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)  

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(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

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Cigars:

• Mexican Experiment, Tatauje (Panel)
• Leaf by Oscar Valladares (Sumatra), Keake

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.  

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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. 

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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

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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. 

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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

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The Sticks:

• Anejo, Fuente - Tina
• CT Reserva, My Father - Kay
•  CT, Trevors - Lonnie (from Cigar rolling event)

The Story: Within this episode, Kay discusses more about her cigar experience in the Valley discussing the beginning of "Ladies Nite" at Fox in Old Town; while Tina and Lonnie also comment on their experiences with cigar culture. Kay introduces us to Smoke in the Desert . The panel discusses the basic advantage of cigar culture which helps to break down barriers, allowing folks to relate on levels unlike any other. Tune in now! 

Location of Event:  

This episode was recorded at Fumar in Phoenix, AZ in February 2026

Lounge / Cigar Shop Mentions:  

• Fumar: traditional, quiet (has 1 location but hosts many events nationwide)
• Churchills: traditional (there are 2 other locations)
• Trevor's : has food and lively (has 4 locations)
• Magnum’s: Speakeasy (off 101 at 7th)
• Fox's:  entertaining and lively (has 2 locations and 1 coming soon)
• Ambassador's: traditional-upscale (has 2 locations)

Out of State Mentions (on part 1) 

• La Casa (Detroit, MI and other locations)
• Boozilla Cigar Lounge (Detroit, MI)
• Boston Cigar Club (Charlestown, MA)
• Stanza's (the one I could not remember...lol) Boston, MA
• Cuban Creations (New Orleans, LA)
• listen to the podcast for more.... 

Cigar Education….

• The IACS’ Cigar Sommelier Certificate
• Certified Cigar Sommelier Tobacconist (CCST)

Wine we had during this podcast 

Caravan Collection by Darioush

**We have not rec'd sponsorship pay but its welcomed! Click the Support the Show Button or HERE**

Other Mentions: 

• Haus of Health w/Kody who discusses health & smoking HERE
• Wrapped in Smoke
• Previous episode with Kyree HERE 
• Cigar & Coffee Meet 

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The Sticks: 

• Anejo, Fuente - Tina
• CT Reserva, My Father - Kay
•  CT, Trevors - Lonnie (from Cigar rolling event)

The Story: Within this episode, Kay discusses her origin story of smoking cigars (15+ years) after a solo trip to NY. Tina and Lonnie also share their origin stories. Kay recommends next steps to Lonnie as he navigates mild to medium to full bodied cigars. Kay introduces us to Smoke in the Desert (42:12) and invites Lonnie and Nick to share Ladies Nite at Fox's in Old Town (Wednesdays). 

Location of Event:  

This episode was recorded at Fumar in Phoenix, AZ in February 2026

Lounge / Cigar Shop Mentions:  

• Fumar: traditional, quiet (has 1 location but hosts many events nationwide)
• Churchills: traditional (there are 2 other locations)
• Trevor's : has food and lively (has 4 locations)
• Magnum’s: Speakeasy (off 101 at 7th)
• Fox's:  entertaining and lively (has 2 locations and 1 coming soon)
• Ambassador's: traditional-upscale (has 2 locations)

• Out of State Mentions
  • La Casa (Detroit, MI and other locations)
  • Boozilla Cigar Lounge (Detroit, MI)
  • Boston Cigar Club (Charlestown, MA)
  • Stanza's (the one I could not remember...lol) Boston, MA
  • Cuban Creations (New Orleans, LA)
• listen to the podcast for more.... 

Cigar Education….

• The IACS’ Cigar Sommelier Certificate
• Certified Cigar Sommelier Tobacconist (CCST)

Wine we had during this podcast 

Caravan Collection by Darioush

**We have not rec'd sponsorship pay but its welcomed! Click the Support the Show Button or HERE**

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

For audiences 21 and older. 

The Sticks: 

• Padron 1926 Serie - Kyree
•  Norteno, Esteli Herrara (discontinued) -Tina (not mentioned but it's what I smoked during this episode). Available at select shop across the valley including Churchills, Cigar King and Trevor's (while supplies last)
•  Esteban Carreras 211 - Gary

The Story: Within this episode, Part II we continue our discussion on valley cigar lounges / shops.Kyree tells his origin story in learning from "life stories" beginning at 19, amassing a collective of over 43,000 years of knowledge, wisdom and experience from his interviews. He's talked to a range of individuals from monks to  the ultra wealthy at the end of their journeys and there is something common in those experiences. Check out the podcast for more details. 

Location of Event:  

This episode was recorded at Churchill's in Scottsdale, AZ in February 2026

Lounge / Cigar Shop Mentions:  

• Churchills: traditional (there are 2 other locations)
• Cigar King: shop 
• Cedar Room: traditional, great patio space (has 2 additional locations opening soon)
• Trevor's : has food and lively (has 4 locations)
• Magnum’s: Speakeasy (off 101 at 7th)
• Fox's:  entertaining and lively (has 2 locations and 1 coming soon)
• Ambassador's: traditional-upscale (has 2 locations)
• Fumar: traditional, quiet (has 1 location but hosts many events nationwide)
• Puro: (listen to podcast for details), 1 location
• Out of State Mentions
  • Boston Cigar Club (Charlestown, MA)
  • Stanza's (the one I could not remember...lol) Boston, MA
  • Cuban Creations (New Orleans, LA)
• listen to the podcast for more.... 

Cigar Education….

• The IACS’ Cigar Sommelier Certificate
• Certified Cigar Sommelier Tobacconist (CCST)
  
  

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

For audiences 21 and older.