# The Blend # The Blend Cigar News, Culture and Lifestyle ![](/images/blend-hero.png) [ ![Join the Cigar World Testing Lab](https://6397426.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/6397426/hub_generated/resized/ebc817d8-f2a1-4355-ab60-47bb587c8339.jpeg) ](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/6397426/3a3ff762-bd64-4139-b7ff-5c0795e12c95) - The Blend Categories [Show All](/blend/) [ Shop Dogs ](/blend/category/shop-dogs/) [ Tobacconist Tuesday ](/blend/category/tobacconist-tuesday/) [ Artisan's Corner ](/blend/category/artisans-corner/) [ City Survival Guides ](/blend/category/city-survival-guides/) [ WCW ](/blend/category/wcw/) [ Roast & Toast ](/blend/category/roast-and-toast/) [ Culture ](/blend/category/culture/) [ Featured ](/blend/category/featured/) [ Culture ](/blend/category/culture/) ### [ Cigar World Kicks Off PCA 2026 Coverage ](/blend/cigar-world-kicks-off-pca-2026-coverage/) April 16, 2026 Posted in [Culture](/blend/category/culture/) This week (April 15-19), the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) is holding its annual trade show, and Cigar World will be providing extensive coverage of it on our **[Instagram channel](https://www.instagram.com/cigarworld/)**. So go check it out and give us a follow to hear all about the latest news from your favorite brands. If you’re new to the cigar community — or just looking for a refresher — here’s what you can expect from PCA 2026! (It’s exciting stuff; we promise.) [Read More](/blend/cigar-world-kicks-off-pca-2026-coverage/) [ ![CW Blog 2026 04 16T100442.314](https://cigarworld.b-cdn.net/public/cigarworld/prod/Uploads/CW_Blog-2026-04-16T100442.314.jpg?width=800) ](/blend/cigar-world-kicks-off-pca-2026-coverage/) [ Comment (1) ](/blend/cigar-world-kicks-off-pca-2026-coverage/#comments-holder) [ Culture ](/blend/category/culture/) ### [ Procigar Festival 2026 through the Eyes of Cigar Coop ](/blend/procigar-festival-2026-through-the-eyes-of-cigar-coop/) February 25, 2026 Posted in [Culture](/blend/category/culture/) Relive the highlights of ProCigar Festival 2026 with Cigar World and Cigar Coop. Experience an exclusive look at Dominican cigar culture, factory tours, and event coverage through the eyes of William Cooper. [Read More](/blend/procigar-festival-2026-through-the-eyes-of-cigar-coop/) [ ![CW Blog 2026 02 24T125821.070](https://cigarworld.b-cdn.net/public/cigarworld/prod/Uploads/CW_Blog-2026-02-24T125821-v2.070.jpg?width=800) ](/blend/procigar-festival-2026-through-the-eyes-of-cigar-coop/) [ Comment ](/blend/procigar-festival-2026-through-the-eyes-of-cigar-coop/#comments-holder) [ Roast & Toast ](/blend/category/roast-and-toast/) ### [ Find Your Perfect Made Man Pairing ](/blend/find-your-perfect-made-man-pairing/) February 19, 2026 Posted in [Roast & Toast](/blend/category/roast-and-toast/) If you consider cigarmaking an art, then pairing your cigar intentionally with the right beverage can take your enjoyment level from good to unforgettable. Medium in body and with a highly nuanced flavor profile, Made Man is ideally suited to enjoy alongside a variety of beverage types, each lending themselves beautifully to pairings that highlight nuance, depth, and balance. Enjoy a curated guide to pairing Made Man cigars with a **mocktail**, a **cocktail**, a **bourbon**, and a **coffee**, each designed specifically to enhance this time-honored ritual. [Read More](/blend/find-your-perfect-made-man-pairing/) [ ![blog](https://cigarworld.b-cdn.net/public/cigarworld/prod/Uploads/blog-v8.jpg?width=800) ](/blend/find-your-perfect-made-man-pairing/) [ Comment ](/blend/find-your-perfect-made-man-pairing/#comments-holder) [ Featured ](/blend/category/featured/) ### [ Made Man Cigars: A Study in Sophistication ](/blend/made-man-cigars-a-study-in-sophistication/) February 09, 2026 Posted in [Featured](/blend/category/featured/) In the world of premium cigars, where craftsmanship and character define legacy, Made Man emerges as a boutique brand of remarkable poise. Born from a partnership with the esteemed artisans at Aganorsa in Nicaragua, the portfolio embodies a philosophy of refinement rooted in both tradition and an unwavering pursuit of excellence designed for the modern palate. The brand’s inspiration—the concept of the “Made Man”—is more than a stylistic gesture. It symbolizes a rite of passage, an elevation into trusted ranks, and the promise of true quality. Every vitola within this terroir-driven blend honors that pledge with discipline and authenticity. [Read More](/blend/made-man-cigars-a-study-in-sophistication/) [ ![blog](https://cigarworld.b-cdn.net/public/cigarworld/prod/Uploads/blog-v7.jpg?width=800) ](/blend/made-man-cigars-a-study-in-sophistication/) [ Comment ](/blend/made-man-cigars-a-study-in-sophistication/#comments-holder) [![Sign up for a chance to win a custom glass top humidor](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/6397426/d2b9a833-706f-4ed0-ae76-6736eadaa63a.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/6397426/d2b9a833-706f-4ed0-ae76-6736eadaa63a) [ Culture ](/blend/category/culture/) ### [ Welcome to the Evil 3mpire Cigar 5ociety ](/blend/welcome-to-the-evil-3mpire-cigar-5ociety/) February 04, 2026 Posted in [Culture](/blend/category/culture/) How did Evil 3mpire Cigar 5ociety start? Joe Fiatoa shares the story of turning a local cigar lounge poker group into a major online presence featuring interviews with big-name cigar brands. Read the full interview here. [Read More](/blend/welcome-to-the-evil-3mpire-cigar-5ociety/) [ ![CW Blog 2026 02 04T150239.353](https://cigarworld.b-cdn.net/public/cigarworld/prod/Uploads/CW_Blog-2026-02-04T150239.353.jpg?width=800) ](/blend/welcome-to-the-evil-3mpire-cigar-5ociety/) [ Comment ](/blend/welcome-to-the-evil-3mpire-cigar-5ociety/#comments-holder) [ Culture ](/blend/category/culture/) ### [ Meet your Cigar Smoking DJ: DJ Eli ](/blend/meet-your-cigar-smoking-dj-dj-eli/) January 20, 2026 Posted in [Culture](/blend/category/culture/) If you have ever attended a larger scale Drew Estate event, you have more than likely gotten your dance on to the music of your cigar smoking DJ, DJ Eli. Eli is a professional DJ who is also a cigar enthusiast, so he has combined his passions into a career, and a fun career it is. I was able to get some time with Eli and ask him some questions about what he does, how he started and more! Plus you will be able to enjoy a monthly playlist, created by DJ Eli, on cigarworld.com in our new Smoke and Sound Sessions. [Read More](/blend/meet-your-cigar-smoking-dj-dj-eli/) [ ![DJ blog](https://cigarworld.b-cdn.net/public/cigarworld/prod/Uploads/DJ_blog.jpg?width=800) ](/blend/meet-your-cigar-smoking-dj-dj-eli/) [ Comment (2) ](/blend/meet-your-cigar-smoking-dj-dj-eli/#comments-holder) [ Culture ](/blend/category/culture/) ### [ DJ Eli's Smoke & Sound Sessions Presented by Cigar World ](/blend/smoke-sound/) January 20, 2026 Posted in [Culture](/blend/category/culture/) Welcome to the official home of Smoke and Sound Sessions, curated by the one and only DJ Eli. Known across the industry as the "Cigar Smoking DJ," Eli brings over 22 years of professional experience—from touring with legends like Paul Wall and Tech N9ne to setting the mood at Drew Estate events—directly to your speakers. Check back every month for a new curated playlist designed to be the perfect companion for your next cigar. Turn it up, light it up, and enjoy the session. [Read More](/blend/smoke-sound/) [ ![Music blog](https://cigarworld.b-cdn.net/public/cigarworld/prod/Uploads/Music_blog.jpg?width=800) ](/blend/smoke-sound/) [ Comment ](/blend/smoke-sound/#comments-holder) [ Culture ](/blend/category/culture/) ### [ Smoke like Timothy Johnson: Pro Skateboarder ](/blend/smoke-like-timothy-johnson-pro-skateboarder/) January 05, 2026 Posted in [Culture](/blend/category/culture/) 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) [Read More](/blend/smoke-like-timothy-johnson-pro-skateboarder/) [ ![Tim Johnson CW Blog](https://cigarworld.b-cdn.net/public/cigarworld/prod/Uploads/Tim_Johnson_CW_Blog.png?width=800) ](/blend/smoke-like-timothy-johnson-pro-skateboarder/) [ Comment ](/blend/smoke-like-timothy-johnson-pro-skateboarder/#comments-holder) [![Sign up for a chance to win a Triple Jet Tabletop Lighter!](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/6397426/0aab7e0d-22d8-42e4-826e-717a7c45ca54.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/6397426/0aab7e0d-22d8-42e4-826e-717a7c45ca54) [ Artisan's Corner ](/blend/category/artisans-corner/) ### [ Cigar World's Artisans Corner: Charlie Albanetti of Abbina Sipping Sodas ](/blend/cigar-worlds-artisans-corner-abbina-sipping-sodas/) January 03, 2026 Posted in [Artisan's Corner](/blend/category/artisans-corner/) 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. [Read More](/blend/cigar-worlds-artisans-corner-abbina-sipping-sodas/) [ ![CW Blog 2026 01 03T101147.980](https://cigarworld.b-cdn.net/public/cigarworld/prod/Uploads/CW_Blog-2026-01-03T101147.980.jpg?width=800) ](/blend/cigar-worlds-artisans-corner-abbina-sipping-sodas/) [ Comment ](/blend/cigar-worlds-artisans-corner-abbina-sipping-sodas/#comments-holder) [ Culture ](/blend/category/culture/) ### [ Cigar World Feature: The Leaf Cutters Podcast ](/blend/cigar-world-feature-the-leaf-cutters-podcast/) November 22, 2025 Posted in [Culture](/blend/category/culture/) 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. [Read More](/blend/cigar-world-feature-the-leaf-cutters-podcast/) [ ![The Leaf Cutters CW Blog](https://cigarworld.b-cdn.net/public/cigarworld/prod/Uploads/The_Leaf_Cutters_CW_Blog.png?width=800) ](/blend/cigar-world-feature-the-leaf-cutters-podcast/) [ Comment (1) ](/blend/cigar-world-feature-the-leaf-cutters-podcast/#comments-holder) *1* [*2*](/blend.md?start=10) [*3*](/blend.md?start=20) [*4*](/blend.md?start=30) [*5*](/blend.md?start=40) ... [*8*](/blend.md?start=70) [](/blend.md?start=10 "next page") [](/blend.md?start=70 "last page")