At the explicit and continuous request of his clientele, Ismael Oliván, founder of B.A.M.F. Cigars and creator of the Factory Reserve Cigar Club, launches his Factory Reserve Podcast, a space that began broadcasting this month and focuses on providing a platform for the expression of the “everyday” enthusiast.
According to Ish, as Ismael is known within the industry, there are many podcasts online dedicated to promoting brands, renowned tobacconists, and producers, but there was a need for a space where the customer—the one who consumes the product—could participate and share their experiences.
“We want customers to talk about whatever they want, whether it’s pairings, sizes, wrappers, or their tastes in general, without filters… an open space with four to six questions, just to pass the time,” he explained.
The show is broadcast live on the YouTube channel of the same name every Monday at 7:00 AM Florida time, United States. The idea is for this space to become a companion for those getting ready or leaving for work, while having breakfast or driving.
As an incentive for the community to join this initiative, Ismael explained that every Monday there will be a prize raffled off among the audience, consisting of a pack of five or six exclusive cigars from those the Club itself offers to its members.
When the channel reaches its first thousand followers, a prize worth over 500 dollars will be raffled; when it reaches 5,000 followers, the prize will be equivalent to 2,500 dollars; and upon reaching 10,000 followers, the grand prize will be a cigar experience in the Dominican Republic, where the winner will be able to explore the farms, select tobacco, bunch the filler, roll a cigar, and apply its wrapper.
“An all-expenses-paid experience, departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with a round-trip to the Dominican Republic.”
The prizes are reserved for those present during the live broadcast of the podcast, and the cigar experience is non-transferable. This means that if the selected person is not present or has any impediment to travel, the prize will be raffled again.
Likewise, to experience tobacco up close, Ismael Oliván, B.A.M.F, and the Tobacco Products Association (TPA) are promoting the TPA Smokefest 2026, to be held from October 1 to 3 in Pensacola, Florida: a high-energy, boutique festival experience built for enthusiasts who want “something new and different” with real access, real visibility, and real connections.
Tickets are available on the association’s website: TPA.rocks/events
