Sponsored by the Boutique Cigar Association of America (BCAA) With hosts Founder Dr. Gaby Kafie and President Armen Caprielian. For more information visit the BCAA at www.boutiquecigarassociation.com. If you are interested in being a guest on our podcast please send us an email. (The views and opinions expressed on Protecting the Legacy are solely those of the hosts and guests, and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Boutique Cigar Association of America (BCAA) or any of…
The Boutique Cigar Association of America (BCA) proudly announces the launch of its first-ever BCA Sampler Subscription , available now at BoutiqueSmoke.com/subscription-bca. In this episode, we dive into how this quarterly sampler represents more than just five exceptional cigars—it’s a symbol of unity, craftsmanship, and community. Each edition will feature hand-selected Toro-sized cigars from…
In this episode of the Protecting the Legacy podcast, hosted by the Boutique Cigar Association (BCA), Dr. Gaby Kafie of Kafie 1901 Cigars and Greg Free of Fortaleza y Libre Cigars dive deep into two major issues impacting the premium cigar world — the new California UTL regulations that have recently gone into effect, and the growing concern over import tariffs on handmade cigars. Together, they…
In this no-holds-barred episode of Protecting the Legacy , we pull back the curtain on what it really takes to launch and sustain a boutique cigar company. From the romanticized idea of blending cigars in paradise to the cold reality of financial burn rates, inventory costs, and brand building — we’re talking hard numbers and harder truths. We kick things off by defining what boutique truly means…
Tonight’s episode of Protecting the Legacy brings together the founding voices of the Boutique Cigar Association — Dr. Gaby Kafie, Armen Caprielian, Rob Loud, and Steve Young, for a powerful roundtable discussion on what truly drives a cigar's success in today’s marketplace. Is it the branding? The marketing? The tobacco? The blend? The owner ? The stringent focus on quality ? Together, we unpack…
In this episode of Protecting the Legacy , we take a deep dive into the origins of the show's name and what it truly means to us. It's a conversation rooted in purpose, passion, and pride for the premium cigar industry—but, as always, things take a few hilarious turns along the way. From behind-the-scenes stories to a now-infamous trade show incident involving red toenail polish (yes, you read…
Join us for a special episode celebrating the 30th anniversary of Garo Cigars as we sit down with the remarkable Dr. Garo Bouldoukian and his son, Harout Bouldoukian. In this insightful conversation, Dr. Bouldoukian shares his extraordinary journey from chiropractor to cigar industry pioneer, reflecting on three decades of passion, craftsmanship, and innovation. Discover the stories behind Garo…
In this very special episode of Protecting the Legacy , we’re proud to welcome Dwight Atkins and Stephen Wray of Fat Ash Cigar Lounge —hosts of the upcoming My Old Kentucky HERF , happening May 9th & 10th, 2025 at the Boyd Convention & Arts Center in Ashland, Kentucky . This year’s HERF promises to be the biggest yet, featuring 25 premium and boutique cigar companies —with many of the owners in…
In this special episode of Protecting the Legacy , we bring together four influential voices from the Boutique Cigar Association’s Board of Directors. Featuring renowned South Florida retailer and serial entrepreneur Rob Loud, alongside esteemed cigar company owners Armen Caprielian ( DAV Cigars ), Dr. Gaby Kafie ( Kafie 1901 Cigars ), and Greg Free ( Fortaleza y Libre Cigars ), this conversation…
We have big news! We're excited to introduce Steve Young as the newest addition to our podcast team. Steve joins us as a content creator, interview scheduler, and podcast producer , bringing incredible talent and a fresh perspective to our platform. In this episode, we also welcome Rob Loud , our newest Board Member, along with Armen Caprielian , Chairman of the BCA, and our Founder, Dr. Gaby…
Hey gang, tonight we have a very special guest Rob, the Cigar Traveller and Alan Rouleau from Alan Rouleau Couture (custom tailer), today we broke down the term boutique. New year, new mission, new agenda ... Tonight we break down the term Boutique ? What does it mean ? Has it been over used ? Does it still have value ? Tune in great show.