The Cigarnivore Podcast

Today we're talking brand building, the unobtanium factory that is Room 101 brands, and tobacco as a time travel mechanism.

Since 2009 Room 101 Brand has been creating an inclusive cigar experience for modern smokers. Room 101 frontman Matt "Boofy" Booth is equal parts, showman and disciplined strategist. Matt strikes a careful balance between brand authenticity and manufactured scarcity with a steady cadence of limited-edition drops. 

The biggest surprise might be that the model for Room 101 brand is non-other than Alfred Dunhill. The 1950's bespoke lIfestyle brand with tobacco at its core is the blueprint for Room 101 today. Room 101 Brand's West Coast meets Far-east aesthetic with "a coat of LA grit" is a three-spined dragon of jewelry, cigars, and spirits as the core of the brand. Offshoot projects like fine bags and highly coveted brand swag that's on the verge of being a full-on streetwear brand.  

Antoine Reid is one of the most influential and under-the-radar voices in the cigar industry. Antoine is the editor of Tobacco Business Magazine, founder and editor of Cigars and Leisure Magazine, and Host of Deep Cuts Live.

Since October of 2014, Antoine’s Articles in Cigars and Leisure and Tobacco Business regularly feature the amazing humans behind the cigars we love.

In June of 2020, Antoine used his national platform for groundbreaking cultural representation. https://cigarsandleisure.com/five-black-owned-cigar-brands-to-watch/ Antoine is the first to publish a Black-Owned Cigar brands list in a national magazine. 

In this episode, Antoine Reid talks with us about starting a Cigar magazine, representation in the cigar industry, the power of telling your authentic story, and a few cigars he loves.

Manufacturer: Tabacalera Perdomo

Manufacturer: Tabacalera Perdomo

Manufacturer: Davidoff 

in the Tobacco Business Article, Antoine lists 5 Brands to watch. you can read the full article here https://cigarsandleisure.com/five-black-owned-cigar-brands-to-watch/

The list was cultivated from a more extensive list compiled by Instagram user @theashtionary. See the full list here:  https://www.instagram.com/p/CBOrXU-nlsX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Co-Creators and co-hosts of The Burndown Podcast, Eric Josefson and Justin Heisig, tell us how a tiny comment in their first Burndown Podcast episode became their calling card and a hashtag with 14k posts. Plus, we discuss expensive cigars we’ve splurged on and when and why they were worth it. I think you're going to enjoy this rollercoaster of a conversation. 

Manufacturer: Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia

Manufacturer: La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate

Manufacturer: My Father Cigars

Manufacturer: Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia

Manufacturer: Davidoff

Manufacturer: Cohiba

Manufacturer: Fabrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua S.A.

Manufacturer: Oliva Tabolisa II Esteli

Manufacturer: La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate

Jon shares his story from telemarketing dog shampoo to starting as the shipping manager at CAO to building Crowned Heads. He talks about defining success for himself, the moment he decided never to wear a necktie again, and his commitment to creative collaboration.  

Manufacturer: My Father Cigars

Manufacturer: Tabacalera La Alianza S.A.

Manufacturer: My Father Cigars

Manufacturer: My Father Cigars

Manufacturer: Tabacalera La Alianza S.A.

Manufacturer: Tabacalera Pichardo

Manufacturer: Tabaclera Pichardo 

Manufacturer: El Rey De Los Habanos

Manufacturer: Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A.

Model, entrepreneur, and cigar influencer Coco Maria aka @theCigarmadame. Coco chats with us about breaking into the boys club. Whether or not Cubans are overrated. And the power of feeling good.

Manufacturer: Drew Estate CIgars

Manufacturer: Drew Estate CIgars

Manufacturer: Wynwood Cigar Factory

Manufacturer: Real Fábrica de Tabacos Partagás

Manufacturer: Habanos SA

Burn one with Akil “Pete” Petersen Founder of A.P. cigars, Owner of the Pelican Shop in St Thomas US Virgin Islands, and creator of Island Life Cigars. Today Akil shares his five-year journey home to open a cigar lounge with a view of the Caribbean sea. He talks about the cigars that influenced him to start a cigar line and the adventures in getting there. 

Manufacturer: Tabacalera G. Kafie Y Cia for A.P. CIgars

Manufacturer: Tabacalera G. Kafie Y Cia for A.P. CIgars

Manufacturer: La Flor Dominicana

Manufacturer: Tabacalera G. Kafie Y Cia