What separates a great cigar lounge from a mediocre one? It's not just about the humidor selection or fancy leather chairs—it's about hospitality. In this episode, we break down what makes exceptional cigar shop customer service and why so many lounges get it wrong.

We dive deep into a clip from the Long Ashes podcast featuring Michael Herklots (Ferio Tego) discussing how cigar lounges should treat their customers. Spoiler: most places punish their best customers with LESS service, not more.

Plus, we announce the LA Cigar Collective's new subscription box, share another Eddie on the Streets segment from Bourbon and Ash in Tulsa, discuss our upcoming Christmas extravaganza, and make our predictions for Cigar Aficionado's Cigar of the Year.

🔥 WHAT WE'RE SMOKING:

Eric - Plasencia Alma Fuerte Salomon

Jim - Mi Querida by Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust

Walt - La Flor Dominicana Suave Maduro

📺 CHAPTERS:

0:00 - Intro & What We're Smoking Tonight

2:15 - Snow Day Stories & Philly Nostalgia

6:30 - Community Shoutouts & Top Fans

11:09 - LA Cigar Collective Subscription Box Launch

16:23 - Listener Appreciation Episode Announcement

18:05 - The Problem with Cigar Lounge Hospitality

27:09 - Michael Herklots on Customer Service

36:04 - Jim's Experience Working at a Lounge

40:50 - The Restaurant Comparison

48:02 - Santiago Cigars: The Gold Standard

53:34 - Eddie on the Streets: Bourbon & Ash Tulsa

56:33 - What Kills a Cigar Lounge

1:00:21 - Music in Lounges: Yes or No?

1:04:38 - Cigar Aficionado Top 25 Predictions

1:11:20 - Beer Talk: Yuengling vs Rolling Rock

1:24:15 - Christmas Episode Preview

1:32:38 - Who We Want on the Podcast Next

1:42:15 - Reflecting on Our Growth

1:50:56 - Final Thoughts & Wrap Up

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