Cigar Snob Podcast

Is there such a thing as a cheap cigar that tastes expensive? Gloria J. from Danbury, Connecticut writes in looking for value picks, and the guys unload a machine-gun list of recommendations. The entire show is built around the My Father Blue, a Honduran-made blend that took Cigar of the Year and is selling out everywhere right now. In Perfect Pairings, the crew runs a vertical tasting of Tequila Partida — Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo. Then for Share a Smoke, Ra'ed Saqfelhait of The Leaf Master goes in-studio to talk about building the Middle East's premier cigar destination from a Samsonite bag into two retail locations, a third on the way, and co-founding the World Cigar Show Dubai.

Is rum really the easiest pairing category for cigars, or does it just depend on the smoke? The guys tackle that exact question from Chris M. in Denver before lighting up the Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust 10th Jubilee — a Corona Gorda with an Ecuador wrapper, Mexican San Andres binder, and an all-star Nicaraguan filler blend delivering cream, soft pepper, and a background sweetness that builds all the way to the nub. In Perfect Pairings, brought to you by El Leon Jimenez Rum and Total Wine & More, three mystery Italian reds get blind-tasted against the cigar before the big reveal: Tommasi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, a Tenuta San Guido Bordeaux blend, and a Pio Cesare Barolo 2021. Then for Share a Smoke, Jorge Valdez talks about reimagining his Doral cigar shop into a full cocktail lounge, and gives the details on this year's "Smoke This" event. Light up and tune in!

Anto Mahroukian of Española Cigars joins the Cigar Snob Podcast to celebrate 30 years in the industry. We cover the brand's origin story, the JM Tobacco portfolio, and light up the new Española Aniversario — a cigar built on seven-year-aged tobacco that's been resting for two years. Find out why this West Coast brand deserves more East Coast love.

Pedro from Chicago ditched his traditional humidor for a portable plastic bin, and the guys have thoughts — from cedar buffering and Boveda packs to beetle outbreaks and the great debate over whether a tupperdore is a legit long-term solution or just a glorified food container. Then, the Drew Estate Underground 10 hits the desk — the legendary rollers' cigar turned cult classic — and gets paired with the Glenlivet 18 Single Malt for a combination the guys can only describe as fireworks. For Share a Smoke, PCA CEO Joshua Habursky joins to talk about the push to professionalize the cigar industry, from a sold-out luxury marketing masterclass at FIU to pop-up installations with champagne brands on ski slopes — making the case that premium cigars belong in the luxury conversation. Light up and tune in!

In this episode of the Cigar Snob Podcast, Erik Calviño sits down with Jeremy Yoder, the creator of Mad Scientist BBQ, to talk about barbecue, cigars, and the unlikely path that led him from teaching science to building one of YouTube’s most respected barbecue channels. Yoder shares what it was like growing up Amish in Michigan, how studying biochemistry and teaching shaped the way he understands fire and cooking, and why barbecue is less about recipes and more about understanding heat, airflow, and time. He also discusses the moment his catering business came to a halt and how that disruption led to the creation of Mad Scientist BBQ on YouTube. The conversation explores Yoder’s appreciation for premium cigars, the parallels between barbecue and cigar culture, and how both crafts reward patience, attention, and respect for raw materials. From brisket and smoke to ritual and reflection, this episode is a deep dive into craft, curiosity, and finding purpose through fire.