Sticks and Stories

Cigars: Sombremesa Tapa Negra (new, June 2026) by Dunbarton & Trust, Melvin Joya Cabinetta by Joya de Nicaragua, Melvin  La Estancia by Meerapfel, Tina  DBL Amarillo , Tina++  Gorbusto Orang by Aladino, Tina ++Also available in the ATL market at Harlem Cigar Room Stories:  In this episode, Melvin challenges two of his current top sticks, the new Sombremesa Tapa Negra and Joya Cabinetta.   Funf...

(Part II). The entire episode was recorded in one shot but we split the one into two parts.  Story: In this episode, the group (Keake, Brian and myself -Tina) combine to learn more about each other's flavor palette and their top picks (see list below).  In Phoenix, there is a place for every situation: loner, social and the in between, it's here.  In addition we discuss how the industry...

Cigars: Mexican Experiment , Tatauje (Panel) Leaf by Oscar Valladares (Sumatra), Keake Stories:  In this episode, the group (Keake, Brian and myself -Tina) combine to learn more about each other's flavor palette, discuss how Smoke in the Desert was coined and its inaugural year. The panel further discusses how smoking can be a social, loner activity and provide some integrity in a diverse and...

Cigars Red Meat Lovers by Dunbarton & Trust (Tina) JFR , Titan (Gary)  Aganorsa Leaf , Aganorsa Leaf Lonnie Stories:  Gary recounts one of his Vietnam stories. He believes the attack on the abandoned French resort was 1971 but some sources say 1968-1969 Gary talks corrects and speaks about 3 crashes instead of 4. Either way, no crashes is our hope for civilians.  HKTeams Chicago Bears moving ?...

Sticks:  Wise Blood by ATL Cigar Co (formerly distributed by Luciano, but ended in 2024 ).  For the podcast table.  Facings usually follow local figures in great Atlanta.  Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Rosado HVA Binder: Ecuadorian Connecticut Filler: Three Nicaraguan regions Vartan Reserva Special , Davidoff . Special blended by Vartan Seferian owner of Ambassador Fine Cigars in PV and Peoria, AZ. T...

Sticks:  Purple Pledge , by Casa Carillo (aged almost a decade). Tina highly recommends and argues its largely underrated, Carlos gives it an “good, not exciting” and Gary a "just ok".  Blood Medicine by Crowned Heads. Rated good-great by Gary and Carlos. Tina rated it a full-bodied bold cigar w/slight after taste and an acquired stick.  Stories:  Carlos discusses his history with cigars...

Special Feature celebrating Women's Day (3/8) and Women's History Month (March).  In this Feature we host Christine of Ambassador Fine Cigars in Phoenix, Arizona (PV).  The Sticks: Classic , Aladino (Lancero) - Tina Undisclosed, Aladino (Lancero) - Christine The Story: Within this episode, Christine of Ambassador Fine Cigars talks about the origin of the store in the late 90's (tune...

The Sticks: Anejo, Fuente - Tina CT Reserva , My Father - Kay  CT, Trevors - Lonnie (from Cigar rolling event) The Story: Within this episode, Kay discusses more about her cigar experience in the Valley discussing the beginning of "Ladies Nite" at Fox in Old Town; while Tina and Lonnie also comment on their experiences with cigar culture. Kay introduces us to Smoke in the Desert . The pa...

The Sticks:   Anejo, Fuente - Tina CT Reserva , My Father - Kay  CT, Trevors - Lonnie (from Cigar rolling event) The Story: Within this episode, Kay discusses her origin story of smoking cigars (15+ years) after a solo trip to NY. Tina and Lonnie also share their origin stories. Kay recommends next steps to Lonnie as he navigates mild to medium to full bodied cigars. Kay introduces us to Smoke in...

The Sticks:   Padron 1926 Serie - Kyree  Norteno, Esteli Herrara (discontinued) -Tina (not mentioned but it's what I smoked during this episode). Available at select shop across the valley including Churchills, Cigar King and Trevor's (while supplies last)   Esteban Carreras 211 - Gary The Story: Within this episode, we learn more about the beginnings of when Kyree started his cigar jour...

The Sticks:   Esteban Carreras 211  - Sam Meat Lover's (Dunbarton & Trust) -Tina  JFR , Aganorsa Leaf - Gary Decade , Rocky Patel - Lonnie The Story: Within this episode, we learn more about Sam's knowledge on cigars as he recommends the next smoke to the panel. He says his goodbye's and announces his event set for Feb 24th! Tina compares cigars to a steak meal, Lonnie discusses...

The Sticks: JFR and Plasencia  The Story: Within this episode, we learn more about the airplane sales business from co-host Gary and the importance of situational awareness.  Location of Event: https://www.hotelangleterre.ch/en/home (Gary's most memorable cigar lounge, the Leopard Lounge , and hotel experience while employed as an airplane salesman).  Fact Check: Men in Morocco do in fact hav...

Sticks:  BattleBorn, by EP Carrillo   now Casa Carrillo, limited production (@trevorsliquor). Also they are at @churchillsaz Padron Black label series, limited production (@fumarcigars) Gatekeeper, by Alec Bradley (@fumarcigars) Stories:  Carlos discusses his history and introduction to cigars We discuss cigar facings and the dynamics which collide to bring them to consumers. Gary and Carlos discu...

Sticks:  Oliva V Serie: Melanio, 70 ring gauge specially made for Fox Cigar Dunbarton Sombremesa Oliva, Nub Habano Story:  Sci-Fi book review, Wandering Earth by Cixin Liu ( HERE ) Recording in November, released 12/3/25 @churchillsaz Look for our audiobook series to drop soon in 2026!!!  Send us Fan Mail Support the show For audiences 21 and older. 

Sticks:  Fuente , Anejo 888 (Anejo comes out twice a year, around father's day and during the part later in the year)  Quesada , Oktoberfest - ca. 2014, Salomon pressed, 50/33 Alec Bradley , Black Market Filthy Ghooligan Stories:  Haus of Health Smokers stories You smoke cigars (or participate in combustion), now what?  How smokers did during pandemic time Urgent care & functional medicin...

Sticks:  Fuente , Anejo 888 (Anejo comes out twice a year, around father's day and during the part later in the year)  Quesada , Oktoberfest - ca. 2014, Salomon pressed, 50/33 Alec Bradley , Black Market Filthy Ghooligan Stories:  Haus of Health Smokers stories You smoke cigars (or participate in combustion), now what?  How smokers did during pandemic time Urgent care & functional medicin...

We recorded two episode today (last Monday in September 2025).  The Sticks:   Here we are finishing up CAO -Stokk cigar while Lonnie tests the waters with something new.  The Stories: Lonnie reviews Asimov's I,Robot based on the recommendation by Gary. Of course the conversation veers off its hinges with regulars Tina and Gary, chatting with Lonnie at Churchills. Mentions:  I,Robot by Issac A...

We are sharing a story from Gary on his pre-Vietnam tour.  Today Gary discusses a training exercise which didn't go as planned.  Mentions:  Loach helicopter: HERE Fort Rucker: HERE Cigar mentioned: HERE Today we recorded 2 exciting episodes (end of Sept 2025) so stay tuned for the second one to be released this week!  Grab your favorite cigar/pipe, coffee or whiskey and listen to this episode...

We got great feedback and viewership for the poker chat with Cortez so he's back to talk more about the craft.  Today Cortez continues the conversation on mastering Poker play and distinguishes between a Poker Player and someone who plays poker. Features his 5 rules for poker success.  Mentions:  Women in Poker, Arizona: Desert_Sharks_Poker   World Series of Poker: Website Card counting...sor...

The Sticks: My Father, JFR and CAO-Stokk The Stories: We got great feedback and viewership for the poker chat with Cortez so he's back to talk more about the craft.  Today Cortez continues the conversation on mastering Poker play with his  5 rules and distinguishes between a Poker Player and someone who plays poker.  Mentions:  Women in Poker, Arizona: Desert_Sharks_Poker   World Series of Po...

Part II with Cortez is out! He talks more poker, other games and free time sports (snowboarding) and we shoot the breeze over cigars. Today we had JFR (Gary) and Cortez and I had Southern Draw (Jacob's Ladder & Cedrus).  Grab your favorite cigar and coffee/scotch as you listen to this episode of Sticks and Stories.  Mentions:  Mark Zuckerberg MMA/martial arts: HERE Hopsin Rapper: HERE The...

In Part I, we host our guest Cortez who is an avid poker player and new to cigar smoking. He started playing cards around age 7 and has now created an art around the game.  He talks his favorite cigar, what beginning poker players should watch for and more. Grab your favorite cigar and coffee/whiskey as you listen to this episode of Sticks and Stories.  Part 2 to publish next week!  Mentions and F...

The Sticks: Cohiba Red Dot, Andalusian Bull by LFD, Pappy Van Winkle (Maduro), and Double Ligero by LFD.  The Stories: Jack continues his conversation on flight instruction, his cross-country flight this week while Gary presses him on career path. Gary discusses his preference of aircraft and how he came to the conclusion that after Vietnam he would go into airplane sales.  Tina talks charity with...

The Sticks: Cohiba Red Dot, Andalusian Bull by LFD, Pappy Van Winkle (Maduro), and Double Ligero by LFD.  The Story : Today we host Jack Kenley who contracts as a flight instructor. Retired baseball player and current aviator looking to expand his knowledge and experience in cigar and aviation. Gary and Jack talk shop while Tina talks about cigar lounges in the Valley and the charity of the cigar...

Why this Podcast? Tune in to find out.... Tina talks finding cigar lounges in the Valley (Phoenix-Scottsdale). Gary is surprisingly safe after a business trip turns into a coup and Travis represents for the Next-Gen Aficionados. Special Mentions:  South America - The official language of Uruguay is Uruguayan Spanish...  Belgrade turmoil- In the 1999's, there were airstrikes due to ethnic wars...