Smoking Underground

John Viviani

50 years of cigar experience comes to life as the hosts help educate and update you on the cigar hobby and industry. read less
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Episodes

A Guardrail Comes to the Underground, Kristoff Cigars 111
Jul 19 2023
A Guardrail Comes to the Underground, Kristoff Cigars 111
[00:01:43] Smoking a special non-pitted prune cigar.[00:05:17] Classing up the cigar.In this episode, we had a few unexpected twists and turns, but it turned out to be an absolute blast. Here are three key takeaways from this episode that I think you'll find interesting:1️⃣ Live Show Experiment: We decided to shake things up a bit and do a live episode. It was a bit nerve-wracking at first, but thanks to the encouragement of our amazing listeners, we went for it. And let me tell you, it was a fantastic experience! We're definitely considering doing more live shows in the future, so let us know what you think!2️⃣ The Kristoff Guard Rail Cigar: We had the pleasure of smoking a very special non-pitted prune cigar called the Kristoff Guard Rail. This cigar had a unique silver band, and boy, did it deliver in terms of flavor and quality. If you're a cigar enthusiast, you don't want to miss our discussion about this gem.3️⃣ Insights into Cigar Culture: Our planned guest unfortunately couldn't make it, but that didn't stop us from diving deep into the world of cigars. We explored the differences between cigar culture in different parts of the world and had a fascinating conversation about blends, flavors, and characteristics. If you're curious about the intricacies of cigar smoking, this episode is a must-listen.I'll leave you with a quote from the episode that really resonated with me: "Smoke what you love. Life is short. Do it, baby." Wise words, indeed![00:08:30] Zimbabwe tobacco and cigar flavors.[00:13:48] Cheap swill and whiskey preferences.[00:18:00] Zimbabwe tobacco flavors.[00:22:16] Shelf placement and cigar sales.[00:25:18] The magic of this story.[00:29:07] The culture of cigar smoking.[00:33:18] Big business and upstaging.[00:40:22] Cuban cigar sales in China.[00:45:11] Cuban cigars and their reputation.[00:49:30] Cuban cigars and taste comparison.[00:53:23] Flavor change and enjoyment.[00:56:23] Pairings and recommendations.[00:59:59] Life is short.#guasrdrail #cigars #cigartalk #Kristoff #podcast
Just the Tip, know the diffence, Simplifying Cigars 109
Jun 15 2023
Just the Tip, know the diffence, Simplifying Cigars 109
In this episode of Smoking Underground, Devin, Gary, and John discuss tips on cigars. They start by talking about the importance of being specific when making a wish with a genie, and then move on to discussing the different styles of cigars and the proper way to smoke them. Gary, who is an expert on the subject, shares his knowledge on the topic. They also talk about the specific cigar they are smoking that day, the Tatuaje Ina 6, made by Pete Johnson. They give a brief history of the brand and its connection to the Garcia family.[00:01:37] Tattawaha cigar review. [00:06:11] Cigar wrapping and capping. [00:08:24] Cigar cutting techniques. [00:13:23] Chisel format trademarked by LFD. [00:16:46] Cigar shapes: torpedo and belacoso. [00:19:41] Cigar cutting techniques. [00:23:31] Cigar cap removal techniques. [00:27:02] Cigar Punches. [00:30:37] Cigar cutting pet peeves. [00:36:08] Proper cigar smoking techniques. [00:38:06] Smoking Cigars Too Farcigars, tips, Pete Johnson, price point, bands, tension, founders 11th-anniversary blend, cigar caps, capping, cigar, humidified, toreadors, filler, binder, box, wrapper, elasticize, pliable, cap, standard, three caps, basic model, cut, bands, wide mouth punch.,cigar, chisel, technique, punch, model, cigar, chisel, trademark, LFD, diamond industry, copyright, trademark, jeweler, precision, leggero, bellicose, torpedo, terminology, website domains, honeycomb tip, pigtail, cigar, lighter, Christoph, convenience, cigars, cap, quality, reinforcement, pigtail, cigar tips, cigar pen, punches, tool, price, practice, punch, tiger cut, serrated, tobacco, cutters, hand sanitizer, cigars, lotus, share, parejo, cigar, smoking, logo, whiskey, cigar, tunneling, purge, flavor, Vitola Find Cigars, podcast, audience, producer, plug, network
Palate Evolution, How your taste in Cigars changes all the time. Drew Estate M81  107
Jun 1 2023
Palate Evolution, How your taste in Cigars changes all the time. Drew Estate M81 107
Smoking Underground returns with a discussion of the Drew Estates Blackened M81 Maduro and its collaboration with James Hetfield of Metallica. Devin and Gary explore palate evolution and how it affects smokers' tastes and preferences. They also pair the cigar with Redwood Empire Lost Monarch blend of Scotch whisky, examining the flavors and complexity.[00:01:04] Palatevolution.[00:05:00] Cigar band design.[00:09:16] Cigar Humidity and Maturity.[00:13:39] Cigar smoking trends.[00:19:18] Cigars and appetite.[00:20:58] Cigar flavor evolution.[00:24:55] Cigar palate evolution.[00:29:32] Cigar palate evolution.[00:35:00] Lightening up a dark cigar.[00:36:52] Cigar smoking tips.[00:41:00] Cigar smoking for beginners.[00:45:11] Winding down after a stressful day.[00:51:02] End of day cigar.[00:52:59] Maduro cigars and complexity.[00:56:32] Cigar pricing and quality.[01:00:28] Supporting the podcast.## Palatevolution and cigar pairing.Palatevolution is a term used to describe the changes in one's taste preferences over time. This can be influenced by various factors such as age, diet, and exposure to different flavors. In the context of cigar smoking, palatevolution can also be influenced by the types of cigars smoked and the pairing of cigars with different drinks.In the Smoking Underground podcast episode titled "Palatevolution," the hosts discuss how their palates have evolved over time and how this affects their cigar preferences. They also talk about the importance of pairing cigars with the right drink to enhance the smoking experience.The hosts start by introducing the cigar they are smoking, the Drew Estates Blackened M81 Maduro. They describe the cigar as dark and deep, with a skin-like texture on the tobacco wrap. They also mention the different components of the cigar, such as the San Andreas rapper and the Nicaragua, Pennsylvania filler.The hosts then discuss the drink they are pairing with the cigar, the Redwood Empire Lost Monarch blend of Scotch Whisky. They describe the taste as smooth but with a slight hook on the sides of the tongue, and a subtle caramel flavor. They chose this drink because they wanted something semi-sweet to pair with the dark cigar.The hosts then delve into the topic of palatevolution and how it affects their cigar preferences. They talk about how their taste for different flavors has changed over time and how this has influenced their cigar choices. They also mention how pairing cigars with different drinks can enhance the smoking experience and bring out different flavors in the cigar.Overall, the Smoking Underground podcast episode on Palatevolution and cigar pairing highlights the importance of understanding one's taste preferences and how they can change over time. It also emphasizes the importance of pairing cigars with the right drink to enhance the smoking experience and bring out the best flavors in the cigar.## Matured cigar needs smooth pairing.One key takeaway from the podcast is the idea that a matured cigar needs a smooth pairing. The hosts discuss their experience with the Blackened cigar, which they initially did not enjoy. However, after letting it sit in a humidor with a Boveda pack for a month or two, they found that it had mellowed out and become more enjoyable. This highlights the importance of proper storage and aging for cigars to reach their full potential. Moreover, the hosts stress the importance of pairing the Blackened cigar with a smooth drink that has a hint of flavor. They note that a harsh or biting drink can distract from the complexity of the cigar's flavors. They also suggest that pairing the cigar with a drink that has a little bit of flavor can bring out the distinct difference and add to...