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

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

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 

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

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!!

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

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, Melvin challenges two of his current top sticks, the new Sombremesa Tapa Negra and Joya Cabinetta.  

Funfact and reason for comparison: These two cigars were produced at  the same  factory.  Hit him up to find out the results of his comparison HERE .

He goes on to discuss his take on the cigar factory tours from a consumer perspective and why you should go on one too. Later he discusses his catering business (More Than Que) and an unusual request to grill abroad.  

Allow Melvin to let you in on what he has learned in 25 years as a BOTL and catch his upcoming series on the tobacconist lifestyle (TBA). 

Melvin's Top 5 sticks: 

1. Blue, My Father (most lounges) 
2. 601 Warhead, Espinosa  (Hector Alfonso Jr.)
3. Joya Cabinetta (Juan Martínez)
4. RoMa Craft Maestranza (Skip Martin)
5. El Tigre, Undercrown- Drew Estate (Willy Herrera)

*** Thought it would be good idea to add blenders... well at least Mitchell did *** 

Attempt at video: HERE

This episode was recorded online and at Harlem Cigar Room (Lawrenceville, GA)  

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

For audiences 21 and older. 

(Part II). The entire episode was recorded in one shot but we split the one into two parts. 

Story: In this episode, the group (Keake, Brian and myself -Tina) combine to learn more about each other's flavor palette and their top picks (see list below).  In Phoenix, there is a place for every situation: loner, social and the in between, it's here.  In addition we discuss how the industry is NOW influenced heavily by women smokers, buyers and makers.  The panel further discusses some "Smoke 'N the Desert "secret gems" for 2026 Phoenix Cigar week!!  Then more on... 

• Red Level Entertainment 
• Wrapped in Smoke
• Smoke in the Desert 
• Literature Mention: The 4-hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss
• Underwater basket Weaving (for funzies) 

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

Sticks (Top picks in no special order): 

    Keake: 

• Don Pepin Garcia (original) --> Most retailers
• Blackened, Drew Estate --> Most retailers 
• Empress of Sheba, El Septimo --->  El Septimo available at Ambassdor's  Cedar Room, Cigar King

Brian :

• La Lealtad, My Father -->Most retailers
• Empress of Sheba, El Septimo (see above) 
• H.Upmann - AJ Fernandez --> Cigars Daily. Other retailers such as Churchills and Ambassdor's also carry H.Upmann
• Definition Cigars, Puro Cigar Bar (Chandler)
• DBL Amarillo, Cigar King

Tina: 

• Purple Pledge, Casa Carrillo --> Ambassador PV, Trevors (limited), Churchills (limited)
• 601 Espinosa, 20th Anniversary --> Ambassador PV, Cigars Daily & Dragon Lounge
• Mexican Experiment by Tatauje (ca. 2017, 2019) --> Ambassadors PV
• Gorbusto Orang, Aladino --->only at Cigar King and Ambassdors PV (as of 7/2/26)
• Juneteenth The 1865 Project, Rocky Patel --> Online only (HERE) but please look for it. Great smoke and the only smoke I enjoy from RP

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

For audiences 21 and older. 

Cigars:

• Mexican Experiment, Tatauje (Panel)
• Leaf by Oscar Valladares (Sumatra), Keake
• La Lealtad by My Father, Bryant
• Infused Cigars at Ralph's on Taylor in Chicago 

Stories: 

In this episode, the group (Keake, Brian and myself -Tina) combine to learn more about each other's flavor palette, discuss how Smoke in the Desert was coined and its inaugural year. The panel further discusses how smoking can be a social, loner activity and provide some integrity in a diverse and unfamiliar environment.  Then more on... 

• Red Level Entertainment 
• Wrapped in Smoke
• Smoke in the Desert 
• Literature Mention: The 4-hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss

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

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

For audiences 21 and older. 

Cigars

• Red Meat Lovers by Dunbarton & Trust (Tina)
• JFR, Titan (Gary) 
• Aganorsa Leaf, Aganorsa Leaf Lonnie

Stories: 

• Gary recounts one of his Vietnam stories. He believes the attack on the abandoned French resort was 1971 but some sources say 1968-1969
• Gary talks corrects and speaks about 3 crashes instead of 4. Either way, no crashes is our hope for civilians. 
• HKTeams
• Chicago Bears moving? Say it is not so…:-(

This episode was recorded at Churchills in Scottsdale, AZ in June 2026. 

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

For audiences 21 and older. 

Sticks: 

• Wise Blood by ATL Cigar Co (formerly distributed by Luciano, but ended in 2024 ).  For the podcast table.  Facings usually follow local figures in great Atlanta. 
  • Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Rosado HVA
  • Binder: Ecuadorian Connecticut
  • Filler: Three Nicaraguan regions
• Vartan Reserva Special , Davidoff . Special blended by Vartan Seferian owner of Ambassador Fine Cigars in PV and Peoria, AZ. Troy started with this one! 
• Tatauje Escasos . Cigar Livia had second and noted that Ambassador's has one of the largest facings in the Valley. Even so, they are a Davidoff and El Septimo lounge. 
• Cigars & Coffee, Maduro Box-pressed.  Connect with Troy or Ron online for details on access to their boutique blends. Troy's second smoke. 
  
  

Stories: 

• Troy and Ron share when they first began, and how they became a part of the smoke community. 
• Troy talks rolling cigars and also displays his practice on social. 
• Ron and Troy talk top 5, Livia adds her top five picks and Tina's top 5 turn into top 5 with 5 honorable mentions. 
• Uh, oh.. we talk cigar buzz shops opening and closing in the Valley and more!!! 

This episode was recorded Ambassador Fine Cigars in Paradise Valley - Arizona. 

Other cigar lounges & events mentioned:

• Royal cigar lounge, San Diego CA

Events

• Cigar & Coffee Meet: Thursday, May 7 at Torch 

 
lounge

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

For audiences 21 and older. 

Sticks: 

• Purple Pledge, by Casa Carillo (aged almost a decade). Tina highly recommends and argues its largely underrated, Carlos gives it an “good, not exciting” and Gary a "just ok". 
• Blood Medicine by Crowned Heads. Rated good-great by Gary and Carlos. Tina rated it a full-bodied bold cigar w/slight after taste and an acquired stick. 

Stories: 

• Carlos discusses his history with cigars, PCA and more! 
• Revisited: We discuss cigar facings and the dynamics which collide to bring them to consumers.
• We discuss the importance of fully utilizing the rep to bring the cigars to local markets while maintaining a virtuous relationship within the cigar ecosystem.
• Uh, oh.. what if there is a problem with your cigar? We discuss that and the importance of speaking up!   

This episode was recorded at the new venue, Aria Lounge at Puro in Chandler, AZ. 

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

For audiences 21 and older. 

Special Feature celebrating Women's Day (3/8) and Women's History Month (March).  In this Feature we host Christine of Ambassador Fine Cigars in Phoenix, Arizona (PV). 

The Sticks:

• Classic, Aladino (Lancero) - Tina
• Undisclosed, Aladino (Lancero) - Christine

The Story: Within this episode, Christine of Ambassador Fine Cigars talks about the origin of the store in the late 90's (tune in to see who named the store!). She also discusses her recent visit to the Aladino cigar operation in Honduras and highlights some unique features of the operation which stand out among others. We discuss wrapper, binder, filler and finding that sweet spot within a lancero.  There are hints toward possible future events that are inclusive to women who smoke as well as additional cigar rolling events. Stay connected via social or website. 

Also check out our latest podcast on major outlets: buzzsprout, apple podcasts, or Spotify today. 

Although the story of Julio Eiroa is listed in brief on their website, a more in-depth version exists HERE. 

Location of Event:  

This episode was recorded at Ambassador's in Phoenix, AZ in March 2026

Lounge / Cigar Shop Mentions:  

Ambassador Fine Cigars

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

For audiences 21 and older.