robert Holt like to smoke? (28:57) - Why Robert will always respect Eric Espinosa (31:13) - What’s a common misconception about cigars? (34:40)

Box Press, is a cigar podcast from Boveda, the global leader in 2-way humidity control for premium cigars. Every month, Boveda’s Rob Gagner covers cigars, cigar life and cigar enjoyment.

RoMa Craft doesn’t build a product to fit whatever tobaccos it has leftover. Nope.

Co-founders Skip Martin and Mike Rosales share how RoMa Craft crafts a new cigar blend. And why the people growing the tobacco, rolling the cigars and selling RoMa Craft are just as important as what finds its way into your humidor.

Learn what’s hot in humidors from this Austin, Texas, based cigar company. RoMa Craft makes small-batch super-premium cigars, including CroMagnon, Neanderthal, Intemperance, CRAFT, Wunder|Lust and Aquitaine.

The on-air Box Press smoke is the Neanderthal. (https://halfwheel.com/roma-craft-tobac-teases-three-new-neanderthal-vitolas/157757) What’s your go-to RoMa Craft cigar? Share your thoughts below with fellow cigar aficionados.

RoMa Craft founders talk Neanderthal. (1:03)



Why “craft” means being emotionally connected to what you are making. (3:32)



Why connecting with people who make cigars is just as important as picking out tobacco. (9:16)

How intentionally building a company’s culture increases employee retention. (9:25)


Why some other cigar brands need to sell bad cigars in order to make good cigars. (16:53)



Is the Femur worth the money? (19:57)



What’s a cigar unicorn? (20:26)



What’s RoMa Craft’s secret? HINT: Using unique combinations of unique tobaccos. (22:50)



Who are the 3 “master cigar blenders” in the world, according to Skip? (25:03)



How are master cigar blenders are like dogs? (29:47)



There is no special tobacco. It’s about discipline, patience, capital and dedicated people. (30:25)



How a small company uses social media to share its brilliant products (and build relationships) with people all over the world. (32:50)



How good is your “weasel” game? (37:00)

Box Press, is a cigar podcast from Boveda, the global leader in 2-way humidity control for premium cigars. Every month, Boveda’s Rob Gagner covers cigars, cigar life and cigar enjoyment.

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Subscribe to Box Press on iTunes: https://apple.co/2E5iNlZ Subscribe to Box Press on Google Play: https://goo.gl/U7LhdC Follow Boveda on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa Follow Boveda on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/ Follow Boveda on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BovedaInc Buy Boveda: https://bovedainc.com/store

“Not every cigar is good, and as such, not every review will be pretty.” 
- halfwheel on its cigar reviews

Where can you find unbiased cigar reviews? Where can you get a daily cigar news fix? Where does a cigar feature read like an episode of Law & Order? halfwheel. (https://halfwheel.com/)

Along with Boveda’s Rob Gagner, get the inside story of how the industry’s most popular online source for cigar news, reviews and glamour shots got started. (Featuring halfwheel founders Charlie Minato and Brooks Whittington)

Before you put down another dollar on a premium cigar, find out about halfwheel’s cigar reviews on Box Press Episode 07. Easy to search and easy to understand, halfwheel’s in-depth posts can turn a cigar newbie into a cigar aficionado.

Looking for a Father’s Day gift for a cigar smoker? Boveda Smart Sensor was previewed by halfwheel. (https://halfwheel.com/boveda-launches-smart-sensor)

No lighting up at halfwheel HQ, which is outside of Dallas, Texas. Instead, Charlie and Brooks reviewed Answer’s fruited sour craft brew out of Richmond, Virginia. Is a beer brewed from passionfruit, mango and lemonade still a beer? Check out halfwheel’s craft brew blog, (https://tenemu.com).

Box Press, is a cigar podcast from Boveda, the global leader in 2-way humidity control for premium cigars. Every month, Boveda’s Rob Gagner covers cigars, cigar life and cigar enjoyment. Find out how to season a humidor in just 2 weeks with Boveda.

Box Press, is a cigar podcast from Boveda, the global leader in 2-way humidity control for premium cigars. Every month, Boveda’s Rob Gagner covers cigars, cigar life and cigar enjoyment.

What are Rob and Brian smoking in Box Press Ep. 06? Aging Room Solera Fantastico Sungrown (https://www.jrcigars.com/item/aging-room-cigars/aging-room-solera/fantastico-sungrown)

We’re lifting the curtain to show you how Boveda keeps premium cigars smoke ready. And revealing what makes Boveda work better than gels, beads and sponges. Brian Rice, the Principle R&D Engineer at Boveda tells all.

- What’s Boveda and how does Boveda work? (1:54) - Are there secret ingredients in Boveda? (3:40) - Do lab-grade hygrometers need calibration? (4:40) - What’s the difference between a 1-way humidifier and a 2-way humidifier for cigars? (11:30) - What’s the differences between Boveda and gel and beads for cigars? (12:55) - Brian’s sponge confessional. (13:03) - Can Boveda over-humidify a humidor? (22:25) - How to add more horsepower to your humidor to reach the RH level you want. (25:15) - Why condition cigars before you put them in a humidor. (29:28) - Which is quicker–humidifying or drying out cigars? (30:22) - Why the wipe down method of seasoning humidors doesn’t go deep enough . (31:07) - How long does it take to season a humidor with Boveda? (35:25)

#AskBoveda: Will the wipe down method speed up the seasoning of my humidor? (36:40)

ANSWER: No, wiping down the inside of a wooden humidor before you add Boveda 84% RH for seasoning will delay effective seasoning.

When you wipe down the inside of a wooden humidor with a sponge saturated with distilled water, the moisture level on the surface of the humidor’s interior will spike to 100%. Add Boveda 84% RH and Boveda will detect that 100% moisture level. Boveda will first go into absorb mode to bring the moisture level down to 84% RH. (This will add 2 to 4 days to the Boveda 14-day seasoning method.) After that, Boveda will push moisture all the way through the porous wood—deep down into its cells, not just on its surface.

Best to just toss in Boveda 84% RH into a dry humidor and let it work on its own—no need to rain on its parade.

#AskBoveda: What’s the best beverage to drink while you smoke a cigar? (38:45)

ANSWER:

Enjoy an alcoholic beverage with your cigar? Brian pairs his premium cigar with a single malt Scotch that’s been aged at least 15 years. To his pour, he adds a single ice cube to slightly chill his Scotch while freeing its aromas and flavors. Then he’ll settle in for good hour’s smoke.

Teetotaler? With his cigar, Rob’s a fan of enjoying a sugary, carbonated soft drink, like a Coca-Cola. When Rob’s reviewing cigars, he’ll drink sparkling water or tea in between sticks to eliminate competing flavors. What’s the secret to really cleanse your palate after smoking a cigar? A glass of milk.

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Subscribe to Box Press on iTunes: https://apple.co/2E5iNlZ Subscribe to Box Press on Google Play: https://goo.gl/U7LhdC Follow Boveda on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa Follow Boveda on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/ Follow Boveda on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BovedaInc Buy Boveda: https://bovedainc.com/store

Box Press, is a cigar podcast from Boveda, the global leader in 2-way humidity control for premium cigars. Every month, Boveda’s Rob Gagner covers cigars, cigar life and cigar enjoyment.

What are Rob and Benny smoking in Box Press Ep. 05? A Cuban, of course! A 'Swiss Exclusive' Vegas Robaina.

Cigar enthusiast looking for a vacation spot? Head to Europe with Boveda International Relations Executive Benjamin (Benny) Patock. Learn why most Europeans prefer Cuban cigars over non-Cuban sticks. And what are the misconceptions about Cuban cigars. What can BOTL/SOTL expect from cigar shopping and smoking in Europe? Tune in!

Box Press, is a cigar podcast from Boveda, the global leader in 2-way humidity control for premium cigars. Every month, Boveda’s Rob Gagner covers cigars, cigar life and cigar enjoyment.

Box Press, is a cigar podcast from Boveda, the global leader in 2-way humidity control for premium cigars. Every month, Boveda’s Rob Gagner covers cigars, cigar life and cigar enjoyment.

On-air smoke: Alec Bradley - Post Embargo https://www.cigarsinternational.com/p...

You have to listen to Mikey Zahn’s cigar origin story–from lumberjack to retailer to roller to rep. Listen to how Mikey fine-tuned his cigar knowledge by hand-rolling cigars with masters of the craft in Honduras, hanging out with blenders and growers and tagging along on cigar tours. Now Mikey is the Midwest Account Manager for Alec Bradley Cigars, makers of Prensado, Fine & Rare, Sanctum, Tempus, Nica Puro and Coyol.

Mikey and Rob discuss:

- How to turn a cigar hobby into a career

- What a cigar rep for a major brand does

- How to find a cigar you like

- When to smoke a fresh-rolled cigar

- Why cigar lovers should go to local cigar events and tastings

#AskBoveda Question (21:14): What’s a normal RH readings after seasoning your wooden humidor with Boveda? Is a 84% RH level too high?

Those new cigars you just bought might tank your humidor’s RH level. Before you put them in your wooden humidor, acclimate new cigars in humidor bag or lidded plastic container. Watch now to learn more tips for cigar lovers. Boveda’s Box Press Ep. 02 Highlights: - On air smoke: La Flor Dominicana #3 - Series 2000 (http://bit.ly/2sawJKr) a hidden secret! (0:25) - Story about smoking w/ Litto Gomez In his car (2:15) - 3 internal factors that cause low RH levels, 3 ways to compensate for low RH levels, 3 superpowers of a Boveda Humidor Bag (5:04) #AskBoveda Question (22:08): a Colorado cigar lover is struggling seasoning his humidor. What's wrong?

What’s Rob smoking in Box Press Ep. 01? C.L.E.’s EIROA The First 20.

Welcome to Box Press, the new cigar podcast from Boveda, the global leader in 2-way humidity control for premium cigars. Boveda’s Rob Gagner covers cigars, cigar life and cigar enjoyment.

In this first episode of Box Press, Rob explains how external dips and spikes in temperature and humidity can affect your humidor. The Boveda host answers: Do I need to switch to a different Boveda RH level when the season changes? Should I automatically swap Boveda RHs when the season changes? How will does an extreme humid or desert climate affect my cigars? Wooden humidor, acrylic humidor or humidor bag? Weathering the weather as a cigar lover starts with getting to know your humidor intimately and calibrating your hygrometer with the Boveda One-Step Calibration Kit.

From #askBoveda, Rob turns cigar novices into cigar aficionados by troubleshooting crispy cigars, musty cigars and how to dodge both of these cigar crimes with the proper use of Boveda.

Meet Rob Gagner, Boveda Account Manager

Rob started at Tobacco Grove, the premium tobacconist and maker of Crux Cigars. At Boveda, Rob manages relationships with Crux, as well as many other top cigar brands, including Asylum Cigars, Dapper Cigars and Altadis U.S.A.