Between 2 Burns

BETWEEN 2 BURNS — MICHAEL MARTELLO: FROM PASSION TO ORTOLAN

Some cigars start with a blend. Others start with a story.

On this episode of Between 2 Burns, Jason and Ethan sit down with our good friend Michael Martello Jr., founder of Martello Cigar Co., for a conversation that goes well beyond what's inside the humidor.

Michael's path to cigars is an interesting one. His background in kitchens taught him to think about how flavor is built, restrained, and remembered—an approach that ultimately helped shape his philosophy toward tobacco and the creation of his own company. 

We walk through the entire journey: where his appreciation for cigars began, the experiences that pushed him from enthusiast to creator, what it actually takes to build a cigar company from the ground up, and the years of thought that eventually became Ortolan.

And Ortolan isn't an ordinary first release.

Handmade in Little Havana at El Titan de Bronze, Ortolan features an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler—including Medio Tiempo—and represents the first release from Martello Cigar Co. Production is limited to just 750 individually numbered porcelain jars, making this a deliberate introduction to what Michael wants the Martello name to represent. 

For Michael, the cigar is about more than tobacco. Martello was created around the idea that a great cigar should create space for conversation, memory, patience, and ritual. 

That makes this the perfect episode to watch or listen to before September 12, when we welcome Michael to Pipe & Pint for a very special event and introduce Ortolan to the Southern U.S.

If you've been following our Q&A series with Michael, this is where you get the whole story.

Pour something good. Find a comfortable chair. Light up something worthy of the conversation.

This is Between 2 Burns with Michael Martello.

🎙️ Cigar News & Headlines | Between 2 Burns

There is never a dull week in the cigar business—and apparently, some people have decided to make our jobs as podcast hosts very easy.

On this episode of Between 2 Burns, Jason and Ethan sit down for a good old-fashioned chop session covering what’s happening right now in the world of cigars. New releases, industry news, bizarre stories, things that actually matter, and a few things that probably don't matter at all—but are way too entertaining not to discuss.

We get into what's changing in the cigar business, what we're seeing from the retailer side of the counter, the stories cigar smokers are talking about, and—as usual—give our completely unsolicited opinions on all of it.

Then we finish things off with something much more important than industry news:

🏔️ The Mount Rushmore of People in the Cigar Lounge.

You know these people.

The guy who has been sitting in the same chair since 11:07 AM. The self-appointed cigar expert. The storyteller. The guy who somehow knows everybody. The customer who walks in for "one cigar" and is still there six hours later.

Who deserves to have their face carved permanently into the side of Cigar Lounge Mount Rushmore?

Grab a cigar, pour something good, and settle in. It's cigar news, ridiculous headlines, lounge characters, questionable opinions, and everything else happening Between 2 Burns.

🎙️ Cigar Obsession Started Here | Between 2 Burns Podcast

Where did the obsession begin?

In this episode of Between 2 Burns, Jason and Ethan take a trip back to where it all started, sharing the stories that turned an occasional cigar into a lifelong passion—and eventually into a career. From first smokes and unforgettable cigars to the people who influenced us along the way, we reflect on how our tastes have evolved, how the cigar industry has changed, and why we're still just as excited to light one up today as we were years ago.

Along the way, we discuss:
🔥 The cigars that hooked us from the beginning
💨 How our palates have changed over the years
🏪 Growing from cigar enthusiasts to owning and operating one of North Carolina's premier cigar destinations
😂 Funny stories, early mistakes, and the cigars we'd probably never smoke again
🌎 How the premium cigar world has evolved and where we think it's headed

To wrap things up, we take on one of the toughest debates we've ever had on the show—building our Mount Rushmore of Cigar Brands. Which four manufacturers deserve a permanent place in cigar history? Expect plenty of disagreements, hot takes, and a few controversial omissions.

Whether you've been smoking for thirty years or you're just getting started, this episode is a reminder that every cigar smoker has a story—and every obsession has a beginning.

💨 Grab your favorite cigar, pour yourself something good, and join us for another episode of Between 2 Burns.

👍 If you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and leave us a comment:
What cigar started YOUR obsession? And who makes your Mount Rushmore of cigar brands?

🔥 Episode 28 – What Makes a Great Cigar? 🔥

What separates a good cigar from a great cigar? Is it the construction? The flavor? The price? The reputation? Or is the answer a lot more personal than most people think?

In Episode 28 of Between 2 Burns, Jason and Ethan kick things off by catching everyone up on everything that's been happening around the shop, the podcast, and the latest adventures at the new Pipe & Pint cigar bar before diving into one of the most debated questions in the cigar world.

Together, we explore:
💨 What actually makes a cigar "great"
🌎 How experience, palate, mood, and even the people you're with can completely change how you enjoy a cigar
🔥 Why your favorite cigar may not even crack someone else's top ten—and why that's perfectly okay
🥃 The difference between objective quality and subjective enjoyment
🎯 Whether expensive always means better (spoiler alert... it doesn't)

Along the way, we share stories, disagree on a few things, bust some common myths, and remind everyone that one of the best parts of this hobby is that there is no right answer.

Whether you're brand new to premium cigars or you've been filling humidors for years, this episode is a reminder that the "perfect cigar" isn't determined by ratings or hype—it's the one that makes your moment memorable.

So light your favorite stick, pour yourself something good, and join us for another laid-back conversation... Between 2 Burns.

🔥 Episode 27 – Season 2 Premiere: We Opened a Cigar Bar… Now What? 🔥

Season 2 starts the only way we know how—by pulling back the curtain.

After months (and what felt like years) of planning, meetings, setbacks, approvals, construction, second-guessing, ordering, rearranging, waiting, stressing, opening… and then realizing opening day was actually the easy part… we finally did it. We opened a cigar bar.

Now what?

In this episode of Between 2 Burns, Jason and Ethan sit down for an honest, funny, and behind-the-scenes conversation about everything it took to get to this point and what nobody tells you happens after the ribbon gets cut.

We talk about:
 💨 The moments where it felt impossible—and the moments that made it worth it
 🥃 Building more than a cigar shop and creating a true cigar bar and lounge experience
 📦 Ordering wins, ordering mistakes, and the things customers immediately proved us wrong on
 🍺 What people are actually buying vs. what we thought they’d buy
 🛠️ Things we’d do differently tomorrow
 🏆 Favorite moments so far and the surprises we never saw coming
 🔥 What happens next for the new location

This episode is less of a recap and more of a journal entry from the middle of the adventure. If you’ve ever wanted to open a business, wondered what goes into creating a cigar destination, or just want to hear two guys trying to figure it out one cigar at a time—this one’s for you.

Season 2 starts here.

Light one up, pour something good, and welcome to the next chapter of Between 2 Burns.

💼🔥 Episode 26 – PCA 2026 Recap: What’s New in Cigars 🔥💼

In this episode of Between 2 Burns, Jason and Ethan break down the business of cigars in 2026 following Ethan’s return from the PCA Trade Show in New Orleans—the industry’s premier marketplace where manufacturers, retailers, and brands set the tone for the year ahead.

We dive into:
 📈 The latest product releases and what brands are pushing this year
📈 Emerging trends in blends, pricing, and packaging
📈 What retailers should be paying attention to heading into the next buying cycle
📈 Behind-the-scenes insights from meetings with manufacturers and reps
📈 The overall health and direction of the premium cigar market

This episode isn’t just about what’s new—it’s about what matters. From inventory decisions to shifting consumer preferences, we’re giving you a real look at how the industry is evolving and what it means for both retailers and consumers.

One of our favorite episodes every year, this is your inside access to the PCA floor—no badge required.

💨 Sit back, light one up, and get caught up on everything happening in cigars right now—Between 2 Burns.

🔥 Episode – Connecticut Deep Dive (Between 2 Burns) 🔥

This week on Between 2 Burns, Jason and Ethan slow it down and light it up with a full deep dive into Connecticut cigars—one of the most misunderstood (and underrated) wrappers in the game.

We’re breaking down everything we’ve been talking about lately—from our newsletter to the pod—covering:
 💨 The history of Connecticut Shade and how it became the gold standard for smooth cigars
💨 The difference between Shade vs Broadleaf vs Ecuadorian Connecticut
💨 Why Connecticut cigars aren’t just “mild” anymore (and haven’t been for a while)
💨 How modern blenders are pushing Connecticut into flavor-forward, complex territory
💨 Our personal picks and go-to Connecticut smokes right now

This episode isn’t just for beginners—it’s for anyone who thinks they already know Connecticut cigars… and might be wrong. Expect some myth-busting, some strong opinions, and a few cigars you’ll probably want to try immediately after listening.

💨 Smooth doesn’t mean boring.
 💨 Light doesn’t mean simple.

Light one up and come learn something—Between 2 Burns.

🏈🔥 Episode 23 – Super Bowl LX Preview ft. Special Guest! 🔥🏈

This week on Between 2 Burns, we’re bringing the heat early — not just from cigars — but from the gridiron! Jason and Ethan welcome a special guest to break down all things Super Bowl: spread picks, prop picks, novelty bets, and the stories behind them.

We’ll talk:
 💥 Who we think wins the game
💥 Our favorite and wildest prop bets (yes — the fun ones)
💥 The picks we’d actually make if we were betting for real
💥 How cigars pair with kickoff, halftime, and that final whistle
💥 What sticks to light depending on how the game unfolds

Whether you’re here for the smoke talk, the football talk, or just want good banter and bold predictions, this episode is your one-stop résumé for Super Bowl Sunday. And of course… we may have a few surprises in store.

So grab your favorite cigar, pour something good, and join us as we preview the biggest football night of the year — B2B style.

🔥 Episode 23 – The Cigar of the Year Draft (Between 2 Burns) 🔥

It’s draft day… cigar style. 🏈💨

In this episode, Jason and Ethan step into the war room for the Between 2 Burns Cigar of the Year Draft. We’re staring down a field of 40+ cigars, and each of us is drafting our top 10—no trades, no mercy, and plenty of trash talk.

Once the picks are locked in, the power shifts to YOU. Our customers and listeners will vote to narrow the field down to the final five nominees, which will ultimately battle it out for Cigar of the Year, announced next month at the Live Stogie Awards.

Expect hot takes, surprise picks, a few “HOW did you pass on that?!” moments, and a whole lot of cigar nerd debate.

🔥 Don’t miss your chance to make your voice heard in the Cigar of the Year voting
 🔥 Don’t miss the Live Stogie Awards
🔥 And don’t miss this episode—it’s competitive, chaotic, and everything we love about cigars

Light one up and let the draft begin.

🔥 Episode 22 – Mail Bag Madness (Between 2 Burns) 🔥

We reached into the mail bag… and let’s just say, some of y’all need help. 😅

In this episode, Jason and Ethan crack open a full-blown Mail Bag session, answering real questions from customers, listeners, and followers who are deep in the cigar rabbit hole (or just trying not to mess up their first smoke). From “am I doing this right?” to “why does my cigar hate me?”, nothing is off limits and no question is safe.

It’s funny, it’s informative, and it’s exactly the kind of cigar shop banter you’d hear sitting at the lounge table with the guys who’ve already made the mistakes for you. Plus, we’re rolling straight into the holidays with some laughs, some good smoke talk, and a BIG announcement about our upcoming new location that you do not want to miss.

💨 Grab a cigar, grab a drink, and enjoy the chaos—because the mail bag is officially open.