Smoke Night LIVE - Cigar Dojo

After a two-year hiatus, the Cigar Brand Fantasy Draft is back! Master Sensei goes head-to-head with Juan Cancel, Scott Braband, and Fred Rewey as they battle to build the ultimate dream team of cigar brands. With bragging rights on the line, every pick matters, and a few strategic trades could shake things up before the dust settles. Who will walk away with the strongest lineup? That’s where YOU...

There’s a right way and a wrong way to light a cigar. There’s a right way and a wrong way to cook a steak. But what about everything else? This week on Smoke Night LIVE, Tim Swanson from Cigars Daily joins the show as we settle what’s right and what’s wrong across a wide range of topics. But that’s not all. We also have details on a major announcement that’s set to blow the roof off this episode....

If you could open your own cigar shop and stock the humidor any way you wanted, what would make the cut? The Humidor Challenge returns for round three on Smoke Night LIVE! This time, Randy Griggs, Robby Rasmussen, and John “Cigar Surgeon” McTavish go head-to-head to build their ultimate cigar shop humidor from the ground up. With limited space and plenty of tough decisions, each contestant must de...

This week on Smoke Night LIVE, we welcome Tim Ozgener of Ozgener Family Cigars for a conversation about one of the more interesting family histories in the premium cigar industry. From his father Cano Ozgener founding CAO in the late 1960s, to Tim helping transform CAO into one of the industry’s most recognizable brands, and ultimately returning to tobacco with Ozgener Family Cigars, there’s a lot...

What if I told you cigars might actually be good for your health? That’s the question we’re tackling on this week’s Smoke Night LIVE with special guest Matt Blackburn. Matt has spent the past 16 years researching and experimenting with approaches to human health and nutrition, exploring everything from diets and detoxification protocols to supplements and natural health practices. Along the way, h...

On this episode of Smoke Night LIVE, we announce the newest inductees into the Cigar Dojo Hall of Fame! Over the years, we have recognized Dojo members who have gone above and beyond to help make our cigar community what it is today. From their contributions and dedication to the friendships they’ve built along the way, these members have played an important role in shaping the Dojo. It’s been a f...

This week on Smoke Night LIVE, we’re joined by Kendrick Woolstenhulme and Brandon Oveson, founders of Apostate Cigars. Since launching the brand, Apostate has made a name for itself with distinctive releases such as Death Mask, The Deseret, Feathered Serpent, The Sword of Laban, and more. We’ll talk with Kendrick and Brandon about the origins of Apostate Cigars, what it takes to build a new cigar...

This week on Smoke Night LIVE, longtime friend of the Dojo Tom Zbyrad joins us in-studio! As Product Manager for Zino and Portfolio Brands, Tom has a unique perspective on Zino, Davidoff, and the cigar industry as a whole. We’ll catch up with Tom, find out what’s happening with Zino, get his take on the current cigar landscape, and probably venture into a few topics we never planned on discussing....

For the past several months, the Dojo crew has been working behind the scenes on a fun new platform built for cigar fanatics around the world. On this episode of Smoke Night LIVE, we officially soft-launch Cigar Ranker! We’ll walk you through the site, explain how it works, highlight its features, and share the vision behind the project. We’ll also be joined by a few special guests to discuss Ciga...

Camacho Cigars has long embraced the tagline “Live Bold” and “Built Bold” but what does that mean for the brand today? On this episode of Smoke Night LIVE, Camacho Brand Activation Manager Law Ream joins the show to talk about the identity of Camacho and where the brand is headed in 2026 and beyond. Camacho has been relatively quiet since its limited-edition release in 2025, so we’ll catch up with...

What if you owned your own cigar shop… and every inch of humidor space was yours to control? The Humidor Challenge returns on this episode of Smoke Night LIVE! William “Cigar Coop” Cooper, Johnny “Smokes Uncut” Remer, and Rob Blumenthal of Tradecraft Cigars each take on the challenge of building their ultimate cigar shop humidor from scratch. Every selection matters as they fight for the perfect m...

On this special episode of Smoke Night LIVE, Terence Reilly joins us from Cigar Dojo Studios in Colorado to discuss the release of Crispy Boy, along with everything happening during Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival week. We’ll also preview the festivities that are happening around RMCF and may be joined by a few surprise guests.

Davidoff Brand Ambassador Alex Weghorn joins Smoke Night LIVE to talk about the journey that led him to representing one of the most recognizable brands in premium cigars. Then we’ll put his expertise to the test with a series of real-world scenarios, challenging him to choose the perfect Davidoff cigar for each occasion. Grab a cigar, pour yourself a drink, and join us for another fun episode of...

What is your favorite cigar size and shape? On this episode of Smoke Night LIVE, Steve Saka joins the Dojo crew as they rank the most popular cigar vitolas using the S-Tier system. From Robustos and Toros to Corona Gordas—and don’t even get Steve started on Lanceros—the panel debates the strengths and weaknesses of each format to determine which vitolas deserve the top spot. Grab your favorite cig...

This week on Smoke Night LIVE, we welcome Christian Eiroa of CLE Cigar Co., one of the most influential voices in Honduran tobacco and a cigar maker whose family legacy stretches back more than a century. From his years helping shape Camacho to building CLE, Eiroa, and Asylum into distinct brands of their own, Christian has remained one of the industry’s most outspoken champions of authentic Coroj...

This week on Smoke Night LIVE, we welcome Fouad Kashouty, the founder of Hiram & Solomon Cigars. What began as a fundraising idea within the Freemason community has grown into an internationally distributed cigar brand with a focus on fellowship, tradition, and charitable giving. We’ll talk with Fouad about the origins of Hiram & Solomon, the company’s journey over the past decade, and wha...

Aaron Paoletta of LaVega Cigar Company joins Smoke Night LIVE to discuss the growth of his cigar brand and the unconventional journey that led him into the premium cigar industry. Before launching LaVega, Aaron spent years working as a chef, cooking for restaurants and high-profile clients, while also pursuing a passion for music that included starting a record label and performing in several band...

For more than 20 years, Kristoff Cigars has been a respected name in the premium cigar industry. This week on Smoke Night LIVE, Glen Case makes his first-ever appearance on the show to discuss the journey that has shaped the company since its founding in 2004—the successes, the challenges, and the lessons learned along the way. We’ll dive into what the future holds for Kristoff Cigars, explore the...

Fresh off the release of the highly anticipated Psychedelic Rabbit, Erik Espinosa joins the show to discuss the latest collaboration between Espinosa Premium Cigars and Cigar Dojo. Earlier in the day, cigar fans will have their first chance to get their hands on the new release at JR Cigar, and Erik will share the story behind the project, the inspiration for the blend, and what makes this install...

It’s a special father-and-son edition of Smoke Night LIVE as both Nick Perdomo and Nicholas Perdomo III join the show. Following a huge 2025 for Perdomo Cigars—including earning Cigar Dojo’s Cigar of the Year honors and topping several major industry lists with the Perdomo Legacy—the company is back with a new release: the Perdomo Legacy Father & Son. The cigar is a collaboration between compa...

It’s Juan’s birthday, and we’re throwing a celebration! This episode marks Juan’s 53rd trip around the sun, and he’ll be in-studio for a fun conversation about life, birthdays, and of course—cigars. We’ll also be giving away 53 cigars to one lucky winner, along with our weekly Boutique of the Week giveaway. Join us for the laughs, the stories, and a birthday party Dojo-style!

Now that the dust has settled from the PCA trade show and the year’s biggest cigar releases are on the table, it’s time for the most anticipated episode of the year—Cigar Brand Stock Market. This annual fan-favorite brings together an all-star panel featuring William “Cigar Coop” Cooper, John “Cigar Surgeon” McTavish, and Bear Duplisea, joining Master Sensei, Juan, and the Dojo crew. Together, the...

This week on Smoke Night LIVE, we welcome cigar industry icon Rocky Patel for a conversation about his journey from Hollywood entertainment attorney to one of the most recognized names in premium cigars. After discovering cigars in Los Angeles during the cigar boom of the early 1990s, Rocky left his law career behind and founded what would become Rocky Patel Premium Cigars in 1995. Join us as we t...

The annual Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show has come and gone, and the industry’s newest releases have officially been unveiled. With these cigars now making their way to retailer shelves, the big question is: which ones are worth your time? On this episode, the Dojo crew lights up and rates a wide range of the latest releases—live on the show. Tune in to find out which cigars deliver an...

It’s the final episode before the Premium Cigar Association Trade Show in New Orleans, and cigar companies have been flooding inboxes with press releases announcing their latest releases. William “Cigar Coop” Cooper and John “The Cigar Surgeon” McTavish join Sensei, Jordan, and Juan to break down which of these new cigars or accessories actually move the needle—and which ones fall flat. Tune in to...