How the Four El Mago Cigar Tins Compare in the Lounge

From Creekside Podcast Ep. 062: What Is The Best El Mago Cigar Tin... WE RANK THEM, aired Aug 19, 2026. Recorded at Creekside Cigar Co. in Maineville, Ohio.

On this Creekside Podcast, Dave, Tyler, and Conner take on all four El Mago tins: Mr. Almond, Cavalry, Oyama Omen, and the Jug. They smoke them side by side and share their impressions as they go. The cigars were purchased, and the conversation is not a sponsored review. Their reactions range from immediate enthusiasm to changing opinions, making this a useful reminder that a cigar ranking reflects individual palates and the moment a cigar is smoked.

How did the crew approach ranking the El Mago tins?

The plan was to smoke all four and decide which one came out on top, but the crew quickly found that ranking them would be harder than expected. Some had smoked a few of the cigars before, while others were trying certain tins for the first time. They also did not all smoke at the same pace: one host wanted to spend more time with each cigar, while another was eager to get to Mr. Almond.

That difference matters in a comparison. The hosts talk about how moving between blends can make the first part of a cigar feel jarring, and how giving it time can change what stands out. Rather than presenting one final, definitive verdict, the episode lets listeners hear their opinions develop in real time. By the end of the available conversation, one host gives a personal order, but another is still unsure how to rank the cigars.

What does Mr. Almond taste like?

Mr. Almond earns strong praise for its sweet, chocolate-forward character. One host describes it as being like a chocolate bar, while another says the cigar has delivered consistently enjoyable chocolate notes in repeated smokes. That familiarity gives the crew a point of comparison as they work through the other tins.

Its reputation also shapes the conversation. The hosts mention that Mr. Almond had generated a lot of attention and that tins sold quickly when they became available. Still, the episode is not simply a confirmation of the favorite: the crew spends time with the other cigars and finds that some perform better than expected. One host even admits to hoping Mr. Almond might not hold up, which would make the ranking easier.

How do Cavalry and Oyama Omen compare?

Cavalry surprises some of the hosts. Its early notes are described as sweet, woody, bready, and spicy, with one host also picking up something like rye bread and brown sugar. Another initially finds it bitter, green, and heavy, but the group’s different reactions make clear that the same cigar can land very differently from person to person. As the smoke continues, at least one host says Cavalry is better than expected.

Oyama Omen draws a more divided response. One host finds it less rich than Mr. Almond and the Jug and struggles to identify a taste that is not working for him. Later, he notices clove and nutmeg-like baking spice, and the retrohale brings out sweetness. Another host describes Oyama Omen as a kind of hybrid of the other cigars. The discussion illustrates why a first impression may not tell the whole story, especially when switching between different blends.

Why did the Jug divide the panel?

The Jug may be the clearest example of how personal a ranking can be. One host says he does not like it early on, finding it dense, bitter, and unbalanced. Another is immediately taken with it, praising its richness and chocolate on the retrohale. As the episode continues, even the host who started out skeptical revises his view and says the Jug is better than he expected.

That contrast is central to the episode: the crew is not trying to make everyone agree. One host’s eventual order is Mr. Almond, Cavalry, Oyama Omen, then the Jug, while others express strong affection for the Jug or remain undecided. Their rankings reflect their own preferences, not a universal scorecard.

Key takeaways

• Mr. Almond stands out for sweet, chocolate-forward notes and repeated positive impressions.
• Cavalry brings bready, woody, sweet, and spicy notes, though reactions vary.
• Oyama Omen’s impressions shift as the smoke develops, with some hosts noticing baking spice and sweetness.
• The Jug divides the crew: one host dislikes it at first, while another particularly enjoys its richness.
• The episode’s rankings are personal, and not every host settles on the same favorite.

Cigars from this episode

• El Mago Mr. Almond: Praised for a sweet, chocolate-forward profile; one host calls it like a chocolate bar.
• El Mago Cavalry: Described with notes of sweetness, wood, bread, rye, brown sugar, and spice; reactions differ.
• El Mago Oyama Omen: One host notices clove, nutmeg-like baking spice, and sweetness; another finds it less rich.
• El Mago the Jug: Divides the crew; praised for richness and chocolate on the retrohale, but disliked by one host early on.

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