Flavor Odyssey

Over the past few decades, Nicaragua has gone from an up-and-coming tobacco producer to the undisputed leader in premium cigars. But how did it happen, and what makes Nicaraguan tobacco so special? On this episode of Flavor Odyssey, Robby and Randy explore the country’s rich tobacco heritage while pairing drinks with some of Nicaragua’s finest cigars. Grab your favorite Nicaraguan smoke and join t...

It’s a milestone episode of Flavor Odyssey as Robby and Randy celebrate 300 shows! Join us as we take a trip down memory lane and pair drinks with the cigars that first ignited our passion for premium cigars. What was the cigar that started your journey into the cigar lifestyle? Light up your “origin story” cigar, pour your favorite drink, and join the conversation as we celebrate 300 episodes tog...

Since the very beginning of Flavor Odyssey, hosts Robby Ras and Randy Griggs have maintained that higher-proof spirits make better cocktails. This week, they’re putting that theory to the test. On the show, we’ll be mixing both low-proof and high-proof versions of the same cocktails and comparing them side by side to see if the long-standing belief holds true. Grab your favorite cigar, pour yourse...

This week on Flavor Odyssey, we’re celebrating local whiskey with special guest Brandon McCraney, master distiller at Olde Raleigh Distillery. Join us as we explore the unique flavors coming from craft distilleries across the country and search for the perfect cigar pairings to match. Bring your favorite local whiskey, share the story behind your hometown distillery with the rest of the otters, an...

Many of your favorite cigars come in either maduro or claro wrapper variations. But beyond the difference in color, what exactly separates a maduro from a claro? And which drink pairings work best with each? On this episode of Flavor Odyssey, Robby Ras steps into the ring to represent the rich, dark world of maduro wrappers, while Randy Griggs makes the case for the lighter, brighter claro side. G...

This week on Flavor Odyssey, we celebrate the release of Psychedelic Rabbit, the newest collaboration between Espinosa Premium Cigars and Cigar Dojo. But one important question remains: what do you pair with a Psychedelic Rabbit? To find the answer, Robby and Randy take a metaphorical trip down the rabbit hole, exploring a wide range of pairing possibilities in this special episode. As always, the...

This week on Flavor Odyssey, we’re firing up the grill and heading into uncharted territory. With Cigarbecue happening this Sunday, May 31st, the show takes on a brand-new challenge: pairing cigars, drinks, and BBQ all in one experience. That’s right—BBQ, Cigars, and Booze. Your hosts will each build triple-threat pairings featuring premium cigars, carefully selected beverages, and fresh BBQ strai...

This week on Flavor Odyssey, we’re comparing two of the most iconic cigar wrapper leaves and how they influence the perfect beverage pairing. Robby will represent the rich, bold character of Maduro wrappers, while Randy takes the smooth and nuanced side of Connecticut Shade. These wrapper styles couldn’t be more different in flavor, texture, and intensity, which means the right drink pairing can m...

This week on Flavor Odyssey, we’re heading to Churchill Downs for our own cigar-smoking celebration of the Kentucky Derby. Fresh off the 152nd running of the “Run for the Roses,” your hosts dive into Kentucky Derby-inspired cigar and drink pairings that go far beyond the classic Mint Julep. From Churchill-sized cigars to rose-themed cocktails, bourbon-forward classics, and even the essential overs...

The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show introduces hundreds of new cigars each year—but what should you pair them with? That’s where Flavor Odyssey comes in. On this episode, your hosts sample a selection of new releases and put them to the test, pairing each cigar with the perfect drink to see what truly elevates the experience. Tune in to discover which combinations hit the mark and which...

Flavor Odyssey has gone nuts! This week, hosts Robby and Randy explore nutty-inspired cocktails featuring ingredients like Orgeat, Frangelico, Amaretto, Nocello, and Licor 43. From almond and hazelnut to walnut and beyond, these flavors can add depth and texture to a cocktail—and might be the perfect match for a premium cigar. Mix up your own nutty pairing and join the conversation. Pairings Randy...

Everybody has one—you know exactly what I’m talking about. That dusty bottle of liqueur/liquor hiding in the back of your cabinet since 1989, when your Aunt Leslie brought it over for Easter dinner. Well, the moment has come to dust it off and put it to use. What kind of cocktail can you create from that forgotten relic—and more importantly, what cigar would you pair with it? Join hosts Robby and...

It’s April 1st, and you know what that means—corny tricks and gimmicky tomfoolery. On this episode of Flavor Odyssey, your hosts Robby Ras and Randy Griggs dive into some of the most over-the-top gimmick cocktails and pair them with premium cigars. It’s also the night we announce the winners of the COTY Samplers, so grab a drink, light up a cigar, and join the fun. Pairings Randy: Hot Agave Mezcal...

Flavor Odyssey returns, and this week we’re putting Protocol Cigars to the test with a full-on beer pairing challenge. Each host brings their pick for the perfect frosty companion, aiming to find the ultimate match for the brand. Protocol’s own Juan Cancel joins the show to weigh in, talk cigars, and see how these pairings stack up. We’ll also announce the winners of the Cigar of the Year Sampler...

This week on Flavor Odyssey, Master Sensei and Robby return as we wrap up the Cigars of the Year sampler segment with Cigar Dojo’s No. 1 Cigar of the Year: the Perdomo Legacy Nicaraguan Shade Grown. Now it’s your turn to join the experience. Grab a Perdomo Legacy Nicaraguan Shade Grown, pour a drink you think makes the ideal pairing, and smoke along with us as we see what pairing brings out the be...

This week on Flavor Odyssey, we take a break from the Cigars of the Year sampler segment for a wildcard episode featuring the new Cigar Dojo x Aganorsa Leaf ReviveR Maduro. With Robby and Sensei away on assignment, Randy and Kid-Producer Jordan lead the show. Grab a ReviveR Maduro, pour a drink you think will pair well, and smoke along with us. Pairings Randy: Mexican Chocolate Old Fashioned &...

Clocking in at number nine on this year’s Cigar Dojo year-end list is the Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Sobremesa Solita Red from Steve Saka. On this episode, Robby and Randy will set out to find the best drink pairing for this Ecuadorian Habano-wrapped cigar. Grab a Solita Red from the Dojo COTY sampler, pour yourself a drink, and join the fun as we explore which pairing works best. Pairings Rand...

As Flavor Odyssey continues its journey through the Dojo’s Cigar of the Year Sampler, this week hosts Robby Ras and Randy Griggs spotlight Rafael Nodal’s Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Concerto, which landed at No. 13 on our year-end list. But what drink pairing will bring this premium cigar into perfect harmony? Tune in, join the conversation, and help us discover the ideal match. Pairings Sensei:...

This week on Flavor Odyssey, Robby Ras and Randy Griggs find the perfect drink pairing for the Gold Star from United Cigars. Our #18 cigar of the year (and in the Dojo’s ‘Cigar of the Year Sampler’ from Smoke Inn), it features an Ecuadorian Habano 2000 wrapper, Indonesian Sumatra binder, and fillers of Dominican Ligero, Criollo ’98, Corojo ’98, and Connecticut Broadleaf. Pairings Randy: Gold Stand...

This week on Flavor Odyssey, Robby Ras and Randy Griggs launch their annual journey through the Dojo’s Cigar of the Year Sampler from Smoke Inn. The featured cigar is the 601 La Bomba Warhead 11, a bold release from AJ Fernández’s San Lotano factory. The guys break down what makes this cigar stand out and invite listeners to join in with their own pairing picks. Every audience pairing entry has a...

This week on Flavor Odyssey, Randy Griggs and Master Sensei take a mini-odyssey unlike any other—one built around pure pairing versatility. The challenge? Find one cigar that can hold its own against three wildly different drinks: kombucha, dessert wine, and even pickle beer. It’s a true test of balance, adaptability, and flavor synergy as the hosts search for the ultimate “all-purpose” cigar pair...

Get ready for another full-throttle pairing showdown on Flavor Odyssey. This week, two powerhouse boutique brands go head-to-head as Tatuaje faces off against Illusione in a battle that helped shape modern premium cigars. Robby steps into the arena repping Tatuaje, while Randy takes the side of Illusione, with both hosts pairing their picks with whiskey sour. From balance and body to how each ciga...

Two titans of the cigar world go head-to-head on Flavor Odyssey. And no—we’re not talking about your hosts, Robby and Randy. This week’s battle features two of the most legendary brands in cigars: Arturo Fuente and Padrón. Which one pairs best with a World’s Best Old Fashioned? Robby steps into the ring for Padrón, while Randy defends Fuente in a no-holds-barred showdown for flavor supremacy. Grab...

Flavor Odyssey is back for its 9th season, and with Dry January in full effect, Robby and Randy are on a mission to find big, bold flavor—without the alcohol. Can a non-alcoholic drink deliver the depth and complexity needed to pair with a premium cigar? And if so, what techniques and strategies make it possible? Pairings Randy: Blood Orange Vanilla Tonic & Perdomo Double Aged 12 year Connecti...