Smoke Night Live - Cigar Dojo

Bourbon: the nectar of the gods! This week, we celebrated National Bourbon Day, and we want to keep the party going. On this episode of Smoke Night LIVE, Conner Slump from the Thirsty Oak joins the show to discuss the Top 5 Gateway Bourbons along with some higher-end selections that you might want to try. Grab a cigar and pour a glass of the good stuff and join Smoke Night LIVE for a very informative show.

On this week’s episode of Smoke Night LIVE, we interview Marvin Samel. Not only did Marvin co-found Drew Estate and later participate in the sale of the company, he has now entered the ring as filmmaker. Marvin’s first movie effort, iMordecai, is an autobiographical feature film starring Judd Hirsch, Sean Astin, and Carol Kane. We will speak with Marvin about his journey and what it was like to transition from the cigar industry to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.

Imagine being in charge of three of the most iconic cigar brands on the planet. This week on Smoke Night LIVE, we welcome Eddy Guerra back to the show; but these days, he is the senior brand manager for AVO, Camacho, and Davidoff. Tune into this episode to get the scoop on what’s going down with these brands.

Have ya ever dreamed of starting your own cigar factory? Well, you are in luck, because on this episode we discuss what it takes to create a premium cigar factory from scratch. Klaas Kelner joins the show, who recently opened up his own factory: Kelner Cigars, S.A.S. in the Dominican Republic. Klaas will be in session as we get all the details on his newest endeavor.

It’s 3AM and you’ve been driving for 13 hours. You pull into the gas station with an incredible case of the munchies but you only have enough spare change for one snack. What’s it gonna be??? Illusione’s Fred Rewey joins Flavor Odyssey’s Randy Griggs and the Dojo team as they determine which snack rules them all. In the final four, the YouTube and Facebook audience get to help determine the winner, so you’d better tune in and make your voice heard.

Terence Reilly from Aganorsa Leaf joins Smoke Night LIVE on Cinco de Mayo this Friday to celebrate the occasion and discuss the newly announced Rare Fusion release, as well as everything else that’s going on with Aganorsa Leaf this spring. So grab your sombrero and join the discussion.

Steve Saka from Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust joins Smoke Night LIVE to discuss the Sobremesa Brûlée Wagashi Dojo collab release. We will also get details on everything else that’s happening with Steve and DT&T. Make sure to tune in and hear Steve’s latest rants, which are always worth the price of admission.

Can Tony the Tiger fend off the sword-wielding Cap'n Crunch? Can Toucan Sam tackle Lucky the Leprechaun? Sixteen of your favorite breakfast cereals go head to head, and only one comes out victorious. Juan Cancel, William "Coop" Cooper, and Smoke Inn's Alex Tavella join the show to determine which breakfast cereal reigns supreme.

Scott Pearce, the executive director of the Premium Cigar Association, joins Smoke Night LIVE to give us an update on the cigar industry’s biggest trade show. There’s tons of positive news coming out of the PCA, including the return of one of its biggest exhibitors and the announcement that in 2024 the show will move to a March timeframe. We will get all the details and much more on this episode.

This week on Smoke Night LIVE, we test our cigar expertise by smoking cigars blind on the show, reviewing and rating them on the spot. Emmett Malone from Blind Man’s Puff joins the broadcast to test his skills as well. It’s also the first episode since our trip to Camp Camacho, and we will recount some of the more interesting things we learned in Honduras.

As we head into spring and things begin to heat up in the cigar industry, it’s time for our Cigar Brand Fantasy Draft. Our panel will draft a team of seven cigar brands that they think is the best, and the audience will determine the winner. Master Sensei, Jordan “the producer kid,” John “Cigar Surgeon” McTavish, and Matt “HBTC” Tye battle for ultimate supremacy in the second edition of the Cigar Brand Fantasy Draft.

What would Steve Saka look like if he really was Sakasquatch? What if Juan Cancel realized his dream and became a Sith Lord? What if Erik Espinosa were a real-life Alpha Dog??? On this episode of Smoke Night LIVE, we employ the most advanced artificial intelligence technology to help us visualize what your favorite cigar industry personalities look like through the eyes of Ai. Also on this show, Jack Heyer is in-studio for his first interview since leaving Drew Estate for Camacho.

Here’s the dilemma… your friend hands you three premium cigars, but the catch is: you have to throw one of them away, you can stash one for later, and you get to smoke one of them right away. How do you choose? The Dojo crew along with William “Cigar Coop” Cooper will be faced with several of these scenarios, and will be forced to decide on the spot. Do they…. Smoke, Stash, or Trash?

We are finally back from our week-long trip to Nicaragua to visit the Perdomo factory and immerse ourselves in Nicaraguan culture. Sensei and Jordan are joined by Flavor Odyssey host Randy Griggs to discuss the highs and lows and juicy details of our journey. Fire up a cigar and join us for a fun evening of smokes, drinks, and talking tobacco.

The Big Game is this Sunday, and we are breaking down all the details on this week’s episode of Smoke Night LIVE. Héctor J. Alfonso Sr. and Jack Toraño from Espinosa Premium Cigars join the show to tell us who they think will win, but also much more important things… such as: what’s the best snack to eat during the game, and who to NOT invite to your Big Game party.

Every cigar gets just one chance to make a good first impression. This week on Smoke Night LIVE, we will “speed date” a few cigars we haven’t tried yet. Our expert panel will review and rate each cigar live on the spot. William “Cigar Coop” Cooper and Alex Tavella from Smoke Inn join the Dojo crew for this “must-see TV” episode.

This week on Smoke Night LIVE, Abe Dababneh from Smoke Inn, Nick Libretti from JR Cigar, and Scott Braband from Trinity Cigar Mobile Lounge join the show to discuss the state of cigar retailing in the current market. We also attempt to foresee what the future holds for selling and marketing premium cigars.

Alec and Bradley Rubin join the show to discuss a variety of topics, including their banner year recognized in several year-end lists (including the Dojo for their Double Broadleaf). We will also be opening and tasting the Alec Bradley Single Barrel Straight Bourbon Whiskey live on the show…

It all comes down to this. It’s the biggest show of the year, as we announce the winners of the 2022 Cigar of the Year Awards. Which cigars took home the honors for 2022? You will have to tune in to find out. See the results: https://cigardojo.com/?p=65000

It’s the final Smoke Night LIVE of 2022, and what better way to ring in the New Year than with Michael Herklots of Ferio Tego. Michael had a monsterous year after winning the Cigar of the Year (as well as third place AND Brand of the Year) in 2021. We reminisce about the year that was and also ponder what’s to come in 2023.