The guys from Smoke and Steel gathered once again in their Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania lounge for another laid-back evening of cigars, stories, and plenty of laughs. Episode 8 delivered everything fans have come to expect: honest cigar reviews, practical smoking advice, and the kind of authentic conversation you’d hear in any good cigar lounge.
Cigar of the Month Club Deep Dive
One of the biggest topics of the night centered around cigar of the month clubs, with the crew sharing their varied experiences across different subscription services. The discussion revealed some interesting insights for anyone considering joining a club.
Several hosts have experience with traditional cigar clubs, including one who’s been receiving a Christmas gift subscription for three years running. These typically send three to four cigars per package, with mixed results depending on the service. The consensus? Quality varies dramatically between providers.
Small Batch Cigar emerged as the clear favorite among subscription services. One host has maintained his Small Batch membership for an impressive 12 years, praising their consistent quality and customer service. The service costs $50, delivering cigars that often exceed the subscription cost in retail value. Some months reportedly delivered upwards of $85 worth of cigars.
The appeal goes beyond just value. These clubs introduce smokers to cigars they might never discover locally, often including exclusive releases made specifically for the subscription service. It’s the element of surprise that keeps subscribers engaged – never knowing what’s coming in the next shipment.
Budget-Friendly Stick Recommendations
The conversation naturally shifted to affordable daily smokes, an evergreen topic for practical cigar enthusiasts. The hosts shared their go-to budget options, all coming in under $10.
Aging Room got multiple mentions, with prices dropping from $12-13 to around $6 in recent months. Espinosa Murcielago 10-packs for $50 also earned praise as solid value. For those seeking even more budget-conscious options, EP Carillo Dusk Maduro cigars at $5.99 were highlighted as nearly unbeatable for the price point.
Man O’ War Habano and El Rey del Mundo offerings rounded out the budget recommendations. The key theme: you don’t need to spend big money to enjoy a quality smoke, especially for everyday cigars.
Cigar Accessories and Tools
The technical side of cigar smoking sparked animated discussion about cutting preferences and accessories. The debate between V-cuts and straight cuts revealed personal preferences based on smoking style and cigar size.
V-cut advocates appreciate how the cut gives “your tongue something to do,” while straight-cut users often prefer the cleaner draw. Several hosts mentioned switching between methods depending on the specific cigar. One interesting point: faster smokers tend to experience more tar buildup with V-cuts.
Perfect draw tools earned praise as versatile accessories, combining multiple functions in one device. These tools handle everything from opening plugged cigars to providing different punch options.
The conversation touched on travel considerations, with many opting for cheaper, disposable accessories when flying to avoid losing expensive gear at security checkpoints or in hotel rooms.
Brand Spotlights and Recent Releases
Several interesting cigars made appearances during the episode. CAO Amazon Basin cigars generated significant discussion, particularly regarding different year releases. The 2025 basins are reportedly exceptional, while the 2024s received mixed reviews. The 2023 Anacondas earned positive feedback from those who tried them.
Drew Estate continues to impress with their mystery cigar releases, typically packaged with branded accessories like tumblers or lighters. The concept of smoking the mystery cigar twice – once unknown and once after the reveal – adds an interesting element to the experience.
Foundation cigars got attention, particularly the Melelik releases which were event-only foundations. Oscar Valladares Raw Dog provided fodder for both humor and honest reviews.
Local Cigar Scene and Retailer Experiences
The Pennsylvania-based hosts shared experiences with regional retailers, offering insights valuable to fellow smokers in the area. Cigar Page, Cigars International, and Famous Smoke Shop all received mixed reviews based on customer service experiences.
The proximity advantage became clear – living near major distribution centers in Pennsylvania means faster shipping and better humidity control for online orders. This geographic benefit allows for next-day or two-day delivery, keeping cigars in better condition.
Technical Comedy and Podcast Production
In a moment of pure comedic gold, the hosts discovered about an hour into recording that they’d forgotten to hit the record button on their main recording device. While backup audio captured everything, the moment provided genuine laughs and highlighted the down-to-earth nature of the show.
This kind of authentic, unscripted moment exemplifies what makes Smoke and Steel appealing – these are real guys having real conversations about cigars, complete with technical mishaps and human moments.
Food, Drinks, and Pairings
While not the primary focus, the episode touched on beverage pairings and the social aspects of cigar smoking. The lounge atmosphere clearly influences their approach, with conversations flowing naturally between topics while everyone enjoys their smokes.
The hosts’ willingness to discuss both premium and budget options reflects their practical approach to the hobby. Whether someone’s smoking a $5 stick or a $20 premium cigar, the focus remains on enjoyment and camaraderie.
Looking Forward
Episode 8 of Smoke and Steel delivered exactly what fans expect: honest opinions, practical advice, and the kind of relaxed conversation that makes you feel like you’re sitting in the lounge with the guys. From cigar club recommendations to budget smoke suggestions, the episode provided valuable insights for smokers at any experience level.
The technical mishap only added to the authentic feel of the show, proving that even when things don’t go according to plan, good conversation and quality cigars can carry the day. For anyone looking for unpretentious cigar content that focuses on real experiences rather than industry hype, Smoke and Steel continues to deliver.
Support the Show
If you found this episode helpful and want to support the Smoke and Steel crew, consider using our Cigar Page affiliate link for your next cigar purchase. The hosts mentioned several positive experiences with Cigar Page throughout the episode, and using our link helps keep the podcast running while you stock up on those budget smokes they recommended.
Feeling generous? You can also buy the guys a cigar through our Ko-Fi page. Nothing keeps the conversation flowing like a good stick, and your support directly contributes to more episodes of honest, down-to-earth cigar talk from the Smoke and Steel lounge.
