April 8, 2025· 1h 26m

ACHP Episode 382: A Cigar Hustlers Podcast Did Blue Jays Make a Home Run with $500 Million, or is Bitcoin Dropping Like a Bad Cigar Draw?

Transcript

What?

Oh.

Go ahead.

And you welcome to episode 382

of the Cigar Hustler Podcast.

Go to Michael.

Bing bong.

Hello.

We are recording the podcast

officially.

We have no events coming up

because this is the Monday

before the Wednesday leave for

the PCA, so there's no events

going on.

Yes, and the chaos is abundant

at this current moment.

Yes, as usual, we are waiting to

the last minute to do

everything.

How?

Wait a second.

How are we waiting the last

minute?

What are we waiting the last

minute for?

Wait, what do you think we're

waiting for the last?

I want to know, what do you

think we're waiting for the last

minute.

Not that there's not anything

specific we're waiting to do at

the last minute, there's just a

lot to do and it is the last

minute.

OK.

But so like there are things

that you can't avoid that you

have to build like at that

moment, right?

I guess.

So what is it?

What's what's?

I'm curious to know what it is

that that isn't that we haven't

prepared for cause we've been

doing a lot of things to

prepare.

I think Palmer was probably

looking for the word of

finishing touches.

Oh, you were looking?

For.

The are they?

Are they?

Do we have do we have our shirts

ready?

The shirts will be arriving

today.

OK, Yeah.

So.

Shipping issues.

We ordered them last week.

They came from California.

Oh, tariff issues.

Yeah.

I'd update the price list again

yesterday.

OK, now why did you?

That's not our fault, I

understand, but it is.

It is part of the Pochek.

Family's fault.

Well, yeah, I mean,

unfortunately.

Things happen, I understand

things get ready.

I don't think I think things

happen.

I think that I'm trying to not

say, you know, 'cause I just did

that podcast with Stogie.

Yeah, I watched part of it

yesterday.

With Boston, Jimmy and I said,

you know, a bajillion times.

He asked.

Really good.

Questions he did.

It was a very it was a very good

podcast, yeah.

But what I can say, though, is

it's like adult day care when it

comes to these other brands that

we handle.

Sure.

You know, they're like, oh,

yeah, yeah.

New cigar.

I'm surprised.

OK, well, we could have.

Known Skip had one last week

before we did.

Hey, look at that.

And look, I, you know, I love

these guys.

It's no big deal.

Oh, surely.

Yeah, yeah, no.

No, we should almost do like a

meeting at the at PCA with them

say, OK, listen, this is how you

can make my life a little bit

easier to help make you more

money.

Right.

You know Greg is right now on

his way to go pick up Phosphoro

from.

Right.

Yeah.

Those are.

Coming in.

Yeah.

Like right now that's happening.

Perfect.

So, but I think I've done

everything I possibly can to try

and avoid some pitfalls.

Like I made sure that we got the

car rental a few days in

advance.

I mean, it's not like we don't

have hotel stay.

We have all these things

covered, you know.

Well, up till the end of last

week all we had was the hotel.

And that's good.

I don't know how there's

normally sets up.

So maybe that's ahead of

schedule for for our operation?

Here's what's big.

Here's what's more important.

The appointments, Right.

How long you been working on the

appointments?

Oh.

Forever it seems like.

Forever.

It's been a while, right?

So that's really, I mean being

able to navigate your time while

you're there is really the

significant portion of things,

right, having the price sheets,

right, OK.

But I knew that there were going

to be wrenches thrown into that.

Not by us, but.

By yeah, things that have to be

added and deleted.

And Paul says there might be a

typo, but he got 1/3 versions

ago so I might have already

fixed that.

But now I'm panicking and I have

to go look for typos.

You know, but at the end of the

day, is a typo going to break

you?

Somebody will keep pointing it

out.

I'm not saying you.

It's just Coop, you know, if, if

Coop wants to point it out,

it'll be everybody.

Walks up.

You know you spell Postan you.

Know San Andreas is wrong San

Andreas.

San Andreas is wrong, as I said.

I spell San Andreas.

Coop, it's not my fault, you

know.

Coop wouldn't even notice that

the San Andreas was spelled

wrong if we didn't instantly

send an e-mail out afterwards.

Well, his wife, he said his wife

caught.

Oh, and his wife caught his.

He misspelled it, too.

That's what it was.

And he's worried about us owning

it or something.

Right.

I'm not going to own it just

because I know that it

aggravates you.

Maybe.

We have a young lady named

Andrea, and it's San Andreas

first.

Yeah, it's her, but you know,

she died.

But now we can't because Goop

blew it up.

Yeah, she was the original

rebellious warrior in in post

Polish person who died in

Poland.

Yeah, right.

Right.

Andrea Shinapolitz.

Yeah.

That was her.

Ski He got out of the ski at

the.

Oh, I thought there was an It's

on the end.

It was OK.

I guess it's.

Old Stepan Kevich Shinapolitz.

That's fair.

So yeah, I mean, you know,

chaos.

But anyways, continue please.

All right, today on the Patreon

we are doing the Knuckle

Sandwich 50.

I'm not doing the hand thing.

Knuckle Sandwich 57 today.

Well, we turned off the

autofocus, so I don't.

Oh, so it wasn't working anyway,

It's weird 'cause I'm not really

looking at a camera, I'm looking

at the teleprompter.

Yeah, 18.8g. 18.8g yeah, but

we're not gonna have this size.

They got a lot of things coming

out that that.

Do there's three cigars in

today's news?

Independence Day warhead thing.

Oh, that was not enemy because

that came out a couple days the

news.

Yeah, that one was kind of cool.

Independence.

And they hinted that they're

coming out with another La Bamba

this year.

Another La Bamba.

You know the the American one's

going to be.

Booth's going to buy that one by

the case, yes.

Merck, it doesn't matter what it

costs.

Yeah.

How much is it?

He likes to up the price, so if

you guys went up the price.

No, no, don't, don't up the

price.

Don't up the price.

Yeah, he's all for higher

pricing.

Higher pricing.

All right, trending stories this

week it's National Beer Day.

We should be drinking a beer on

the show I.

Don't really drink beer?

Blue Jays signed a first baseman

for $5 million.

Interesting.

OK, 5 million doesn't sound like

a lot for baseball. 500 million.

500 million, sorry, 500 million,

yes, that's a lot for baseball,

right?

Is that a line?

In today's, yeah.

I mean, that's what.

Everybody, I mean 15 years

looking in the story when we

get.

It we'll get into that, but half

of Billy sounds like a lot.

You would think.

Yeah, to play ball.

God Bless America.

All right, from Hong Kong, where

you know, Jonathan Drew was two

weeks ago, Yeah, global markets

plunges Trump's tariffs into

Asia, stocks into a tailspin.

Bitcoin drops below 80,000.

Yes.

And then in cigars, we have the

PCA update and day one schedule.

Black Star line parts ways with

Cliff Nelson.

Now who's going to call us

David, Banner and the Hulk?

Nobody.

You want to see if he's

available and try and get him

in.

Trying to have him cover post on

you.

Just let him terrorize PCA.

Oh, just let him run around.

We have the next person to be

taken by a flashy smile.

Luciano Cigars has a new

partner.

Interesting.

What happened to his old

partner?

Wouldn't he was making cigars

with Placencia or something?

What he did that was supposedly

happening.

And then you just don't hear

anything, nothing happening.

You got to pay.

That's what we need, the money,

that's.

What that boils down?

When it comes time for the

invoice, it's over.

They maybe they're smart.

We needed in advance a lot of

Espinaro is a cigar news,

there's some Roma craft news and

then we have Listener Week and a

Shop of the Week.

Excellent.

Nice.

All right, well, let's get right

into it, man.

All right, National Beard Day

National Beard Day is an

unofficial holiday every April

7th that commemorates the day in

1933 when the Cullen Harris Act

Harris Harrison Sorry, there's a

glare on my listen.

Palmer can't.

And he?

Can't, No.

There's a glare on half the

screen.

I can only read half of it.

It's that window back there we

figured.

You would have worked that out.

Well, we did.

We had an old T-shirt, but we

didn't bring the old T-shirt

back in today.

Let's see if you can find

something to kind of cover that.

Signed into law by President

Franklin Roosevelt went into

effect, the ACT marked a

significant step towards ending

Prohibition by legalizing the

sale of beer with a.

There he's found the shirt

alcohol content of up to 3.2% by

weight or 4.05 by volume.

Oh, and look, I have all the

words now.

On April 7th, 1933, Americans

were able to legally purchase

beer for the first time in 13

years, leading to widespread

celebrations and the consumption

of 1.5 million.

Barrels of beer.

So yes, Beer National Beer Day.

How do you feel about beer?

I enjoy a nice beer every once

in a while.

I like beer.

What's your favorite beer?

I don't have a favorite.

Now, are you like an IPA guy?

One of those.

No, I don't like Ipas, they're

too bitter.

They were so popular.

They, well, they're still

popular, I just don't like them.

You think so?

I feel like I I drank the heavy

stouts there for a while, but

then they just do have me.

It's like a nice ale.

It's like, it's like drinking a

loaf of bread, that's what.

I like cider now.

You're a cider guy?

Yeah, I like.

Ciders are good.

Yeah, ciders are good.

Interesting.

Yeah.

It's like drinking apple juice.

I like water.

Well, I drink a lot of water and

crystal light at home.

There's water in the apple

cider.

It's like.

Yes, there's water in the cider.

There's water in the cider.

And the vitamins and the

minerals.

Yep, get a lot of iron.

Get a lot of iron in that stuff.

Always closely tied to American

history and culture, as it

seems.

Symbolizing the resilience of

Brewers and the revival of beer

as a staple beverage, National

Beer Day also highlights the

craft beer industry's growth,

offering enthusiasts a chance to

explore diverse beer style such

as lagers, ales, stouts and IPA.

Excellent stuff.

How much beer do you think you

drink a week?

Oh, some weeks have none.

You have none, but what?

So what do you think?

The average is like 2 beers?

For me, yeah.

Maybe.

What do you tell your doctor?

Don't go to the doctor.

Oh yeah, it's I have.

Teleductors he's.

Too old now for that.

Too old now.

Yeah, let me tell you, you

should've had the shake sooner.

I was like, oh wait, that's

fine.

What about you Boots?

How much?

How many beers do you drink a

week?

I don't really drink beer but I

if I would have to say if my

beer consumption per year maybe

1/4 of a beer per week.

So one a month a.

Quarter of a beer per week.

So what do you open it?

You take a couple steps and you

throw it away?

No.

No, I'm just saying on an.

Average.

That's what I like.

One week it might have two, then

it might be 3 weeks where he has

another one.

All right, so this holiday

doesn't really mean anything to

anybody in this room.

Other than it's National Beer

Day, but no.

Nobody really cares.

Well, the Whiskey Rebellion, I

thought sort of tied in because

that's, you know, part of

Prohibition.

So it was cigar adjacent.

Got it.

So I mean if it was like

National Florida Kana or

National Crown Royal Day.

I don't think there is a

national Florida.

Kind of day, I don't think there

is anything.

We should make one.

So what's your favorite beer?

Miller Lite.

Was it originally Bud Light?

And he's shifted.

No, I've always been a Miller

Lite guy.

We usually have ultra at the

house 'cause that's when my

wife.

That's not even drinking.

Just watch land man it's.

Yeah, I know.

It's not even really beer.

I know little to no alcohol.

When I was really young, I won't

say the age, but when I was

really young, I got really sick

off of Miller Lite.

Yeah, and so now you can't drink

it ever.

I never, it was I, I mean I

could, but it just takes me back

to that nasty day.

There's 2 beers.

Do you have a beer that that got

you really messed up that you'll

never drink again?

No, it's just beer.

It doesn't matter what it is.

Did you ever, when you were

young, did you ever get really,

really jacked up on something?

Sure.

And you like you vomited

everywhere?

Oh no.

And it didn't stick into your

brain permanently.

No, I'm not a vomiter.

Yes, Budweiser.

It was Budweiser for you.

I get drunk but I mean I have

been really really drunk but I

don't normally.

Throw up.

Gotcha.

There were two for me.

I had two horror stories.

Miller Lite was definitely one

of them.

And I could just I can picture

the day.

I mean, it's crazy.

It must have been traumatic.

Yeah, it was pretty bad.

And the other one, Mickey's Ice.

Those are terrible to start

with.

Well, I'm just getting sick on

them.

Stellar.

The little bumblebee, the little

canned thing.

When you're young, though, you

drink whatever so I can.

Get your hands on Yeah.

Yeah, the six pack was $3.

Yeah, right.

If we go out, I usually get a

land shark.

Yeah, I just like it with a lime

in it.

It's nice and crisp.

Was an umbrella.

No, no umbrella.

It's a beer.

You don't put an umbrella in a

beer.

That's just silly.

OK, just a lime.

Float lime.

All right.

Well, happy beer day.

Happy beer day everyone.

Guerrero Junior Blue Jay Blue

Jays agree on a $500 million

deal First baseman Vladimir and

the Toronto Blue Jays are in

agreement on a 14 year, 500

million contract extension

pending a physical sources said

Sunday night.

The no deferral deal keeps the

homegrown star in the Toronto

for the rest of his career and

comes at A55 Blue Jay what as

the 50 they're they've won 5555

and five, five and five.

Blue Jays are in the midst of a

road trip that takes him to

Fenway Park to meet the Boston

Red Sox on Monday.

What's your excuse now there's

no light block?

Everything correctly.

I just didn't understand the

vernacular they put up because

I'm not a sports guy, said 5-5.

I didn't understand they were

talking about money 5-5 Yeah,

that's what it said on the.

Visa Horny 5-5-5.

Right, yeah, they talked about

the new visa.

Horny 555.

Half a billion dollars.

Half a billion dollar 15 years.

So I mean, OK, but has he only

ever played there?

Yes.

He's only played in Toronto.

They.

Said he finished his career

there, which makes sense that I

didn't know if he'd ever played.

Anything.

Yeah, He's like a staple for

those guys, man.

When you think about the Blue

Jays, that's Vladimir Guerrero,

this little guy.

He's the guy, you know, he's

like top of the heap.

Yep, I think it's a good

contract for him.

For him?

Or how about for them?

For both, For both parties.

So what's that breakdown to per

year?

Is it guaranteed 40 something

million a year is.

It guaranteed money or what?

I I think there's a portion

that's guaranteed probably, I'd

probably say like somewhere

around 100.

So it's about like 3334 million

a year.

Yeah.

Nice chunk of change.

Did he get a signing contract or

like?

Is it an extension?

Well, yeah, it's an extension,

so he doesn't get a signing, but

he gets a guaranteed amount, so.

Like a lump sum payment.

Yeah.

So like his guaranteed amount

will be, it's probably somewhere

around 100.

That's amazing.

No kidding to play ball.

You know out of all the sports,

baseball, they play the most

games, right?

So.

There's a lot of, there's a lot

of standing though, yeah.

I'm not going to say there's a

lot of wear and tear, but

remember, it's not just the

game, right?

It's the practicing, the

training, you know, all that

stuff, the travelling, all that

goes in effect.

Well, they got these new bats,

too.

You see that?

Yeah, this.

Is yeah, the torpedo bats.

Torpedo bats.

You got a problem with the

torpedo?

Torpedo Torpedo bats.

Mean, Yeah, I got a problem with

them.

You know why?

Because they don't let these

guys juice.

So you're going to allow a

different variable, but you

can't allow them to juice

anymore?

Yeah, OK, but So what, at least.

Everybody can have the bat

though.

We're getting more home runs

now.

Everybody can take a needle.

Yeah, but it's different.

This doesn't really do anything

other than it puts a everybody's

bat gets different and they have

a sweet spot where you where you

hit the ball normally.

I'm not against his statement.

I think that he's saying, you

know, like whatever, as far as

I'm concerned as, as far as

sports go.

No.

You you want fighting in

basketball?

Fighting in basketball?

Juicing in baseball?

I want juicing across the board.

Right.

You know, can they hit each

other with the bats?

Is they're fighting in baseball

now, too?

They do fight.

Yeah, I'd be OK with that.

Fighting is perfect.

I'd be OK with.

That for violent over there.

Yeah, why don't?

We just go back to gladiators,

just call it a day and just.

I don't know why they don't have

that anymore.

Juice up the gladiators, Let

them go at the Coliseum.

Oh yeah, Lions and yeah, Lions

and tigers and bears.

Oh my.

It's just.

Like when Boots said there were

real sharks and gladiators.

Yeah, yeah, Sharks too.

It's a real movie.

It's a real movie based on.

It's based on is.

That a real movie.

Yeah, I mean, I'm I'd be OK with

Coliseum.

Fight.

You OK with that?

Fight to the death yeah, some

guys are with the thumb up or

thumb down and they.

I probably have to change the

channel when he died.

We could throw some prisoners in

there, whatever, you know what I

mean.

Oh, when your freedom.

I I think it'd be a great way.

Of you.

That's that Schwarzenegger

movie.

What was that the the running?

Man, yeah, the running man.

We had to run, well, you had to

run from A to B, but you fought

and killed other people during

the thing.

It's like gladiators over a

larger scale.

It wasn't really, I think that

Running Man, the concept wasn't

you weren't really killing the

people that were trying to fight

you.

You just successfully ran away.

When or if they caught you, you

were dead 'cause.

Right, they put gladiator ish

people in the the the thing that

and then.

Schwarzenegger.

Stopped killing them.

Yeah, well, that would be the

idea.

Is that like Maze Runner?

No, they believe a different

movie that was that was children

that meant to amaze that what at

night the lockdown or something

the little monsters running man

was way.

Better, What was the electric

guy's name?

The really fat electric guy?

Oh, I don't.

Know.

I know you're talking about, you

know, the guy you're saying the

opera.

Yeah.

Right.

I was, yeah.

I got very excited when he came

on.

Did you liked him?

On Yeah.

Good.

Like Mr. Freeze, but with

electricity?

Yeah.

Right.

Oh, that's a great character,

Mr. Freeze.

I don't know how we.

Got on to running man, but

because.

You went gladiator style of

sports I.

Think the torpedo bats are fine

barrel there's no issue I have

because if they're fighting.

They can stab each other with

them the the.

Reality is that baseball's come

become kind of boring.

You know, you could if there's a

game where you're only there's

two or three runs in a game,

yeah.

That's not a.

Lot oh so the.

More home runs, more exciting,

yeah.

Exactly.

They can make more.

For NASCAR, could just be

crashes now.

You wait a second.

OK, so you're going to tell you

think that you don't go watch

NASCAR because OK, first, I

don't.

Watch OK.

You think that people watch

NASCAR not hoping that there's

some type of crash?

No, they do.

There's.

That's why they watch.

I have been to NASCAR vets.

That's why you OK so but.

It's so we're on the same so,

but they don't.

Purposely, I'm Sorry and the new

Stefan Kevitch sports manual you

just it's more like a demolition

Derby NASCAR combo.

Those are great, I just think.

That I just think that I'm

willing to say what everybody

else isn't willing.

Whatever else is like, whoa,

that's not OK.

That's not OK.

You can't hit him with the bet.

Hit him with the bet.

You know.

If he charges you, and I mean

maybe he pays like an extra fine

or something, yes, you know,

right, Or the pitcher has a bat

on standby, right, that if you

charge at him, he can pick his

up.

But not just a.

Baton or a knife?

Oh yeah.

Yeah, yeah, right.

Not a knife.

That's ridiculous.

Don't be silly.

Yeah, I'm not.

I'm not.

I'm not saying they can acquire

different weapons, but just

guns.

Just give me a gun so it's kind.

Of like a sub GTA type of

baseball grand.

Grand Theft Auto baseball slash

running man slash gladiator.

Somebody on tik?

T.O.K was telling me that there

are basketball players already

in the league that are like

enforcers, that they're

specific.

They're specifically there.

They used to have too.

Yeah, Draymond.

Green back in the day.

There was a white guy and a

black guy, yeah.

Draymond Greens can't think of

their names.

Is he really an?

Enforcer.

Yeah, he's like a.

Dennis Rodman, He's more like a.

Crybaby.

Yeah, Dennis.

Rodman when he was on the

Pistons.

And then there was a a really

tall white guy kidding John.

Sally, wait a second, but.

Dennis, John, Sally.

Was black.

Hold on.

Dennis Rodman was one of the

greatest defensive players in

the game, but he.

Was also an.

He was also an.

Enforcer.

OK.

All right.

And a rebounder.

He was a.

Hell of a rebounder, right all?

Right, moving.

On to the next story.

Oh, we're just.

Barely touched this one.

Oh, OK.

We gotta have a billion dollars.

Federal Reserve negotiated

during.

The season after the sides

failed to come to an agreement

before he reported to spring

training, but the sides continue

talking and sealed the deal that

in that is the third largest in

Major League Baseball history.

What are the oh, I hear it right

here.

Juan Soto 15 years or $765

million contract with the New

York Mets and Showy, thank you.

10 years or 700 million, You

couldn't just.

Let him try packed with the Los

Angeles Dodgers. 10 years for

70, he's so he's got the best

deal. 10 years for 707 hundred.

$1,000,000 / 10 years.

The other guys are both 15

years.

Yeah.

Yeah, but Showy is a pitcher and

he can hit, so he's.

Worth it?

He received a long term

commitment from the best home

grown talent since Hall of Famer

Roy Halladay.

They had tried to sign Guerrero

to a long term deal for years

but no avail.

Toronto got a glimpse of

Guerrero's talent when he

debuted shortly after the 20th

birthday in 2019.

A homestead 15 times as a rookie

homered.

Sorry 15 times Talk so we can

scroll through this isn't

getting ready.

OK, so.

Baseball.

Yay, yay, yay yay yay.

Torpedo bats good.

Steroids good.

Death in in the middle of the

field.

OK, we're OK with all these

things.

Whatever.

Fantastic.

Still not there.

Almost.

Less.

Stats running through here

Perfect.

They will expect to exceed the

luxury tax threshold of 241

million.

The Blue Jays ended the season's

first week atop the American

League East standings.

Toronto dropped to A53 on Friday

after a loss to the Mets in

which Guerrero collected a pair

of singles.

When do you think Kent?

Does it tell you the tax amount

in Toronto that he's going to

get taxed?

No.

No, it just said they have

breached the threshold.

So 241 must have been the

original you have breached.

The threshold of success and now

we are taking your money.

You have.

He has to give them. 241 million

or he gets to keep the 1st 241

million, I don't know I.

Don't know how Canada works but

but nobody.

Nobody knows.

No one understands that.

Nobody understands that.

I'm sure that.

The threshold though, the the

percentage that they take, once

you hit that, it's got to be

huge.

And is that 5?

100 million Canadian No 'cause

that's a lot lower.

No, it's.

American.

He gets paid American dollars.

He probably lives in Florida or

something he plays in.

Toronto.

He's 5. 100 million I.

Guess you could have a jet.

He's making all the.

Right moves as far as taxes

yeah, hey, you need.

To put it.

On my trust fund down to four.

When do you think?

We'll be friends with Canada

because, you know, they still, I

think there's the are we still

fighting?

I think they're still angry.

With us, everybody's angry.

With us now, everybody, the

entire world is now.

You think the whole here in

California wants to secede from

the union and have their own

tariff schedules?

We've always talked.

About this, we're not going to.

We're not going to participate

in the Trump tariffs.

We're going to have our own

that's.

Fine, pack your shit.

Well, they can't.

Leave.

Why not?

They're kind of.

Connected.

Let them do.

It listen, we can.

Make them not connected.

I just think they.

Look, I think that if a state

wants to secede, or whatever you

call it, secede.

That's what I said.

You said or.

Whatever.

You call it.

I'm just saying you said it

right.

Oh, OK.

Why not?

I don't care either way either

side.

It doesn't matter to me if you

want to go extremely liberal or

extremely conservative and you

want to break off right.

Do it.

Let me see how.

That works.

It's not, you know, you, you're

talking about all federal

funding going away.

That's that's a bad How's Maine?

Doing without their federal

funding?

Didn't Trump stop theirs because

they're they're letting boys

play girl sports?

He said something.

About stopping school funding or

something like that, but a lot

of that money, federal funding,

a lot of that money's going to

colleges and stuff or whatever.

It doesn't help your public

schools anyways.

All right, global markets plunge

amid Trump's tariff turmoil

sends European and Asian stocks

into a tailspin.

Yes.

Hong Kong CNN News Global

markets plunged on Monday,

deepening a global stocks route

triggered by U.S.

President Donald Trump's trade

war and China's forceful

response to unexpected high

tariffs.

Germany's DAX opened down 9%,

while London's FTSE was about 5%

lower.

European markets were on the

whole faring better than Asian

markets in early trade.

Japanese benchmark Nikkei 225

index closed 7.9% lower, while

the border topics finished down

7.7%.

Tech giant Sony plummeted more

than 10% in Hong Kong, where

financial markets reopened after

public holiday.

They have a lot of holidays in

Hong Kong.

They took the day.

Off there's a lot of.

Holidays they opened up.

And I think the benchmark.

Hang Seng Index closed more than

13% lower in the worst single

day of trading since 1997,

according to the index list of

the biggest historic daily

losses in mainland China.

The Shanghai Composite Index

closed 7.3% lower.

Yeah, the blue chip.

CSI 300 index also lost about

7%.

OK.

Washington.

Shock decision to impose a 34%

tariff on Chinese goods.

Delta direct blow to core export

sectors like semiconductors and

electrical vehicles, triggering

a sharp and broad based

repricing across Asian market,

Den Wu, a research strategist at

Pepperstone, wrote in a research

note.

Trading volumes Hong Kong surged

on Monday.

A lot of this news is very dull.

Well, yeah, with all these.

Stats and numbers and things and

it's look.

It's the times that we're kind

of living in, right?

You're overdue for a recession

or or at least a stock market

correction, whatever you want to

call it.

OK.

Is that what you're saying?

Now stock market, I don't care.

I don't care what anybody calls

it.

You want to know.

What I really don't care about

is the advice that I see from

people in the cigar industry as

far as what they know allegedly,

and when it comes to tariffs and

all this other information.

It's so obnoxious.

If you cannot understand

elementary math, you probably

shouldn't be giving advice on

social media.

I'm going to tell you that right

now.

I saw a guy go on a tangent this

five paragraph summary, and one

of the paragraph states if it's

a 10% increase on a tariff, the

consumer is going to pay 20%

more for their cigar.

They legitimately wrote that.

So let me break this stupid math

down for you.

If it cost me a dollar and I

sell it to a retailer for $2.00

and the retailer sells it for

$4.00, you have a baseline,

right?

If there's a 10% tariff tax,

whatever you want to call it,

it's now.

I now have $1.10 into it.

I sell it for 2:20 right and

then the retailer sells it for

440.

Show me where a 40 cent increase

on $4.00 is 20%.

Well, you got to carry the 1:00

you got.

You got to.

Carry the But this is what we're

seeing across social media from

cigar people.

It's insane.

You guys don't even think.

You just write stuff because you

think that that you're going to

sound smart.

What you're really doing is, is

making yourself look really,

really dumb.

I don't understand it.

It makes no sense.

I'm sure in his head it makes

sense somehow, but I don't see.

Where they should have.

Proof read it I just.

No, that's it's not a proofread.

He probably did proofread it and

figured that that looked good.

He just figured that.

Was the math, Yeah.

Oh.

This makes sense.

We have.

Calculators.

What the hell are?

We.

Is it 20% from the original

dollar if you figure it out that

way?

I mean, I'm trying to figure out

where he got the 20%, no?

He got it from Stupidville dude.

But.

But it's abundant in the cigar

industry.

These guys like that everywhere.

They all.

Write this stuff.

I just like bro calm down stop

just please.

If I, if I wanted your, you

know, like, I don't know, I

guess I shouldn't look, but I'm

entertained at your at your

stupidity.

Still reading them?

He's probably.

Not mad about the McDonald's

prices, I mean they've been

raising for years.

Yeah, that $0.85 hamburger now

$4.00 and now.

I'm.

Getting emails from brands and

manufacturers, right, You know,

avoid the the tariff price hike

by now what that's.

Just a.

Marketing.

Just a marketing.

Thing to get you to buy now

that's so.

Stupid.

And then I hear, oh, you know.

So we're not saying that.

At the and then I hear.

What?

We're lowering our prices.

We're lowering our price, Oh

United.

Is I saw OK I was trying.

Not to make name brands, but OK,

I don't care who they are.

If you're lowering prices and

your prices are going up, that

probably means you were

overpriced to begin with.

Yeah, if they've got.

Margin that they can lose, you

know what I'm saying?

We're going to reduce our

prices, right you are.

We're all in.

This together so it costs.

You more and you're going to

you're going to you're doing a

good deed.

I don't think you're doing a

good deed.

I don't believe that for a.

You know who's still a?

Patreon Speaking of doing good

deeds, Mickey Pegg, oh, he's.

Back.

He never left apparently.

I'm I love Mickey Pegg.

Such a great guy.

He's not showing at the PCA.

I will miss you Mickey, if you

still listen to the regular

show.

What's up?

Huge.

Yeah, huge.

What's?

Well, what would he be showing?

I haven't heard all sayings.

I haven't heard.

Anything.

Maybe he's.

Setting up the chairs for

Mccauliff.

I've seen.

I've seen a.

Little travel from they don't

they don't need.

Many chairs he's not with he's.

He's not with Mccauliff anymore,

no.

But you know, sometimes you do

what you have he's excited

about.

Mccauliff Purple.

Sometimes you do what you got to

do.

Oh my God.

Wow.

Bitcoin drops 77,000 below

77,000 as cryptocurrencies join

global market route Bitcoin fell

below the $80,000 level as

investors brace for more

financial markets volatility

after US execute suffered

EQUITES.

What was that exquite S?

SQ Exquisite.

I thought it was exquisite, but

that can't be.

It doesn't fit anyway.

They suffered their worst

decline since 2020 in the

rollout of President Donald

Trump's restrictive global

tariffs.

It's none of the tariffs affect

the bitcoins.

It's just.

Globally common.

It's not really a.

Thing.

None of it's.

Really a thing?

It's the money that we have in

the US isn't backed by anything,

right?

No, no, no, I thought.

They went, but we still have the

gold.

It's backed no?

It's backed by the labor of the

American people, that's what

it's backed by the gold at Fort.

Knox No.

We went off the gold standard

100 years ago, but the gold's.

Still there, right, 'cause Trump

in well, Elon went to go look,

he didn't go.

Yet.

Oh, I thought.

They went no, that's.

That's also Patrick's bro.

Come on, man, you know that

That's all showmanship.

Would like to go.

I want to go see it.

Maybe we.

Could get a ticket to go and

check it out.

Go pick it.

Up you think?

Go check it out.

Do you think we can go in and

ski masks?

We're just here.

We're here.

It's very cold outside.

We're here.

Yeah.

I have a face.

That's a good idea.

I have a rash.

I have to wear this.

It's important he's wearing a

pantyhose because he needs to

keep it compressed.

The price?

Of Bitcoin is less lowered more

than 1.5% on the day at

$76,353.71 according to coin

metrics.

What is coin metrics?

I don't know.

Apparently they keep track of

Bitcoin price.

Apparently that's.

Where Boots uploaded his wallet

info on from last week.

They are the metrics.

Of the coin.

And I got sucked out, right?

15 percent, 13% where the laws

respectively rattled investors

begin dumping their crypto

holdings over the weekend as

they brace for further carnage.

After Trump's.

Regulatory tariffs rate a

Retaliatory tariffs raise global

recession fears and cause

investors to sell at all risk.

Sell sell.

The Dow move lower as it

triggered a wave of long

liquidations as traders betting

on an increase in bitcoins price

were forced to sell their assets

to cover their losses in the

past 24 hours, Bitcoin selling

more than 412 million in long

liquidations according to I

don't understand Bitcoin stuff

at all.

OK, so.

Everything's, everything's for

sale.

Like it looks like it's.

Sustaining.

But you know, hey, isn't

everything.

Always for sale.

It's Monday.

Right now it's about 2:00, so

you know, the day is still

young.

We could still see it sell off

more.

Who knows, we could still crash.

Later, but look.

At the end of the day, here's

what I've learned over years of

even the little investments that

I've made.

Control your emotions.

Don't panic, you know, isn't

that?

That speech from the movie when?

Are you about to say?

Greed is good, no?

Sounds like where.

It was going greed is good.

No, I'm just saying control your

emotions.

Don't panic because what happens

is if the market's tanked and

you're and you're stuck in it,

you better ride it out.

I mean, I'm not a financial

advisor so that's my disclaimer,

but you know, it would suck to

have even if you had $200,000

saved and and you got a 20%

haircut and you and you're at

160,000 you sold it and then it

went back up a few months later

you just lost 40K.

You know, right when you didn't

need the money.

Just leave it.

Relax, relax bro, just chill

out.

That where?

Do we go to verivore?

Is equities equities?

Oh, I couldn't.

I saw it again.

I couldn't hear you.

Oh, I heard EQ something.

Equities is global recession

fears over shadow Any regulatory

trail wins crypto was expected

to benefit from this year.

Some investors have been bracing

for a Bitcoin correction since

the beginning of the year,

around the time the

cryptocurrency hit a record of

oh 100 and nine, 350 to

$109,350.72.

At the time, stocks were

climbing to their own record

peaks and potential for pullback

was evident, according to

Kruger.

Clemente said it was fear in

Clemente, a baseball player.

Yes, apparently he's.

Somebody with financial

information, he's a big deal,

yeah.

It's huge over longer.

Term, however, deglobalization

and rising geopolitical tension

should benefit a decentralized,

open source, neutral, scarce

reserve asset like Bitcoin.

I'm gonna need you to look

something up soon here, but it's

just so you know when we get

into some cigar stuff, OK?

What do you need to?

Look up.

I don't want to tell him.

Just yet when we get.

Into it, yeah.

Oh.

All right, PCA pre show

information.

All right, let's go.

Friday, April 11th.

This is the schedule for retail

attendees.

That's it.

That's the first day that you

can get into the show.

Oh, no, no, no, no.

This is the pre.

Show.

This is the comedy.

Club thing.

That isn't part of the PCA

official.

It's not.

I thought it was it's it's.

Gonna be at the PCA, but I don't

think it's a sponsored event.

Oh, I thought that it was 8:00

AM to 6:00 PM.

Exhibitor move in. 10:00 AM to

7:30 PM.

Open registration in the lobby.

10 AM, The PCA Cafe open in Live

Oakfront Port, sponsored by

Tetwahe see one to five.

There's some educational stuff.

The hand rolled by Julio Iroa,

Sponsored by Quesada Cigar,

Cigar Ambassador Cigar TV and

PCA Executive Committee Cigar.

TV.

That's our guy, Sean, Yes, Yeah.

They're sponsoring something.

All right, now here's the

smoking policy for the PCA.

Oh, this should be.

Interesting they've entered into

Contract with the Earnest in

Moral Convention Center in New

Orleans and host hotels for the

trade show.

These contracts specify

designated smoking areas and

time to show management,

exhibitors, attendees and all

other members of non members

associated with the show must

adhere in order to be in

compliance with these contracts.

This is a serious issue that is

important to be ordered to be

able to host future trade shows

not only in New Orleans but

throughout the country.

OK.

Well, we've sort of walked that

line a couple times in Vegas,

so.

OK.

Thought this was important.

Yeah.

Smoking at the PCA trade show is

only allowed in the designated

PCA convention and meeting area

during trade show hours.

After the.

Show no smoking.

Shut it down.

Smoking is.

Strictly prohibited in the

following restricted areas such

as hallways.

No hallways.

Foyers.

No meeting rooms, no guest

rooms, no hotel lobbies, no no

and any non-smoking areas that

is invited by the host hotel and

the city of New Orleans

Convention Center.

Just lob that.

Up there and any non anything.

Anything, anything we seem you

should not be smoking there

anything that.

They have a problem with.

You cannot do to be determined

and TBD, so you can.

Only smoke inside the convention

during the hours if you have a

blue shirt and one red anything

north of the.

Chiclets, Right, Right.

All right, this is the first

year I've seen a media code of

conduct there's.

Which?

We skate by being exhibitors.

Which we circumvent by paying by

paying.

To be a media, I mean.

OK, the media code of conduct is

pertaining to our partner OK

Show.

By participating in the trade

show, you hereby agree to abide

by the following.

During trade two hours.

I will respect the time of

exhibitors.

I will not interrupt or disrupt

any conversations and I

understand this is an important

time for them to conduct

businesses.

That would be addressed.

To Skip Martin, who likes to

yell hello?

Yeah, you're gonna.

Don't upset Coop again, don't

upset Coop.

I don't.

I still think they're not

friends.

Probably not.

No #2.

I will not request, solicit, or

otherwise ask manufacturers or

others for free goods, including

but not limited to cigars,

pipes, accessories or other

products, unless this is part of

the official media coverage.

OK.

It's all official.

It's all.

Official media coverage.

I can't talk about your cigar

unless I have one in my mouth.

Yeah.

And one in my pocket and one in

my.

Pocket for later #3 I'm

responsible for my own property

and equipment.

I will not hold PCA responsible

for damage, theft, or other

consequences.

Do my equipment at the show.

Somebody's lost a camera.

Apparently that's happened.

I mean, New Orleans, no, it was

in Vegas.

We lost the the speaker.

Somebody came in, somebody took.

Their music, we used to come in

with the entrance music.

Yeah, I think PCA might take it

because we came into entrance

music.

You think PCA?

Took it well, we.

Could no longer walk in playing

whatever that music was.

You used to always play what's?

The guy's name used to be there,

Scott.

You think he's got it right now

in his house?

Yeah, it.

Probably does.

He's got it down to the.

CAA.

At the CAA, he's in his office.

Check out this great.

Speaker check out this great.

Speaker, I got it one of the PCA

convention.

Had it for years.

Until you see Luciano's got a

new speaker.

I didn't.

Luciano gets into speaker

distribution.

I understand that no person

under the age of 21 will be

admitted to the show, so no

news.

Has that been a?

Problem apparently.

Enough where they have to make

it a rule.

I don't.

Understand that sounds

ridiculous.

Has anybody ever brought?

Their child.

Wait a second.

Hold.

On OK, but if I'm a if I own a

family, if I'm a family business

and I own a farm and I'm a

manufacturer and I brought my

kid with me, this just pertains.

To media.

Oh, OK.

So like.

No.

Media kids, right?

No media.

Kids got it.

Coop can't bring any children so

so.

There's no There's no famous

YouTube Tik toker cigar smoking

kid under the age of 20.

Apparently, he's not.

Allowed.

Yeah.

Guess.

What buddy?

No unboxing.

Your cigars today.

This just in.

I'll be respectful and courteous

of other attendees, contractors

and PCA staff and compliant with

PCA trade show rules.

They have rules I don't.

Look, everybody's got.

Rules I don't get.

It if a media person is too too

much in your face or they're

they're too bothered, just shoo

them away.

I'm sorry I don't have time for

you right now.

You know, or whatever the case

may be, you can be respectful.

If they're not, they energy can

match energy.

Is there security?

At PCA, I've never ever seen

security.

I mean, there's usually the

angry old lady at the door, but

that's not really secure.

People not.

Letting you in and stuff right?

But like.

If somebody's bothering, like if

somebody comes up and they're

hard pressed, I don't want to do

an interview right now on media

and I don't care.

I didn't make an appointment,

blah, blah, blah.

We're getting well, we don't

have time.

And they press.

I mean, you're obviously large

anyway.

And Greg may or may not have

something in his sock, but

right, can you pick?

Can you yell security and

somebody comes running over in

the red code?

I hardly doubt that either.

I can't see.

You know, I don't want to jinx

it here.

Yeah, don't do.

That so this is the.

First time they've ever come out

with this list, I got to be

honest.

I've never seen it before.

I would.

Stick.

Palmer on it.

I'd put you on it.

I'd be like, get this guy out of

here it.

Can be very.

Convincing you, Could you?

Could put like we maybe, maybe

we make Paul do it.

Paul.

Paul, he came in today.

He was upstairs.

I know the PCA 25 Trade show is

a member only event and that I

am attending for the purpose of

covering the show in the

capacity of a media professional

and member of the press.

I will not give badges to anyone

outside my company, I mean Tony.

Gomez was the bouncer for Guy

Fieri against us, and I look

what?

Happened.

I didn't have a job.

Yeah.

And.

Now he's unemployed.

That'll teach you, Tony.

I tagged.

Him on a on a Bentley post the

other day.

They're hiring sales people.

In the description we have a

link that lists the closest

places to smoke at the PCA.

OK.

So.

They can click the link and

it'll give you a list of places

that are available where you can

smoke cigars.

Yeah, like a cigar.

Shop, I mean, Well, there's

other.

Places besides cigar shops.

OK, they've.

Arranged some other places you

could smoke.

OK, whatever is there is.

There rules in New Orleans where

you can't smoke outside and

stuff like that.

I don't.

Know.

Probably.

Probably so.

You know you can only get drunk

and get naked out on the street,

right?

You say you.

Can flash your boobs for beads

and you can get drunk and maybe

pee in the street.

Yeah, no signal cigar.

Whoa.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

What do we have?

Standards.

Yeah.

Wait, wait.

Wait, can you smoke weed there?

Yes.

Probably.

Oh, so there's.

No, no.

There's there is a weed rule

too.

I didn't pull it but there is a

a long list of no weed.

Yeah, no.

Oh wow.

Weed, no cannabis, no CBD, no

CBD lotions, no nothing.

No lotions, no lotions, no delta

nines.

I mean, there's, they're quite

explicit, but there's just none

of that.

I wonder if they.

Fixed the posts to go up and

block Bourbon Street.

Is there a post?

Do you remember?

When the guy drove in and ran a

bunch of people over.

Oh, that's.

Right.

We should stay off the street at

night, I mean.

I'm.

Going to be in the car, yeah, to

the place and then, you know,

and then back and then I'm going

to hide how far away is.

The hotel, do we walk or do we

drive?

I think it's really first.

Of all we're driving.

Oh, I didn't.

Know it was like across the

street or something, I have no

idea.

I don't care if it's across the

street, I'm driving.

I'm still driving, dude.

Well, I'll go over.

And hold the door.

First of all, we're.

Always going to need something.

You know how this chaos works

you're always there's always

something going on.

You always have to bring

something to and from or

whatever and wherever I'm going,

the car is going to be nearby,

you know?

Well, I mean, if.

It's across the street.

The car is nearby.

It's across the street.

Guess I feel like it's probably

if it's a half a mile away

that's enough for me to drive.

Oh yeah, half.

A mile long way, yeah.

'Cause carrying a box half a

mile is you're very strong.

I know.

Thank you.

Thank you for noticing.

That's why I got sucked into

helping you move well.

You volunteered.

What's your problem?

I did volunteer.

It's not a problem, I would

always volunteer to help my

friends.

But I wasn't going to ask, I got

like 2 friends.

So me too.

Yeah, probably not the same too.

Probably not.

No, totally different.

Friends, are we moving?

On I guess.

Yeah, like no smoking, no.

Smoking except where they say

you except some smoke.

Basically, that's what.

It is you can smoke in some.

Areas and the other areas are

don't smoke no bueno.

And there's a $500 fine, Yeah,

so use.

Common sense and only smoke

where?

Somebody says you can smoke or

other people are smoking, right?

Be a good person, right?

Got it.

Black Star line.

Cigars parts ways with VP of

Sales Cliff Nelson Black Star

Line Cigars has announced that

it has parted ways with Cliff

Nelson, its former VP of sales.

Mr. Nelson no longer speaks for

Black Star Line Cigars, said

Eric Bay, owner Black Star Line

Cigars and e-mail sent on Sunday

morning.

Any retailer that has been in

contact with him can reach out

to us directly via e-mail or by

phone.

According to BAE, Nelson has

left the cigar industry

completely.

Richard Bratton, the company's

national sales manager, remains

the remains with the company,

while TJ Jones, DJ Jackson and

Mimi Palmer have been hired as

sales representatives and Sarah

Burkhart as the brand

ambassador.

The company's also retaining its

4 brokers.

So.

You think it's bad?

Yes, you think it.

Sounds bad.

I don't know.

He's left the industry

completely.

I think something happened.

Maybe he has a.

Health issue I don't.

Think it's bad?

You don't think so?

No, I just took.

It it sounds bad I.

No, it sounds.

I think that maybe he got an

opportunity somewhere else or

something.

I think the problem.

Was he has too many letters in

his name, you think?

That's what it was.

Too many letters.

Well, they.

Still have Cliff, DJ Mimi.

They've let go of.

Cliff, right?

One too many letters.

One too.

Got it.

Well, Brad.

Brad is BRAT Richard.

Right.

Well.

Rich, RICH, OH.

That's the Cliff.

Well it's CLI so he had to be 4.

Below is what you're saying.

I think so.

These 4 individuals were

handpicked by me because of

their professionalism, sales

experience and business acumen.

Base said they also bring

positivity to the team that was

sorely needed, adding that he is

confident that the new team

members will be a part of the

Black Star Lines presence at the

upcoming PCA convention, a trade

show which happens on April 12th

to the 14th in New Orleans.

I get the deets, So what?

But what do?

You think happened?

Oh, I have.

No, I don't.

I, I don't know.

There was that problem last year

with a death in his family.

Somebody killed somebody or

something.

So I mean I.

Who knows?

I don't know.

But I'll find I'll find out

Cousin Mimi works for them.

I'll find out what do you think

having boots?

Maybe, I mean he is older right?

So maybe a health issue?

You think that would have been

stated in the press, right?

You think that would have?

Been unless it's something bad

that he doesn't want released,

has stepped down to.

I don't think that there's any

issue.

I mean, I could be way off, I

could be way off.

I will actually.

Ask right after the show, she'll

tell me.

I mean.

I'll call Eric.

I'll call Cliff.

I wouldn't call.

Cliff, Why not?

Maybe he's.

Disgruntled go right to the.

Source.

Tell you what you call Cliff.

I like somebody in the

organization and that way we can

compare notes.

Oh, we'll compare nuts.

All right, perfect, and he might

you.

Know go well, you know they Why

don't we just call?

Them all on the Patreon.

I'm going to, yeah.

Well, you know what?

When we get done with the show,

I'm going to call him afterwards

and I'll have the info if he

answers for the Patreon.

Perfect.

Oh, and.

I'll text me me and I'll find

him.

OK?

Perfect.

I have a cousin.

Mike Condors how you say the

gentleman's name?

CONDER Condor, Crown Head's Co

Founder Retires Mike Condor, the

Co founder of Crown Heads, has

announced that he has retired

from working full time in the

cigar industry and the oh and at

the company.

OK, I didn't even know that he

was part of it.

I've met.

Other than before, he's Co

founder, Yeah.

He will remain as a consultant

to the company.

In 2011, Condor and John Huber,

both former CEO employees,

launched Crown Hits.

Was it silent, partner?

I guess.

Silent.

Co founder.

Never heard of this.

Guy maybe?

He's just back end logistics and

if he's.

Retired.

How is he still a consultant

that's not retired?

Maybe he's.

Forced out.

Now he's friends with Cliff, you

think?

Maybe Cliff and Mike are in

cahoots and they're building

something well.

They said Cliff left the

industry all together.

Oh yeah.

That's true.

Maybe that's just part of it.

Yeah, it's.

It's never.

Expected.

If I say I left the industry

completely, I'm done.

And then he boom, he comes back,

he comes back.

Prior to that, Connor spent

decades at General Cigar

Company, where he once served as

VP of Sales.

Oh, he wants just for the one

day.

OK, in total.

He spent 45 years in the cigar

business.

I've had the honor to work with

many.

Wonderful.

How old is this guy?

Well, he's older than 45.

He looks older in.

The picture, yeah, he looks like

he's.

In his 50s, yeah.

So he.

Started.

When he was 5.

Well, that would be 50.

He started when he was. 10.

Maybe rolling cigars.

He was that kid on YouTube doing

the cigar.

He was a tick tocker.

They made the rules just for

this guy.

He's not allowed.

But the opportunity to build

crown heads alongside this team

was certainly been the most

rewarding chapter, said Condor

in a press release.

Happily, I will have the chance

to remain involved as a

consultancy role while I devote

time to lowering my golf

handicap and chasing naked.

Oh yeah, that really says that.

Yes, I'll say he's just done,

but he still gets.

Up.

So he still exaltes, he's still

getting paid so he can check in,

Yeah.

I get it semi.

Retired.

Yeah, he's had it.

He lasted a long time man, 45

years in the industry.

That's impressive.

How long has Crown has been

around?

I guess 45 years, not 40.

No, no, he worked.

He worked for general I think

Crown.

Has probably been around 20

years.

Maybe he's oh how long?

Maybe slightly less than that.

So, the start of the boutique.

How long?

How old is John Huber?

I don't want to misquote here

misspeak, but I would say he's

probably in his mid 50s

assumably.

Tim Ozinger has purchased

Condor's share.

Oh yeah.

And Crown.

Heads and we'll replace him as

CEO.

Ozinger was an early investor in

Crown Heads and his Oz family

Cigars is assured by Crown

Heads.

Condor, Huber and Ozinger all

worked as Cao, which was owned

by the Ozinger's family till

2007.

I've always been impressed with

what Mike and John have created

with Crown Heads.

Ossinger's pretty.

Cool.

Tim's pretty.

He's a pretty guy.

Good guy.

Is he?

I don't.

Know if ever yeah he's come up

to the.

Shop.

We've hung out and talked a

little bit.

He's a short.

Short guy, bald head.

Yeah, he's.

Pretty cool.

He's one of the good ones in the

industry, that's for sure.

I'm sorry, today I'm looking

towards bringing my 30 plus

years of experience and then

bring him.

Not 45, not 45. 30.

Yeah, but he's got more.

Money.

So he's obviously done things.

There you go.

Well.

I you know you.

Can compensate 15 years with

15,000,000.

They.

Will give you credit for that

premium cigar business to

continue to grow the company and

work with this amazing team we

put together.

In addition, the company has

announced that Adam Shepherd has

been named Chief Operating

Officer and Miguel Shadel has

been promoted to VP of Sales.

Oh, what was he before national

sales?

Manager.

So there's I can go up to oh,

where you.

Got you totally go up I.

Can go up to V.

But yeah, I'm promotable.

All of a sudden you get oh.

Yeah, yeah, absolutely.

I'm extremely.

Excited for, you know, then who

do I, you know, I already don't

really boss anybody.

VP of Sales will be in charge of

the national sales manager.

Well, you get to yell at Paul.

Well, just for a week.

Well, OK.

So let's think about that.

What is, what does something

like that look like?

National sales manager, right?

You build people, you start

facilitating specific

territories, and then you

replace you with a salesperson,

right?

You collect, I don't know, call

it four or five sales people and

then you oversee them as a

national sales manager.

Eventually that national sales

manager position gets replaced

with a person who overseas them

and you oversee the national

sales manager as well.

Yeah, as well as the logistics

of sales and all of those other

things.

Of course I don't have that.

Much time left in my life.

You don't.

Think so.

Depends on 57.

You don't think that it could

happen in less than 10 years?

Oh, I guess it could 67.

I mean, there's no retirement.

I'm I gotta work till I die.

So yeah, I mean that's.

Happening, right?

You're not, you're not working

on lowering your handicap

anytime soon.

Oh, no, no.

No, yeah.

And I got news for you.

I don't think you're the guy

that would like that anyways.

I get bored, right?

I'd be bored.

So yeah, you know we.

Just got to let my dad.

Only stop working when he

couldn't remember things.

Yeah, I was.

And he still thought he was

working.

So right, we got to make sure.

We just got to make sure that

we're getting you the red light,

you know?

Oh, you know.

Red light I set up yesterday and

I red lighted for a good long

time last night.

Did you?

Yep.

And look at you now.

Oh, I'm all.

Bright eyed, bushed and yawning

or nothing.

You're not.

Yawning, right?

Like the last podcast, I want to

kill you.

I'm extremely excited for this

next chapter in the Crown Head

story, said John Huber, who now

holds the former title as

president of Crown Heads.

Tim and I have a proven track

record of working together, and

we are looking forward to taking

what Mike and I have created

over the last decade to the next

level.

How many times you think he

calls Ossinger Mike?

John Yeah.

John John accidentally calls Tim

Tim, Mike.

I don't think it happens

anything happens at all.

No.

I think that Tim has been

quietly in the background this

entire time, so I mean though,

but.

He's used to having all these

conversations with Mike, now he

has to have them with Tim.

There's got to be some little

transition where he slips up on

you.

Think so?

I don't buy that for a second.

I'm actually kind of looking

forward to this.

I think Tim can do a lot of

things.

Well.

Put it, you know, put crown

heads up a couple levels, you

know, So it should be really

good, right?

Constella Constella Constella

Costella announces Adrian

Gonzalez's next person to get

taken.

I mean partnering with adding

the resilient at TCA 2025

Constella.

The recent announcement con

between Luciano Cigars and

Empress a legend Maderina de la

Tobacco has announced former

Major League Baseball player

Adrian Gonzalez has been

partnered partnered in the

venture and that the company

will be launching a new cigar

line called I got no money left.

Oh wait, that's wrong.

It says the resilient.

Sorry, my bad.

Developed in part by him at the

2025 PCA convention, a trade

show.

The cigar is a 6 by 52 Toro that

uses an Ecuadorian grown

Colorado H92 wrapper.

OK, sounds very complicated.

Yeah, no kidding.

Because why not add some BS to

this, right?

A Costa Rican binder OK, and

fiddler's from Peru and

Nicaragua All right, so we're

looking for people he doesn't

owe money to he's got.

To move to different countries

from tobacco, we have to.

Get there from Costa Rican.

Now and.

Peru.

I owe no money there.

Along.

With any money he had left, a

press release from Constella

calls a profile medium bodied

strength, layered complexity and

an elegant finish echoing the

enduring spirit of those it

honors.

What happened to?

The basketball guy the Chicago

Bulls see.

That's just it.

OK, so now he's got a baseball

player.

Yeah.

So now he stops talking about

the other people.

Is did that go away?

I feel like it.

I haven't heard anything.

He moved.

On to somebody else.

Maybe they got.

Maybe.

The basketball guy is going to

be at PCA.

Who knows?

Maybe he's still there.

Maybe it's possible, but now

he's.

But now he's partnering with

this Mary Alice factory people.

Yeah.

Is that covered in this story?

It's the.

Next story technically 'cause I

have questions.

That they were mentioned.

In this one, right, Because now

this factory that he's making

cigars with is now making the

baseball guys, right?

And we'll cover more of it on

Patreon 'cause I have some

points of view that I think are

interesting, but I do have

questions that I want to ask the

entire world.

So the resilient.

Is in the beginning of the new

family of brands within the

Constella portfolio.

So now he's making cigars with a

whole new group.

Yes.

The only consistency is this is

that Luciano's still there.

Right, new factory.

Yeah, new sports guy, new brand

names.

Yeah.

Is he still making the other

cigars?

Probably not if he is.

If he is.

It's going to be made out of

this new factory, you would

think.

Right, he has to.

He has to.

Well, he can't.

Go somewhere you can't.

No.

Who was he making?

Others with Pichardo, well, you

said that.

He was well, but no, that ship

has sailed well, that's what I

mean.

And I mean, is it and?

Then you well like he Fiat Lux.

Where was that made and do you

remember?

Dude, I have no.

Idea at this point, I know that

keep track there was you.

I mean, one of the the recent

articles was that he was going

to start working with Placencia,

right?

That's what.

We were talking about earlier,

that's obviously.

Gone.

Maybe.

Who knows?

Well.

They asked.

For the deposit.

Right.

We said.

That joke already?

Well, right?

See.

These are $24.00 cigars, 480 for

a box of 20.

The initial run being offered at

the trade show is 1000 boxes,

though there are plans to add

more sizes by the end of the

year.

The Mary Alice told Half Wheel

sold Half Wheel.

OK, so.

He OK, so we're going to offer

1000 boxes, right?

It doesn't say when they're

going to be released, no.

OK, so they're selling them at

the show, but not when they're

shipping.

OK, so they're not.

Made yet?

Correct.

So it's.

Going to be.

Made to order I would assume to

some degree, right?

Yeah, I would.

Guess OK and the.

And the and the box count is

what 1010?

Alright, it's a 10.

Count box, right?

How many boxes do you think he

sells?

I don't know, I think people are

still enamored with this man

somehow.

OK, so.

Let's say people are enamored.

Let's say that you know people

are excited about it.

How many boxes do you think he

really sells 2300?

You.

Don't think he sells a whole

thousand that he's making that

he says he's going to make.

I'm asking.

You how many you think he sells?

I don't want to give my opinion

yet.

I bet he does a. 1000 you think

he sells?

A full thousand, I think he

sells. 800 let's say 800, I

think Boots is right. 2:00 to

3:00. 100 I think at.

Best he sells 300.

I don't know.

There's still.

People out there at 24.

Dollars a stick for a for a

baseball player, that.

Actually is really a nobody that

nobody.

Really knows nobody heard of

this guy.

Oh, he spent 15 seasons in the

Major League, playing for Los

Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox,

San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers,

New York Mets.

We're in five sections of the

All Star Game, 4 Golden Glove

Awards and two silver slug.

What the hell is a silver slug?

I have no idea.

But how does any of that, how

does any of that track in the

cigar industry?

It's not like Jordan just made a

cigar, right?

You know what I mean?

Well.

He also represented Mexico in

the Olympics.

It's a Mexican guy apparently.

So is the 25% tear.

I did.

You see what I'm saying?

There's no way no one's gonna

like the how was, Where's the

drive?

Where is the purpose?

How do you get somebody to go

into that booth and say, you

know what, I'll take 20 bucks.

Terrence Riley messages us about

Supreme Leaf and he says, hey,

you can have 15 boxes or

whatever we say, all right,

we'll take 10 or we'll take 15,

whatever, right?

That's easy.

Agonorsa has a track record.

This cigar has a track record.

You know, here's what I think we

can sell.

I don't know this guy.

We don't know this factory.

There's there's nothing behind

any of this.

Oh, he's been in.

On other cigars, yeah, it's not.

Like this guy's a big name like

Tyson or true, I mean.

I don't know the and I don't

think.

That the Tyson stuff is.

I don't think the Tyson stuff is

selling well.

I haven't heard anything.

No, it's it.

It's what's that?

It's easy to get the 1st order.

It's the second order you can't

get.

Well, you said that.

They were just allocating it to

people and they were sending a

bill on.

Well, yeah.

They did do that to one job,

Allegedly.

Oh no, they really did.

I was there, allegedly.

Allegedly, you always say

allegedly, Allegedly this guy.

Was involved in the L Titan for

Ace Prime also.

The baseball player, Yeah, so.

Maybe the guy?

Got frustrated and he's like,

hey, what the hell?

And then he's like, oh, here's

what we're going to do.

We're going to fix all this.

We're going to make all these

things.

We're going.

To right, we're going to make

you a new cigarette.

We got a.

Factory now look in my eye he's.

Going to make you a new, trust

me.

Trust.

Me.

Trust me, it's.

Going to be I have this farm.

Now I have this.

Farm Winky.

Winky, OK.

So winky, winky.

Farm.

Yeah, but I, I.

Can't see him.

I can't, I just can't see it

happening.

I can't see 1000 boxes being

moved.

I just can't, right.

And even still, even at the

price points at 1000 boxes,

you're not making a ton of

money, no, even with a a

ridiculous price point, right?

So like somebody didn't sit down

and do the math is all I'm

saying, right?

Oh, they're shipping in May?

They're shipped, so they are

made.

If they're shipping in May, then

they're made.

They're made already then.

It's the last line of the

article.

OK, so we've hooked up with the

company recently within the past

30 to 60 days.

They've made a cigar within

those 30 to 60 days, right?

And that cigar is ready within

12 weeks.

Miracle time with perfect boxes.

We're good to go.

Thousand done.

This has to be.

Something that was already made

one of those right they.

Exactly.

It's just it's your standard.

That's what I'm getting to.

It's your standard 6 by 52 Toro,

right, right.

So hey, we have these little

one.

We just put some bands on them.

Right.

Putting bands on them give you a

pretty box.

Boom, we're done.

That would be my.

Guess yeah.

That would be my.

Guess 100% that's why they're

ready to go baseball guy's.

Going to be at the PCA.

OK.

Mr. Gonzalez, is he large?

I don't think so.

No.

He's about.

He's he has one of those.

Normal size, he's one.

Of those torpedo bets.

He's got a torpedo.

Bet.

Is he going to bring it?

Probably.

I would, yeah.

Luciano cigars and Empress

Madrinza del Tobacco SA launched

Constella Group, Luciano cigars

and whatever this other people

are.

Oh EMT, they have an

abbreviation.

Thank God.

OK, a tobacco company in the

Azores have launched A Azores.

Not Azores.

Sorry.

Azores and the Azores.

Have launched a.

New joint venture called

Constella Group as part of the

new joint venture Luciano Cigars

US operation will now be known

as Constella.

So he's changed the name again.

Well, it's.

Not his name anymore, right?

The new entity aims to combine

the two companies various

operations under one roof.

This includes premium cigar

manufacturing, distribution,

storage, regulatory compliance

including track and trace, and

tobacco trade across continents.

EM TS history dates back 142

years and it operates Fabrica de

Tobacco Estrella, a large

tobacco factory in Sao Miguel,

Azores, that primarily produces

cigarettes and cigarillos, but

also has a small handmade cigar

operation.

Right.

So they're looking to expand

into premium cigars, which makes

sense.

They've been around for like 140

years or something, 142.

Years, right?

Making cigarettes and cigarillos

OK, so we make a little bit of

cigars so you know what?

Look at this guy, he's pretty

fancy.

So is this the.

End of the article.

No.

OK, keep going.

Executives of Luciano Cigars and

Empress joined by Governor of

the Azores and Mayor of Sao San

Miguel for the joint venture

signing.

Constella Group becomes the

parent holding company of

Luciano Cigars, right And

Luciano Cigars business

operations will be rebranded as

Constella USA, which will handle

sales, distribution, payables

and receivables mean retailers

will eventually be ordering from

and interacting with Constella

USA at the upcoming PCA

convention and trade show.

Luciano Segar's booth will be Co

branded with Constella.

Luciana Morales will serve as

president of Constella USA.

In addition, Luciano's US

trademarks will be transferred

to Constella.

That's Luciano Segura portfolio

will continue under the

Constella umbrella with the

existing Luciana logo maintained

by You told me to keep reading.

That's perfect.

OK, so I have a question for

you, OK.

I own 4 trademarks.

OK, I then go into this joint

venture.

Why would I get?

Why would I abandoned my

trademarks and give it to the

other company?

Give it to the.

New company, Yeah, because I'm

going to file bankruptcy and not

pay any money.

You think that's?

What it is?

Well, they're not.

Going to mention that part, but

if.

Own trademarks, that's one of

the IT can be the most valuable

thing I possess, right?

Intellectual property.

That's how he gets.

Them to take him on, right?

By possessing those Now, if I

surrender them over to another

company, what am I doing?

Why would I do that?

Because.

What's the logic?

Well, his name is pretty bad in

the industry, right?

His name?

But maybe not the brand names.

Well, his, but maybe the brand

names is still worth something.

OK.

Well, it's like Fiat Lux and

Marcio whatever, but it's like a

sub.

Brand name.

I mean, it still says Luciano on

the on the box.

I have.

I have my own theory, entirely

theoretical if I were being

sued.

By.

Someone could they be battling

me for the possession of those

trademarks?

They.

Could.

You think so?

What do you think, Boots?

I don't know.

I mean, he could.

But it'd be a lot more.

So let's say he's.

Being sued by a factory that

made those cigars so.

They could claim we own.

We want those names 'cause we're

making this cigar.

Wait, these are?

Or whatever the case may be.

Hey, that's my name.

He can't use this, right?

I, I never, I never approved him

to take the trademarks from me.

Oh, I.

Got you.

I you know.

Like, hey, I want to create a

cigar, right?

You're a factory, OK?

I want to create a cigar and I

want to call it, I don't know,

whatever bananas or whatever I

make.

Banana for you.

Alright, Banana.

Brand Banana brand and then you

file the trademark for it.

I own it now.

And I'm like, whoa, whoa, whoa.

Wait a second.

This is my brand.

You're just making the cigar for

me.

No, no.

File.

It's mine.

So then I.

Go and I file a lawsuit saying,

hey, this guy filed for this

trademark and it's mine.

He is.

He doesn't own the rights.

Oh, I'm Luciano.

In the story, right, I thought

you were Luciano and then.

No, I'm the guy that got taken.

Got you, got you allegedly,

right, Right.

I'm, I'm coming after you.

So what do you do?

I give them to.

Someone else I bring it to.

Somebody else, Right?

Right.

Not mine.

It's not mine anymore.

You.

I'm sorry.

I no longer possess this

trademark.

If you wanna tell you about my.

Farm, let me tell you.

About my farm, that's that's the

only logical thing I can think

of.

Honestly.

That's the only logical thing I

can think of as to why I would

forfeit trademarks to another

company.

Sure.

As if I thought that it was

under fire and somebody had.

Someone's coming after them and

they.

Had legs to stand on that you

know, I either a can't afford to

battle them in court or BI would

lose to them in court.

So I'm going to skate it down a

step.

How does?

That work, you think, OK, if I'm

being sued for my names of my

brands, right, I am the guy who

owns all the brands and I'm

being sued and they want those

brands.

You think if there is a pending

lawsuit, there would be

something legal that says I

can't just give them to somebody

else, you would think?

Again, this is B on my scope,

right?

Right.

It's not our pay grade.

I understand all I know.

Is that all I know is that if I

own a trademark and I possess

that trademark, I'm not about to

just surrender it to another

company that I'm going to do a

joint venture with?

Like, no, no, no, not at all.

One major thing that I learned

from some of my mentors in this

industry is that, you know, a

handshake is important, but make

sure that you're holding the

cards right.

Always try and control as much

as you can for your own destiny.

If you're going to rely on

somebody else, you better make

damn sure that they got your

back 100% right.

So when it comes to a trademark,

I would want to possess my own

trademarks.

If I'm going to abandon them,

then there has to be a logical

reason for it, and it isn't just

because I think you're cool.

You know.

What I mean, we're going to

start working together.

You know what?

You just hang on to these.

Yeah, you know what?

For shipping purposes I should

probably have the name, right?

OK, it's just this.

Legal thing.

They're still yours.

Just on paper, they're mine,

right?

It's fine.

It's the way everybody does it.

But Drone, somebody else owns

the name, not George.

No, not Jorge.

Well, I call him George.

What else you got?

He still has distribution

agreements with Peter James

Cigars and Delay Zagarin Peter

James Cigars.

Is.

Too now part of the

constellation.

Our vision for Constella is

never about simply becoming

larger.

We are set to create something

meaningful, built on mutual

respect and the belief that

growth should enhance identity.

Not deluded.

This is about preserving the

core values and shaving, blah

blah blah.

I guess underrated.

Didn't track, so now we're

moving to resilience.

That's what it sounds like to

me, right?

That's just the way it goes.

We're so happy.

Oh, I'm speeding.

Perfect.

The newest version of the

Knuckle Sandwich Chef Special is

a annual.

Sorry.

Annual limited edition from chef

and restauranteur Guy Fieri

Brandon, created with Espinosa

Premium Cigars, is sent to come

to stores later this month.

The 2025 version is a 6 by 55

box press Toro that uses the

Brazilian Monopena wrapper over

Nicaraguan binder and fillers.

The first couple of years we

kept things very approachable,

said Hector Alfonso, master

Blender, Espinosa Cigars, via

press release.

But.

Last year's broad leaf is now

this year's Brazilian Montefino.

We're turning up the flavor.

This year's blend has a richness

we know our fans will love.

It is produced at the San

Luitano factory in Octal,

Nicaragua, with production

limited to 2000 boxes of 10

cigars.

Pricing is set at $16.00 per

cigar and $160 per box.

This is one of guy favorite

lines that Eric Espinoza

President Espinoza Premium

Cigars in the press release Bro

we.

Always make sure the chef

special.

Lives up to its name, and the

2025 is no exception.

Cigars will be featured in

Espinoza's booth at the 2025 PCA

trade show.

It's the coming week.

The shipping expected to happen

late April, early May.

The knuckle sandwich Chef

Special debuted in 2022.

It was originally called Chef

Special.

The cigar will return following

year with the name change to

Chef Special.

They would be named kept for 20.

What?

That's the same thing, the same

name.

All right.

Guy Fieri's knuckle sandwich

line adding a Pureo Nicaragua.

The newest cigar.

Of knuckle sandwich line is

cigars will be an all Nicaraguan

blend and they won't have any

trouble picking it out on the

store shelves.

It's called the knuckle sandwich

Bureau Nicaragua dressed in

black, silver and red bands with

a silver foot ribbon.

The line will be offered in

three sizes 5 by 52, A 6 by 54

and a six by 60.

Gordo.

The cigars are made in San

Luetano factory downtown

Nicaragua will be displayed next

week at the convention.

They're scheduled in shipping

shortly after the show

concludes.

This will bring knuckle sandwich

portfolio to four regular

production lines.

OK as the Bureau Nicaragua will

join the knuckle sandwich of

Bano Maduro in Connecticut.

There have also been a handful

of limited releases.

Cigar was announced via Cigar

Aficionado Representative

confirmed the accuracy of the

details.

OK, you want to talk about the?

Independence Day cigar, I mean.

Well, yeah.

You know, he's covering a lot of

things going into the show.

Yes, they have a lot going on

and it's cool to see that

happening.

Even though with AJ Fernandez

Fire, even though that factory

isn't where they make their

cigars, you would assume that

because they're in the other

factory, things would get bogged

down and backed up.

And who knows what that looks

like logistically.

Well, if they're gonna.

Start shipping right after the

show.

I'd imagine they've already

taken possession of these

cigars, yeah.

Pre tariff, yes.

So better.

Do you think Guy Fieri is happy

with the overall outcome and a

working effort that he's put in

so far into the cigar industry?

What do you think I think he is?

Yeah, I think I may be happy,

but do you think he's satisfied

with the way it's going right

now?

OK, what do you think?

Boots.

Yeah.

I mean, it's another part of his

portfolio, you know?

Yeah.

But this is more of a passion

project than anything, right?

Right.

I mean, it's obviously it's

going great.

I mean, they keep coming out

more and more.

But he also picked a great, you

know, company to deal with.

OK.

I just don't.

I'm, I'm curious.

I don't know, you know?

No, I thought you were going.

To say you heard no.

I've heard he's heard it.

No.

What do you?

Think that what What When Guy

Fieri started into this, what do

you think his vision was and is

it the same that it is now?

Does he have greater

aspirations?

Does he have less aspirations?

You know, has everything gone

the way that he thought it was

going to go?

I think he's.

Doing better than he expected.

Yeah.

I think originally he was like,

you know, I'd like to make a

cigar, right?

You know, I'm going to call it

the knuckle sandwich.

That's my brand, blah, blah,

blah.

I want to make this one cigar.

Now he's up to four regular

production items.

Do you think that he gets the

notoriety that he deserves?

No, no.

In a.

Cigar.

In history or as a whole?

In the cigar industry.

In the cigar.

Industry and food, I think he's

held the higher.

Whatever the word is, I mean.

A knuckle sandwich is a great

cigar, so.

Yeah, but, you know, I mean, he

he, he made a top 25 from Cigar

Aficionado a couple of years

ago.

I think he got acknowledged on

half wheel.

Oh.

OK.

Do you think that the media.

In general, gives him no no.

I think he's becoming more of a,

a regular name in the cigar

industry now.

He's, he's not special, for lack

of a better word, because he

gums to everything.

He shows up to everything.

He's always got a cigar in his

mouth on anything he does.

I I think the fact that he's

going to be there is great, but

I think now you know, people are

going.

I've had my picture with him

three or four Times Now.

Think it's still a great thing,

man, I did say.

It wasn't a great thing.

I cause I've even heard some of

the media guys go, well, you

know, they're bringing Guy Fieri

again.

I guess we don't need to talk to

him.

Oh.

You think it's lost the pizzazz,

is what you're saying?

Yeah.

I have more questions for Guy

now every year as he gets in

here.

Well, we're not the.

Average media person, Michael.

Yeah, I don't need a picture

with him.

I want to sit down and talk to

the guy, you know what I mean?

Right.

Yeah.

I won't understand you.

Know they're going over the list

of people that they're you know,

want to see when they're like,

you know, then somebody'll go

Guy Fierra and they go well,

we've sort of done that already

now let's find somebody else

you.

Think so, yeah, but that's.

Like the I don't want to say.

Names, but I've heard that exact

conversation.

Really.

Yes.

I'll tell you on the Patreon.

Oh, OK.

Oh, so Jack's going.

To know.

Oh yeah.

Jack will know I.

Don't care if Jack knows, he

says.

Oh oh.

I mean.

I want to talk to to guy I I

want to know specific you want

to schedule.

Another appointment to sit down

and talk to him.

Jaxley's going to.

Work it out.

Oh, so you've already?

Asked.

Yeah.

I don't find these things out.

I don't know.

No, you find.

Out on Saturday when we go, hey,

we got to go, we're going to go.

Yeah, we got to go.

We're talking.

To Guy Fiero.

I got some.

I didn't wear anything nice.

Well, I got some.

Meetings.

Oh my God, I don't care.

I'm I want to.

I'm selling some.

Cigars Today I want to get my.

Guy Fieri compliment, He's going

to say something nice about me

'cause he's really good at that.

I'm going to tell him he has

great hair.

Oh, you have great hair.

You have great hair.

You know.

And a lovely.

Fashion sense with your jewelry.

We're going to butter each.

Other up.

Oh, and yeah, no.

I mean, I just want to know.

I'm curious.

Alone time.

Should I distract Jack and we

should leave the room is?

That is that in the cards I can

arrange.

That Nah, it's OK.

It's it's not necessary, but

thank you.

I'm a married man.

You can knuckle.

His sandwich or something.

Oh, I can knuckle.

His sandwich.

Oh, look at you.

Young people there.

No.

So, you know, I don't think that

he really gets the credit that

he should have every year.

I feel like you just say credit.

You said notoriety, same thing

it.

Was the same thing.

Yeah, I don't.

Think it's the same thing.

OK, then let me think.

He's done more for the cigar

industry than he's given credit

for.

Yes.

Yeah.

But I think that some people

feel that he's been around so

much that it's not, you know,

it's not like Elvis is walking

in the building anymore.

OK.

Like, hey, there's Guy Fieri.

Yeah.

Hi, Guy.

Remember Me?

I took a picture the last three

years you were here.

Got it.

I don't know.

He's still the big the big deal.

You still get excited when.

You see old sports guys, he

don't count.

I mean, he's a big deal.

Guy's a big deal no matter how

and he's not that accessible and

he's sticking.

Around in the cigar industry,

how much you want.

To bet the line is still around

the fucking.

Yeah, who else is going?

To be there besides Luciano's

newest.

I have no.

Idea what he was called.

Tyson has left the building.

Well, didn't.

They say the UFC fighter Conor.

McGregor.

Was he coming out?

With he is he going?

I hope that I just watched

Roadhouse again.

He's a terrible actor.

Notorious.

Dude I don't think notorious is

going to be APCA.

No, I need.

Another sandwich.

You're going to have.

To make more sandwiches, that

would be.

Cool if he was there, but I

don't think he's going to be

there.

Oh, Drake, he's making a cigar

now.

Yeah, maybe I don't.

Think he shows up, I'd rather

see the.

Little guy with the dog Shorty.

Shorty.

His name is Shorty.

Shorty, Yeah.

That that felt insulting.

He's been around.

Forever.

I know he has.

But I haven't, I haven't met him

you want to talk about.

Media guys have seen and seen

and spoken to somebody enough.

That's Shorty.

OK, All right.

What else you got?

Espinoza expands the 601 La

Bamba Warhead line with

Independence Day Espinoza cigars

expanding the 601 La Bamba

Warhead Series, A special

edition called the Warhead

Independence Day America.

The cigars.

Box Press 6 1/2 by 55.

Toro, dressed in a red, white

and blue color scheme that draws

on the American flag, has been

created as a promotional item to

reward loyal customers and

deepen engagement with the

Espinoza brand.

The blend is new and distinct

from all previous Warhead

releases, with a ARC Ecuadorian

Moraro.

Supposed it must be a typo.

Supposed to be Maduro I'm

guessing maybe rapper over

Nicaragua, Binder and filler.

The company says that tobaccos

were selected for their

strength, balance and

complexity, just like Jack and

Hector, with the intent of

creating something more than

just a cigar, but something that

is statement of growth and

appreciation.

We wanted to create something

not only special but different

from our loyal customers that

Eric Espinoza, president of

Espinoza Premium Cigars, via

press release.

It's a cigar that rewards

loyalty and sparks curiosity.

The cigars are made at the San

Latano factory in Octown,

Nicaragua, with production

limited to 2500 boxes of 10

cigars price instead of $18.00

per cigar, $180 per box I

believe.

All those will sell, yeah.

Yeah, all.

Those will sell.

Even taking orders at the trade

show.

Blah blah blah blah.

They're going to release the

second Warhead released year.

Oh, they're coming out with a

Warhead 11 later in the year.

Nice all.

Right, there's Oliva's making a

cigar for the PCA.

We can start wrapping.

This up.

Well then, tell us about the new

Aromacraft Toros Michael,

because that's the only story we

have left.

Oh.

Well, the new Toros are coming

out.

You have three different ones

from the line, the intemperance

lines.

You have the the EC, you have

the Whiskey Rebellion and you

have the Volstead.

They all have weird names

because that's what they do.

One's called Fidelity.

I know that it's 6 by 52.

It's one of the most sought

after sizes in the industry and

it's finally coming to fruition

in the intemperance lines.

Nice.

So yeah.

I'm looking forward to them.

It's 6 by 50. 4 I'm sorry I.

Apologize 4 extras.

Thank you 6.

By 54.

So yeah, it's.

Replacing the 5 1/2 by 54

Bellicoso vitola, it's sold in

each in Temperance blend with

these new toros, correct?

Because Toro is more popular

than Bellicoso, so there's the.

Treachery, the Fidelity and the

LaGuardia Airport and the

Whiskey Rebellion is the Tully.

OK.

Yeah, that's, I mean, those

should do very well.

Porn and domestic just came into

the shop.

So why are they so little?

They want to make a little

cigar.

They look bigger.

You know why?

For smoking outside in the

winter time and for the winter.

Sales for the winter sales,

Yeah, well, it's 110° outside

already.

It's April.

You.

Know they had production

problems.

All right, so briefly before we

go, everybody's talking going on

these tangents about tariffs and

also all their yadda, yadda,

yadda.

Here's something that they're

not talking about.

This is what I need Boots to do.

Boots, do me a favor and look up

FDA tobacco user fee and tell me

what it is.

How much?

Or what it is, tell me what it.

Is.

Why he's looking that up by

listening to the week is Julian

Gordon.

Oh, and the shop of the week is

Briar Patch Tobacco in

Wisconsin.

Very nice they have an

appointment.

With us at the show.

Excellent.

Look forward to back to you

boots.

You got it.

There's a lot of reading here.

Well.

I'll cut you off, don't worry.

No pictures, no I got to read.

Through this, you guys have

nothing else to talk about,

right?

A second.

OK then.

I'll just do it because.

Everybody loves when you.

Read It Was So Much from last

week's reading.

FDA Tobacco.

User Fee is a fee assessed and

collected by the US Food and

Drug Administration from

manufacturers and importers of

certain tobacco products to fund

the agency's tobacco regulatory

activities.

These fees are authorized under

Section 919 of the Federal Food,

Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which

has amended by which was amended

by the Family Smoking Prevention

and Tobacco Control Act of 2009.

Purpose of the fees is to

support the FDA's efforts to

regulate tobacco products,

including activities like

preventing youth tobacco use,

reviewing product applications,

and ensuring compliance with

federal regulations.

These fees apply to six class of

tobacco products, cigarettes,

cigars, snuff, chewing tobacco,

piped tobacco and roll your own.

Manufacturers and importers of

these products are required to

pay based on their market share,

which is calculated using the

data on the volume of products

they release into domestic

commerce and the federal excise

taxes they pay.

The total amount of user fees to

be collected each fiscal year is

set by law and the FDA divides

this into quarterly assessments.

For example, the fees fund

inspections, public education

campaigns, yada, yada, yada,

etcetera, etcetera.

I have the number.

I was looking for a number.

OK.

So what's the number so for?

The 230. $2,000,000 No.

Physical year 2025, yeah, for a

full year OK would be

712,000,712. $1,000,000 in an

FDA user tobacco fee, right?

That's collected by brand owners

and manufacturers now, Now.

Hold on now, that's just on

cigars.

Now let me read.

That's just cigars.

Well, that's all we care about,

OK.

So if the FDA, there's a there's

a thing going on right now where

if the FDA appeals this, then

this user fee can still continue

forward.

Oh, they're trying.

To get rid of it well.

We just remove the head guy, the

FDA, right.

So in essence, even though this

tariff may go into play attacks,

a user fee is not a tax, a user

fee by giving the FDA the

permission to regulate us by

paying them so they can regulate

us.

That may go away in this

upcoming month.

We'll see what that looks like.

If it does, I'm curious to see

how much it offsets for the

additional taxes.

OK, so.

The user fee thing's going away

supposedly, right?

So I haven't seen anybody talk

about that at all.

No, nobody's.

Mentioned it at all.

Not a single.

But I've had enough experts say

on Facebook as to what exactly

this tariff means, right?

OK, well, let's talk about all

of it then.

Let's talk about all of these

things moving forward.

Where did they announce that?

This might go away because I

mean, I'm not disputing you.

I just how did you find out I'm

smart?

Well, I know you're.

Very intelligent man.

I'm very muscly and I'm so

attractive.

Here's what I'm going.

To tell you yes, in 15 years of

being in the cigar industry,

there's a handful of guys that I

trust as far as knowledge and

information, and I respect their

opinions.

When they speak right, I will

always listen to them and then

draw my own conclusions, OK?

It's probably.

Like 5-5 or six people, right?

Gotcha.

But the majority of the people

that I see on the on the

Internet have no idea what's

going on.

I mean half will.

Hasn't even mentioned this well.

I'm sure that they have, or at

least what Charlie will do is if

there's no, if an appeal happens

or if there's no appeal, then

he'll state it.

I'm willing to bet the farm that

that's the case.

But none of that.

But it's a possibility that's

going on as we speak, right?

We talked about tariffs being a

possibility for six months or

whatever the case may be.

As the guy was running through

elections, he was covering that,

right?

OK, well, now tariffs are in

play.

So how does it look like?

Is there a possibility for an

offset maybe?

And what would that offset look

like?

Well, I could tell you that this

is on the on the board right

now, but no one's mentioning it.

Why isn't anybody mentioning it?

I don't know, right?

That's what doesn't make sense

to me.

So all right, now we're losing

you.

No.

No, not losing me.

OK.

All right.

Anything else to add?

No.

Nope, we leave at the PCA in two

days.

All right, sounds.

Good.

Hey, thank you everybody for

watching and listening and

you'll be hearing from us from

PCA.

Welcome to.

The cigar hustler podcast the

show brought to you commercial

freeze, but a massive.

Shout out to our amazing patrons

on the Patreon.

Thanks to your.

Unwavering support we're able to

Unfiltered, unbiased opinions.

All things cigars.

Personalities in the cigar

world.

Your backing.

Makes it possible for us to keep

it real for our listeners.

Cheers to you if you would like

to.

Become a Patreon number, go to

www.patreon.com and search the

Cigar Hustler podcast that one

up.

Show Notes

Topics Discussed: