Sticks and Stories

Great cigars don't have to cost a fortune. JB of Zeal Cigars joins us to talk value smokes, a decade in Cave Creek, and what it's like landing a plane where you probably shouldn’t.

Featured Cigars:

• JB enjoyed a Zeal Cigar blend
• Gary enjoyed a Faithful Servant from Zeal Cigars.
• Tina enjoyed a  Esteban Carreras, 10-year anniversary Mexican San Andrés and also picked up a Liga Midnight, a blend that resembles Liga 9. 

Stories: 

JB discusses the cigar business, cigar concepts for Zeal Cigars and more. He explains how the business came to be and how its been a staple for the community off Cave Creek and Greenway for the last decade. 

The panel discussed interesting people / events which happened while smoking cigars including a bar "renovation", a mishap at state lab and more.  Gary and Tina discuss their experiences in the valley at local cigar lounges; and, Gary and JB share their experience in the sky and trying to land aircrafts in difficult terrain and circumstances. 

It's a lot... so pick your favorite cigar and "tea" and sit back as you tune into this episode of Sticks and Stories. 

**Also stay tuned for the YouTube version of this episode to be posted soon on the Zeal YouTube Channel **** 

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Check out JB and folks at Zeal today: 

• YouTube Channel (Cigar Reviews and More) - Over 160K subscribers
• Website
• Instagram

This episode of Sticks and Stories was recorded at the Zeal Cigars studio at Zeal Cigars in Phoenix Arizona on October 26, 2026. 

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Sticks: 

• Ron: MonteCristo Espada, with new release of Conquistador
• Troy: Cigars and Coffee Blend, Sweet Gum

Stories: In this episode, we speak with the final guests of our podcast series, Ron and Troy of Cigars and Coffee Meet. They discuss their current plans to produce and globally distribute their coffee brand.  They also will continue to do this alongside their pre-established Cigar brand. Today, they featured their latest blend which was a Columbian coffee. They also discussed the importance of organizing a great team to facilitate a strong road to business success. 

The next event will be hosted at Trevor's McDowell location on October 15, 2026 at 6:30pm. 

This was episode 4 of 4 recorded at Dragon Lounge in Mesa, AZ on Oct 10, 2026.

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Podcast Voting Open for our friend Trimarco Coleman. 

Sticks: 

• Livia: 
  • Tatuaje Mexican Experiment . Last release ca. 2019. 
  • Tatuaje, Escasos. Wrapper Ecuadorian and binder & filler Nicarguan 
  • Liga 9, Drew Estate . CT broadleaf wrapper, binder Brazilian Mata Fina and Filler Nicaraguan and Honduran. 
  • Liga 52, Drew Estate: Wrapper is Connecticut Stalk-Cut and Stalk-Cured Habano, binder is Plantation Grown Brazilian Mata Fina, and filler Honduran and Nicaraguan. 
• Ylonda: 
  • Asylum, Split Personality . Honduran 
  • Sisters and Sticks, Cinnamon or Chocolate Mint 
  • Arturo Fuente (still developing favorites)
• T (Trimarco): 
  • Padron 64
  • Opus X, Fuente
  • Asylum Medulla

Stories:

Ylonda is just under 1 year into smoking cigars but due to the aggressively robust market in Greater Phoenix, the exposure to great sticks and robust cigar community, she has accelerated her palate.  She also discusses places to visit for cigars in New Mexico.

T explains his cigar journey with a former manager in Randolph (Boston) which began over eggs, toast, cigars and dancing with a Cuban Monte Cristo. T also talks about his podcast endeavors which will include all of things. Vote for him today: HERE

Sit back with your favorite coffee, tea or scotch and stogie while you listen to this episode of Sticks and Stories. 

This episode was recorded in Oct 10, 2026 at Dragon Lounge in Mesa for Phoenix Cigar Week. 

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Sticks: 

H.Upmann-AJ Fernandez (Curtlin): Wrapper is Ecuadorian Sumatra, binder is Corojo 99, and filler is Dominican and Nicaraguan. Blending collaboration A.J. Fernandez, with Rafael Nodal. 

Stories:

Curtlin cracks the code of fast drivers and life in Arizona after growing up in the Midwest. We discuss being protected by a higher power while immediate profanity follows. We are all adults here... He discusses the native nonchalantness of Arizona and follows that up with innovation beginning to dominate Greater Phoenix in fields of technology and more. 

We all discuss our cigar journeys: Livia (grandad with a pipe), Tina (grandads with pipes/cigars); and Curtlin's journey interestingly enough began in San Diego. 

He discusses his history in event planning for Arizona and the historical Second Chance event which brought emotion, healing and closure to program participants and organizers.  

Sit back with your coffee, tea or scotch and stogie while you listen to this episode of Sticks and Stories. 

This episode was 2 of 4 recordings at the Cigars and Coffee Meet event for Smoke in the Desert at Dragon Cigar Lounge. Oct 10, 2026.

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Featured Cigars:

• JB enjoyed a Barber Pole from Cigars and Coffee Meet  by event hosts Ron and Troy. 
• Tina enjoyed a Espinosa 601, 20th Anniversary. Available at Dragon Lounge and limited release in the Valley. CT broadleaf wrapper and binder & filler Nicaraguan. 
• Liga 9, Drew Estate. Also available at Dragon Lounge and throughout the Valley. CT broadleaf wrapper, binder Brazilian Mata Fina and Filler Nicaraguan and Honduran. 

Stories: 

JB discusses the cigar business, cigar concepts for Zeal Cigars and more.  His shop also helped to support the event VIP experience.  JB has blended over 5 sticks and the shop boasts with over 20 blends to-date.  For those who enjoy Liga, one of his favorite blends is Liga Midnight. 

Check out JB and folks at Zeal today: 

• YouTube Channel (Cigar Reviews and More) - Over 160K subscribers
• Website
• Instagram

This episode of Sticks and Stories was recorded at Phoenix Cigar Week (Smoke in the Desert at Dragon Lounge on Oct 10, 2026. 

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For audiences 21 and older. 

Featured Cigars:

• Havana Soul.   (Tina and KC): Blended for Cigar King (AJ Fernandez); Wrapper CT Broadleaf w/Esteli and Nicaraguan composition.  Blended by Pepin Garcia of My Father Cigars.
• Gurkha 18 Year Reserved (KC): Wrapper Corojo, with Dominican binder and fillers. Blended by Kaizad Hansotia and available at many retailers in the valley. 
• Tatuaje Corojo 7 (Lonnie):  Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper and Nicaraguan binder and fillers. Blended by Pete Johnson and available at Dragon Lounge and throughout the valley. 

Panel Trends: 

• KC
  • Drew Estate - Liga Privada H99
  • Perdomo - Champaign 10 Year
• Lonnie
  • Tatauje - Monsters: Wolf
  • Drew Estate - Undercrown
• Tina
  • Atabey Dioses Double Corona
  • Drew Estate - Liga Privada, Papas Fritas

Notice how there are "high-end" sticks and "affordable" sticks mixed in. The joy is in the smoke, the company, and individual palate. 

Stories: 

In this episode, our guest KC talks cigars, sports and the quality of talent locally nationally (sports v business). KC, a Chicago native discusses his support for the Cubs his picks for NFL final four (2nd half) and the most important player in the World Series. We also find out which city has had to face-off with both home teams in the final showdown. 

In the first half KC and Lonnie discuss the future of the Cubs with recent eye injury of favorite Bregman. 

Other Mentions: 

• Herf: A cigar gathering 
• Third Space : i.e. cigar lounges
• Third Space Other examples 
• Same-City Championship Showdowns (Subway Series)
  When two teams from the same metropolitan area play each other in a final series, it is often called a Crosstown Rivalry or Subway Series (traditionally in New York). Historical examples include: [1]
  New York Yankees vs. New York Giants: Met in the World Series six times (1921, 1922, 1923, 1936, 1937, and 1951).
  New York Yankees vs. Brooklyn Dodgers: Met in the World Series seven times (1941, 1947, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1955, and 1956).
  New York Yankees vs. New York Mets: Met in the 2000 World Series (the first crosstown World Series since 1956).
  St. Louis Browns vs. St. Louis Cardinals: While they shared Sportsman's Park, they only met once in the 1944 World Series (the "Streetcar Series").
  The Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs did indeed face each other in the 1906 World Series. [1]
  Known as the "Crosstown Showdown", it stands as one of the greatest upsets in baseball history: [1, 2]
  • The Matchup: The Cubs were heavy favorites after winning a historic, record-setting 116 games in the regular season. The White Sox, nicknamed the "Hitless Wonders," had the worst team batting average (.230) in the American League.
  • The Outcome: The underdog White Sox shocked the city by defeating the Cubs 4 games to 2 to capture the championship. [1, 2]
  • the 1906 series was actually the very first time two teams from the same city ever met in the World Series

This episode was recorded in September 2026 at Dragon's Lounge in Mesa, AZ.

Affiliate site: CigarsTonight

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For audiences 21 and older. 

Featured Cigars:

• Havana Soul.   (Tina and KC): Blended for Cigar King (AJ Fernandez); Wrapper CT Broadleaf w/Esteli and Nicaraguan composition.  Blended by Pepin Garcia of My Father Cigars.
• Gurkha 18 Year Reserved (KC): Wrapper Corojo, with Dominican binder and fillers. Blended by Kaizad Hansotia and available at many retailers in the valley. 
• Tatuaje Corojo 7 (Lonnie):  Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper and Nicaraguan binder and fillers. Blended by Pete Johnson and available at Dragon Lounge and throughout the valley. 

Panel Trends: 

• KC
  • Drew Estate - Liga Privada H99
  • Perdomo - Champaign 10 Year
• Lonnie
  • Tatauje - Monsters: Wolf
  • Drew Estate - Undercrown
• Tina
  • Atabey Dioses Double Corona
  • Drew Estate - Liga Privada, Papas Fritas

Notice how there are "high-end" sticks and "affordable" sticks mixed in. The joy is in the smoke, the company, and individual palate. 

Stories: 

In this episode, our guest KC talks cigars, sports and the quality of talent locally nationally (sports v business). KC, a Chicago native discusses his support for the Cubs his picks for NFL final four (2nd half) and the most important player in the World Series. We also find out which city has had to face-off with both home teams in the final showdown. 

In the first half KC and Lonnie discuss the future of the Cubs with recent eye injury of favorite Bregman. 

Other Mentions: 

• Cooked: Documentary of 1995 Chicago Heatwave
• Power-outage of Gary, IN
• Killers of Flower Moon
  • Movie (preview)
  • Book (audio)

This episode was recorded in September 2026 at Dragon's Lounge in Mesa, AZ.

Affiliate site: CigarsTonight

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

For audiences 21 and older. 

For the Culture: Jason talks business, cigars and navigating diversity in 2026

Featured Cigars:

• Conquistador, Montecristo Espada (Tina). Available in the valley at both Churchills and Cigars Daily. Soon at Ambassadors. (released June 2026). 

Tina: (Quillion 7x 56) This cigar started off mild-medium and finished unexpectedly. Caught my butt off guard, left me with a both a buzz and closer. 10/10, recommend!!! 

Blender: Rafael Nodel

• Wrapper: Shade-grown Habano from Jalapa
• Binder: Volcanic tobacco from Ometepe
• Filler: Leaves from Condega and Estelí 

Stories: 

In this episode, I (Tina) podcast with long time friend Jason of California by way of Chicago. We discuss back in the day at Red Head Piano Bar, Oak Park smoke shops and our history in smoking. In addition, Jason discusses why he had a lay-over in Cali in root to goals of business and investment opportunity overseas. 

Jason shares his affection for Chicago and new love for the laid-back nature of California, often displaced in business timelines.

Grab your favorite electrolyte / scotch and cigar, as you listen to this episode of Sticks and Stories. 

Part 1 Video 

Part 2 Video

Part 3 Video

The episode was recorded remotely (CA vs AZ).

Special Mentions: 

• Updown Cigar. Chicago. First woman owned cigar shop in the nation, ca 1963 - Diana Silvius, current -Phil Ledbetter. This shop (not quite a lounge) but offers BYOB options and limited outdoor / indoor seating.  Maybe the best selection of cigars within city limits in Chicago. 
• Red Head Piano Bar. Chicago. Great place to check off the bucket list for nite life in Chicago when in town. Offers great drinks, good music and optional smoking in the back of the underground lounge. 
• Cigar Oasis. Oak Park. Pretty decent cigar lounge in Oak Park IL with the best coffee … BYOB for members. Great indoor / outdoor seating. 

Also mentioned: Viaje Geisha Corojo cigar

Holt’s Cigar Flavor Wheel

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For audiences 21 and older. 

Cigars:

• Sombremesa Tapa Negra (new, June 2026) by Dunbarton & Trust, Melvin
• Joya Cabinetta by Joya de Nicaragua, Melvin 
• La Estancia by Meerapfel, Tina 
• DBL Amarillo, Tina++ 
• Gorbusto Orang by Aladino, Tina

++Also available in the ATL market at Harlem Cigar Room

Stories: 

In this episode, Lonnie and I talk about it all. A normal cigar lounge conversation. From dating in the US west vs east vs midwest. We discuss new cigar spots opening up in 

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For audiences 21 and older. 

For the Culture: Jason talks business, cigars and navigating diversity in 2026

cigar chat around @18:04

Featured Cigars:

• Conquistador, Montecristo Espada (Tina). Available in the valley at both Churchills and Cigars Daily. Soon at Ambassadors. (released June 2026). 

Tina: (Quillion 7x 56) This cigar started off mild-medium and finished unexpectedly. Caught my butt off guard, left me with a both a buzz and closer. 10/10, recommend!!! 

Blender: Rafael Nodel

• Wrapper: Shade-grown Habano from Jalapa
• Binder: Volcanic tobacco from Ometepe
• Filler: Leaves from Condega and Estelí 

Stories: 

In this episode, I (Tina) podcast with long time friend Jason of California by way of Chicago. We discuss back in the day at Red Head Piano Bar, Oak Park smoke shops and our history in smoking. In addition, Jason discusses why he had a lay-over in Cali in root to goals of business and investment opportunity overseas. 

Jason shares his affection for Chicago and new love for the laid-back nature of California, often displaced in business timelines.

Grab your favorite electrolyte / scotch and cigar, as you listen to this episode of Sticks and Stories. 

Part 1 Video 

Part 2 Video

The episode was recorded remotely (CA vs AZ).

Special Mentions: 

• Updown Cigar. Chicago. First woman owned cigar shop in the nation, ca 1963 - Diana Silvius, current -Phil Ledbetter. This shop (not quite a lounge) but offers BYOB options and limited outdoor / indoor seating.  Maybe the best selection of cigars within city limits in Chicago. 
• Red Head Piano Bar. Chicago. Great place to check off the bucket list for nite life in Chicago when in town. Offers great drinks, good music and optional smoking in the back of the underground lounge. 
• Cigar Oasis. Oak Park. Pretty decent cigar lounge in Oak Park IL with the best coffee … BYOB for members. Great indoor / outdoor seating. 
  
  

Oh lemons!!

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Support the show

For audiences 21 and older.