Cigar Lounge Hospitality and a Blind Brand Ranking

From Creekside Podcast Ep. 017: The Future Of Cigar Lounges + Blind Ranking Cigar Brands, aired May 16, 2025. Recorded at Creekside Cigar Co. in Maineville, Ohio.

On this Creekside Podcast, Dave, BG, and Conner settle in for a conversation about cigar lounge hospitality, the freedom to enjoy a cigar without naming every flavor, and a blind ranking of cigar brands. The discussion matters because a lounge can be more than a place to buy a cigar: it can help people feel comfortable, connected, and welcome, whether they are seasoned smokers or just finding their way.

What makes a cigar lounge feel welcoming?

For Conner, hospitality starts with treating visitors as people, not just customers. That can mean remembering a regular’s family news, making conversation, or noticing when someone would rather enjoy their visit quietly. The goal is to offer genuine care in the moment, rather than simply completing a transaction.

The crew shared one example that brought the idea to life. A customer’s wife arranged a surprise birthday visit to Creekside. The team set aside space in the lounge, prepared a few personal touches, and helped make the evening feel like an occasion. They also offered local dining suggestions and showed the couple how espresso is made. What made the story meaningful to the crew was that the extra effort came from staff who wanted to make the guests feel seen.

That same approach is part of a broader conversation about cigar lounges. The crew talked about connecting with other lounge owners and managers who put hospitality and community ahead of the sale. Their hope is that welcoming, low-pressure spaces become a stronger part of cigar culture.

Do you need to know tasting notes to enjoy a cigar?

No, the crew’s answer is clear: tasting notes can add fun, but they are not a requirement. BG said he enjoys the experience of smoking a cigar without necessarily identifying specific flavors. For him, a reliable burn, time with friends, and a comfortable setting can be enough. The crew also recognized that describing flavors is a hobby some smokers enjoy, not a test everyone needs to pass.

They discussed how personal tasting notes can be. A flavor association may come from someone’s own memories and experiences, so smokers will not always agree on what they taste. The crew noted that a cigar maker may focus on balance, sweetness, combustion, and how the blend works together rather than a list of precise flavor comparisons.

That can ease some of the pressure newer smokers feel in a lounge. There is no need to know every term, understand every ritual, or produce a detailed review. Enjoying a cigar and knowing that you like it is a perfectly good place to start.

How does cigar size change the experience?

The conversation turned to cigar formats, including the crew’s changing appreciation for smaller ring gauges. One practical point was that a 5-by-50 Robusto can be a useful starting size when trying a blend. From there, smokers can choose a longer Toro for more time or a smaller Corona for a more concentrated experience, depending on their preference.

The crew also compared their blind-smoked cigars. Conner praised the Aladino Corojo Reserva, including its presentation. Dave recognized the Warped Futuro, a cigar he remembered for a floral note. BG smoked a Toro-sized La Gloria Cubana Los Gloriosos, a cigar he said he had bought by the box, though he found the 6-by-60 size less compelling. Their different reactions underline that format and personal preference both shape a smoke.

What happened in the blind cigar brand ranking?

Producer Chris revealed brands one at a time, and each host had to place them in an open slot from one to five. Once a spot was used, it was locked, so the crew had to make decisions without knowing what was coming next. Warped, Aganorsa, Alec Bradley, Fuente, and Davidoff all came up, and the hosts’ placements differed according to their own experience and preferences.

The conversation also showed why a ranking is personal rather than universal. The crew spoke warmly about people behind several brands while still weighing its own cigar experiences. Aganorsa drew praise for specific cigars, alongside a discussion of construction consistency. The format kept the exchange lively, but it did not produce one shared verdict about which brand was best.

Key takeaways

• Hospitality is personal: listening and thoughtful gestures can make a lounge visit memorable.
• Tasting notes are optional: smokers can enjoy a cigar without identifying its flavors.
• Format matters: size can change the length and character of the experience.
• Rankings reflect individual taste: the blind brand challenge prompted different choices from each host.

Cigars from this episode

• Aladino Corojo Reserva: Conner praised the cigar and its presentation; the transcript gives the name as “Coro Reserva.”
• Warped Futuro: Dave recognized it and recalled getting a distinct floral note from it.
• La Gloria Cubana Los Gloriosos: BG smoked the Toro size, said he had bought a box, and was less enthusiastic about the 6-by-60 size.
• Padron anniversary cigar: BG praised its reliable performance and mentioned the Padron 95 in that context.
• Plasencia Alma del Fuego: BG recalled a musty flavor and later learned that character was part of the cigar’s profile.
• Jericho Hill 44S: The crew discussed finding this smaller size and mentioned it as part of an upcoming sampler.

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