Tom Lazuka, co-founder of Asylum Cigars, joins Fred Rewey for a deep dive into how a wild idea turned into one of the most recognizable brands in the cigar world. They cover everything from 70-ring-gauge cigars and Detroit roots to pizza shops, travel grind, and building a brand from scratch. Tom talks about lessons from the Camacho days, working with Christian Eiroa, and what’s next for Asylum—including his first cigar to carry his name.

Hear how Asylum made “size matter,” why the 7x70 changed the industry, and what Tom really smokes on the road.

Hostos Fernandez isn’t just rolling cigars—he’s rolling out a new era of Dominican craftsmanship. As the man behind Tabacalera LA iSLA, Hostos has become one of the most respected names in boutique cigar making. From blending magic to mentoring the next wave of cigar talent, he’s redefining what it means to build a factory and a legacy.

In this episode of Not A Cigar Show, Hostos sits down with Fred Rewey to talk about:

The chaos (and beauty) of running your own cigar factory

Building trust with blenders and brand owners

What really makes a blend “click”

The secret sauce behind LA iSLA's fast rise

And yes… a few stories that didn’t make the press releases

It’s equal parts cigar talk, laughter, and behind-the-scenes wisdom from one of the industry’s most down-to-earth innovators.

🎧 Watch. Laugh. Light up. It’s Not A Cigar Show.

🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0eShzWhbPSzL7RavkMKb5J

#NotACigarShow #CigarPress #HostosFernandez #TabacaleraLaIsla #Cigars #CigarLife #CigarTalk

Abe Dababneh isn’t just the guy behind Smoke Inn — he’s built one of the biggest retail empires in the cigar world, launched The Great Smoke (one of the industry’s most over-the-top events), and somehow still finds time to host KMA Talk Radio. In this episode of Not A Cigar Show, Abe sits down with Fred to talk about what it really takes to build something that lasts, the business behind cigar culture, and why authenticity always wins in the long game.

Matt Booth isn’t your typical cigar maker — he’s a storyteller, a troublemaker, and the kind of guy who can make chaos sound poetic.

In this episode of Not A Cigar Show, Fred Rewey sits down with the man behind Room101 Cigars for an unfiltered talk about creativity, authenticity, and why the cigar industry needs a little more rebellion and a little less pretending.

Expect sarcasm, honesty, and a few moments that make you question whether this is still a cigar show (spoiler: it barely is).

👇 Watch now and subscribe for more conversations that actually say something.

https://cigarpress.com

Michael Herklots isn’t just a cigar guy—he’s a walking masterclass in how to mix passion, performance, and perfectly tailored suits. From Nat Sherman to Ferio Tego, he’s built a reputation on doing things his way—elevating the cigar experience without taking himself too seriously (well… maybe just seriously enough).

In this episode of Not A Cigar Show, Fred Rewey sits down with Michael to talk business, blending, and the balancing act of keeping legacy alive while forging a new path. Expect insight, sarcasm, and a few perfectly timed interruptions.

Tune in now and hear how Herklots turns every challenge into a standing-room-only performance..

Jon Huber, co-founder of Crowned Heads Cigars, joins Not a Cigar Show for a conversation as bold as the blends he creates.

Building one of the most recognizable boutique brands in the cigar world, Jon shares his unfiltered take on the state of the industry, why Crowned Heads has always zigged when others zagged, and what keeps him inspired after more than a decade of defying expectations.

Equal parts candid, funny, and insightful—this is Jon Huber like you haven’t heard him before!

On this episode of Not A Cigar Show, we sit down with Josh Habursky, Deputy Executive Director of the PCA and the guy fighting the political battles to keep premium cigars in your humidor. From ridiculous regulations to behind-the-scenes lobbying wins, Josh shares what’s really going on in Washington—and why it matters to every cigar smoker.

If you’re into premium cigars, care about protecting cigar rights, or just want to hear the unfiltered side of cigar politics, this episode will light you up.

👉 Subscribe for more Not A Cigar Show episodes featuring candid talks with the people shaping the cigar world—and check out more at cigarpress.com.

In this episode of Not A Cigar Show, we sit down with Laurel Tilley, one of the most recognizable and outspoken voices in the cigar world. Laurel shares behind-the-scenes stories from the industry, her journey into cigars, and the realities of life on the road representing major brands.

Expect plenty of laughs, a little cigar geekery, and some brutally honest takes. This is part interview, part storytelling, and 100% entertaining.

If you’re into premium cigars, cigar culture, and hearing the real stories that don’t always make it to the press releases, this one’s for you.

🔥 Don’t miss more interviews and features at cigarpress.com

#cigarlife #cigaraficionado #botl #cigaroftheday

On this episode of Not A Cigar Show, we sit down with Jack Heyer, Product Manager at Camacho Cigars. From bold blends to behind-the-scenes stories, Jack brings a fresh perspective and plenty of laughs.

If you’re into Camacho, premium cigars, or just love hearing the unfiltered side of the industry, you’ll want to light up and enjoy this conversation.

👉 Subscribe for more Not A Cigar Show episodes featuring candid talks with the people shaping the cigar world and head to cigarpress.com

In this episode of Not a Cigar Show (from CigarPress.com), we sit down with Skip Martin, the outspoken and unfiltered co-founder of RoMa Craft Tobac. Known for his bold takes and no-BS attitude, Skip dives into everything from boutique cigar culture to international tariffs, manufacturing challenges, and what really grinds his gears in the cigar world. If you like your cigar talk honest, raw, and with a healthy dose of entertainment—this one’s for you.