Box Press

Stay tuned for the big take down! Rocky Patel got way more than he bargained for while debuting his new cigars, Conviction and Dark Star to Boveda's founders, Sean Knutsen and Tim Swail and company sensei, Drew Emmer. Rocky explains why he uses Boveda to preserve the flavor and character of his cigars.

Just to clarify, Boveda was indeed developed in Minnesota, the land of sky blue water, but here's what the 2-way humidity pack actually contains: Purified water, natural salts and odorless food grade thickener, commonly used in salad dressing.

What is Boveda? Cigar makers like Rocky Patel protect the flavor and character of their hand-rolled cigars with Boveda, that brown 2-way humidity pack that you find in a cigar box. At home, continue to use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor from every cigar. Boveda has been keeping cigars tasting great for more than 25 years. Age and store premium cigars with Boveda in your humidor.

Sign up for Boveda email updates: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bovedainc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/

00:00 Cold open

00:13 What's Rocky Patel 's new cigar Conviction like?

00:52 For My Humidor poster of José Oliva hits Rocky Patel!

01:33 What's the flavor profile of the new Conviction cigar?

01:51 The Rocky Patel Dark Star cigar is an affordable luxury

02:02 What cigar is like a classic Cuban cigar?

03:26 Rocky Patel uses Boveda in his humidors and cigar boxes

04:07 Why humidity affects a cigar's taste

Winner, winner, chicken dinner. In a Premium Cigar Retailers Association auction, Nico Sanders was victorious in earning a guest role on Boveda's cigar podcast, Box Press. "Sharing cigars with people and learning more about them and their experiences is the greatest thing," the long-time cigar smoker told hosts Nate Beck and Rob Gagner.

Nico, a lover of anything Fuente, heads up Community Housing Associates, Inc. Making homelessness brief is the group's goal. CHA has developed, managed, or leased housing for more than 900 individuals and families in Baltimore, Maryland. Residents receive services to support physical and mental health, employment, and daily living skills. Find out how you can help at CHA here: https://communityhousingassociates.org/

What is Boveda? Cigar makers protect the flavor and character of their hand-rolled cigars with Boveda, that brown 2-way humidity pack that you find in a cigar box. At home, continue to use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor from every cigar. Boveda has been keeping cigars tasting great for more than 25 years. Boveda Protects Your Premium Cigars. Guaranteed.

Sign up for Boveda email updates: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bovedainc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/

https://www.theqg.com/

https://clubcarraway.com/

00:00 Cold open

00:49 What was your first cigar?

01:28 I tried to hate this cigar, but couldn't

05:56 Shout out to Tampa Sweethearts Cigar Co.

06:33 What's a good everyday cigar from Fuente

07:28 Benefits of membership in a private cigar lounge, like Quintessential Gentleman in Baltimore, Maryland, and Club Carraway in Minneapolis, Minnesota

11:19 Relying solely on the kindness of strangers, like in "The Kindness Diaries"

12:41 Winning a Box Press interview in the PCA auction

16:04 Executive director of Community Housing Associates, which works to secure housing for unhomed people in Baltimore

17:32 People need the basics—shelter, food and jobs

24:16 Where's the safe space to talk about difficult stuff?

30:29 We can always do more. I always strive to be better than I was the day before.

31:29 There's more to life than working 80-hour weeks

33:27 Finding a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Organization

Listen for the hilarious father-son story that taught Tim Ozgener the importance of knowing your customer via adult-themed pipes! Previously, Tim owned and ran CAO with his father Cano Aret Ozgener and his sister Aylin. After a 12-year hiatus, Tim found his way back to the cigar business. Learn from the exercises that helped him pinpoint where to go next and how to design a brand like Nike does. In 2022, Tim launched Ozgener Family Cigars, which are distributed by Crowned Heads.

Interview by Rob Gagner.

What is Boveda? Cigar makers protect the flavor and character of their hand-rolled cigars with Boveda, that brown 2-way humidity pack that you find in a cigar box. At home, continue to use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor from every cigar. Boveda has been keeping cigars tasting great for more than 25 years. Boveda Protects Your Premium Cigars. Guaranteed.

Sign up for Boveda email updates: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bovedainc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/

00:00 Cold open

00:18 What made you launch a new cigar brand?

04:37 Crowned Heads: If you ever want to get back into cigars, let us know

04:53 How to build a brand like Nike

05:53 Where Christians and Muslims come together

08:01 Opposing forces come together over cigars

08:18 Meditate with a cigar

11:55 What I learned from my father

13:43 Celebration of Life or a funeral

16:32 Bring out the p*rn* pipes

18:54 Story behind Ozgener Family Limited Edition PI Synesthesia Cigars

20:08 Starting OZ Arts Contemporary Arts Center @ozfamilycigars

Don't get mired in the flavors you're tasting in a cigar—or not tasting, for that matter. Just smoke a cigar to enjoy it, said Dion Giolito, founder of Illusione Cigars. This from the guy with an exacting palate and a rep for creative tobacco blending in cigars like the Singularé, Fume d'Amour, Ultra and Garagiste. Before making cigars, Giolito launched Fumare, a Nevada smoke shop specializing in rare and hard to find cigars. He still owns it, so when in Reno, check out Fumare for souvenir cigars.

Interview by Rob Gagner.

What is Boveda? Cigar makers protect the flavor and character of their hand-rolled cigars with Boveda, that brown 2-way humidity pack that you find in a cigar box. At home, continue to use Boveda in your humidor to keep cigars well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor from every cigar. Boveda has been keeping cigars tasting great for more than 25 years. Boveda Protects Your Premium Cigars. Guaranteed.

Sign up for Boveda email updates: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bovedainc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/

00:00 Cold open

01:12 What's a cigar smoker's palate?

04:54 What are Criollo cigars?

06:37 How a cigar is like a PB&J sandwich

08:06 Does the Cigar Aficionado Top 25 of the Year matter?

13:30 From selling cigars in Reno to blending cigars

14:06 Tobacco has a language and you have to listen to it

16:26 How golf is good for your brain

25:51 As a kid, your bike is your first taste of freedom

28:58 Learned business and finance from his mom

30:14 What cigar are Rob and Dion smoking?

36:45 What's the hardest part about blending a cigar?

40:25 Cigar flavors mimic other flavors

44:32 What cigar should you try next? Check out the Epernay Illusione cigar

Get out your handkerchiefs! A cigar talk to share with your dad or other influential man in your life. In November 2003, Jeremiah Meerapfel's father Richard died suddenly of a heart attack. Richard was heralded with saving Cameroon/Central African wrapper tobacco from extinction in the early 1990s. Jeremiah and his brother Joshua carried on their father's work. In honor of their father, the Meerapfels launched a new cigar category of limited-production UberLuxury cigars. For the rest of us, if you've smoked a cigar with a Cameroon wrapper, Jeremiah has probably touched, farmed, cured, processed and shipped that tobacco.

Cigar makers like Meerapfel protect the flavor and character of their hand-rolled cigars with Boveda. Boveda are those brown 2-way humidity packs that you find in cigar boxes. Cigar smokers use Boveda in humidors to make sure the cigars inside stay well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll get better flavor from a cigar. Boveda has been keeping cigars tasting great for more than 25 years. Boveda Protects Your Premium Cigars. Guaranteed.

Sign up for Boveda email updates: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bovedainc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/

00:00 Cold open

00:59 Wears the Borsalino hat worn by his father and grandfather

01:50 Cameroon wrapper is the most challenging premium tobacco leaf to grow

05:50 The trauma of the sudden death of a father

08:04 Carrying on your father's legacy

10:46 I know I could never fill my father's shoes

17:34 Balancing fatherhood and family

21:19 Every day, make a difference in a positive way

28:51 The first Meerapfel cigar released in 80 years

30:17 The first sustainable cigar box in the world

32:59 Cigars made from the oldest tobaccos

34:35 Boveda integrated into UberLuxury cigar packaging

40:12 "If you don't do it with passion, don't do it at all."

How do you pick a cigar that's right for you, especially if you're new to cigar smoking? Learn the top things to know before you shop for cigars. Includes helpful questions what to say when the humidor manager asks, "May I help you." Hosted by Boveda's Nate Beck and Rob Gagner.

Pick up a Boveda Humidor Bag to store those cigars you pick up at the smoke shop. A Boveda Humidor Bag makes a great first humidor, plus it's preloaded with a Boveda cigar humidity pack. Boveda preserves cigars by making sure they're well-humidified. If you don't store cigars with Boveda, cigars can be can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. Boveda has been keeping cigars tasting great for more than 25 years. Boveda Protects Premium Cigars. Guaranteed.

Sign up for Boveda email updates: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bovedainc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/

00:00 Cold open

00:18 How to buy your first cigar

00:41 Key flavors in cigars

01:24 The foods you like are linked to cigars

03:05 Best beginner cigar for under $10

03:44 Focus on taste, not strength when you pick a cigar

04:15 What size cigar is good for a new smoker?

04:32 How to get rid of queasiness from a cigar?

05:09 When do you take the band off of a cigar?

06:34 How to put out a cigar

07:58 Stick to major classic brands if you're new to cigars

09:19 Why you need a cigar journal log book, like Big Sally's Diary, Cigar Edition

12:20 #1 thing to know to smoke good cigars

Instead of chasing the next best boutique cigar, why not go back to the classics? Join Boveda's Rob Ganger and Nate Beck as they compare 2 sticks from Altadis U.S.A.—Henry Clay War Hawk is up against the Montecristo Classic. What’s the difference between these two cigars? Find out in this next round of "Big Brother Versus Little Brother," the cigar showdown of a budget-friendly cigar (War Hawk) and a celebratory cigar (Montecristo Classic).

How can you preserve the cigars you bring cigars home from the smoke shop? Store cigars with Boveda in your humidor. Boveda makes humidity control packs for humidors. Our best seller is Boveda 72% RH for wood humidors. When you own a humidor, you need to make sure the cigars inside stay well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll get better flavor from a cigar. Boveda has been keeping cigars tasting great for more than 25 years. Boveda Protects Premium Cigars. Guaranteed.

Sign up for Boveda email updates: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bovedainc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/

00:00 Cold open

00:29 Preview: Hidden travel gems for smokers who love cigar history

05:52 Let's get on with the cigar showdown, boys: Henry Clay War Hawk vs Montecristo Classic

07:16 A good cigar for SEC football fans! (War Hawk/Auburn War Eagle)

08:07 Shout-out to Stogies World Class Cigars exclusive Lonsdale cigar (The cigar vacation spot in Texas for Lancero lovers!)

11:38 Looking for a milder, easygoing cigar with a soft retrohale?

15:35 Which cigar has bigger flavor with spice on the retrohale?

16:11 What's a good cigar after a farm-to-table dinner?

17:22 "What sorcery did they do to these brussels sprouts?" (If you're in Minneapolis, try The Bungalow Club! https://www.thebungalowclubmpls.com/)

20:15 Time to retire to the smoking room for cigars?

21:10 What cigar is good to learn how to retrohale?

23:30 What's a good beginner cigar?

24:46 What cigar pairs with Scotch?

28:01 What cigars should you recommend to first-timers?

34:12 Which cigar should you smoke next, Montecristo Classic or Henry Clay War Hawk?

35:52 Keep forgetting to buy new humidor packs? Subscribe to get replacement Boveda packs delivered right to you every 3 months at https://www.bovedainc.com

What cigar punches way above its price point? Find out in this next round of "Big Brother Versus Little Brother" cigar showdown! Join Boveda's Rob Ganger and Nate Beck as they compare 4 sticks from Robert Caldwell.

Lost & Found started as a line of "abandoned" cigars. Since those are now few and far between, Lost & Found now blends small-batch cigars from rare, aged tobaccos. Hence the name: Lost & Found. They should add Gone to that name because when you smoke a Lost & Found, you'd better consciously enjoy it, because you might never get it again.

How can you save cigars for years and still have them taste good? When you're aging cigars long-term, store them with Boveda 65% RH in your humidor. Boveda makes humidity control packs for humidors. Our best seller is Boveda 72% RH for wood humidors. When you own a humidor, you need to make sure the cigars inside stay well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll get better flavor from a cigar. Boveda has been keeping cigars tasting great for more than 25 years. Boveda Protects Premium Cigars. Guaranteed.

Sign up for Boveda email updates: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bovedainc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/

00:00 Cold open

02:41 What the heck is 22 Minutes to Midnight cigar series?

03:29 A Pepper Cream Soda cigar?

07:13 Smoking 4 cigars at once—Caldwells are a great flavor combo!

08:29 Are Blind Man's Bluff cigars box worthy?

10:05 What should we do with Long Live the Queen Cameroon? Email Rob & Nate your cigar podcast idea to [email protected]

12:11 Do you like one-off or standalone cigars?

15:16 Can you tell a cheap cigar from an expensive cigar?

17:15 Is aged tobacco always better?

29:09 Are you a cigar hoarder?

29:55 What's a cigar "mooch-a-dor"?

"We don't make cigars, we make reasons to enjoy life," said Nirka Reyes, president of De Los Reyes, a cigar factory in the Dominican Republic. De Los Reyes is home to the Saga line of cigars and a portfolio of third-party brands. Nirka was also a pandemic bride who's planning a fifth anniversary reception to celebrate the big event that never was. Hear how Box Press host, Rob Gagner weasels his way on the guest list.

What should be inside your humidor: good cigars and Boveda. Boveda are those brown 2-way humidity packs you put in a humidor to preserve cigars. When you own a humidor, you need to make sure the cigars inside stay well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll get better flavor from a cigar. Boveda has been keeping cigars tasting great for more than 25 years. Perfectly aged cigars. Guaranteed.

Sign up for Boveda email updates: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bovedainc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/

00:00 Cold open

03:19 Is it true that you marry someone who's like one of your parents?

04:42 How do you get cigar ash out of your computer keyboard?

10:50 Getting politicians together over cigars

12:53 What's surprised you most about your first year of marriage?

18:03 When life throws you a curve, ask yourself "What am I learning?"

19:28 "Servant Leadership" is the only leadership book I recommend

21:02 De Los Reyes slashed cigar production from 14 million to 2 million cigars

30:59 What goes into making one good cigar

32:06 Something about Karl Malone you don't know

35:47 Dominican cigar makers' camaraderie

37:23 How did you get your job working in cigars?

42:06 We don't make cigars, we make reasons to enjoy life

45:30 Cigar meme of the day: An ordinary day can become extraordinary with the right cigar

48:01 Ideal cigar gift for a bookworm who loves cigars—Saga Short Tales

Good burn. Great taste. Just what you'd expect from a retired Chicago firefighter turned cigar maker. Aric Bey is a model on how to pivot if early retirement derails your career. The Black boutique cigar brand founder sits down with Boveda's Rob Gagner to talk about the Black Star Line Cigars' blends. The brand name is a fist up to civil rights leader, Marcus Garvey.

You might remember that Black Star Line and Epic Cigars teamed up on the Black History Month Cigar, a limited-edition scholarship cigar for Privada Cigar Club. Learn how to round out your cigar palate and pair cigars and spirits from the BIPOC cigar brand owner.

About Boveda for Cigars: Boveda are those brown 2-way humidity packs you put in a humidor to preserve cigars. When you own a humidor, you need to make sure the cigars inside stay well-humidified or they can be hard to light, burn to too fast or get moldy. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll get better flavor from a cigar. Boveda has been keeping cigars tasting great for more than 25 years. Perfectly aged cigars. Guaranteed.

Sign up for Boveda email updates: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bovedainc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/

00:00 Cold open

01:28 Black Star Line Cigars and Marcus Garvey, leader of the Pan-Africanism movement

03:15 Retired firefighter cigar brand

06:17 Everybody wants to go home—the mission of a firefighter

07:05 Who are you after early retirement?

11:03 Get a degree that will earn you more money

17:04 Saving lives with a cigar

20:58 Growing a boutique cigar brand

22:39 Whiskey pairing for the Black Star Line El Milagro Corojo

23:44 Pairing cigars with spirits

24:10 A good gin that goes with cigars

26:00 How to build your cigar palate

27:48 How to taste cigar flavor better

33:00 What does the number mean after a tobacco name?

38:29 What Black Star Line Cigars to try