Episode 31 of the Smoke and Steel Cigar Podcast started like most of our nights do. The heater was running in the garage, everyone had something lit, and the conversation was already going sideways before we hit record. Mark was holding a Padrón Little Hammer. Eric lit up a Liga Privada No. 9. Our guest […]
Understanding Cigar Smoking Progression for Beginners and Beyond – Smoke and Steel E027
Welcome back to another edition of Smoke and Steel! Episode 027 brought together some familiar faces and a couple new ones as we explored the natural cigar smoking progression for beginners, debated the merits of coffee pairings, and broke down the Cigar Aficionado Top 25 list. Whether you’re just getting into premium cigars or you’ve […]
Budget Cigars: Affordable Smokes Take Center Stage in Cigar Aficionado’s Rankings – Smoke and Steel Ep 026
We just wrapped Episode 026 of Smoke and Steel, and honestly, this might be one of our most exciting episodes yet. Why? Because for the first time in years, budget cigars are actually getting the recognition they deserve from Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 List. No joke, the list this year looks completely different from what […]
Mo Maali from Patina Cigars: The Real Story Behind a Boutique Brand That Actually Gives a Damn
Getting Mo Maali from Patina Cigars on the show was huge for us. Twenty-something episodes in, and we’re sitting down with one of the guys we actually wanted to talk to from day one. No bullshit, no corporate speak, just real conversation about what it takes to survive in the cigar industry when you’re not […]
What Makes Great Cigar Lounge Hospitality? Smoke and Steel Episode 024
Welcome Back to the Garage We’re back for another episode of Smoke and Steel, and this time we’re diving deep into something every cigar enthusiast cares about: what makes a cigar lounge truly great. Spoiler alert, it’s not just about having a killer humidor. Tonight’s lineup? Eric’s smoking a Plasencia Alma Fuerte Salomon. Jim’s got […]
Smoke and Steel 019: Winter Cigar Smoking Solutions and Lounge Life
Welcome back to another episode of Smoke and Steel! We gathered around the table for what turned into a wide-ranging conversation covering everything from winter cigar smoking setups to the eternal debate about TVs in cigar lounges. If you’ve ever wondered how to keep smoking through those brutal winter months or what makes a great […]
Inside Avowed Cigars: A Conversation with Dave West on Quality, Craft, and the Invite-Only Approach
We recently had the privilege of sitting down with Dave West from Avowed Cigars for what turned into one of our most insightful conversations about the cigar industry. What started as a casual evening in our Pennsylvania makeshift lounge evolved into a deep dive on everything from tobacco sourcing to pricing strategy, and why this […]