We sat down with Rocky Patel to talk about his latest influences in cigar blending as well as his upcoming release of the highly anticipated Conviction. Back in the studio, the guys paired the Rocky Patel DBS with 3 top-shelf bourbons and answered a great listener question.

Music in this episode:

"BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

The guys answer an excellent listener question about why different vitolas of the same blend have different flavor profiles and even strength differences. During the show, the guys enjoyed the Illusione OneOff along with 3 fine tequilas. Later in the Share a Smoke segment, Ivan and Erik sat down with Manolo Santiago, the master blender for Casa 1910 Cigars.

Music in this episode:

"BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

The guys get goofy on aged rums while discussing the topic of what you look for in a cigar lounge. They go overboard in their praise for the Tatuaje Tuxtla Lomo de Cerdo and eventually sit down with Ozzie Gomez, co-owner of 3 South Florida cigar bars including the new and impressive Tabacon Cigars & Spirits in Doral.

Music in this episode:

"BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

The guys answer an X's & O's question from a serial emailer about whether it is a good idea or not to store or age cigars in their cellophane. Along the way the guys taste the new and limited Jack Daniel's Twice Barreled with the Villiger de Nicaragua. Finally a sit-down with Rene Castañeda reveals the story behind the new Villiger cigar factory in Nicaragua and we find out that whiskey hits Rene in the spot where the body and the soul meet... that's deep!

Music in this episode:

"BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

It's time to celebrate with a proper celebratory smoke, the Davidoff Year of the Rabbit. The guys enjoyed it with a vertical tasting of the Great Jones Distilling Company, Manhattan's first whiskey distillery since prohibition. Then Erik sat down with Davidoff USA's Eddie Guerra to discuss this and many other offerings from the premium cigar powerhouse.

Music in this episode:

"BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

The guys play a game to see who gets to smoke the Cigar of the Year from Cigar Snob Magazine's Top 25. They toast to all 25 of the selections with Zafra 30, a fantastic, limited edition rum. Later in the show, Erik sat down with Nick Melillo, the owner and blender for Olmec Maduro, the #1 cigar of 2022.

Music in this episode:

"BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

The guys tackle a popular question about how Cigar Snob Magazine rates cigars while smoking the Ferio Tego Timeless 10 Years. The Perfect Pairings segment included top-shelf bourbons from EH Taylor, Willett, and Garrison Brothers. Finally, Erik sat down with Ferio Tego's Michael Herklots to talk about how a 1 year old company can have a 10th anniversary cigar...

Music in this episode:

"BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

The team tackles a listener question about cigar clubs and other cigar buying platforms while smoking the My Father La Gran Oferta. They did a vertical tasting of Broken Barrel Whiskey, which significantly increased the "slur-factor" on the show. Finally, Erik sat down with Jose Ortega, VP of Sales for My Father Cigars, and discussed La Gran Oferta and what My Father Cigars has in store for 2023. Ortega may or may not have dropped a hint about a special release in the works.

Music in this episode:

"BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

In this episode the guys pick their favorite inflation buster cigars while smoking Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Nicaragua. They blind taste 3 highly rated South American wines and chat with Altadis USA’s Rafael Nodal.

Music in this episode:

"BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

The boys were blown away by 3 excellent single malt Scotches paired with a Rocky Patel Number 6 corona. They answered a great X's & O's question from a listener about Ybor City cigar factories. And Jim and Jamy took turns butchering Scotch brand names.

Music in this episode:

"BossaBossa" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/