Cigar Questions, Bourbon Pairings, and Building a Lounge

From Creekside Podcast Ep. 026: We Answer Your Cigar Questions!, aired Aug 01, 2025. Recorded at Creekside Cigar Co. in Maineville, Ohio.

In this Creekside Podcast episode, Dave, Wik, and BG sit down in the lounge to answer questions from Instagram and Discord. They share cigars with Pappy bourbon, talk about favorite brands and home humidor habits, and reflect on how Creekside has grown from a local lounge into a wider community. The answers offer practical perspective from three people who enjoy cigars in different ways—and are still learning as they go.

Which cigars pair well with bourbon?

The crew chose five cigars for a tasting alongside bourbon, including Crowned Heads La Imperiosa, an HVC Edición Especial 2015 Toro, and a Fuente Don Carlos No. 2. They also had a box-pressed cigar from Rodriguez Cigars and a cigar they referred to as Sarto. The conversation was less about declaring one perfect match and more about noticing how different combinations work for each smoker.

One of the hosts said the bourbon paired well with the cigars overall. Another thought the cigar they called Sarto was already sweet, as was the bourbon, and said that next time he might choose a more savory, fuller-bodied cigar such as La Imperiosa or the Rodriguez cigar for contrast. That is a useful way to approach pairing: decide whether you want flavors to complement one another or provide a contrast, then see what you enjoy.

They also discussed how bourbon can feel hot and drying, while a puff of cigar smoke may bring a different sensation to the mouth. Their takeaway was simple: pairing is personal, and paying attention to the sequence of sips and puffs can be part of the experience.

How do cigar smokers choose a favorite?

Asked for an all-time favorite brand and cigar, the hosts gave different answers. Padrón came up for its consistency and construction, and one host described it as a special-occasion choice. Crowned Heads was named as a favorite boutique brand, while another host chose Warped because it was the brand that first drew him into cigars. These answers point to two common kinds of favorites: the cigar you trust to deliver a familiar experience and the one connected to a personal memory.

The crew also made room for variety. One host said he likes trying a broad range rather than repeatedly buying the same cigar, while another said he returns to familiar choices for particular occasions, such as golf. Their shared advice was not to treat either approach as the only right one. Variety packs can help smokers explore, but the hosts cautioned that some standard assortments may include cigars that feel like filler. They prefer thoughtfully curated selections and recommend returning to a cigar when it suits the moment.

For newer smokers who like sweet-tip cigars, the hosts mentioned a few options, including a cigar they identified as the Brûlée and a sugar-tipped Connecticut cigar called Angelique. They also brought up CAO Moontrance as a flavored cigar they enjoy by name, while making clear that flavored cigars are not their usual choice.

What have the owners learned about building Creekside?

One surprise has been how far people travel to visit. The crew originally pictured serving a smaller local area, but they have met customers who came from well beyond the immediate neighborhood, including visitors from Idaho. They were also pleased to see women coming into the lounge. From the beginning, they wanted Creekside to feel clean and welcoming, with an atmosphere where different people could spend time together.

The owners described community as a major part of the business. In-person visits, word of mouth, and online conversations helped Creekside grow, and the Discord group gives cigar enthusiasts a place to connect. They discussed future possibilities such as more events, more Creekside cigar projects, and sharing lessons with people considering opening lounges. They also emphasized that operating a lounge comes with unexpected costs, rules, and administrative hurdles. Their experience has been to adapt as new challenges arise and keep working through them together.

How do the hosts store and age cigars?

The hosts’ home setups are practical rather than identical. Two described using wine-cooler-style humidors with Spanish cedar, kept in a basement where temperatures stay fairly consistent. One does not plug the unit in, while another keeps his plugged in because it is elsewhere in the house. A separate cooler with humidity packs holds a mixed collection of cigars. The point was not to prescribe one setup, but to share what has worked for them.

They were similarly relaxed about aging. One host keeps cigars for special occasions and has set aside a cigar to try on Creekside’s fifth anniversary. Another has found that some cigars improve after years of storage, while others lose character. In his experience, stronger cigars with plenty of flavor can mellow and remain enjoyable, whereas more delicate cigars may become less expressive. He also suggested comparing Creekside’s custom cigars after a year in storage to see what has changed.

Key takeaways

• Pairing is personal: Try complementary flavors or contrast a sweet drink with a fuller-bodied cigar.
• There is no single way to enjoy cigars: Explore new options while keeping familiar choices for particular occasions.
• Humidor routines vary: The hosts shared different home setups and focused on what works for them.
• Aging results differ: Some cigars mellow well, while others may lose the character you enjoyed when they were fresh.
• Community matters: Creekside’s growth has come from welcoming people in person and connecting with cigar smokers online.

Cigars from this episode

• Crowned Heads La Imperiosa (The Dukes): Included in the bourbon sampler; a host described it as delicious and suggested it for contrast with the sweet bourbon.
• HVC Edición Especial 2015 Toro: Described as a Toro with a Mexican San Andrés wrapper and included in the bourbon sampler.
• Fuente Don Carlos No. 2: Included in the sampler; one host called it very good.
• Rodriguez Cigars PL box-pressed cigar: Included in the sampler; the transcript’s cigar name is unclear, but the host described it as delicious.
• Sarto: A host said it was already sweet and might pair better with a contrasting, more savory cigar.
• Foundation Tabernacle: Named by a host as a favorite Foundation cigar.
• Foundation Charter Oak: Recommended as a mild cigar at a good price point, including for the golf course.
• CAO Moontrance: Mentioned as a flavored cigar one host would choose, though he said he does not usually smoke flavored cigars.
• HVC Pan Caliente: The hosts discussed a planned Creekside collaboration based on the Pan Caliente.

Shop, smoke and listen with Creekside

• Shop the cigars from this episode
• Join the Creekside Cigar Club for boutique cigars picked by our crew every month
• Visit our cigar lounge at 1381 US-22, Maineville, OH, open seven days a week
• Subscribe to the Creekside Podcast on YouTube and catch every episode