#ELOsoFumarTakes

This week #ELOsoFumarTakes welcomes the return of Klaas Kelner for our #Take126. The year 2020 has certainly been a roller coaster, but it also marks the 65th Anniversary of the death of one of the world's greatest leaders. Winston Churchill was a man of many things. Leadership. Vision. A Force. All things that can describe Davidoff Cigars' place in the premium cigar industry. We celebrate both by lighting up the iconic Winston Churchill Churchill & the revolutionary Winston Churchill Late Hour Churchill. We breakdown these blends, the vitola, the Man as well.  Enjoy!

5 FUN FACTS ABOUT WINSTON CHURCHILL: https://www.havanahouse.co.uk/five-unusual-facts-winston-churchill-blog/

The story behind the Churchill size: https://www.cgarsltd.co.uk/the-story-behind-the-churchill-size-cigar-a-312.html

Randolph Churchill, the Great-grandson of Winston Churchill shares what cigars meant to him: https://vimeopro.com/oettingerdavidoff/davidoff-cigars/video/220434946 

#TAKE86: https://youtu.be/rthad_J2YcM - VIDEO

#TAKE86: https://www.podbean.com/eu/pb-af3gr-bc42a5 - AUDIO

#TAKE39: https://youtu.be/lMzdGr1KC_E  - VIDEO

#TAKE39: https://www.podbean.com/eu/pb-f3yxk-c4c15f - AUDIO

This week, #ELOsoFumarTakes welcomes the return of Tom Lazuka of Asylum Cigars for our #125thTake. The Man from the Motor City has been in the industry for a while now, but it's hard to believe that only 7 short years ago, Asylum Cigars was born. Tonight, we look back at 7 years, and smoke the Ultra-Premium Asylum SEVEN in the 7x70 viola.  We also discuss some of the latest releases and Tom's plans now that there will not be a trade show this year. We also give Tom a tough question in One Must Go! And, the spirit of the holiday, Tom and I, as both fathers of sons, reflect on the day and moments we've shared with our fathers and with our sons. Enjoy!

Asylum Cigars: https://www.clecigars.com/portfolio/asylum/

Where to find Asylum SEVEN: https://www.clecigars.com/dealer-locator/

Get your Wood Butcher Maine coaster, just like Tom, here: https://woodbutchermaine.com/

#Take of the #Take: [On best advice from his father] "Never half-ass anything.  Take pride in what you do and give it everything you got."

This week, #ELOSOFUMARTAKES welcomes Sébastien Decoppet of Cavalier Geneve Cigars to sit down for our #124thTake. Sébastien's story is the stuff of the 19th Century American Dream. Except, Sébastien isn't American and he didn't come to America to find it. He went to Honduras, an unfair observation is that this country is in 4th place when it comes to cigar production. But what has resulted is pure (to be on the nose) gold. We explore his journey.   I don't normally do a chronological bio on these shows, but Deoppet's story is one worth exploring.  Enjoy!

https://www.cavalier-cigars.com/

Distribution in Angola: https://cigar-coop.com/2020/06/cigar-news-cavalier-geneve-announces-distribution-for-angola.html

2019 Trade Show for Cavalier Geneve: https://cigar-coop.com/2019/07/ipcpr-2019-spotlight-cavalier-geneve.html 

This week, #ELOsoFumarTakes is proud to welcome Executive Director Glynn Loope of Cigar Rights of America. In the past 12 years, there has been consistency and solidarity at the helm of our industry's consumer political action group. Loope started at this post in 2008 and in November of this year he will say goodbye to the post. We reflect on the past dozen years. And along the way we have some fun and for ol' times sake we go a couple of rounds of debate. Enjoy!

JOIN CRA HERE!

Renew your CRA Membership Here!

CRA: https://www.cigarrights.org/

Loope stepping down: https://cigar-coop.com/2020/04/cigar-news-glynn-loope-steps-down-executive-director-of-cigar-rights-of-america.html

HR 2339 passes: https://cigar-coop.com/2020/02/cigar-news-comprehensive-anti-tobacco-bill-hr-2339-bill-passes-house.html

Courts rule against FDA in Warning Labels Case: https://cigar-coop.com/2020/02/cigar-news-court-rules-against-fda-on-warning-labels-for-premium-cigars.html

National Age to purchase Tobacco goes to 21: https://cigar-coop.com/2019/12/cigar-news-president-trump-signs-legislation-making-minimum-age-to-purchase-tobacco-products-to-21.html

This week, #ELOsoFumarTakes is proud to present our #122ndTake with another amazing cadre of gentlemen that are perfect for the task before them. It's our pleasure to welcome back Aaron Loomis and Matt Tye of Developing Palates & How Bout That Cigar (respectively). And, with the distinct privilege, we welcome for the first time Ben Lee of Stogie Review. The mission: Discuss the PCA trade Show's recent cancellation as well as events around the globe to the end and impact of the premium cigar industry's impact. And don't worry we have a little fun along the way. Enjoy!

Developing Palates:

https://developingpalates.com/

https://developingpalates.com/scoring-system/

Developing Palates Podcast:

https://developingpalates.podbean.com/

How 'Bout That Cigar:

https://howboutthatcigar.com/

HBTC Podcast:

https://howboutthatcigar.podbean.com/

Stogie Review:

https://stogiereview.com/

#TakesoftheTake:

Matt Tye: The PCA Trade Show 2021 will not happen.

Aaron Loomis: Nobody but the members of the PCA care if the Trade Show is canceled.  That info would not have been leaked to one news organization first

Ben Lee:  After the COVID hit and seeing what my wife (a frontline nurse) has had to go through I wanted no part of Vegas or a tradeshow this year.  

This week, #ELOsoFumarTakes is proud to welcome Indiana Ortez to sit in for our #Take121. If one can imagine the year 1969 - 25 years before the birth of our guest - Apollo 11 took off from the earth's surface departing the atmosphere 1 minute later and in 4 short days, we had the first man on the moon. While it may seem that the young - aged 26 - Indiana Ortez has had a career akin to that historic event, it hasn't been without hard work and sacrifice. We talked about journey, responsibility, and more.  We kick off by talking about her latest project with Ventura Cigar Company - Psyko Seven- Nicaraguan. Then we dive in about her family - the first and only 100% Nicaraguan cigar family in the industry. While there are some amazing women in this industry, there is no secret it is male-dominated, so we get Indiana's insights and thoughts about being a woman in this industry. And of course, we go into her blending process.  Finally some thoughts on PCA's Cancellation, plans for 2020, and the introduction of a brand new segment! Enjoy!

Follow Indiana on Instagram: @indianaortez

https://venturacigar.com/

https://venturacigar.com/psykoseven/

#TakeoftheTake: (On being a woman in the industry) "You won't receive respect unless you respect yourself...I have a responsibility to my family and the people of Nicaragua to work hard and stay focused."

This week, #ELOsoFumarTakes welcomes the return of two distinguished gentlemen to sit down for our #120thTake. Miguel Schoedel makes his fourth appearance and we welcome Luciano Meirelles back for his second take. A little while back, Crowned Heads and Ace Prime joined forces in a business arrangement. But, the two companies have more of a backstory and more a recent chapter as well. Remember the name Bulb! We discuss the Bulb Box, the Pope, strategic alliances, and more! Enjoy!

https://thebulbbox.com/

http://www.crownedheads.com/

https://aceprime.com/

The story about Oscar and his paying it forward: https://aceprime.com/generosity-enriches-our-cigars-taste/

#Take of the #Take: " I want to break the logic of value exchange, meaning I'll only do something because I receive something.  We can all be better than that." 

This week, #ELOsoFumarTakes is pleased to welcome Alec Rubin of Alec & Bradley Cigars for our #119thTake. It's the second half of the coin. Is it Tails? Is it Heads? It's Alec. If you remember, we had Bradley Rubin featured in our #98thTake and he returned for a very special #115thTake. Now, it's time to get the whole story and learn about Alec's journey. We chat Gatekeeper, their latest creation - Kintsugi, and what it was like (unlike his infamous father) to grow up in the cigar business. Alec and I also pick up a debate we started over eight months ago.  What exactly is a boutique cigar company.  Enjoy!

https://www.alecandbradley.com/

Kintsugi Release: https://cigar-coop.com/2020/03/cigar-news-alec-bradley-kintsugi-coming-later-this-spring.html

#Take of the #Take: "We had a decision to make.  To be Alan Rubin's sons or Alec Bradley and we chose Alec and Bradley."

This week, #ELOsoFumarTakes welcomes the return of #MrWarmth - Héctor J. Alfonso Sr. - of Espinosa Cigars for our #118thTake. Alfonso was a pivotal guest helping to get this show off the ground. As our featured guest in #Take3 & #Take25, our gratitude is beyond words. So, for a third time and nearly 100 takes later, it is our honor to welcome him back. Espinosa Cigars and the premiere boutique factory, La Zona, always have something amazing going on so we'll be diving into what's been, what is, and what will be going on. We talk about everything from cardboard booths at the Trade Show to the disappearing act of Cornelius & Anthony.  And,  of course, War Zone! Enjoy!

Espinosa Elite: https://espinosaelite.com/

#Take3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyiYP_B1zDw&t=946s

#Take25: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=darEd7xcZ5s&t=1s

Hector has me in stitches in #Take3: https://youtu.be/yyiYP_B1zDw?t=934 

This week, #ELOsoFumarTakes welcomes back three-time #ELOsoFumarTakes Top Ten Recipient Luis Cuevas of Casa Cuevas Cigars. And as a special added gues, new Director of Operations, Alec Cuevas sat down! The last 365+ days have certainly been a wild ride for the Casa Cuevas brand. Highs. Lows. Some directly impacting the brand, some indirectly impacting the world. In the midst of all that, Cuevas welcomed a fifth generation into the family business and has had several successful new launches. We take a look at the storied and layered 5 generations that have worked together to bring some of the most popular cigars to market.  We dive in. Enjoy!

http://www.casacuevascigars.com/

https://tobaccobusiness.com/against-all-odds-a-look-at-casa-cuevas/