#ELOsoFumarTakes

elosofumar

#ELOsoFumarTakes delivers abbreviated interviews, thoughts, and insights with cigar industry personnel and fans. Host Bear Duplisea's vision is to give the audience a peak into industry culture as well as show the human side of its inner members.

  • 2 hours 6 minutes
    #ELOsoFumarTakes #357thTake featuring Casey Haugen from Crux Cigars
    #ELOsoFumarTakes #357thTake   This week we welcomes the return of special guest — Casey Haugen of Crux Cigars — for a deep dive into one of the boutique brands that has quietly built a loyal following among cigar smokers.   Founded in 2014 by Jeff and Casey Haugen, Crux Cigars was born from a passion for premium tobacco and the pursuit of crafting cigars that balance tradition, quality, and a unique smoking experience.  From blends like Bull & Bear and Epicure to their annual Limitada releases, the brand has earned recognition for its craftsmanship and carefully sourced tobaccos produced in Nicaragua.    On this episode we’ll talk about the evolution of the Crux brand, the philosophy behind “finding your crux,” the stories behind some of their blends, and what it takes to build a boutique cigar company in today’s industry. Expect plenty of cigar talk, industry insights, and a few stories you probably haven’t heard before. Grab a cigar, pour a drink, and join us for #357thTake.   #ELOsoFumarTakes #CruxCigars #FindYourCrux #PremiumCigars #CigarPodcast #BoutiqueCigars
    17 March 2026, 11:56 am
  • 1 hour 39 minutes
    #ELOSOFUMARTAKES - 356th Take - with Litto Gomez, Jr. of La Flor Dominicana
    #ELOsoFumarTakes #356thTake This week, we’re honored to welcome a next-generation voice in premium cigars — Litto Gomez Jr., son of founder Litto Gomez and Vice President of Sales at La Flor Dominicana. From the tobacco fields of the Dominican Republic to the boardroom — and back to the blending table — Litto Jr. is helping shape the future of one of the most respected boutique cigar houses in the world.   We’ll dive into: • His journey growing up inside LFD and stepping into leadership • The story behind blending Solis — a deeply personal project that challenged him to define his own palate • How LFD is redefining full-flavor, medium-bodied cigars without sacrificing strength • Why staying family-owned, hands-on, and quality-driven still matters in a world chasing scale • What’s next for LFD as the torch is passed to the next generation   Founded in 1994, LFD built its name by doing things differently — growing its own tobacco, embracing bold profiles, and making decisions the old-school way… often over coffee at the family table. Now, the legacy continues with a new perspective grounded in tradition.   If you appreciate cigars with power, purpose, and personality — this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Tap in. Light up. Let’s take it deeper.   #ELOsoFumarTakes #356thTake #LaFlorDominicana #LFD #BoutiqueCigars #FamilyLegacy
    16 March 2026, 4:28 pm
  • 3 hours 12 minutes
    #ELOSOFUMARTAKES - 355th Take - Part Two: Top 15 Limited Edition Cigars of 2025 with George Brightman
    #ELOsoFumarTakes – #355thTake   You watched the climb in #353rdTake… now it’s time for the summit reveal. Part 2 of our epic blind tasting with George Brightman is here — and this is where everything gets exposed. The bands come back on. The Limited Editions are revealed. Rankings are defended (or regretted). Did the Sherpa get it right? Were the shockers surprising to you? Did hype survive the blind? Host Bear Duplisea faces the music as the identities behind those 15 cigars finally come to light. Expect reactions, recalculations, and a few “I can’t believe that was…” moments.

    Light up what you think you know… and join us for the reveal.


    16 March 2026, 3:33 pm
  • 2 hours 29 minutes
    #ELOSOFUMARTAKES - 354th Take - Tripp Waldrop of Let's Get Pairing
    SUPER BOWL SUNDAY SMOKE SESSION It’s #ELOsoFumarTakes #354thTake and we’re doing it BIG for game day. Joining me is fellow Cigar Coop Coalition member and the all-time appearances record holder himself — Tripp Waldrop of Let’s Get Pairing The mission: pairing classic Super Bowl snacks with the right cigars. Wings. Nachos. Sliders. Maybe something unexpected. The question is… what are you lighting up when kickoff hits? This one’s part cigar talk, part food debate, part absolute nonsense — exactly how Super Bowl Sunday should be. Grab your favorite stick, stock the snacks, and lock in. #ELOsoFumarTakes #354thTake #LetsGetPairing #CigarCoop #SuperBowlSunday #CigarPairing #GameDaySmokes #LongAshShortYard
    14 February 2026, 2:12 am
  • 3 hours 11 minutes
    #ELOSOFUMARTAKES - 353rd Take - George Brightman with the Top 15 Limited Edition Cigars of 2025#ELOSOFUMARTAKES - 353rd Take - George Brightman with the Top 15 Limited Edition Cigars of 2025
    #ELOsoFumarTakes – #353rdTake We’re BACK with another Top Ten episode… except this time it’s 15 cigars The legendary George Brightman returns, but the tables have officially turned. This go-round, host Bear Duplisea is the Sherpa, trekking his way through 15 Limited Edition cigars in a blind tasting that pulls no punches. Expect surprises, hot takes, and a few “wait… WHAT?!” moments.
    1 February 2026, 8:27 pm
  • 2 hours 29 minutes
    #ELOSOFUMARTAKES - 352nd Take - Josh Habursky of the Premium Cigar Association

     #ELOsoFumarTakes #352ndTake 

    We’re back with another special episode, and this one is a must-watch for cigar enthusiasts and industry insiders alike.

    Joining me is Joshua Habursky, Executive Director of the Premium Cigar Association 
     https://premiumcigars.org

    We dive into the current state of the premium cigar industry, advocacy efforts, legislative challenges, and why protecting premium cigars matters now more than ever.


    #ELOsoFumarTakes #352ndTake #PremiumCigars #CigarRights #CigarIndustry #CigarCommunity 

     
    12 January 2026, 6:03 pm
  • 3 hours 12 minutes
    #ELOSOFUMARTAKES - 351st Take - Top Ten Cigars of 2025 with special guest - George Brightman
    #ELOsoFumarTakes – #351stTake It’s that time of year again… my Top Ten Cigars of 2025 are about to be revealed.      

    WELCOME BACK! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

    The night is here! The time is right! It's time for the #ELOsoFumarTakes Top 10 Cigars of 2025!

    Once again, the legendary George Brightman joins us for the Top 10 Countdown for the ages! I’ve sent George my top ten cigars for him to sample and taste test blind. He gives an honest breakdown alongside my own assessments. Enjoy!

    Criteria:

    1. It's vitola based.

    2. I had to have smoked the cigar for the first time in the last year and a half.*

    3. It must not suck.

    4. No limited edition cigars (i.e. TAA, shop exclusive) are eligible.

    5. A previous number 1 cigar winner (blend-specific, i.e. 2017 Winner Espinosa Habano) cannot be on this year's Top 10 or repeat as winner.*

    6. A company cannot have more than 1 cigar on the Top 10, however, may be considered for honorable mention.*

    7. THE BIG ONE: frequency of smoke. Basically, I had to have the means AND opportunity AND did, in fact, smoke the cigar frequently.

     

    Just to review, here is last year's list:

    Top 10 Cigars of 2024:

    1. Tatuaje Havana VI Verocu Blue No. 1 Toro Grande

    2. BLK WKS Killer Bee Robusto

    3. Room101 Johnny Tobacconaut Robusto (2023 Edition)

    4. Joya de Nicaragua Cinco de Cinco Robusto Gordo

    5. Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Umbagog Bronzeback

    6. Plascencia Cosecha 149 Azacualpa

    7. Powstanie Connecticut Belicoso

    8. La Aroma de Cuba Connecticut Corona

    9. Micallef Blue Robusto

    10. Ferio Tego Summa Torpedo

     

     

     

    Top 10 Cigars of 2025 (this year):

    1) Kristoff Veinte Twentieth Anniversary Toro (Timestamp: 02:49:37)

    The Veinte Cigar follows the recipe template of incorporating tobacco from many regions. Blend-wise, the Veinte Anniversary consists of a Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper over an Indonesian binder and a combination of Nicaraguan and Pennsylvania fillers.

    Wrapper: Brazilian Arapiraca
    Binder: Indonesian
    Filler: Nicaraguan, Pennsylvania
    Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
    Factory: Tabacalera Von Eicken S.R.L.
    Size: 6.25 x 54

    2) Powstanie Connecticut Justice (Timestamp: 02:35:57)

    The Powstanie Connecticut features an Ecuadorian Connecticut shade wrapper over a Pennsylvania Broadleaf binder and aged Nicaraguan fillers. Production for Powstanie Connecticut comes from the Fábrica de Tabacos Nica Sueño S.A. factory in Estelí, Nicaragua.

    Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
    Binder: Pennsylvania Broadleaf
    Filler: Nicaraguan
    Country of Origin: Nicaragua
    Factory: Fabrica de Tabacos Nica Sueño
    Size: 5.5 x 46

    3) Perdomo 30th Anniversary Connecticut Epicure (Timestamp: 02:27:51)

    Produced at Tabacalera Perdomo in Estelí, Nicaragua, the Perdomo 30th Anniversary Connecticut features 100% Nicaraguan tobaccos grown on the Perdomo family farms in Condega, Estelí, and Jalapa. The cigar is highlighted by a 15-year-old Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper aged in bourbon barrels.

    Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
    Binder: Cuban-seed Nicaraguan
    Filler: Cuban-seed Nicaraguan
    Country of Origin: Nicaragua
    Factory: Tabacalera Perdomo
    Size: 6 x 54

    4) United Gold Star Robusto (Timestamp: 01:54:14)

    The Gold Star features a Habano 2000 Intermedio wrapper from the Quevedo region of Ecuador. The blend also features a Sumatra binder and is composed of Connecticut Broadleaf and Dominican filler. The blend is slightly tweaked from the original limited edition.

    Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano 2000 Intermedio (Quevedo)
    Binder: Sumatra
    Filler: Dominican (Ligeros, Criollo ’98, Corojo ’98), Connecticut Broadleaf
    Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
    Factory: Tabacalera William Ventura
    Size: 5 x 52

    5) Gran Habano Corojo No. 7 Toro (Timestamp: 01:49:49)

    The Gran Habano No. 7 is a Nicaraguan puro – namely, it uses 100% of the tobaccos grown in Nicaragua. In addition to the special hybrid wrapper used, the remainder of the blend uses Corojo tobaccos grown in Nicaragua.

    Wrapper: Hybrid (Nicaraguan)
    Binder: Corojo, Nicaragua
    Filler: Corojo, Nicaragua
    Country of Origin: Honduras
    Factory: G.R. Tabacaleras Unidas S.A.
    Size: 6 x 54

    6) Trinidad Espiritu No. 3 Toro by Altadis USA (Timestamp: 01:40:05)

    Keeping to the release’s theme, the Espiritu Series No. 3 features a Mexican wrapper from the San Andrés region. The Trinidad Espiritu No. 3 uses all Nicaraguan tobaccos for the remainder of the blend. Production comes from AJ Fernandez’s factory in Estelí, Nicaragua.

    Wrapper: San Andrés (Mexico)
    Binder: Nicaragua
    Filler: Nicaragua
    Country of Origin: Nicaragua
    Factory: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A.
    Size: 5 x 50

    7) BLK WKS Studio Rorschach Sumatra (Timestamp: 01:31:42)

    This short robusto (4.5 x 48) delivers a robust, flavor-rich smoking experience. Featuring a Sumatra wrapper with Nicaraguan binder and filler, it opens with bold charred wood notes, followed by black pepper, and finishes with an underlying sweetness. A medium-plus cigar that consistently delivers.

    Wrapper: Sumatran
    Binder: Nicaraguan
    Filler: Nicaraguan
    Strength: Medium-plus
    Tasting Notes: Charred wood, black pepper, subtle sweetness
    Size: 4.5 x 48

    8) Aladino Fuma Noche Super Toro by JRE Tobacco Co. (Timestamp: 01:09:00)

    JRE Tobacco keeps the blend close to the vest, but the cigar features a Maduro wrapper with Honduran binder and filler. Production comes from the Fabrica de Puros Aladino at Las Lomas Jamastran in Honduras.

    Wrapper: Maduro
    Binder: Honduran
    Filler: Honduran
    Country of Origin: Honduras
    Factory: Fabrica de Puros Aladino
    Size: 6.25 x 54

    9) Cohiba Riviera Perfecto (Timestamp: 00:56:39)

    The Cohiba Riviera features a San Andrés Tuxtla wrapper over a Honduran Connecticut binder, with filler tobaccos from Honduras and Nicaragua. Production takes place at the STG Estelí factory in Nicaragua.

    Wrapper: San Andrés Tuxtla
    Binder: Honduran Connecticut
    Filler: Honduran (Jamastran, La Entrada), Nicaraguan (Condega, Estelí)
    Country of Origin: Nicaragua
    Factory: STG Estelí
    Size: 6 x 60

    10) Bentley White Edition Robusto (Timestamp: 00:41:24)

    Vitola: Robusto
    Length: 5"
    Ring Gauge: 50
    Country of Origin: Nicaragua
    Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
    Binder: Nicaragua
    Filler: Nicaragua
    Factory: Joya de Nicaragua
    Blender: Undisclosed
    Price: $14.00
    Release Date: September 2024

       
    6 January 2026, 2:35 am
  • 48 minutes 53 seconds
    #ELOSOFUMARTAKES - 350th Take - with George Rico & Pete Johnson of Gran Habano and Tatuaje
    MILESTONE ALERT — #Take350 TONIGHT! We’re celebrating Episode #Take350 of #ELOsoFumarTakes with an all-star lineup   Special Guests: • George Rico — Gran Habano Cigars #1 Cigar of the Year 2023: GRAN HABANO 20th Aniversario El Sueño • Pete Johnson — Tatuaje Cigars #1 Cigar of the Year 2024: Tatuaje Havana VI Verocú Blue No. 1   Two legendary cigar makers. Two #1 Cigars of the Year. One milestone episode.
    6 January 2026, 1:45 am
  • 2 hours 17 minutes
    #ELOSOFUMARTAKES - 349th Take - with Michael Cappellini of Toscano Cigars

    This week on #ELOsoFumarTakes for the #349thTake — we’re thrilled to welcome the return of our favorite Niitany Lion — Michael Cappellini as our special guest! ️Michael isn’t just a former political candidate — he’s also the official U.S. Brand Ambassador for Toscano Cigars . This episode dives deep into his unique journey: from running for public office in Lackawanna County to representing a legendary Italian cigar brand across the United States. Balancing all that and his growing family. Michael's one of the best.Join us for an unforgettable conversation about politics, heritage, cigar culture, and lifestyle — it’s one you won’t want to miss. Enjoy!

    6 January 2026, 1:16 am
  • 2 hours 32 minutes
    #ELOSOFUMARTAKES - 348th Take - with Todd Naifeh, President of the PCA & Owner of ZT Cigars
    #ELOsoFumarTakes #Take348     We welcome Todd Naifeh, President of the Premium Cigar Association and owner of ZT Cigars! Todd brings decades of passion, advocacy, and leadership to the premium cigar world — and this Take is one you won’t want to miss.   Expect a deep dive into the PCA’s mission, industry insights, and the story behind ZT Cigars.
    6 January 2026, 12:26 am
  • 2 hours 7 minutes
    #ELOSOFUMARTAKES - 347th Take - with Billy & Gus Fakih of Artesano del Tobacco
    For our #347thTake - We’re welcoming Gus Fakih & Billy Fakih of Artesano Del Tobacco, the family behind some of the most passionately crafted cigars in the industry. From their heritage to their bold blends, you won’t want to miss this conversation.   Catch past episodes here https://www.podbean.com/pi/pbblog-6vzdf-2834cd “At Artesano Del Tobacco, craftsmanship isn’t just tradition — it’s a promise.”
    5 January 2026, 3:54 pm
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