Leadership of the Leaf

15 Aug 2024  This episode Austin and Dice smoke Superb from the Blackbird Cigar Company.  The Suberb serves up spicy-smooth pleasure with a medium-bodied balance.  Wrapped in rich Habano and filled out with an undisclosed interior blend, the Blackbird Superb lights up with a sweet baking spice aroma that invites you into its lively realm of flavors with notes of graham cracker, black pepper, cream...

1 Aug 2024 Legacy cigar brands are culturally significant due to their historical ties, embodying traditions and craftsmanship passed down through generations. Renowned for their consistency and high-quality tobacco, they symbolize social rituals and traditions, often gaining value as collectibles. These brands also influence industry standards, shaping trends and preserving traditional methods in...

S3 Ep 13 - 15 Jul 2024 Tim Swanson is a prominent figure in the cigar industry, known for his significant contributions to bringing cigar culture into the online age. He is the owner of American Viking Cigars and Cigars Daily, two well-respected entities in the cigar world. Through his innovative approach and dedication, Tim has become a leading voice in the community, sharing his extensive knowle...

This episode is the first part of a two-part series. The host sat down with Tim Swanson, who many may recognize as the owner of American Viking Cigars and Cigars Daily. Tim is considered one of the first to bring cigar culture into the online age. The right cigar to smoke for this episode was the Cigar of the Year selection by Austin and Dice: the Obrigado. Tim decided to smoke the same.  The disc...

15 May 2024 The hosts of this episode are enjoying a cigar by Asylum. It is the Asylum 867 Midnight Oil, a flavor-infused cigar that uses the steeping method to add its unique flavors. This is the first time Asylum has released what they call "aromatic flavors via exotic tobaccos." The Asylum 867 Midnight Oil was formerly known as the Deadwood Tobacco Co. This cigar is perfect for this e...

The Leaders of the Leaf, in this episode, talk about Lancero cigars and a few easy habits to become the leader you want to be. Austin is smoking a Baccarat Lancero, a mild and slightly sweet cigar that is tasty and long-burning. Dice is smoking the Jake Wyatt Lithium Lancero, a Cubanesque cigar with hints of cedar, slight citrus, a toasty burn, and a creamy, ultra-smooth finish. Lancero size cigar...

Day two of PCA, listen in on the events that happen on day two. So many events to cover in such a short period of time.

Day one of PCA was a little different because one of the hosts of Leadership of the Leaf was not able to attend. Getting signed in was a bit nerve-wracking because this was the first time Leadership of the Leaf was at PCA. Once the badge was acquired, heading to the show floor revealed that it was not completely set up yet. Booths were still being built, and forklifts were moving around everywhere...

S3 Episode 09 - PCA and Decide The Leadership of the Leaf podcast finally discusses the Premium Cigar Association. The backlog of PCA data has been edited and will be released over the next few episodes. In the meantime, the listeners are eagerly awaiting information. It is only fitting that the hosts delve into what PCA is and what it does for the cigar community. The premium cigar industry owes...

1 May 2024 In this episode, Leadership of the Leaf had the pleasure of speaking with Mike S from Powstanie Cigars and Didi representing O M Cigars. The interviews were conducted during the PCA, so please bear with the background noise.  Mike S's interview served as a fantastic introduction to a remarkable cigar. His passion for his cigar company and its connection to building a legacy was wond...

15 Apr 2024 The Leaders of the Leaf in this episode discuss a viewer's question about cigar finishes. The "finish" of a cigar, crucial for assessing its quality, involves the lingering flavors and sensations post-puff, with its complexity and duration indicating superior craftsmanship from well-aged tobacco. The finish's flavor profile, varying with the tobacco blend and construc...

1 Apr 2024 In this episode, Dice was asked a question about being a cigar enthusiast: is it a hobby or just a habit? As avid cigar aficionados themselves, Austin and Dice indulge in the exquisite Sun Grown by Rocky Patel, a highly acclaimed cigar boasting numerous ratings above 90. Known for its smooth, medium-bodied flavor with subtle hints of pepper and a delightful sweet finish, the Sun Grown i...

Transforming into a tradition for Leadership of the Leaf, it's another St. Patrick’s Day Sidebar episode. In this episode, the hosts delve into the making of candela cigars. Once a staple for cigar smokers, it has now evolved into a tradition akin to drinking green beer or enjoying Irish whiskey: smoking a green cigar made with a candela leaf. Not to disappoint, the hosts are smoking a Founder...

15 Mar 2024 This episode begins with a focus on cigar cutters, delving into various types and techniques that some may have encountered or utilized before. The hosts are set to discuss preferences for certain cuts with different types of cigars. This discussion leads to the featured cigar of the episode, the Montecristo Platinum, which both Austin and Dice are smoking. The Platinum cigar boasts a...

This episode begins by informing listeners about the overarching concerns of the podcast. The host shares a particular encounter with a sales rep that raised questions. The knowledge about the featured cigars not only enlightens the host but also the listeners as the information is passed on to consumers. Let’s remember that the hosts are also consumers themselves. While free cigars are appreciate...

Episode three starts off with a journey through the eyes of a brand new cigar smoker. The avenues and adventures associated with the nuances of being new to the cigar culture. Fun times enjoyed by the freaking new guy. Questions were asked, lessons were learned, and time was well spent with the joys and relaxation of having a cigar.  During this episode, Austin picked up the Micallef Reata. The Re...

Total Product Expo's closing day was marked by the host reflecting on the experiences from the final day. They took a final tour of all the different booths to bid their farewells until the next PCA event. Closing thoughts were shared by notable companies such as Drew Estate, Cavalier, Colibri, La Aurora, Blanco Cigars, Integra Boost, and many others. It was enriching to hear the history and s...

This Side Bar segment was recorded live at the Triple Crown Cigar Lounge. The audio is loud due to the presence of a DJ on site – a special shoutout to DJ Acir. Once again, this is an opportunity for Leadership of the Leaf to capitalize on the industry as they joined ZR Cigars for an event at Triple Crown Cigars. We would also like to express our gratitude to the staff at Triple Crown Cigar Lounge...

Total Product Expo kicked off with "Leadership of the Leaf" hosts, Austin and Dice, attending the Las Vegas convention for the tobacco industry. Despite featuring diverse products, the event rebranded to Total Product Expo. The expo, highlighted as a B2B trade show on their website, brings together manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, offering a platform to showcase products, conn...

The inaugural episode of Leadership of the Leaf remains a timeless classic, prompting us to revisit its essence. Not only was it a nostalgic trip down memory lane, but it also exposed the need for an audio upgrade due to low sound quality. Fast forward to today, armed with new equipment and a stronger connection with our audience, the timing feels just right. In this episode, we delve into the cor...

In Season Three, the brothers of the leaf are set to unveil a wealth of cigar knowledge and dispense insightful leadership advice to our valued listeners. This episode goes beyond the veil, revealing the data about our audience and the different devices streaming Leadership of the Leaf podcast. The hosts delve into the intricacies of their cigar rating system, ranging from one or two to the five-p...

Season Three is on the way.

07 Jan 2024 - In this special episode, join our hosts as they delve into the highly anticipated discussion of the "Cigar of the Year." They meticulously revisit each contender, ensuring that it meets the stringent criteria for consideration. The hosts made a point to smoke each cigar on air, creating an engaging experience for listeners, whether the tastings occurred on the same episode...

01 Jan 2024 - Welcome to the final episode of Season Two! In this installment, our hosts take you on a journey through the intricate process of cleaning mold out of a humidor. A recent disaster involving one of the host’s humidors serves as the catalyst for the cigar segment of this episode. Together, they walk you through the proper steps for effectively cleaning mold from a humidor. Join us as t...

15 Dec 2023 - In this episode, the host discusses the process of rehumidifying a cigar, emphasizing the importance of restoring and maintaining its moisture level for optimal flavor and burn. It's recommended to store cigars at 65-75% humidity, using a humidor or sealed container with a humidification device. Gradual rehumidification is crucial to prevent rapid moisture absorption, and monitor...