Another night, another blind taste test in the Smoke and Steel Lounge. This time around, we had a packed house with Walt, Mark, Eric, Pinto, Preston, Eric the Elder, Rob, Jim, and Eddie joining the session. The mystery cigar came courtesy of Jim, who pulled something from the depths of his humidor that had us all guessing from the first draw.
Between debating cigar lounge etiquette, diving into news about Gene Simmons teaming up with Aganorsa, and watching Arnold Schwarzenegger dip a cigar in tequila like some kind of tobacco sorcerer, this episode had everything. We also paid respects to a Philly legend, talked about upcoming Lancero releases, and shared some wild stories from barn smokers and high-end lounges. The cigars were solid, the conversation was better, and by the end of the night, we were all reminded why these lounge sessions never get old.
You can catch the full episode below before we break down some of the highlights that made this session one to remember.
The Mystery Stick: A Kristoff Maduro Comes Out of Hiding
Right from the jump, we knew this wasn’t going to be an easy one. The cigar had a pigtail cap and a dark Maduro wrapper that screamed intensity, but the smoke told a different story. It was milder than expected, creamy with plenty of volume, and surprisingly approachable for something that looked like it was going to knock us sideways.
Early guesses ranged all over the place. Liga Privada came up more than once. Estaban Carreras got a mention. One of us was convinced it was a Abe Flores blend, which led to some confusion since not everyone was familiar with the name. The flavors stayed consistent throughout, with just enough sweetness and earth to keep things interesting without being a one-note smoke.
When the reveal finally came, it turned out to be a Kristoff Maduro. For some of us, it was a blast from the past. These cigars used to be lounge staples years ago, back when you could grab them for five or six bucks a stick. Now they’re running closer to eight to twelve dollars depending on where you shop, but the quality is still there. The blend holds up, the construction is solid, and the flavors deliver exactly what you want from a well-aged Maduro.
It’s funny how cigars can disappear from your rotation without you even realizing it. Life moves on, new releases catch your attention, and before you know it, you’ve forgotten about the classics. This blind test was a good reminder that sometimes the best smoke is one you already know but haven’t reached for in a while.
News from the Cigar World: Gene Simmons, Drew Estate, and a Philly Legend
We kicked things off with some industry news that’s been making the rounds. Gene Simmons, the guy who’s never met a branding opportunity he didn’t like, is teaming up with Aganorsa for some kind of collaboration involving his Moneybag Sodas. The details are still murky, but knowing Gene, it’s probably less about the cigars and more about the dollar signs. Still, if Aganorsa’s involved, there’s a good chance the cigars will be solid regardless of the marketing angle.
On the Drew Estate front, the Blackened Lancero is hitting the market. This is the collaboration with Metallica’s James Hetfield, and it’s coming in two versions: a triple Maduro (Maduro wrapper, Maduro binder, Maduro filler) and a Connecticut Shade. The Lancero size is a 7×40, packed in boxes of 15, and running around ten to twelve bucks depending on the shop. We’ve had the original Blackened releases before, and they’re solid pairings if you’re into heavy whiskey alongside your smoke. The Lancero format should bring out even more flavor depth if they’re rolled right.
And on a somber note, we also talked about the passing of Bernie Parent, the legendary Flyers goalie and Philly icon. For those who don’t know, Bernie Parent had his own cigar line back in the day made by the Rocky Patel. A few of us smoked them religiously years ago. Bernie was always a class act, down to earth, and happy to shake hands and sign autographs. He’ll be missed by a lot of people, both in the hockey world and the cigar community.
Arnold’s Tequila Trick and the Bourbon Experiment
One of the wildest moments of the night came when we watched a clip of Arnold Schwarzenegger explaining his cigar ritual. Apparently, back in the ’80s, someone taught him to take a cedar strip, dip it in tequila, and use it to stroke the outside of the cigar before lighting it. Then he’d toast the foot, and finish by dipping the head briefly into the tequila. It sounds ridiculous, and honestly, we were skeptical.
But curiosity got the best of us. A couple of guys grabbed their bourbon and gave it a shot. The consensus? It actually works. The alcohol infuses with the smoke on the draw, adding a subtle flavor that cools down the cigar slightly. It dissipates quickly, so you’re not walking around with a soaked stogie, but it’s a fun trick if you’re looking to mix things up. Arnold knows what he’s talking about, apparently.
We also got into a tangent about cigar infusers, those kits that let you force smoke through liquor to give it that extra layer of flavor. It’s the same principle in reverse, and it’s something we might experiment with down the line. For now, though, the bourbon dip was enough of a novelty to keep the conversation rolling.
Cigar Lounge Etiquette: The Unwritten Rules We All Know (But Don’t Always Follow)
We spent a good chunk of the episode talking about cigar lounge etiquette, inspired by a video from LA Cigar Collective. Their shop has a self-policing vibe where members keep each other in check, which got us thinking about what the universal rules should be for any lounge.
The basics are pretty straightforward. Clean up after yourself. Don’t leave empty bottles, cans, or overflowing ashtrays behind. Your mom doesn’t work at the lounge, so don’t treat it like your living room. If you’re going to use a shop cutter, don’t moisten the end of your cigar first. Nobody wants your saliva on the communal gear.
One of the bigger debates was about the BYOC policy (bring your own cigar). If a lounge allows it, the general rule of thumb is you should still buy something. For every cigar you bring in, grab one or two from the shop to support the business. Some places have signs that spell it out clearly: buy one, smoke one. Others operate on the honor system. Either way, the idea is that you’re not just sitting in someone’s space for free while they’re trying to run a business.
We also talked about some of the weirder lounge setups we’ve encountered over the years. One place had a laptop system where you scrolled through a digital inventory, selected your cigars, paid online, and then someone brought them out from the back. No walk-in humidor at all. It was efficient, sure, but it killed the browsing experience. Half the fun of a cigar shop is walking through the humidor, checking out the boxes, and picking up something you didn’t plan on buying.
Another spot had a floor-to-ceiling display wall with individual slots for every cigar they carried. You’d pick a number, and they’d retrieve it for you behind a glass case. Functional, but sterile. The best lounges are the ones where you can touch, smell (without licking, obviously), and explore.
Barn Smokers, Drew Estate Swag, and the Festival Circuit
We got into some stories about barn smokers and cigar festivals, particularly the Drew Estates. These aren’t just casual smoke sessions. They’re full-day affairs held at actual tobacco farms, often on Amish land where Drew Estate sources their wrapper leaf. You’re literally standing in the field where the tobaccos are grown while watching the barns cure tobacco in real time.
The tickets aren’t cheap, usually running around $150 for a day pass, but the swag and cigars you get make it worth it. Limited releases, one-offs, rare Liga Privadas, exclusive ashtrays, and bags full of stuff you can’t buy anywhere else. Some people even sell their freebies afterward to offset the cost of the trip. It’s a hustle, but if you’re a Drew Estate fan, it’s one of the best events you can attend.
The downside? It’s hot. Like, oppressively hot. You’re out in the middle of a field in the summer with minimal shade, smoking full-strength cigars for twelve hours straight. By the third cigar, you’re questioning your life choices. But the atmosphere, the people, and the access to rare smokes make it a bucket-list experience.
We also talked about the rolling demonstrations some of these events offer, where you can actually roll your own cigar with guidance from the pros. Adding a pigtail cap, choosing your filler, wrapping it up, and walking away with something you made yourself? That’s the kind of memory that sticks with you long after the smoke clears.
Cuts, Punches, and V-Cuts: Why We All Have a Favorite
Toward the end of the night, we got into a discussion about cutting methods. Straight cuts, punches, V-cuts—everyone’s got a preference, and most of us have switched styles over the years.
Punches used to be the go-to for a lot of us, mostly because they were convenient. Toss one on your keychain, and you’re never without a cutter. But punches can lead to tar buildup on the end of the cigar, especially if you’re smoking something oily or full-bodied. That bitter, sticky residue gets on your fingers, your lips, and eventually ruins the experience.
V-cuts have become the most popular option in the group. They give you depth without taking off too much of the cap, and they work especially well on parejo and box-pressed cigars. The only downside is that if the cigar gets wet from smoking, the draw can tighten up. That’s when you end up straight-cutting it halfway through just to open things back up.
Lanceros are tricky no matter what you use. Too aggressive with a V-cut, and you’ll fray the cap. Straight cuts work better, but you’ve got to be careful not to take off too much. Some of us have ruined more Lanceros than we’d like to admit by getting overzealous with the blade.
The best advice? Put your cutter on the table, drop the cigar in, and let gravity do the work. It keeps your cuts consistent and prevents you from chopping off half the cigar like an overexcited rookie.
Final Thoughts
That wraps another night in the Smoke and Steel Lounge. The cigars were good, the stories were better, and the laughs kept rolling until the last puff hit the tray. Whether it was revisiting an old favorite like the Kristoff Maduro, experimenting with Arnold’s tequila trick, or debating the finer points of lounge etiquette, this episode reminded us why we keep coming back to the table.
If you’d like to support the show, the best way is to pick up your next batch of cigars through our friends at Cigar Page.
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