514: Tariff REFUNDS Are Coming + Our Full PCA 2026 Review | Cigar Hustlers Podcast We Were at PCA 2026 & The Cigar Industry Just Changed |, Tariff Refunds Hit & The Industry Is BUZZING
Transcript
Yep.
Welcome to a Cigar Huddler.
Welcome to a Cigar Hustler
podcast episode 514.
Here we are on the road again on
the way home from the PCA with
me.
Here, as always, is Michael.
I am in the pleasure.
She's Stefan Kevitch and then
driving for us today.
Triple GI stayed out too late
drinking last night from.
Derek, Dang, that drive doesn't
sound fun.
I hope you have plenty of
podcasts queued up.
Drive safely.
Fucking Derek's wise.
We'll start over.
No, it's good.
Keep it going, leave it on.
Yeah, All right, on today's show
we've got an exclusive news
article.
Well, now I have switched the.
It's not really that exclusive.
It's just a new it's a breaking
news.
Breaking news.
Sorry, yeah, not, not exclusive
Breaking news.
Breaking news.
And then we've got, we got a
closing and then we need to
discuss.
OK.
Then we have a FOX35 undercover
news story.
Interesting.
Right.
You're good.
This is curious if that should
be turned up a little on OK.
And then we have a rocket update
from Blue Origin.
And then Michael has somebody
special we're going to talk
about.
He won't divulge what it is.
We're talking about the show a
little bit.
How we're talking about the show
a little bit, yeah.
So, but before we get started,
Michael, how do we get some of
this chapter pod swag that
several people came up to us
wearing at the PCA?
What you want to do is check out
Chapter pod.com where you can
get all of your latest Chapter
Pod swag, buy one, get the 2nd
140% off, spend $100 or more and
get free shipping.
Shout out to our Patreons on our
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If you want to hear a more
insider cigar stuff cigar
reviews, check out our
patreonpatreon.com and some
comments from the latest shows.
Let's see here, newest responded
and unresponded, CW6383 says
Freaking Matt Booth.
I effing died laughing.
That was a great.
That was a good.
That was a good episode for
sure.
This camera, I don't look good
on this camera.
No.
Or maybe that's the way I look,
but my head looks huge from that
angle.
You have a huge head.
Yeah, I know, but it doesn't
look huge on this on a regular.
Camera.
You're much further away now.
It's the same camera.
No, on the Mabu show it was that
camera.
We don't use those at home.
OK.
All right.
At TX, southpaw says Swiss
Rolls.
Swiss Miss is the hot chocolate.
So I guess we, I guess somebody
said Swiss Miss.
We were.
Talking, Mabu said Swiss Miss.
He don't correct the booth.
Yeah, we don't correct Matt.
We don't correct Booth.
We don't correct Buffy at TX
Southpaw.
I feel like at TX Southpaw knows
Bufi well though to be honest.
Knows Bufi well, yeah, I think.
Everybody knows Bufi still
waiting on the full size Burger
King Whopper review.
We'll definitely look forward to
a Little Debbie showdown.
We had one.
We did the Little Debbie.
It'd come up on Saturday.
It was epic.
We're going to we'll put it up
here soon.
I got to I got to edit the film,
though, so at David Hoffman says
Mike, looking like the rock in
the ring.
I'd add a GIF if I could.
Did I already say that one
before I?
Don't know what that mean.
It looks like the rock in the
ring.
Thank you, David.
Thank you for acknowledging.
It's very nice.
Do you know?
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa,
whoa.
Whoa, yeah.
And then we already had
Buzzinator.
If you want to hear your
comment, settle out on the show,
comment below on this episode.
And it may make the show and may
not, you know, Oh.
Oh, you're getting closer.
OK.
Does that make you feel better?
You hide your tummy a little.
Bit no, I have air.
Oh, your.
Head looks bigger.
Yeah, and closer you get the
break I.
Get what?
Make sure you like and
subscribe.
We're reviewing and listening to
the show.
No braking.
No braking.
He hit the brake and I almost
fell forward.
OK, well, you know it.
Was either hit the brake or hit
the truck.
I have to go like this when you
talk.
Hit the brake or hit the truck.
Craig is a hot mess.
Greg went and decided to go out
and have a late night soiree
and.
They're friends from Fine Ash
Cigars.
Yes, and and the Roma craft crew
and he got angry and and as
we're as Palmer was leaving this
morning, he got angry.
He ripped open the door in his
underwear and said you better
not leave me.
I have money.
I have money.
I will get a plane.
I will take a flight home.
Beat you home?
Any comments?
That is not what I said.
Yes, it.
Is that's verbatim.
It's the awkward lady I had to
share the elevator with with my
guy contacts.
OK, I don't know what happened
there.
Strange man in his underwear
telling for me to come back in
the bedroom.
Do you know who I am?
I'm triple G They call me triple
G.
He has fully embraced the name
he has.
Not what I said.
You know, I was, you know what's
funny?
It was funny is as we were
breaking.
Yeah.
He doesn't remember as as as we
were breaking down the the booth
yesterday.
Yes.
Greg was in his button up post
on your shirt.
Yes.
And he had his gloves on.
Yes.
He's a cowboy hat away from
looking like RIP.
I mean, he's right there.
Yeah, it's true.
Be working, Yeah, I kind of
agree with that.
You wear a cowboy hat at.
Home.
Yeah, yeah.
He's got the little belly.
You know, he's got all he's he's
aesthetic perfect.
He could be a stunt double.
Yeah.
You have to get a haircut.
A haircut.
I'm going to get him the.
Let's get him the cowboy hat.
We can get him a cowboy.
Hat yeah, that'd be great.
For when he's on the show only.
When he's on the show.
Triple G Cowboy.
Triple triple G RIP.
Oh, don't you have a cat?
You have a hat.
I think I do.
You were triple.
You were triple.
You were.
You were triple G for Halloween.
You were ripped for Halloween.
That was triple G for Halloween.
I think this thing is.
There we go.
OK, much better.
All right, on with the show.
On with the show.
All right, actual tariff
refunds, the businesses.
It's a real thing happening
right now.
February 2026, the Supreme Court
ruled many of Trump's tariffs
were illegal.
Because of that, the government
is now working to return about
1, $166 billion in tariffs.
More of this information, we go
to Greg live on the scene.
Greg.
That's a really big number.
That is a very big number.
I thought you had information,
Greg.
You thought I had what?
Information on this?
Well, this is exciting.
I mean, it's OK, You know, he
doesn't like to talk.
He's still a little hungover.
Alright, a system called Cape.
Cape just launched to process
your refunds.
Cape, the money goes to
companies that directly paid the
tariffs importers, not
automatically to all US
businesses or consumers.
So if a company imported goods
and paid those tariffs, they can
apply to get the money back.
Whether they pass that savings
on the customers is totally up
to them.
Right.
So this is a a disaster.
I just saw another headline too
that that Trump said, allegedly
said I don't know, 'cause it's
just a headline so that he will
remember the corporations that
do not take back the refunds.
Yeah.
Put.
Pressure.
So what's your thoughts on this
triple G?
So redistribution of wealth, I
mean, basically the consumer
wound up paying for it and it's
going to wind up going back to
the companies.
Talking I can't hear.
Him, yes, well, what he said
well, you're hard of hearing and
he's really.
Whispering.
Yeah.
He said that it's a
redistribution of wealth and
pretty much what happens is it
comes goes from the consumer and
it goes into the companies,
right, so.
Yeah, they're not going to lower
the prices.
Yeah.
Well, well, are they going to
give the money back is is the
question.
So how would you do it?
How would you give the money
back?
What I if I was the government?
No, if you're one of the
companies that's going to
receive a check with two fucking
commas in it.
I would have to go back and
trace through my consumer and
figure out what the average was
and then pay them back.
So like if you're Walmart,
you're going to you're going to
figure that out.
Yes.
There's no way.
That's what I would do.
If you paid in cash, you can't
do that.
Pretty, pretty, pretty much
impossible.
Give everybody gift cards when
they walk in.
Everyone.
Yeah.
Everybody who comes in gets a
$0.05 gift card. $0.05 you all
get $0.05 back.
Oh, you get $0.05, you get one
net nickel.
No, you know what, personally I
don't think the money should
have just been given back at
all.
If anything, I think it would
have been better off if it was
redistributed to the youth.
Like take all the money, figure
out everybody under the AJ 18
and give them an investment
account so they can use it.
The problem is that it was
gained illegally.
That's what the federal court
said.
Like they they weren't allowed
to do this and they did it.
You can't do something and then
do something with those funds.
You have to give it back to the
people that you took it from.
And then they have to give it
back to the people they took it
from.
No, that's a just because
something's legal doesn't mean
that it's moral.
So there's so one person takes
the other guy, not so much.
Unfortunately, yeah, that's
probably what's going to.
Happen America, What a country.
Yeah.
You know, I think the other, the
other big issue here too, is by
Trump going out and saying, you
know, I'll remember those who
didn't take the tariff money
back or whatever.
You're really, you're really
putting some of these
corporations in that position.
Threatening it.
No, he's not.
He's I don't think he's
threatening them, But like,
realistically, OK, what if I
wanted to say, hey, you know
what?
We don't want to take the money
because we don't want to be part
of this disaster, but we also
don't want to support Trump.
So now what?
Right now I have to take the
money.
They have to take the money.
Right, right.
So I mean, obviously this isn't
a big deal for smaller
corporations, you know call it,
I don't know, sub 200,000 and
below people who are getting
tariffs.
I mean, that's not the end of
the world, but some of these
bigger guys that are in the
1,000,000, right, that's.
A big deal.
That's $166 billion sitting.
Around Do you think we all get
iPhones?
Apple's a big company.
Apple definitely shipped a bunch
of product out of China.
Apple definitely paid a boatload
in tariffs.
They just got rid of their CEO.
So you think they just update
all of us with an Apple iPhone
97 whatever we're.
On pre iPhones for everyone
they.
Just raised the price of the
iPhone again.
That's all they do.
I don't you think they raise the
price?
Yeah.
Why not do it every year?
Maybe they lower it this time
because hey, we made some extra
money.
We got a little, you know, we
got a little cash here.
You know what I'm saying?
Hey, hey, we're up a little bit,
you know.
We're in the CEO.
We got a new guy in charge.
Yeah, we're paying him less.
For everyone.
We got cash flows up, you know,
we don't want to pay taxes on
this.
So the.
New company called the Pear.
The pear.
The pear.
It's not quite as big as the
Apple, but it's still just as
juicy.
Just as juicy.
OK, well.
Slogan.
It's just, it's juicy.
But we'll see how this unfolds
in the future.
Let me move this up.
Oh no.
What?
Are you doing up up, up?
You adjusting.
Over over it like it's adjusting
for us.
Oh, oh, which isn't good.
I need I need to see AI triple G
rips face.
Triple G, you need to see that
hangover.
Yeah, that hangover face is
getting a little better.
There it is.
Yeah.
Look at that, it's.
Beautiful.
OK, I got to put his.
Jewelry on for driving.
Yeah, he's the maximum accessory
man.
Right, I saw him by the way.
Right here.
No, the one that worked for my
father.
Oh, Joaquin.
Yeah.
Look, it keeps moving.
It does.
It really wants to put triple G
in the phone.
There's got to be a lock.
It's focused on me.
What's?
Going on here.
Maybe because you're touching
it?
OK, don't touch it.
I'm not touching it.
Is it moving now I.
Don't know it's.
A little shit, right?
Moving on with the news.
OK, all towards the San
Francisco's Alcatraz Island
suddenly cancelled.
Done.
The Rock is closing for dock
repairs this week, park
officials said.
San Francisco's Alcatraz Island
has shut down and will be closed
the venues for the rest of the
week to undergo repairs at the
dock.
So it's shut down.
National Park Service officials
told SF Gate on Monday morning
the historic Landmark and
Tourist Association is scheduled
to reopen by next Saturday.
It just marked it on my.
Calendar.
OK, so it's down for a week.
It's down for a week.
What are people going to do?
What are they going to do, Greg?
Didn't Phil think that that was
Logan?
You got all the ruin my joke.
What are they going to do?
You're supposed to.
I don't.
Know I don't know, I didn't get
the script.
What they're going to do is
they're going to have to just
visit the Statue of Liberty.
That that makes sense.
Thank.
You ladies and.
Gentlemen, literally, we're
here.
Go check out Ellis Island, you
know, visit the World Trade
Center.
Right.
Right.
That's the joke, because Phil
said that Alcatraz is in New
York.
It's in New York Harbor.
And we have a shirt for it
available at Chapter pod.com.
You too can get in on the joke.
Yes.
Now look at it now it's high.
I'm going to see I got I have to
constantly adjust this.
It's going to make drive me nuts
if I hold it.
Is it less rubbly?
No.
No.
OK, OK.
Right there, right there.
Good.
OK.
Ready to move?
Yes.
All right, now on with the next
story.
FOX35 investigation has under
covered a devastating loss.
Anyone want to guess?
Lots of money.
To loss Michael.
They lost their money.
No.
Triple G Greg messes up the
script.
No.
I'm done.
Several weeks ago, we covered a
story about Sloth World opening
in Orlando.
No, there's a sloth world.
It's going to open in Orlando
and I drive attractions, but
this is now you had the grand
opening yet.
According to the Florida Fish
and Wildlife Conservation, 31
sloths were shipped to Florida
in December 2024 from Guyana and
in February 2025 from Peru. 21
of the 31 have died.
No.
Yes, in December of 202431 of
them have died.
What happened?
Well suspected of cold stun is
what the investigation found
out.
It got cold.
They weren't.
They showed up early, they
didn't have power water set yet
in the warehouse where they were
going to be temporarily stored
so they could not turn on the
space heaters.
It got down to 45°, which is 5°
or 10° colder than they can
stand apparently, and some of
them die.
So we froze the sloths.
The sloths froze.
Were you going to go to the
Sloths Museum?
I really like sloths, actually.
I think they're a really cool
animal.
You're a big sloth guy.
Kind of am I like the three toed
sloths.
That's one of my favorites.
Would you like to get one of
these sloths taxidermy?
I have more.
OK, I'm sorry.
In February 2025, two arrived
dead.
Eight others were emancipated
upon arrival and they got sick
and died of colds.
The FW?
No, no, they just got sick.
Emancipate.
Hold on.
Hold on.
How do you emancipate a sloth?
No, they.
They're free in the country.
Not emaciated, sorry.
Yeah, that's.
Emancipate.
They're emancipated.
You're under the age of 18.
But you can still go live off
from your own.
Right, Right.
That's Yeah.
You're free.
Sloth.
You're free, man.
You got that word right.
The FWC conducted and closed
this investigation, finding
there were no intentional
malconduct by the businesses.
Sloth World denies these
allegations.
They say this is not true.
No, no, they really died.
They say they died of a sloth
virus.
It was a sloth virus.
Recently, this is a This is a
quote from the Sloth people.
Recently, a facility had been
managing a difficult situation
involving a foreign virus.
We have worked tirelessly
alongside our veterinarian, the
Florida Department of
Agricultural, and other outside
experts to successfully identify
the virus and address it.
We are aware of the rumors, such
as claiming that our sloths were
cold, stunned, or left without
water and electricity.
So you know they like to read at
night, right?
The Florida Fish and Wildlife
Country.
Because they're emancipated.
Right.
Conducted A thorough inspection.
They can read whatever the hell
they want.
They've been emancipated.
Because they've been
emancipated.
Been emancipated.
We have always prioritized the
health and well-being of our
sloths and investing millions
into their care and habitat,
just not at the warehouse that
that way.
I added that part.
OK.
Safety and health of our sloth
population.
So the organization says they
all got, they got sick, they got
a virus.
We didn't freeze them.
They got a virus, yeah.
They didn't freeze.
Fact that it was 45° and they
had no heat or power or water,
it has nothing to do with it.
They should have paid the rent.
Want to get back on this sloth
fascination that you have, Sir?
Would you ever acquire A sloth
to have at your house?
No, we already have too many
animals.
Do you want me to tell your
wife?
Hey, you know what, Greg?
Do not he?
You know it.
No, no, don't do that.
Thank you.
Triple G really wants a sloth.
No specifically.
Mini cow.
Probably.
You probably can't own one in
the United States anyways.
Specifically a three toed one.
I really.
Do Yeah, you can.
You just have to get a
certificate.
I heard these guys on the radio.
I know a place has only got a
couple left, we might be able to
get one on clearance.
You could definitely get one
that's not.
Breathing well, they're
emancipated.
They can.
Come.
They're yeah, yeah, they can
act.
They yeah, they make their own.
They do what they want, their
own decisions.
I'm going with the man in the
funny hat.
I'm going with triple G poo poo
buddy.
I'm not staying here.
You kill people you kill.
Sloths, you killed my cousin.
You aren't alive, all these
sloths.
I must go.
Barney, Bob, Phil, Steve,
they're all gone.
They're.
All gone.
We can't even run away because
we're too slow.
Well, they can't run either.
Yeah, I know they hang on a
tree, Yeah.
They live their whole life
upside down.
I get it, right.
I get it.
Kind of like us is.
That like a fire up there.
Maybe it looks very great.
It may be a fire.
Who cares?
We're driving towards it.
It'll be driving to hell.
We'll be fine.
Are they do you think the does
the you think that they're
they're working as tirelessly
the doctor in them as much as
you know three idiots that spent
an entire week at PCA.
Probably not.
I oh.
Not as tirelessly, OK you think.
If they did, maybe they would
have saved some sloths.
Save a sloth or two.
At least one or two.
OK, good.
Perfect.
And a final new story.
Blue Origins New Glen rocket put
the satellites in the wrong
orbit.
Oh good, is this the Amazon one?
Yeah, they said I.
Knew it, I knew it, they said.
A waste of time.
The rocket booster did not go
off its plant.
It didn't go as high as it was
supposed to.
So they're in a degrading orbit
around Earth.
Oh, good.
So there's no way to turn them
on because they won't turn on
until they get further away.
So it's a matter of time before
they crash into something in the
earth.
Good news is though, the booster
rocket did land safely on the
they have a remote controlled
boat that picks it up a hundreds
of miles off the coast and then
they brought it back.
Oh, so it already landed?
Yeah, yeah, this is the other.
Well, yeah, that's how they know
it's, you know, it goes up,
drops these things off and then
comes back down.
OK, but they they're in orbit
still?
The satellites are, but not the
booster rocket that comes back.
We reuse those.
OK?
It's on a drone ship coming in
from wherever it is.
They picked it up.
Got it, got it.
So.
So imagine ordering a package
from Amazon and then having one
of these satellites just crash
at your front door.
Oh, I don't think they.
Well, if you ordered a
satellite.
Yeah, they don't.
They guess you, no refunds.
They don't deliver the package
yours.
Yeah, but it'd be funny.
Oh, OK.
Bye.
Geez, you know, All right,
listen, I'm going to emancipate
you in the back seat.
I've been emancipated, yeah.
You're back here, but yeah.
Didn't get a decent meal for
seven days?
You're going to get an emaciated
emancipation.
Everything I see in New Orleans,
I hate New Orleans.
Imagine seeing like, just a
little sloth going out and
getting a job at McDonald's at
its first job in its first
apartment at 17, Yeah.
Yeah, I'll, I'll have the Egg
Mcmuffin and it goes to hit the
button like that.
Sorry, Sir, breakfast ended at
10:30.
Yeah.
Like I ordered an hour and a
half ago.
Now 1115.
Yeah, no, too bad.
I.
Got here at 9:30.
I'm sorry Sir, the computer I
can't make it this the.
Computer I can't change it, it
changes the pictures.
It changes the venture.
So the exact time, OK, now it's
a cheeseburger, Sir.
Would that be OK?
Cheeseburger.
Cheeseburger better make How are
you?
Have the little claws at the
end.
Hurry up, we're about to close.
OK?
Is that all your news articles?
Yes, yes, it's all the news.
There is the news, OK.
There is no good cigar news
because it's all about Charlie's
backpack.
Yeah.
Well, I mean, there is some
good, good cigar news, but we're
not going to kind of touch into
it with the let.
We're going to let the media
controversy kind of handle
themselves at this point.
I like big sides.
I know, but I don't like to pick
sides.
So I do want to talk a little
bit about PCA with you 2 fine
gentlemen.
OK?
And I'm going to start with you,
Palmer.
I don't like New Orleans.
What I don't like New Orleans.
OK.
What was what was the best thing
that happened to you at PCA?
Oh, I got a picture with Charlie
Manano.
That's the best thing for you?
That was the best.
Thing I enjoyed meeting some of
the customers I've been talking
to for like 8 or 9 months on the
phone.
It was nice to see you in
person.
Some of them got hugs, some of
them got photos, Almost all of
them wants me to come to their
shop.
So it was nice meeting the
peoples.
Yeah, I I thought so too.
I thought that that was very
well received.
What about you, Greg?
What was the best thing that
happened to the PCA?
Probably hearing Sam and Rosie's
origin story.
Yeah.
Yes, Do you?
Not want you don't want to share
it now at this time.
I don't think so.
It's appropriate for them to
share it.
Seems personal.
I think, I think you should call
them right now.
No, not right now.
We have them on the show.
I think we've had to do that
before.
We have called them in the past.
Yeah, I think they've done their
origin story on the.
What's the story?
I never heard SO.
Then I may I probably I may have
not heard it either.
Well, Greg's not a fan of the
show either, so.
Yeah, it's a good point.
But now that he's on it, his
mother watches all the.
Time he may want to Oh yeah, You
know, for me, I got AI, got a
few bests.
Yes.
One of the best ones for me was
hold on, hold on, lightweight
said.
Hey, bud, I need a file with the
Palestinian logo for social
media purposes.
You got it, Lightweight.
I mean, I'll work on that with
the Palestine.
Yeah, we're.
Working.
On that, no that.
I mean that wasn't the best
part.
I was just thought it was funny.
Do we went eventually last
night.
I know what your best part is
going to.
Be what?
What was it?
Being really mistaken from that
booth.
That was actually really fun,
you know, and what's funny is I
don't like I don't want to take
that story away from a couple of
people because there's a couple
interactions that had happened
and I want them to tell that
story as well.
I think those are those are
really good.
But there was one where I was
walking away and I said room one
O 1 baby and went like this
because the guy's like man, I'm
a huge fan.
And then?
People watching this have no
contact so you have to tell them
why it is that this.
OK, fine.
I'll say this story.
So I was, I was around hanging
around the booth on say a booth.
I won't say a specific booth and
it was close to us because I
didn't really leave our booth
that much, but I saw a friend of
mine and I went over and said
hi.
And there was like 3 or four
other people and and a random
gentleman walked up, saw my
badge because I was wearing Matt
Booth's badge the entire show
and he was wearing mine.
And the guy said, Oh my God,
Matt Booth, he's like, I love
your cigars.
I sell a lot of your cigars.
And I said, oh, thank you so
much.
And as I start to walk away, the
guy said, thanks man, thanks for
everything you do.
And I shove my fist up in the
air and I yelled room 101 baby.
And the my, my buddies that were
in the other booth, as they're
trying to get like kind of
pitched on, like they're
explaining what the product is
that they're talking about.
They're all just start dying
laughing like the the poor
person trying to talk to them
and, you know, they're just,
they're erupting.
So, yeah, that was that was a
lot of fun.
I will say that was a lot of fun
for me.
To be honest, I think the
unintentional comments were
really unintentional
compliments.
We're really good.
Like some of the things that we
heard that I heard this this
week, we're definitely kind of
like rejuvenating, you know,
retailers coming up to us that
we're excited to do business
with us that we've never met
before.
Like, hey man, I've heard great
things about your cigars, great
things about you.
Here's my order.
Like looking forward to work
with you.
That was awesome.
And then a lot of the good
compliments that that kind of
naturally happened with Skip and
Michael from Romacraft and and,
and Jack Terano and Eric
Espinosa from Espinosa Cigars
and even Matt Booth.
I mean, hearing some of the
things that they said about us
just kind of casually in
conversation, not like a hey,
you're doing great type of a
scenario just like this is what
happened.
And damn right.
I thought that was probably the
best thing to be honest.
So now moving on to the next
question, Palmer, what was the
worst thing that happened to you
at PCA?
Getting sick?
Getting sick?
I got to sty in my eye.
I call whatever disease you've
passed around.
Yeah, I think I've got an
ingrown toenail.
Oh my God.
I know.
And there's not any food in the
city that's not spicy.
Yeah, outside of the PCA
building, I had a terrible time.
You had a terrible time outside
of the.
Time I was out of the PCA.
Building.
So everything outside of the PCA
building.
Everything outside of PCA.
And your body.
And my body.
Yeah, OK.
What about?
You.
I feel the illness brought on
everything else.
Well, you got the illness of the
tail end of it.
Well, no, I got it in the car on
the way there.
It just came up heavier at the
tail.
End right, Right.
I was dying at the beginning.
Yes, I was dying at the end.
Yesterday was kind of a long,
rough day, but yeah, luckily he
went by fast because we were
busy.
OK, surprisingly busy.
All right, Triple G, what do you
got?
Well, I too got sick, but that
wasn't the worst part for me.
The worst part was probably the
12/30, 1:00 in the morning phone
call that I got from you when
you were dying.
Number one, worried about you,
but then also going through all
the different things that were
going to have to happen if you
were taken off of the field.
Oh, that's very sweet of you.
That's very nice, Yeah.
We're going to close, Leave
early, go home.
Yeah, it's packing in.
Packing in it's.
A waste of time at this point.
Greg was going to fly us.
Greg, yeah, because he's very,
very rich.
He's very rich.
He's going to get us a.
Plane I'm going to I could get a
plane I got.
Money.
I have money.
I got a plane.
Absolutely.
Epic.
OK.
Do you think that traffic was
up?
This What?
What was the worst part for you?
Oh, it's a great.
That's a great question.
That that's how this format is
supposed to work, right?
You ask a question, we answer,
then the ball gets lobbed back
to you.
It's like back and forth, back
and forth.
Yeah, I don't really think about
me though, so and not not in the
scenario, but that's a great
question.
Great question.
Worst thing that happened to me.
I think the worst thing that
happened to me is when you talk
to a retailer about some of the
things that we're doing when it
comes to this smoke this trust
me thing.
And they're like, no, I don't
think this is a good idea and I
don't want to be a part of it.
That's the worst thing that
happened to me.
And the reason why is not
because it's from us, but it's
like something that we
legitimately built to try and
help all these retailers.
And they're still like, some of
them are still like, Nah, yeah,
I don't want to do that.
Like, OK, that is what are we
doing?
What are we doing?
We like this is we're making.
You to make money and we don't.
We're not making shit on this
deal.
It's true.
I had one retailer give me a
reason why it wouldn't work, and
then I gave him a solution.
Then he gave me another reason
why it wouldn't work, and then I
gave him that solution.
Then he gave me another reason
why it wouldn't work and then I
gave him that solution.
Then finally looked at me and
goes it's my work.
Yeah, I mean, that's, that's
crazy.
That's crazy.
So, you know, that didn't happen
too often, but when it did, I
was just like, I don't, I don't
know, like it just want, you
want to take my wallet?
Here's my wallet.
And you know.
Everything but giving you.
They might be like, you know
what?
I don't want that.
That's your money.
No, I don't want the wallet.
That's OK.
I don't need.
It so I would say that that's
probably that was probably the
worst thing because that was
kind of sad for me when when
they said.
That I got a good thing that you
won't mention.
OK.
B Johnson gave you a really nice
compliment on the interview
that.
You.
Oh, yeah, he did.
He did.
Yeah.
It was nice.
Briefly saw him, you know,
because we didn't really get out
that much this time, right?
So yeah, he did.
He said.
He said very nice things about
the interview.
So they still gets people coming
to him and telling.
Him saying that it was a great
interview.
It was man, it was a good he's a
good guy.
It was it was nice to kind of
paint a picture more about him,
you know?
Oh, covered up the you're fine,
everything's fine.
OK, next question.
What did you think about the
overall foot traffic of the
show?
You didn't.
Ask me if I thought it was busy.
That's what I'm asking.
No, you, whatever question you
just asked Greg, you just
skipped me.
No, I'm going to you right now.
Oh, day one, day 2, day three.
What do you think of the overall
traffic was for the show?
I feel like you said we didn't
get out much, so you didn't get
to see what was further down
past the other way.
How many people were there.
But right, seems like a lot of
people ate.
Yeah, I mean because we were
right by the food.
I mean, yeah, we had a lot of
flow throughout those three
days.
I.
Read on halfway this morning
that the two best places to be
is the food or in the beginning
where everybody walks in, right?
Because that's where you get the
most foot traffic, I guess.
Other than people started
cutting through our booth on day
three, didn't really have much
and wanted to, but day three we
became a highway.
Yeah.
People, I guess because we were
busy at spurts on the last day.
Right.
That's annoying.
I mean, can they just walk 8,
what, four more feet and go
around, right?
To be fair, foot traffic is not
part of our business model.
We, we book meetings, we meet
with people that know us, that
we know if they're a new
customer, we have them slotted
out for a time being found by
someone.
It really isn't part of what we
do.
You know what I mean?
As far as them physically
finding us on the floor go, oh,
hey, look at, look at this.
That's how you get a lot of
trick or treaters.
And that's that's not what we're
there to do.
Did there seem to be a lot of
trick or treaters this?
Year.
No, that's true too.
It seemed like, you know, the
retailers that were there were
invested in buying and growing
in their business.
There was one group that I knew
from somewhere that I couldn't
get the I sign to Greg and Paul.
They were trick or treaters.
One guy tried to trick or treat
from Paul and he put his foot
down and wouldn't give the guy
anything.
Yeah.
Well, Paul protects.
Paul does a good job protecting,
right?
Yeah.
And that's.
A job 'cause he always thought
he wasn't doing enough.
But without Paul, this thing
sort of falls apart.
Right.
Yeah, 100%.
I mean, when we get there, it's
set up and ready to go.
As Skip says, the unsung heroes
of the PCA definitely exists.
You know, Alex is another one
that you know, they just don't
get enough praise for the things
that they do.
Yeah, 100% men and Jamie too.
Jamie doesn't get enough.
God, yeah.
Yeah, yeah, she runs.
Logistical ninja, Yeah.
Absolutely Johnny on the spot
with the samples he had the hats
paperwork.
And I got to say, Sam and Rosie
were awesome as well.
You know they helped out
tremendously too.
They killed it.
They worked it.
They, they, they were talking to
customers.
Sam was a little bit, you know,
out of his comfort zone, which
is fun to watch.
Yeah, I agree.
Yeah, but but once he got
rolling, he was pretty good.
Yeah, absolutely.
OK, so but I don't.
Feel bad sort of summoning him
when people you know wanted.
To come here, come, come.
Yeah, Sam.
Come here, I'm not summoning
you, but these people would like
to meet you.
They would like to meet the man
behind the Cenizzafina, right?
So, yeah, I mean, I thought the
traffic was up like day three,
especially we had customers.
We wrote orders day.
We wrote orders day three.
Yeah.
Yeah, opened up some new
accounts.
Yeah.
And in the past, there were day
three, there was room, right,
Whole lot of nothing, so.
I think all but two of our
accounts showed up.
Yeah.
OK, OK.
If you could do anything
differently at PCA next year, I
think I know your answer,
Palmer, but what would it be?
Not get sick.
Was that the answer?
No, I was just saying not having
a New Orleans.
Not having a New Orleans, I'm
never going back to New Orleans
or I'll bring my own food next
time.
Is that truly your answer?
No, give me a minute.
Let's see if I can lock.
It go to go to triple G.
Let me lock it.
There you go.
Oh, I locked it on your face.
Oh, that that's better.
OK, Triple G, What about you?
What's the one thing that we can
we can do better at PCA or you
would do better at PCA?
I have a whole list.
I just want the one.
I have two.
Can I do 2?
No.
It's like a Keanu conversation,
all right, One, I don't know.
I won't use anything from the
list.
If we could make all of the
displays for our booth 50%
lighter, it would be easier.
That would be nice, yeah.
Yeah.
Like a composite something.
Yeah, just not made out of
steel.
Looks like metal.
Looks like metal, but not metal.
But not metal.
But not metal.
You know that's not craft,
right?
I'm I'm well aware.
You're well aware that's not
craft.
Very much.
Craft has to be metal.
Craft has to be metal.
Craft is definitely metal and
oil.
They don't make metal things
down at Roma Craft.
You know, you know it would be
cool as aluminum.
Aluminum's lighter.
It is, but that's not.
Craft mango wall.
Titanium.
Titanium would be great.
Do a mango wall there.
I like that light up thing but
have a like a scene from World
War 2IN Poland.
Yeah, I thought that was a cool.
With the original logo sprayed
on.
Yeah, the screen.
I'm I'm a fan of the screen.
I wanna.
Just make it look like it's
walls.
Yeah, that'd be cool.
Here's what I'd like to.
Do OK, tell me.
So the way we set up our booth,
we have like the one area with
the table and the four chairs
and everything's on that thing.
And then we have the high top
table over here we're supposed
to be using too, but we never
get to use the high top table,
OK?
Because that's where everybody
hangs out and that's where they
eat their food and where they
put their lunches.
Yeah, if we could have two areas
set up for sales, like maybe
split the stuff or have another
set of boxes over on the other
one so that when you may be
doing an interview or I may be
running a sales meeting, there's
still a place for the second
group to go to.
OK.
It's because when you do an
interview, it's a set up because
they got ringing cameras, they
move the chairs sometimes they
have lights and things, right?
So it causes me and maybe the
sales customers to stand there,
you know, and watch because over
there they're, you know, they're
having a buffet or something.
So you think realistically we
need two more spaces?
No, we just need to have better
use of our of the space we have.
Gotcha.
Just politely ask for the space
back, like if you know you've
got a guest that like if the
down to her, if guys are hanging
out at the booth, right and
you've got to do business and
they're sitting on the table
just like I need this table for
a second guys.
That's all that that happened
many times during the PCA.
Yeah, just clear them out.
You know, it could be a 10
minute thing.
I mean, you know, they've got
food and stuff spread out on the
table and everything.
Nobody hangs out in the corner.
The great part is right on the
other side of our display there
are these massive tables.
Right where they could be
sitting.
And eat it's not.
Hey do you guys mind grabbing
anything over there because I
need this table right?
Yeah, just do something like
that.
Where?
Are we at next year?
Is it?
Do we have an idea?
Yeah, it's by the food court.
So right next to the restrooms.
In Vegas though, yeah, lower
level, the restrooms are in the
middle or on the side.
I'm just kidding.
I have no idea where we are.
New hall in.
Vegas.
Oh yeah.
What's the hall?
I I can't.
Recall, I just looking at the
map, I'm like this is totally
different.
It's more it's more square than
it's elongated.
Oh yeah, Vegas is square.
No, with the thing in the
middle.
Different hall, different hall,
I'm telling you.
Far bigger.
Oh, no idea though how we're
right.
No idea.
You usually know by the end
where we're going to be when you
do it.
Yeah, yeah.
I knew where we were because I
did it last time, right.
OK, for me, what can we do
differently?
I mean, not not unaliving
ourselves before the show would
be great, obviously.
Yeah, that makes that first day
so hard.
I think, you know, being a
little bit more prepared, better
prepared is definitely something
that we're going to have to
focus on, especially because of
this next one is in Vegas, like
this 125th hour.
If we're panicking, we could
still put a box together and put
it in the truck and we're good
to go.
So I just think making sure that
we're ahead of the curve by at
least 10 days next next year is
something that we need to do
better this upcoming upcoming
year.
I think that's really much.
Those are my three main
questions from the show.
What about hotel stay?
Did you like where we stay?
We stay the Q&C.
It seemed better than last year
because last year I think we had
like a radiant air conditioner
or something that ran through
the room or something.
This year it was central air.
So I don't know if we just had a
different room or something
different floor.
Right.
It is a little far away.
I'd love to have been where Paul
was at the Hampton, right across
the street.
Being closer to the show is more
advantageous.
Yeah, you would think sure.
You know, the time it saves,
we'd have to move the car every
day.
That's true.
Save all that parking Greg at
the Yeah thing.
What about you?
Did you like the hotel?
The.
Hotel was fine, but Palmers were
correct.
We should be staying at that
same place that Paul stays up.
As close as possible.
Yes, agreed.
Probably you got to book that
early.
We're not really booking early
people.
We're not early bookers.
There's a lot going on, you know
what I mean?
You get the e-mail and you roll
over to 100 other things.
You got to do that there.
Yeah, that's got to have
priorities got certain things
got to be done.
Yeah, and or.
Just have Gretchen book our
hotels.
Yeah, if she's going, she's
probably not going to Vegas.
See.
Well, Paul said he's going, so I
imagine she'll go.
OK.
Well, we'll see.
OK.
Yeah, I mean, I liked our hotel.
I thought our hotel was better
this time around.
They had better customer
service.
You were in the main building
this.
Time.
Yeah, the main building is way
nicer.
How about that beach of a
waitress though?
Tammy.
Tammy Oh, she's amazing.
She was there last night.
When we got there, she was just
getting off shift.
With her bicycle.
Yep, she was saying goodbye and
going out to her bike.
Nine years she's been working
there. 9.
Nine years, she's a fixture.
Nine years of fucking up orders.
Nine years of not caring about
anybody that's there.
There's a black lady that works
in the morning that's like the
other version of her.
Oh really?
She's exactly the same.
Tammy.
Another Tammy.
Another Tammy, Maybe?
Her name's Tammy.
Is it Cam?
Cam in time.
She's there every morning when
you come down.
Would you like some coffee?
Oh, she's English.
Yes, apparently I don't know.
I don't know, I.
OK, I'm very tired.
I got it.
I got it.
You're very tired.
She wasn't Chinese.
OK, that's fair.
OK, so that's it.
You guys want to play?
What's the score?
I'll get the score out.
Don't we?
So we we go to Vegas for two
years and then we go to New
Orleans again, Yes.
And then maybe Saint Louis after
that.
I'm with Skip.
I don't really care where it is
as far as whatever, but so we
have, we do have another New
Orleans to.
Do we do, of course, New
Orleans.
Do you guys want to play?
What's school is?
There a hotel connected to where
it is in Vegas.
I have no idea.
That's Vegas's promise.
We.
Talked about the Airbnb, Greg,
where you were asleep.
Maybe just a nicer Airbnb.
He said he didn't like the
shower.
Yeah, the water was cold or
something.
And my wife is ever ready on
time, but she won't be there
next year, so.
Yeah.
So we won't have that problem.
So I'll be ready downstairs like
it was just fun anyway.
There's so many half wheel
pieces.
Yeah, but there's no, there's no
review, no reviews.
You got to hit review list.
Review.
There's a review list.
Get the the lines.
Oh, we're all dying now we're
going to zipped up.
Oh.
God, that's nice.
Oh, these are oh, you know, this
is a cigar I was interested in
trying.
I don't think.
I don't know if you did this one
yet.
So OK, we're going to play this
industry's favorite game.
What's the score?
He's trying, he's doing, he's
doing it.
Oh, I can't hear doing his
hungover.
OK on today's show, March 1st,
2024 LA floor Dominicana
Apollonia.
I want to try cigars.
The TAA Cigar.
It is by Brooks Whittington,
March 1st, 2026.
Am I?
Am I playing Mike Palmer?
Yes, yeah.
Oh, this is new OK.
Yeah, you get to go first this
time.
I don't like to go first.
It's too bad.
Brooks 2010 left Florida,
Dominicana, the TA.
Sure. 89. 90.
All right, let's see here.
La La, la, La La.
Well, Florida minicana, a
polonium.
Country of origin Dominican
Republic Factory Tabacalera
Lafleur SA Rapper Cameroon
Binder Dominican Republic Filler
Dominican Republic Length 6 1/2
inches Gauge 44 Shape Pressed
MSRP $20 Release Date December
2025 Number of cigars released
1500 boxes of 20 cigars,
totaling 30,000 cigars.
Cigar numbers reviewed 3. 88,
87.
Visually, the three La Florida
Dominicana Apollonia cigars are
covered in similar medium brown
wrappers, each with quite a bit
of darker splotching.
There is an abundance of oil and
numerous protruding veins on
each cigar and when I run my
finger down their lengths the
wrappers I feel like fine
sandpaper.
Although the seconds the second
cigars wrapper is a bit rougher
than the other two. 86. 88.
Each cigar starts with a small
amount of spice and bitter
espresso in interspersed with
some generic sweetness, but
after no more than 10 puffs, a
combination of anise and cocoa
cocoa nibs takes over the top
spot in the profile.
Secondary flavors of peanut
butter, toasted bread, gritty
earth coffee beans, pencil lead
and cinnamon show up at various
points, while a large amount of
both red pepper and Raisin
sweetness permeates the retro
hail.
And he spelled retro hail with
the number 0A.
Lot of typos.
Did he use the word emanciated
anywhere in that description?
It's in the third paragraph
they.
Got it.
They were emancipated. 86. 88 OK
Third clue During the
Emancipated second third the
amount of spice in the profile
takes a major leap forward as
main flavors of spicy oak and
anise take over the top spots.
There's a new white pepper in
the profile as well, which
combines wonderfully with
additional flavors such as dark
earth, plain white rice, roasted
peanuts, cinnamon, charred
meatness, semi sweet chocolate
chips, and hay.
That's amazing 86.
Thank you.
Is this the final one?
No 87.
OK, final thought.
I'm trying to lean out so I
don't see.
While I have enjoyed most of the
cigars that I have smoked from
La Florida Minnecono over the
years, I do tend to gravitate
towards the company's more
medium bodied blends.
The Apollonia is one of those
middle strength blends, a flavor
bomb from start to finish,
featuring flavors of spicy oak,
anise and creamy almonds
combined with a wonderful but
never overwhelming red pepper.
On the retro hill.
I would also be remiss not to
point out the absolute fantastic
construction, as each one of the
three cigars performed like a
dream with a razor sharp burn
lines, plenty of smoke and
excellent resistance.
This is another winner from a
company that is no stranger to
great cigars, and I can't wait
to smoke more of them. 91.
Oh.
That's a tough score, he said
91.
He did.
Oh, that tough.
I'll go 90.
You went the wrong way.
Damn it, was it 93?
You went the wrong way there
too.
Greg wins by nailing it with a
91.
Did you see it?
No, I didn't.
Wow.
I think he looked at it.
Look at that, he's driving
triple GI, can fly if I want to
screw you guys, I'm the man 91.
Ship it, he won't leave us both.
He won't have money.
Yeah, I'm very rich.
I.
AM/91 almost RIP I had a boy.
Nice job, Greg.
And congratulations, Greg, you
can nail that.
Anything else you'd like to add
before we let you go?
Fuck no.
For your wedding fries, you can
drive for the other two hours
and 50. 5 minutes.
Congratulations.
Excellent job, Excellent.
Job.
What about you, Mr. Palmer?
Anything else to add?
Yeah, I like hanging out with
this crew when we're there
because it's, I don't know, it
was just different than than the
other groups because the other
groups, you know, they're all
matching and clothes, you know,
we've got 15 people, maybe four
or three of us are wearing the
same type of clothes.
Yeah.
And it's just like there's no,
well, we can't say the word.
There's no FS given.
We just sort of walk through the
place.
Right.
Yeah, that is nice.
That is nice.
I will tell you this though for
the with the three of us
included DePaul, the four of us,
yes, we're extremely efficient
when it's just the one, it's a
smaller number of us.
Oh yeah.
And it comes to building and
when whenever we start adding,
incorporating additional people
other than the four of us, if
things don't flow as fast,
things are way more complicated.
So like and subscribe, we're
viewing or listening to the
show.
And thank you so much.
We appreciate your support.
Check out chapter pod.com.
We can get all of your chapter
pod swag and our Patreon, a
cigar hoses podcast.
If you pay for the year in
advance, you're going to get 10%
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And that's my wife calling.
Have a good day.
Goodbye, we're podcasting.
Bye.
Show Notes
The Cigar Hustlers are back with a PACKED episode straight from the smoke — we break down everything that went down at the PCA 2026 Convention & Trade Show in New Orleans AND what the latest IEEPA tariff refund ruling means for YOU, your shop, and your wallet.💰 TARIFF REFUNDS — What You Need to Know:The Court of International Trade issued a refund order directing U.S. Customs to roll back IEEPA tariffs on certain imports. Nicaragua faced an 18% reciprocal tariff rate — we break down who's getting money back, what's still being appealed, and how this affects cigar prices on the shelf.🔥 PCA 2026 HIGHLIGHTS:Drew Estate's HUGE announcement — they're going full Dominican RepublicPadrón's 100th anniversary sneak peek (Elie Bleu humidor!)Espinosa drops 8 new products including Warhead extensions & moreCasa Carrillo's Ascend line & new Deep Blue limited releaseOscar Valladares Colaboraciones — a collab series worth watchingPlasencia's rebrand + the World Cup-inspired TriunfalSTG reunites General & Forged brands under one roofPlus: was this the STRONGEST year for new releases in a decade?Whether you're a retailer, collector, or just a guy who loves a great smoke — this episode is required listening.🔔 Subscribe & hit the bell so you never miss an episode.👍 Like the video if this brought value to your lounge time.💬 Drop a comment — what was YOUR favorite release from PCA 2026?#CigarHustlers #PCA2026 #CigarPodcast #PremiumCigars #CigarTariffs #NewOrleans #CigarLife #DrewEstate #Padron #CigarCommunity #CigarReview #CigarTalk #SmokingCigars #CigarIndustry #BoutiqueC igars