Cigars Daily

Tim Swanson

Explore the world of Luxury Cigars with your host Tim Swanson. read less

Our Editor's Take

Cigars Daily is a podcast for cigar smokers. It is also for people interested in the cigar business. For first-time cigar smokers, picking out the right one can be mind-boggling. Cigars have a dizzying variety of flavor, humidity, and type. This is where podcasts like this one step in to help guide newbies. Cigar reviews are the focus of a lot of the conversation, but the show goes beyond the enjoyment and lifestyle of smoking. Host Tim Swanson and his expert guests also address the business side of cigars.

Tim has been in the cigar business for many years. He is the co-owner of the Arizona-based company Cigars Daily. The host named the podcast after the family-owned company. Besides running the business and hosting this podcast, Tim is also an author. His published books include Cigars Daily Review Journal. On the podcast, Tim separates the facts from the myths around smoking cigars.

Guests on the podcast include cigar company owners, representatives, and cigar makers. They share how they got started smoking, selling, or making cigars. Many of the conversations are humorous, candid, and informative. Listeners learn all about world blends, premium cigars, and guest's favorite cigars.

Guest Nestor Plasencia joins the podcast for an episode. His family has been making cigars for over 150 years. Known as Plasencia, the company is one of the biggest producers of cigars worldwide. Nestor chats with Tim about his favorite blends, new flavors, and his family's legacy. He also shares fond childhood memories of visiting the family farm and tobacco barn. Tim and Nestor discuss diseases that affect tobacco plants and many more related topics.

Cigars Daily has enlightening and entertaining episodes for those interested in cigars.

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Cigars Daily LIVE 322 (The Great Cigar Ex-Pair-iment)

Cigars Daily LIVE 322 (The Great Cigar Ex-Pair-iment)

With Cigars, some of us come for the flavor and stay for the friends. Some of us do it the other way around. But either way, you’ll always get more out of your favorite cigars when you pair them with an outstanding beverage. On tonight’s episode we will be bringing together all absolute best parts of cigars with the best people, the best cigars, and some out of this world pairings to explore a whole new world of flavor!

Episodes

Cigars Daily LIVE 322 (The Great Cigar Ex-Pair-iment)

Cigars Daily LIVE 322 (The Great Cigar Ex-Pair-iment)

With Cigars, some of us come for the flavor and stay for the friends. Some of us do it the other way around. But either way, you’ll always get more out of your favorite cigars when you pair them with an outstanding beverage. On tonight’s episode we will be bringing together all absolute best parts of cigars with the best people, the best cigars, and some out of this world pairings to explore a whole new world of flavor!

Cigars Daily LIVE 321 (Trix Are For Kids, Cigars Are For Dads)

Cigars Daily LIVE 321 (Trix Are For Kids, Cigars Are For Dads)

Different strokes for different folks, that’s what we always say. These days, there are a lot of things that are just for the beloved members of our families. There are products made for our wives, sons, daugthers… hell, even our dogs get some stellar treats throughout the year. But what about the Dads? Father’s Day is still one of the least celebrated holidays of the year… unless you’re a cigar lover. Then this is your day! On this episode, we’ll be chatting about some of the cigars that are perfect for Father’s Day and the stress that surrounds the lives of weary dads everywhere.

Cigars Daily LIVE 320 (Staff Picks! Our Hand Picked List of Hand Made Blends)

Cigars Daily LIVE 320 (Staff Picks! Our Hand Picked List of Hand Made Blends)

At the Cigars Daily HQ, we spend A LOT of time talking about the best blends out there. It seems like the brand new ones get all the hype. But there’s still an ocean of amazing cigars out there. That’s why we wanted to revisit some of our favorite cigars of yester-year to bring you our Staff Picks. These are cigars that come with the benefit of being sensational, and a bit underrated these days! Join us as we dive into some truly exceptional, albeit overlooked cigars.

Cigars Daily LIVE 319 (You Ain’t Never Had A Blend Like Me!)

Cigars Daily LIVE 319 (You Ain’t Never Had A Blend Like Me!)

The best cigars are the ones that overwhelm the palate with exceptional complex flavor profiles. They’re the ‘ah ha’ cigars that give an experience to chase after. Right now, there are more of those cigars coming out than ever before! Tonight, we’ll be rubbing the magic lamp to find out exactly what the best new blends are all about!

Cigars Daily LIVE 318 (13 Things I Hate About Cigar Dojo!)

Cigars Daily LIVE 318 (13 Things I Hate About Cigar Dojo!)

Normally, I love the competition. And in the world of Cigar content creators, I’m a big fan of the other guys and gals who contribute to the cigar world with their creative projects…. and then there’s Cigar Dojo! Man, there are some things that REALLY grind my gears about what Eric Guttormson, his son, and their team is doing over there. Tonight, is my expose to tell you all about it! Tune in for a fun Dojo ripping romp!

Cigars Daily LIVE 317 (Mission Accomplished! Perdomo 30th Anniversary Episode)

Cigars Daily LIVE 317 (Mission Accomplished! Perdomo 30th Anniversary Episode)

Perdomo’s 30th Anniversary is a whale of a limited production cigar! In addition to draw testing every cigar in the 30th Anniversary line, Nick Perdomo has aged the wrappers for a mammoth 15 years, and finished them in charred bourbon barrels! Getting ahold of these cigars isn’t the easiest thing either. These cigars are made in limited production, and as a result are more seriously sought after than many of the limited edition cigars that are out there today!On tonight’s episode, we’re celebrating the arrival of Perdomo’s 30th Anniversary to our humidor! We will be chatting about these cigars, along with the Double Aged Vintage 12 Year, and the incredible craftsmanship that goes into every cigar.

Cigars Daily LIVE 316 (Countdown To The Cigar Event Of The Year)

Cigars Daily LIVE 316 (Countdown To The Cigar Event Of The Year)

Cigars bring people together in a way that few other things do. That’s why cigar events tend to be such a big deal for aficionados everywhere! Now, we’re on the verge of the newest and biggest event the Cigars Daily Nation has ever seen! During this episode, we are joined by OLIVA NICK! He’ll be in the studio as we prep for the big day!

Cigars Daily LIVE 315 (The Dirty, Ugly, Nasty Truth About AJ Fernandez Cigars)

Cigars Daily LIVE 315 (The Dirty, Ugly, Nasty Truth About AJ Fernandez Cigars)

Some cigar makers have secrets. And tonight, we’re exposing all of them! Come dive deep into the mire of the cigar making underbelly with one of America’s most well-known, but unknown cigar makers – AJ Fernandez.

Cigars Daily LIVE 314 (PCA Tell-All! Everything Coming to a Humidor Near You)

Cigars Daily LIVE 314 (PCA Tell-All! Everything Coming to a Humidor Near You)

The PCA Tradeshow is STILL underway as we air this episode, but I went and brought back all the nitty gritty details for you (and the rest of the CD LIVE crew, because they didn’t get to go… and they’re still a bit sore about it). During this episode we’ll talk about new projects that are coming from the best cigar makers in the industry, and what’ going on around the Cigars Daily HQ for the rest of the year! The one thing I can tell you now is this – there’s never been a better time to be a cigar lover!

Cigars Daily LIVE 313 (The Cigars Daily Nation’s Biggest Event of the Year!)

Cigars Daily LIVE 313 (The Cigars Daily Nation’s Biggest Event of the Year!)

Cigars bring people together in a way that few things do anymore! And for years the Cigars Daily Nation has grown into the biggest online cigar community in the world! Tonight we’ll be talking about a new way for members of our community to hang out and enjoy a cigar together! It’s the event of the year, and everyone is invited. Plus, we’ll have special guests Willy Herrera from Drew Estate and Nick Zaglifa from Oliva Cigars. During this episode, we’ll discuss all the details and answer your questions.

Cigars Daily LIVE 312 (New, Hot, & Barely Cooled Off Cigars of 2024)

Cigars Daily LIVE 312 (New, Hot, & Barely Cooled Off Cigars of 2024)

The year is still young, but that hasn’t stopped cigar makers from crafting some of the most exciting new blends we have ever seen! Whether you’re a fan of mild, medium, bold, big, small, fat, or skinny cigars, this episode has some wild new flavor to blow your palate away! Join us as we discuss bold new blends from the best cigar makers the industry has today.

Cigars Daily LIVE 311 (Exclusive Revival: Daily Edition Launch Episode)

Cigars Daily LIVE 311 (Exclusive Revival: Daily Edition Launch Episode)

“BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND” These words describe the best limited edition cigars the industry has to offer. And that’s exactly what we’re discussing tonight. West Tampa’s Limited Edition Attic Series has returned as the Attic Series Daily Edition, and the first installment in a project of cigars called ‘Daily Edition Cigars’.These are a collection of revived Limited Edition, and brand new blends that have been created exclusively for the Cigars Daily Nation. There’s a lot coming, but I have been so excited to share these with you that I’m all jittery for the show tonight.

Cigars Daily LIVE 310 (Gettin Lucky With Cigars Of Luxury)

Cigars Daily LIVE 310 (Gettin Lucky With Cigars Of Luxury)

Lighting up the perfect cigar for the perfect occasion feels a whole lot like gettin’ lucky for any cigar lover! It just so happens that this is that time of year where there are more and more opportunities to find that perfect cigar. In fact, we’re just a few weeks away from St. Patty’s Daily. Not only have we gotten the annual release of the Filthy Hooligans, but there are A LOT more very special projects on the horizon. So tonight, we’re working to build some perfect pairings of ‘lucky’ cigars for the holidays and warmer weather that are upon us!

Cigars Daily LIVE 309 (The Season Of Cigars Is Upon Us: Superb Cigars For Perfect Weather)

Cigars Daily LIVE 309 (The Season Of Cigars Is Upon Us: Superb Cigars For Perfect Weather)

Spring is just a few weeks away. That means perfectly warm sunny days to enjoy our favorite age old hobby! This Spring, there are some great blends out there in the wild, and tonight we happen to have one that’s making its way to the market as we speak! If you’ve been hunkered down in the cold all winter long without a way to enjoy a good cigar, this one is for you!

Cigars Daily LIVE 308 (Breaking Ground: Blind Blend Testing Our Newest Cigar)

Cigars Daily LIVE 308 (Breaking Ground: Blind Blend Testing Our Newest Cigar)

This week, we’re taking everyone’s palate on a journey to the unknown. Erik Espinosa is known for making some of the most satiating and spiciest blends in the industry. Cigars like the Murceilago and Wasabi have put Espinosa Cigars on the map for aficionados who want a blend that delivers on flavor and power. Only now, Erik has produced a brand new Espinosa Sumatra. Somehow, this smooth silky Ecuador Sumatra blend SHOULD still offer the power that Espinosa fans have come to know and love. During this episode, we’ll be putting this blend to the test, and discussing some of the other hottest new stuff!

Cigars Daily LIVE 307 (UNRELEASED BEASTS! Inside Scoop On Caged Blends)

Cigars Daily LIVE 307 (UNRELEASED BEASTS! Inside Scoop On Caged Blends)

Look around any walk-in humidor and you'll see A LOT of different blends on the shelf! It's crazy to think that there are that many different types of leaf out there, but there are. And it's even crazier to think that for each blend on the shelf, there are many that never saw the light of day. Cigar makers will often take cigars through many iterations before settling on 'the' blend for a project. In this episode, we'll be lighting up some of American Viking's unreleased blends to take you through what it takes for a test blend to become a regular production cigar.

Cigars Daily LIVE 306 (Staff Picks: The Best Blends Around The Cigars Daily HQ)

Cigars Daily LIVE 306 (Staff Picks: The Best Blends Around The Cigars Daily HQ)

If you’re like most aficionados, you’re always looking for an amazing new blend to sweep your palate away. If you really want the scoop on what’s hot, you’ll want to catch this episode. While making content for the Cigars Daily Youtube channel, we light up A LOT of cigars around the HQ. So we thought we’d bring you our personal favorites… and hear about yours!

Cigars Daily LIVE 305 (2024 Cigar Trends You Can Bank On!)

Cigars Daily LIVE 305 (2024 Cigar Trends You Can Bank On!)

The world of cigars is timeless. The best cigars are born from passionate and experienced cigar makers doing the same things the same ways for a LONG TIME! So the cigar industry doesn’t change as much or as fast as a lot of industries out there. At the same time, the world is changing so fast that cigar people have to be extremely savvy to keep up. This year will bring some of the biggest changes we’ve seen in cigars, and we’re going to talk about all of it.

Cigars Daily LIVE 304 (Aged To Perfection: The Secret Behind An Elite Cigar Experience)

Cigars Daily LIVE 304 (Aged To Perfection: The Secret Behind An Elite Cigar Experience)

Put a little age on a cigar and you'll be amazed at the results! That's why cigar makers often spend years aging their leaf to perfection before rolling. And it's why cigar lovers spend time aging their own cigars to squeeze even more smoothness and refinement out of the flavor. During this episode, we'll chat about the finer points of again cigars. These are some of the things cigar makers do, and some of the things you can do to get more out of your collection!

Cigars Daily LIVE 303 (The Ultimate Cigars For Life's Bittersweet Moments)

Cigars Daily LIVE 303 (The Ultimate Cigars For Life's Bittersweet Moments)

We've all had good days and bad days... but what about days that are both. What kind of cigar do you light up for one of those days?! On this episode, we'll dive into some cigars that offer an experience that pairs up with a roller coaster of a day! These are different blends for many of us, but I think I've got some recommendations that will help you work your way toward overall better days!