The Blend
Cigar News, Culture and Lifestyle
Often, when we think of different pro athletes that we are used to seeing with a stogie in hand, we think of basketball players or football players; golfers for sure, but do you ever think about a skateboarder? Probably not! Well, we have a pro skateboarder with us today who not only is a cigar enthusiast but had a skateboard deck created with a cigar band graphic on it. (We might actually have one to give away… wink wink)
This past year has been packed full of amazing interviews and articles from folks that we met at PCA, and this article is no different. As a matter of fact, Charlie Albanetti is the first interview that I conducted at PCA this past April. I was so excited to sit down with Charlie because I had never heard of a zero-proof soda that was crafted specifically to pair with cigars. Let me introduce you to Abbina Sipping Sodas.
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.
