The Leaf Cutters

A ruined wrapper. A soggy cap. Bits of leaf in your mouth.

Rick Nardo and Greg Snyder decided there had to be a better way—and after roughly twenty different versions, Tip Dip was born.

Carlos Wild didn’t just wake up one day and decide to start a cigar company.

His mother rolled cigars in Cuba, Tampa, and Miami. She started teaching him about individual tobacco leaves when he was a teenager. Years later, after helping other people develop blends, Carlos finally decided to put his own name—and his family’s story—behind a brand.

And one of his signature blends?

He literally dreamed it.

Carlos joins The Leaf Cutters in the Back Porch Lounge as we smoke the San Jorge Estelí Reserva Sombra and dig into the family history, blending philosophy, cigar myths, construction, Nicaragua, boutique growth, and what makes San Jorge different.

What happens when everyone knows the final score about ten minutes into the show?

Pipe World joins us as the sponsor of this week’s Back Porch Lounge, and they brought along the RoMa Craft Maestranza.

That might have been a mistake.

Not because the crew disliked it—quite the opposite. Zack basically started reviewing it before we were supposed to. Gibs called it an evolution of the RoMa Craft profile. Andy couldn’t stop talking about the aged character and easy retro. Grimm somehow determined that “Maestranza” translates to “totally bitchin’”—at least according to the version of Latin he invented during the show.

And Robert eventually decided the normal rating scale wasn’t high enough.

Along the way, we discover the story behind the secondary band, debate whether we are officially RoMa Craft fanboys, revisit South Park, spend entirely too much time discussing Nicolas Cage movies, hear about Andy’s 20th-anniversary Disneyland trip, discuss the physical realities of getting older, and somehow end up talking about riding panda scooters around the zoo.

No guest. No agenda. Plenty of derailments.

Watch the full episode and tell us: what release has made you completely abandon objectivity?

Aaron Paoletta returns to the Back Porch Lounge, and we're finally revisiting the controversy that followed his last appearance.

Aaron explains what happened after the clip spread, why he still stands behind the original point and what changed once everyone involved had enough time to actually discuss the issue rather than react to a few seconds of video.

Then we go much deeper.

Aaron talks about developing Number 61, a dedication release for his father scheduled for May 27, 2027, why changing the size of a blend can completely change the experience and why he's willing to scrap an idea rather than force something that doesn't work.

We also learn how much of La Vega Aaron still handles himself—from bands and locally produced boxes to inventory, distribution and blending events.

Along the way we cover AI versus creativity, Aaron's professional culinary background, Maintenance Mondays, his landscaping business, his named lawn mowers and the continuing nightmare that is Furby Two Chains.

Plus, the crew checks back in on several La Vega offerings, including Gibbs' 4.8/5 Leaf Cutter Approved rating for the Il Primo.

Come hang out on the porch.

The Leaf Cutters review two Eclat Noir Boss Lady blends during the same episode.

The Maduro delivers a rich, steady profile with coffee, black pepper and mild chocolate. The Habano provides a sweeter experience built around zucchini bread, citrus, sweet bread and crème brûlée.

The crew also clears up the meaning of fuma tasting events before discussing Steven Seagal, Aikido, Krav Maga, Doug Marcaida, NASCAR and a drag racer who managed to put two Mustangs into the same lake.

Watch the full episode to find out why the Habano earns two Leaf Cutter Approved ratings.

Honest Abe Dababneh joins The Leaf Cutters to review Mago Vice and discuss the realities of storage, transportation, pest prevention, product development, independent retail, the Las Vegas Sphere, time management, and financial literacy.

Abe also tells the incredible story of traveling to Florida for a short visit and deciding not to return to his family’s grocery business in Illinois.

The Leaf Cutters are back in The Back Porch Lounge for a grab bag episode featuring four different smokes and four very different reviews.

Gibs reviews the Mother Clucker Maduro from Drunk Chicken Cigars, Andy takes on the Gurkha Collection Especial, Grimm tries the DBL Nicaragua, and Zack checks out the Lure Cigars Wahoo PCA Exclusive.

The crew also talks about bad drink pairings, sweet tea mistakes, lounge etiquette, hanging out with Desiree from Drunk Chicken, smoking bans, Boveda packs, beer, bourbon, meat pies, concert stories, Kevin Smith, and more.

Jason Wood from Miami Cigar & Company joins The Back Porch Lounge to talk about the Outcast cigar, a unique smoke built around Black Cavendish pipe tobacco, a subtle sweet tip, and a mild-plus aromatic profile.

The crew talks blend details, the Outcast logo, Tatiana history, Don Lino Africa, Nestor Miranda, flavored cigar stigma, pairings, and final ratings.

This one surprised everyone and earned Leaf Cutter Approved all around.

#TheLeafCutters#BackPorchLounge#MiamiCigar#OutcastCigars#JasonWood#CigarPodcast#CigarReview#CigarCommunity#BlackCavendish#PipeTobacco#CigarLife#LeafCutters#SuckAStick

The Leaf Cutters review the Diesel 10th Anniversary, supplied by Grimm. This one brought full body, aged flavor, natural sweetness, pepper, coffee, cedar, earth, espresso, and strong construction.

The crew had minor burn issues due to fans and outdoor conditions, but the overall experience was overwhelmingly positive.

Final scores:Gibs — 5Andy — 4.75Grimm — 5Robert — 5Zack — 5

Final verdict: Leaf Cutter Approved.

Greg Free of Fortaleza y Libre joins The Leaf Cutters in The Back Porch Lounge for a full crew session featuring Sun Country, Segundo Viento, Intimidador, Bushwhacker, and Midnight Bender.

The conversation covers the Fuerte y Libre name change, the bull logo issue, PCA booth life, shop partnerships, pairing tests with Eagle Rare and coffee, the blending process, and the upcoming Law Dog release.

The crew also gives final ratings, and this one turns into a huge Leaf Cutter Approved night.

#TheLeafCutters #BackPorchLounge #FortalezaYLibre #PremiumLeaf #BoxPress