The Leaf Cutters

Adrian Magnus, Premium Pricing & Boutique vs Legacy Brands Luxury presentation, smooth flavor, and a debate that goes far beyond the blend itself. The crew explores Adrian Magnus aged selections while discussing craftsmanship, aging, construction, flavor development, and overall value. The conversation evolves into a broader discussion about boutique brands, legacy manufacturers, and how enthu...

🎙️ The Back Porch Lounge welcomes Hyman Lazega of Grouchy Monkey Cigars for a laid-back conversation about boutique cigar craftsmanship, blending philosophy, and the Jungle Land Maduro. The crew discusses smooth retrohales, medium-bodied flavor profiles, coffee pairings, cigar construction, Candela experiences, and the realities of building a boutique cigar brand in today’s market. Hyman also shar...

This week in The Back Porch Lounge, The Leaf Cutters fire up a grab bag lineup and talk about one thing every cigar fan is feeling right now: prices. The crew reviews Perdomo Lot 23 Sun Grown, AVO 85th Anniversary, CAO MX2, Dunbarton Mi Querida, Patina Leprechaun Dust, Silent Hero La Bamba, and more while breaking down burn, draw, aging, flavor, and final ratings. Then the conversation turns to wh...

What keeps you coming back—the flavor, the moment, or the people? This episode blends cigar talk with real-life reflection. The Leaf Cutters explore Candela cigars, compare flavor profiles, and take a surprising turn into music pairings and personal rituals. From quiet moments alone to shared experiences with friends, this conversation highlights how cigars become more than just a hobby—they becom...

🔥 This episode is all about finding the RIGHT cigar for YOU. We’re joined by Aaron Paoletta of La Vega Cigars, who brings a unique approach to the lounge—hand-selecting cigars based on personal taste preferences like coffee, bourbon, and favorite foods. We break down each cigar live, discussing flavor notes, construction, and how different blends evolve throughout the smoke. From creamy and smoot...

The Leaf Cutters welcome Goss from Goss Tobacco back to the Back Porch Lounge. In this special episode, the crew lights up the limited-edition Frightened cigar while diving into a conversation that blends cigar knowledge, industry insights, and plenty of humor. The cigar delivers a medium profile with notes of cocoa, coffee sweetness, and a subtle spice that builds into a stronger final third. Thr...

Knuckle Sandwich Chef’s Special 2025 + Leaf Politics: California Fees, Tariffs, and Why Lounges Matter No guest this week—just the Leaf Cutters crew doing what we do: laughing too hard, accidentally getting educational, and enjoying a seriously memorable stick. Knuckle Sandwich Chef’s Special 2025 (box-pressed Toro) Blend: Brazilian wrapper + Nicaraguan binder & filler Experience: sweet black-...

Back Porch Lounge: Mark from CATI (Katie’s) — PR 49 “Cannon,” Pairings, Process, and the “Demon Donkey” Story This week in the Back Porch Lounge, we’re hanging with Mark from CATI (Katie’s) Cigars while we smoke the PR 49 “Cannon” and talk through everything that makes it a standout: smooth start, creamy profile, a stronger finish, and the kind of consistency you want for an easy, any-time lounge...

This episode of The Back Porch Lounge features a thoughtful and engaging conversation with Lou Cross of Lure Cigars , centered around The Last Cast , an annual release inspired by memory, tradition, and shared time. Lou reflects on how fishing, storytelling, and premium handcrafted experiences naturally create space for slowing down and connecting. The hosts explore the philosophy behind limited r...

In this Back Porch Lounge episode, the crew sits down with Michael Prey of Bruters Cigar Accessories , a veteran-owned, USA-made maker focused on premium cutters built with serious materials and intentional design. Michael explains what goes into a high-performance cut: grade-5 titanium construction , MagnaCut steel blades , magnetic closure to keep the tool secure, and a smooth action supported b...

Sweet Elder & For Freedom: From Legalism to Liberty (Back Porch Lounge Show) In this episode of The Back Porch Lounge Show, The Leaf Cutters crew welcomes Brett Martin & James Safetit from For Freedom for a wide-ranging conversation that blends leaf talk, faith, and real-life stories. We fire up Sweet Elder , their naturally sweet Nicaraguan long-leaf blend infused with honey and vanilla n...

This week on The Back Porch Lounge Show, we’re reviewing the Cavalier Three Delinquents, an artisan-crafted slow burner with a dessert-like sweetness that kept the entire Porch talking. Thanks to Penny’s Public House, we had the perfect excuse to dissect every layer of this premium leaf—from the airy draw to the creamy, tiramisu-style notes some of the crew experienced. We compared ratings, debate...

In this episode of The Back Porch Lounge Show , we dive deep into one of the most fascinating partnerships shaping today’s premium leaf landscape: the collaboration between Mo of Patina and Tyler of Viso Horny on their innovative Verdigris blend. This conversation reveals how two creators with completely different backgrounds merged their strengths—marketing vision, hands-on factory experience, bl...

Welcome back to The Back Porch Lounge Show — where community, craftsmanship, and conversation converge. In this week’s episode we sit down with founders Pedro and Val of Haze Grey Cigars to dive into the story behind their boutique brand, explore the unique characteristics of their blends, and celebrate the camaraderie that fuels the modern cigar culture. We discuss the Patriot (a double Maduro wi...

Hey lounge fam! I’m so excited to bring you this week’s episode of The Back Porch Lounge Show where I sat down with Jean Romanowicz, brand manager of Cigar World — yep, we go deep into hobby culture, community vibes, artisan craftsmanship and beginner-friendly tips for anyone looking to elevate their leisure experience. Whether you’re brand new or a longtime enthusiast, this is for YOU. We explore...

In this full-length episode of The Back Porch Lounge Show , we’re sitting back and diving into the brand-new release from Wildfire Company — the Artaois edition. We share our first impressions, explore flavor profiles (chocolate, smooth burn, steady draw), evaluate construction and performance, and rate the session (4.75, 4.5, 4.0… you’ll hear it all). We also shift into humidor advice — how to ma...

Welcome to another session in The Back Porch Lounge Show, where craftsmanship meets conversation! In this episode, we sit down with Mike from Lovely, who shares how a vintage Green Bay find — a box labeled “Ain’t They Lovely” — inspired his brand’s rebirth. We explore the evolution of Bay City Maduro and Elegante, uncovering their creamy, spicy, and buttery nuances while celebrating community and...

In this episode of the Back Porch Lounge, the Leaf Cutters dive into the Warfighter Garrison 762 —a veteran-owned blend that’s earned attention in the leaf community. We share flavor notes, construction details, draw performance, and personal ratings, while also discussing the brands we love (and the ones we don’t).From first puffs of natural sweetness to evolving spice, chocolate, and coffee note...

Exploring the World of Cigars: Insights from Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust In this episode of The Back Porch Lounge, the Leaf Cutters welcome Yvonne Ramée from Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust. Together, we dive deep into the art of premium blends, the importance of community, and the stories that connect us all through this lifestyle. What’s Inside:Meet the Crew: Yvonne Ramée alongside Plywood, Robert,...

Exploring the Unique World of Stogie Mag with Alex Zerinsky & Colonel StogyThis week in The Back Porch Lounge, we dive into innovation, community, and creativity with the minds behind Stogie Mag—Alex Zerinsky and Colonel Stogie. Stogie Mag isn’t just another accessory; it’s a tactical magazine-inspired case engineered for the leaf-lover lifestyle. Designed with a progressive spring system to p...

From chicken coops to premium blends, this is Desiree Silver’s story. We talk about the creation of Drunk Chicken, the hilarious and heartfelt stories behind blend names like Living the Dream and Homicidal Hen, and what makes her brand a standout in the boutique market. The Back Porch Lounge hosts share tasting notes from blends like Sweet Dream, Mother Clucker, and Fat Hen, while Desiree dives de...

In this episode of The Back Porch Lounge EP47, we’re joined by Rick Rodriguez from West Tampa Tobacco Co. for an insightful and entertaining conversation. Rick shares his journey from salesman to Master Blender, revealing what it truly takes to create a successful blend. We dive deep into cigar reviews, including Rick’s Circle of Life blend, and discuss the skills required to roll cigars like the...

Welcome to The Back Porch Lounge Show EP46—where leaf lovers, porch talkers, and comedy seekers unite! This week’s episode is packed with laughs, real talk, and smoke culture stories that hit different. In our Just A Tip segment, we tackle a question about the rise of women in the smoke lifestyle. When did the shift happen, and are there brands or accessories aimed at Sisters of the Leaf? We break...

What do you get when you mix deep insights, bold blends, and a whole lot of laughs? Episode 45 of The Back Porch Lounge, where we’re joined by Hector Alfonso and Jack Toraño from Espinosa for one of the most entertaining sessions yet. We kick things off with our fan-favorite segment Just A Tip, where Robert challenges Hector with Edison’s “2000 ways not to make a lightbulb.” What follows is a powe...

In Episode 44 of The Back Porch Lounge Show, we sit down with Fausto Gomez, founder of Smokey’s Lifestyle Cigars. From selling smokes out of a ‘57 Chevy to cultivating and aging leaf on his own farm, Fausto shares his journey and the grind behind his craft. We review the bold Solomon Maduro and get a sneak peek at what’s coming next. Don’t miss this episode packed with stories, passion, and laughs...