Around The World In 80 Cigars - The Podcast

The ramblings of a mad man? In this bonus 'podette', if you will, author Nick Hammond asks if he's mad to stick his neck out with his latest Crowdfunding campaign instead of just playing it safe and doing the same old things everyone else has done for donkeys years. In explaining his reasoning for zigging when the rest of the world is zagging, Nick also tells us why a tiny fenced off plot in a slum village outside León, Nicaragua, shines like a beacon for a handful of impoverished schoolchildren there - and why he is determined to put some of them through school using this latest campaign . Happy Friday, folks.   Nick's Crowdfunding Campaign can be found HERE.

Some exciting news for lovers of Around The World in 80 Cigars brings Nick back in this special, one-off sneak preview episode. As well as giving us news of a fantastic project about to launch, Nick also lets us eavesdrop on a smoky conversation with Ed Hough of The Safari Series, which took place in the middle of the Kenyan bush, by the campfire on a starry, starry night. On an incredible safari expedition, Nick and Ed wandered, Maasai style, wherever the wind blew them. During their fascinating conversation, Nick and Ed discuss Cuban and New World cigars; how smoke, fire and spirituality are intrinsically linked; the ethos behind The Safari Series; local land for local people; and Nick's burgeoning elephant dung fetish. What other pod offers you all that, plus live elephant dung burning on the campfire?! Safe travels, folks.

This week’s guest on the Around The World in 80 Cigars podcast is a young man in an old business; one who is taking on the pressure of continuing, and innovating within, a tobacco dynasty. In 2016, the world of the handrolled cigar was open-mouthed to learn that Oliva – one of the oldest and most respected tobacco growing and cigarmaking companies in Nicaragua - had been bought by J Cortés – a European firm best known for its longstanding production of quality machine-made cigars. Since then, Cortés – and the Vandermarliere Cigar Family, of which it is part – has become a pioneering force in the industry. Latest incumbent is Fred Vandermarliere – the latest in a line of Vandermarlieres charged with taken this prestigious old form in a new direction. Fred joins Nick from Estelí in Nicaragua in a wide-ranging discussion which forms the last episode of Season Two. Happy Friday, folks.

In this week's episode of Around The World in 80 Cigars - The podcast, the dynamic duo behind Davidoff of London make a return visit for a chat with the epicurious Nick Hammond. All three taste test the Davidoff Year of The Ox blend while discussing all sorts of shenanigans; walnuts in Tehran; cooking Persian rice; the advent of online events; buying weird confectionery in Japan and more chat around the wonder of the shop that is Davidoff on the corner of St James's and Jermyn Streets in Mayfair, London. As we near the conclusion of Season 2, the pod is also nearing it's 20,000th listener in more than 80 countries around the world - thank you all for your support. Happy Friday, folks...

You may not have heard from him yet – but you'll hear of him again. Matt Chatfield is convinced there’s another way to ‘do’ farming. He isn’t convinced by the increasing clamour to stop raising livestock and for humanity to become vegans in order to prevent the destruction of the planet. Matt joins Nick on this week’s show to discuss how he intends to make his small family farm famous the world over. He tells how his flock of sheep – many of whom have names, by the way – have been given a new lease of life and in turn have shown what nature can do with the right environment. Soil has improved. Water retention and drainage has improved. New plants, birds and animals are being spotted. And the meat from the sheep themselves is being clamoured over by London’s top chefs. All in all, Matt is a remarkable man who, until a couple of years back, was running pubs and living on a barge on the Thames. Now he's found his calling. And this week’s show is a wonderful, enlightening, emotional listen. Happy Friday, folks.

Not your usual fella, is Matt Booth. Nick Hammond's guest this week has forged an utterly unique path in both the jewellery and cigar businesses. He's not one for the limelight - preferring to skirt around the outside of the spotlight, content to be getting on with things in his own, very personal, way. A former US Marine and someone who deep dives into the cultures and traditions of different nations, Matt turned a love for unusual design and creation into a subversive, dynamic, cool and aspirational cigar range over the past couple of decades. This is one for the cognoscenti. Happy Friday, folks. 

Today’s guest spent much of his working lifetime as curator of a national treasure. The former Producer of the much-loved BBC Test Match Special travelled the world with the likes of Aggers, Blowers, John Arlott, CMJ, Johnners et al, without the modern luxuries of high-tech audio innovation, sensible travel arrangements, a working phoneline or even a hotel room worthy of the name. Many of the cricket lover’s favourite radio moments came under Peter Baxter’s watch; World Cups, Ashes series, historic innings, the game’s greatest practitioners – and even the legendary Legover commentary. In a lovely interview with Nick, Peter talks about those early years, some of the memorable characters, tales on the road from far-flung places, technical bodge jobs, changing access to players and cricket during Covid. Happy Friday, folks.

This one is a monster pod. A guest I’ve been working to ‘get in front of’ since we launched the podcast, and a much-requested interview, this week’s guest is the biggest mover and shaker in the handmade cigar industry in generations. He’s a New Yorker who’s brought graffiti to a traditional industry and a man who has an unerring eye for raw talent plus a relentless work ethic. The business he created now makes more than a third of the world’s entire stock of handmade, premium cigars every year. Hard to pin down, a whirlwind of motion, this trailblazer continues to plot, plan and put into practice projects which continue to shape the luxury product market, particularly in America. In a fascinating deep dive, he talks to host Nick Hammond about the Life of a Factory; the cigar boom and being among it; Nicaragua immediately after civil war; challenging the established culture; the creation of cigar tourism; hip hop; street art, daily regimes and bringing himself to breaking point on the road. It’s the one and only Jonathan Drew, co-founder of the might Drew Estate. Happy Friday, Folks.

This week’s pod guest is the lovely Jules Perowne of Perowne International. Whip smart, great fun, an inspirational forger of relationships and a kind and thoughtful friend, Jules speaks to Nick about how she launched her eponymously-named and incredibly successful high-end travel PR portfolio, which now stretches across the pond to offices in New York, and whose tentacles reach across the globe.   Promoting exquisite lodges, astounding boltholes and incredible experiences is all in a day’s work for the lady who travels more than anyone you know – at least she did until Covid threatened to snuff out her business in an instant. Maybe a weaker soul would have buckled – not Jules. She has adapted and moved forward despite an agenda that changes almost daily. Plus, Nick and Jules fondly reminisce about yet another Nick Hammond white shark related escapade…   Sit back and enjoy the story of a remarkable woman – appropriately enough in this week of all weeks, where we celebrate the amazing ladies in our lives. Happy Friday, folks.

This is a powerful pod. Nick’s guest this week is the mighty Charlie Hodson; lover of all things Norfolk; huge supporter of the hospitality sector; Chef; former publican and sailor among his many hats. During lockdown, he has opened a fantastic new cheese shop and deli in Aylsham, Norfolk, but just as he was about to open the doors on his dream, he was diagnosed with cancer. Should he abandon his dreams? Not Charlie. He just got cracking. He tells us hs remarkable tale, as well as how he dragged himself back from the lowest possible point in his life. There is also talk of a chilly seaside dunking off Wells-Next-The Sea, chatting to Pierre Koffmann, sausage rolls – and plenty more besides. Happy Friday, Folks!

Today's episode reveals the story of a remarkably resilient English lady who packed her bags, took her kids out of school and headed for rural France many moons ago. It's an dream many of us have had; but not many of us have had the bottle to make a reality. Living in splendid isolation in the shadow of the Pyrenees, Amanda Garnham has carved out a life as a trusted and respected expert on the wonderful world of beautiful French brandy, Armagnac, and she chats to Nick about those early years; about learning France's idiosyncratic way of doing things; of discovering the ancient lore of this evocative spirit that so embodies the lives of those who live and work in Gascony; and about how, in the end, a love of craftsmanship, tradition, wisdom, a thorough understanding and appreciation of the land they live on and a tangible link to the work of their ancestors is what gives residents of miraculous little corner of the world such fulfilled lives. Happy Friday, folks.

Pep Williams is a lovely bloke. And a rather cool dude, too. In this week’s episode, the world-famous professional skateboarder, now a world-famous fine art photographer, talks Nick Hammond through his life and experiences. The pair first met in Havana for a fun-filled week of great cigars and late-night stories and this intimate chat is a must-listen; Pep tells of the crazy life of a teenage skateboarder who hails from the city of Angels; about how he managed to avoid some of the many pitfalls his contemporaries stumbled into; and how he blagged his way into photography and directing music videos. He’s not blagging now – Pep’s latest artwork is for sale for a cool $1.4 million. In a fascinating chat, Pep also reveals how he smashed his own glass ceiling – and took himself into those stratospheric commercial levels. Happy Friday, folks. 

This week's guest will need little introduction to millions of fans around the world. He burst onto the hugely popular snooker scene in the late 80's; a rail-thin, gawky Scottish kid who took on all comers and had no fear. Within a few short years, he stood above them all, a formidable opponent with an iron will. He went on to win no less than seven World Championship titles and held the world number one spot for a record nine years. He joins Nick inbetween commentary sessions on the latest lockdown tournament in Milton Keynes to describe this tumultuous early time in his life; how the red tops tried to trick him; how he was happy to shy away from being pally pally with other players; how he slipped seamlessly from renowned player to a pool ambassador, criss-crossing China; and of how he likes to relax with a good cigar at the end of the day. Happy Friday, folks.

In this episode, during a brief raid into London during the Summer, Nick talks to Matthew Rivett, Secretary of one of the world's most prestigious Private Members' Clubs, the Oriental. Matthew tells of the difficulties facing a Members' Club which can't open to its Members; the quick thinking which has resulted in the incredibly successful Oriental Club Curry Express, which is currently delivering hundreds of grade A curries around the United Kingdom, direct from the Club kitchens (now available to non-Members). There's a ghost story or two, tales of walking the eerily quiet corridors of Stratford House during lockdown, what makes a gloriously-traditioned yet pioneering Club and what it takes to become a Member of the Club first founded by the Duke of Wellington. Happy New Year, folks.

We’re back! Throw another mince pie on the fire, munch on a log and flick the v’s to 2020 – Around The World in 80 Cigars – The Podcast is back. We kicked off in Spring 2020 with Jimmy McGhee of Hunters & Frankau – and he’s back by popular demand for the first episode of Season 2. Over mystery background beeping, religious zealots knocking on his door, two tiny excited dogs, a Quai D’Orsay Senadores and a H Upmann Half Corona, Jimmy talks to Nick about going lockdown loco – and what the future holds. An off-the-cuff, cigar-laden chat ensues. Happy Christmas, folks.

We're back! Well, almost. Your emails have been flooding in to tell us how you've missed Nick's dulcet tones (or something like that) and so we're busy collecting, curating, recording, polishing, coveting and admiring a whole new Season of curiosities for the adventurous souls among you. In the meantime, here's a quick catch up with what Nick has been doing - and a reminder of what you're missing with a nostalgic look back at some of the wonders of Season 1...

It's the Season 1 grand finale! Mitchell Orchant runs the UK's biggest online retailer, as well as a string of fantastic cigar shops in London and the north of the UK and tells Nick of the business' embryonic days, of humble beginnings, of more than 100 visits to Havana, about building a brand, pushing boundaries, welcoming beginners, setting trends and beating the dreaded Corona. The episode brings to a close the opening season of the pod, as Nick retires to a darkened room and gibbers about bandwidth and sound proofing. Subscribe to keep abreast of the news and we'll see you on the others side with a brand new Season 2. Until then - Happy Friday! 

One of the most requested interviews is finally here. In the first post-Covid 'Outside Broadcast,' Nick meets the legendary Sahakian father and son team in their delightful store on the corner of St James's Street and Jermyn Street. Here, before the shop opens for the day, and over the newly-released Limited Edition Ramon Allones Allones No.2, the trio hold a lovely, warm discussion on life, love, ethics and morals, fun, laughter, great cigars and familial loyalty among much, much more. Happy Friday, folks!

Fresh from his shop in Savile Row, master tailor Steven Hitchcock talks to Nick about learning how to make bespoke suits over the last 30 years; about rubbing shoulders with the great and the good; about his first suit; the multiple benefits of a bespoke garment; establishing a rapport with your cutter; trunk shows across America; about a pre-breakfast measure up of HRH The Prince of Wales; THAT Vicuña overcoat; the construction of a gentleman's wardrobe - and carp fishing. Happy Friday, folks!

Today's guest is a wonderfully wise and humble resident of Los Angeles County who joins us after breakfast as the temperature creeps upwards. Don Sutcliffe is the man behind The Exceptional Whisky, an outstanding series of Scotches personally blended to his taste. Don loves a smoke, a chat and a great meal, his wife Gayle has starred for years as a nurse in the long-running ER TV series – and he's wonderful company. He chats to Nick about Highland Dancing, far-flung places in Scotland, starting a new spirits business, choice of barrel-aging, corn whiskies, blends and single malts, favorite smokes and much, much more. Happy Friday, folks!

This week's guest is an octogenarian whose biography reads like a Boy's Own swashbuckling tale of derring do. Not content with learning to fly with the RAF after WWII, Robert Pooley launched an aviation company after being demobbed from the military and having built that into a world-renowned flying empire, embarked on the little matter of making swords. Of course, there were a few little adventures in-between - like rebuilding a Scottish castle, stone by stone - but that's all water under the bridge. With Nick listening agog, the indomitable Mr Pooley explains his wit and wisdom and why he still loves what he does every single day. Happy Friday folks!

Joining Nick for a delicious Cuaba Distinguidos, this week's guest is Ajay Patel of the luxurious new No.6 Cavendish Square and La Casa del Habano in Teddington. Over a long conversation, they discuss escaping Idi Amin in Uganda, early morning paper rounds, cigar beginnings, 30 years of marriage, chatting onstage with Fidel Castro, building a cigar lounge and a whole lot more. Happy Friday, folks!

Unlucky for some - not for lovers of the good things in life, Pod 13 features a Scotsman who’s spent a lifetime in the chilly, cold, mould-tinged warehouses of that country’s greatest distilleries. In a fascinating in-depth chat with Nick Hammond, Richard ‘The Nose’ Patterson tells of earliest memories of his father’s instructions on nosing and tasting the water of life; the beginnings of a famous nickname; insuring one’s nose for three million quid; whisky showmanship; the poignancy of opening and tasting a whisky that had lain for 100 year’s under Shackleton’s polar hut; an obsession with exact historical dates; a love of cigars; lining up a triumvirate visit to Havana; and a final, favourite, desert island distillery. Happy Friday, folks!

A legendary father and son duo in this week’s pod, as Nick reaches out to the Dominican Republic. Henke Kelner helped transform Davidoff cigars back in the early 1990s and since then has launched hit upon hit upon the cigar-loving market. His son, Klaas, has moved into the family trade of tobacco growing. Together on a Saturday afternoon in their tropical garden in Santiago, they chat to Nick about weather, cigar science, awful blends, daily exercise regimes – and eating snails among much, much more. Happy Friday folks!

This week's pod guest is part of one of the world's great tobacco dynasties - the mighty Plasencia family of Nicaragua. Nestor Jr joins Nick for a chat about all things cigar; about when they went for a horse ride around his plantation; about little red worms; about setting your bed on fire; about early mornings and smiling faces; about Honduras, and Cuba and Nicaragua; about organic cigars; about agronomy, tobacco monocultures, social responsibility and a spot of meditation. Happy Friday, folks!

This week’s guest is one for the foodies amongst you. A man of a thousand lives, each of them lived at 100mph, Jay Emery is the founder and force behind Bushman Ovens, makers of the finest woodfired ovens available in the UK. On this week’s pod, he joins Nick Hammond to talk about his adolescence in apartheid South Africa, joining the country’s military as a teenager, learning to ski, becoming a magician, building his first oven and evolving into the man that made outdoor cooking cool. An amazing life story follows with many a laugh along the way, so join the friends and dream of your ultimate outdoor kitchen. Happy Friday!

You won't want to miss this one. The legend that is Patrick Mavros joins Nick Hammond for this pod from his property in Harare, for an extraordinary insight into the life of this modern-day Indiana Jones. He talks falconry, giant snakes, man-eating crocs, reminisces on childhood in the bush, great cigars he's smoked, lunch with Bruce Springsteen, imitates hippos and generally ethralls with his sheer exuberance for life. A chance to gain an insight into this truly remarkable character. Happy Friday, folks!

This week's guest, Rob Fox, joins host and author Nick Hammond to discuss one of the world's greatest luxury institutions - the legendary JJ Fox of St James's Street. The pair shirk no responsibilities, tackling Sir Winston Churchill inventories, Oscar Wilde's unpaid bills, hotel rooftop tears, an extraordinarily serendipitous tasting of a 1950s cigar in an Italian restaurant in Havana and much, much more. Pull up a chair, light up a smoke, grab a drink - and welcome the fantastic Mr Fox. Happy Friday!

You won't need to hear this week's guest for very long before you guess where she's from. Magali de la Cruz has been Laurence Davis' right hand at Sautter for years. She talks to Nick Hammond from her lockdown apartment in London and discusses growing up in Cuba, working the tobacco fields, coming to England, learning the ropes and much, much more. Pin back your ears for a true legend of cigar retail dispensing her wisdom. And finally, a bonus at the end of the pod; the sounds of steamy Havana as you join Nick for a stroll through a residential neighborhood of that grand old city. Happy Friday!

This week's guest is fast becoming one of the cigar world's wisest counsel's. A born leader with a cool head, Juan Martinez talks to Nick from his garden in Managua. Now in charge of Nicaragua's oldest cigar factory, Juan talks to Nick about Cinco Decadas - The Rise of the Nicaraguan Cigar, the book the pair put together for Joya's 50th anniversary; the world's greatest cigar factory; resilience; resolution; the future - and of course, cigars. Happy VE Day Friday, folks!

A change of pace for this week's pod, as Nick talks to a remarkable former Royal Marine bringing the great outdoors, some ancient marine skills and a sense of adventure to his clients. Henry Chamberlain, speaking from his lockdown base in Kabul, Afghanistan, talks to Nick about life on the ocean waves, intimidating moments facing fierce tribes in forgotten places, about 'smuggling', creek swimming, foraging the salt marshes - and butt pricking! Listen on...

This week's guest is a beguiling man from a beguiling country. Nick talks at length to Alejandro Turrent, owner of Casa Turrent cigars and the latest hand on the tiller on one of the oldest tobacco dynasties on the planet. The duo talk San Andres wrapper, parrots, Tequila, shrimp, terrifying nautical journeys, Shamanic rituals and a whole lot more. Happy Friday!

Devon is Heaven! From the green and pleasant land of his south west eyrie, Scott Vines of Tor Imports joins Nick Hammond for this week's pod. Tor are responsible for bringing some of the biggest names in New World cigars into the UK - and he chats to Nick candidly about the cigar industry here, selling fags in Glasgee, the legendary humidor manager Ian and a little sewing room in a school in Estelí, among much more. Enjoy the pod.

In this bonus mini pod bonus episode, Nick Hammond reads a chapter from his book, Around The World In 80 Cigars for your delectation. Buy it from all good cigar stores, bookshops and from www.nick-hammond.com now; perfect lockdown reading.

In this week's pod, Nick Hammond talks to his old sparring partner, Laurence Davis of Sautter Cigar fame. Havana Festival 2020, Laurence in a lather, lockdown herfing, Instagram Live, El Jeffe's first cigar, visiting Pinar del Rio and a whole host more is covered as the dynamic duo shoot the breeze over a morning smoke...

In the opening pod, author Nick Hammond talks to Jimmy McGhee, marketing guru for Hunters & Frankau, the UK importer of Cuban cigars. They talk old smokes, new smokes, fun times and more. The perfect antidote to the lockdown blues.