The Blend
Cigar News, Culture and Lifestyle
In the ever-expanding world of premium cigars, there’s no shortage of voices sharing stories, reviews, and industry insights. But few bring the same energy, humor, and authenticity as the Leaf Cutters Podcast. Whether they’re diving into cigar culture, trading personal stories, or sparking lively debates, the hosts cut straight to the heart of what makes this community so special. Each member brings a unique perspective and personality to the mic, creating a dynamic blend that resonates with both seasoned smokers and curious newcomers.
When we think about pairing a cigar, we usually think about what we are going to drink while we enjoy that delicious stick, but we were able to meet a man who thought differently. Mac, the Willy Wonka of cigar pairing chocolates, had the idea of using a sweet treat to pair with a cigar, and he hasn’t looked back since.
We are excited to share the release of Murder Cigars. Edward Crowe is the General Manager of Slumerican (https://slumerican.com/), Manager for hip hop / rock n roll artist Yelawolf (as well as many other artists,) an internationally published photographer, and an overall hustler.
When I initially set up my appointment with Pete Prevost at BriarWorks, I thought it would be a quick chat about the pipes that he carves so that I could feature him in our Artisan’s Corner section, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Prevost has a story that I wanted to share with the audience outside of just his artistic skills in the craft of pipe carving. After our conversation, I walked away knowing that we needed to do more than just an interview. We needed to go to his lounge/workshop hybrid and check it out for ourselves.
In 2022, Cigar World made a bold and insightful prediction: that Maduro Aficionado was a cigar creator to watch. At the time, he was building momentum lighting up timelines with relatable content, sharp insights, and a passion for the leaf that resonated with both new smokers and seasoned aficionados.
I had the pleasure of meeting Eylin while in New Orleans at PCA this past April. This multi-talented hustler is keeping busy on the Cavalier Geneve brand with her husband Sebastian while being a mom. There is no down time for this go-getter, but when you love what you are doing, it all seems worth it. Check out what Eylin had to say about her experience in the cigar industry and with Cavalier Geneve.
Alongside their father William, Wiber and Nataly Ventura have formed the nucleus of the Tabacalera William Ventura. Over the past few years, the factory has produced blends for brands like Caldwell, Room101, and recently, Partagas.
We sat down with Wiber and Nataly to talk about their work, how they overcame a devastating fire at their factory, and what they have coming next.
We have seen all sorts of accessories in the cigar space, but rarely do you see creations like Stacey’s at Smoked the Collection. Stacey Bozeman is the Co-Founder and CEO of this unique jewelry and accessories line, and we had the opportunity to chat with her at PCA. We knew we had to share this with you so that you can purchase yourself and/or your favorite cigar buddy one of these pieces.
At this year’s PCA show in New Orleans, a chance encounter with cowboy hat-wearing Danny Jackson—CEO of Benchmark Humidors—led to an inspiring conversation. A Texan with 25 years of cabinet-making experience, Danny now channels his craftsmanship into premium cigar accessories made with Spanish Cedar and full-grain leather from Saddleback Leather Co.®
As a cigar enthusiast, I love any platform where I can discuss the current topics, blends, launches, etc. about our beloved stogies. Cigar World wanted to highlight a new social media channel, the Perfect Pairing Club, with Adam Guard from Dreamer Cigars and Chris Chapanar of Whiskey Noobs, where each week, they pair a different cigar with 3 different whiskeys, tequilas, or other beverages. This is a perfect pairing of products and hosts.
