Welcome back to another episode of the Smoke and Steel podcast! In this week’s installment, the crew gathered for what turned into one of our most engaging conversations yet, covering everything from cigar poker techniques to discontinued favorites we’d love to stockpile.
What We’re Smoking Tonight
The evening kicked off with our usual ritual – sharing what we brought to the table. I went with an Aging Room Concerta, which was smoking beautifully. Mark decided to try something completely new with a Bentley cigar (yes, like the car company) that he picked up from The Cigar Box up in Lehigh Valley. It was his first time trying this brand, and honestly, it didn’t go as planned – but more on that disaster later.
When Eric finally arrived fashionably late (as predicted), he was smoking the brand new My Father Blue Label that he got from his buddy Kyle’s shop in Louisiana – LA Cigar Aficionados. Eric mentioned wanting to try the $60 My Father/Tatuaje collaboration but couldn’t justify spending that much.
The Great Poker Debate
One interesting discussion that came up early was about cigar pokers. Mark’s Bentley was drawing tight right from the start, which led to him using his poker tool. This sparked a conversation about whether pokers actually help or hurt the smoking experience. Mark swears by them, saying they clear the opening and provide better airflow.
Personally, I’ve always found that pokers create an artificial tunnel that makes the smoke run too hot. I used to have one but got rid of it for that exact reason. It’s one of those divisive tools in the cigar world – some guys love them, others think they make things worse.
Daily Discussion Topics and Social Media Growth
I’m excited to share that our daily discussion topics on Facebook have been gaining real traction. One recent question really got people engaged: “Imagine you’re at a lounge with a buddy who picks out a cigar that’s wildly stronger than what he’s used to – what do you do?”
The consensus seemed to be that a gentle heads-up is the way to go. Nobody wants to be preachy, but we’ve all seen what happens when someone bites off more than they can chew with a powerhouse stick. I shared my own horror story about smoking a Miami Cigar (Can’t think of the name – small cigar with a green band. Something along the lines of Warhead) at 4:30 AM on my way to work – definitely not my brightest moment.
Our social media presence is steadily growing, and it’s been great seeing the community engage with these conversation starters. We’re still figuring out some logistics around our various platforms, but the response has been encouraging.
Whiskey-Brand Cigars: Hit or Miss?
We dove into an interesting topic about celebrity and brand collaboration cigars. With so many whiskey brands launching cigar lines – Buffalo Trace, Pappy Van Winkle, Fireball – we shared our mixed experiences with these crossover products.
The general consensus was lukewarm at best. I mentioned never having smoked a Buffalo Trace cigar despite owning one, and the guys had similar experiences with most whiskey-branded sticks. The exception seems to be the new Cohiba Weller collaboration, which runs around $30 but reportedly delivers quality that justifies the premium.
It’s interesting how regional Dominican Cohiba has really stepped up their game in recent years. They’ve moved beyond the basic red and black labels that many of us though of as mediocre, introducing lines like the M series and the new Weller collaboration that actually compete with boutique offerings.
The Bentley Disaster
I have to address the elephant in the room – Mark’s Bentley cigar was an absolute disaster. Within minutes of lighting, it started coming apart, the construction was terrible, and it looked like he was smoking a wet firecracker. For a brand none of us had heard of before, priced at $17, it was a complete waste of money.
This led to some good-natured ribbing, with Eric joking that Mark needed to go back to the shop with police escort because he’d been robbed. It’s always disappointing when you try something new and it falls flat, especially when you’re recording for the podcast. But these experiences are part of the journey – you can’t discover great cigars without occasionally finding some duds.
Planning Our First Official Review
One of the exciting developments we discussed was planning our first formal cigar review for the podcast. We’re thinking about having everyone smoke the same cigar, but doing it blind – removing the bands so we’re not influenced by brand reputation or preconceptions.
This approach should give us the most honest evaluation possible. It’s amazing how much the band and brand name can influence your perception of a cigar. I remember when I first started getting into premium cigars, seeing Padron bands and thinking they were overpriced because of their simple presentation. Then you actually smoke one and realize the band doesn’t matter – it’s all about what’s inside.
Discontinued Cigars We’d Stockpile
Perhaps the most interesting discussion of the night centered around which discontinued cigars we’d go back and stockpile if we could. This really got everyone thinking about those special smokes that are no longer available.
I mentioned two standouts: the Series D from Eddie Ortega (after EO Brand split), which he described as fantastic before Ortega left the business, and the old El Cobra line from Oliva, which he remembered as real powerhouses. Eric brought up the Stolen Throne Phantom Queen – great cigars that were discontinued due to wrapper issues, despite being excellent smokes at around $8 each.
The conversation naturally turned to older classics like pre-buyout Camachos and LFD Flower Bands. It’s fascinating how many great cigars have disappeared over the years due to company changes, factory moves, or simply discontinuation of lines that weren’t big sellers.
Industry Changes and Brand Evolution
We spent some time discussing how various brands have changed over the years, particularly after corporate buyouts. Camacho was a prime example – when Davidoff acquired them, the quality and character seemed to shift dramatically. The old rustic, imperfect-but-delicious Camachos became more polished but somehow less interesting.
Similarly, CAO went through changes that affected their consistency. While their Amazon Basin remains excellent, much of their other offerings became more generic after being acquired. It seems like a common pattern in the industry – growth and efficiency sometimes come at the cost of the unique character that made brands special in the first place.
Looking Ahead: Events and Future Plans
We’re starting to think about attending some cigar events as a group. Cigarfest in the Poconos came up as a possibility, and there was talk of one day getting to PCA (Premium Cigar Association) trade show.
Eric mentioned the dream scenario of hitting the PCA show in Louisiana and then spending time at his buddy’s lounge down there. That would make for an incredible guys’ trip and probably some great podcast content.
Technical Notes and Closing Thoughts
We had a minor technical hiccup at the end when my recording equipment’s battery died, leading to a quick restart for our closing remarks. It’s all part of the learning process as we continue to improve our production quality and setup.
This episode really highlighted what I love about our format – we’re not trying to be overly structured or formal. We’re just a group of guys who love cigars, sharing our experiences and having honest conversations about what we’re smoking. Whether it’s discussing technique, sharing disaster stories, or reminiscing about discontinued favorites, these natural conversations seem to resonate with our growing audience.
Thanks for joining us for another episode of Smoke and Steel. Make sure to check us out on all our social media platforms and join our Discord for early access to episodes. Until next time, keep those sticks burning!
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What discontinued cigar would you stockpile if you could go back in time? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe for more episodes of Smoke and Steel.
