The Creekside Crew Drafts Its Favorite Nicaraguan Cigars

From Creekside Podcast Ep. 041: Are These The Best Nicaraguan Cigars Out There?, aired Jan 27, 2026. Recorded at Creekside Cigar Co. in Maineville, Ohio.

In this Creekside Podcast episode, Dave and Conner welcome BG back to the lounge for a draft of their favorite cigars made in Nicaragua. The rules leave room for different styles and brands: a cigar must be made in Nicaragua, but it does not have to use all Nicaraguan tobacco. The crew’s picks show how personal a “best of” list can be, shaped by favorite blends, memorable smokes and the cigars each person reaches for most often.

What were the rules for the Nicaraguan cigar draft?

The three cigar fans took turns building five-cigar lineups, with the draft order set by a coin toss and a snake format. They could choose more than one cigar from the same brand, but they could not repeat a cigar already selected. That distinction kept the discussion focused on particular cigars rather than limiting the draft to one pick per maker.

The definition was broad by design: the cigar needed to be made in Nicaragua, not necessarily made entirely with Nicaraguan tobacco. That opened the door to a wide range of picks. The participants also stressed that their lists reflected personal preference, not a definitive ranking of every Nicaraguan-made cigar.

Which cigars stood out in the draft?

BG opened with the Padrón 96, a cigar he described as a strong pick and compared with the Padrón 95. He said cigars in that family can feel strong on an empty stomach. Later in his lineup, he chose a Liga Privada No. 9 in the Flying Pig size and a Plasencia Alma Fuerte Maduro, which he identified as the black version.

Among the other selections were the Serino Wayfarer and Warped Corto 46 Maduro. The Wayfarer drew an approving response as an all-time classic, while the Corto Maduro was described as a personal favorite and a cigar that had recently returned to stock. Other named choices included a Warped Sarto, Crowned Heads Jericho Hill OBS, and a Tatuaje Brown Label Corona. The Jericho Hill stood out for its hearty, sweet, slightly savory character and box-pressed shape. The Tatuaje Corona had become a recent favorite for one of the hosts.

The draft also brought in HVC Pan Caliente and Foundation Tabernacle, both praised as appealing choices. A Plasencia Alma Fuerte Colorado Claro in the Eduardo size received a particularly vivid description: one participant said it reminded him of a vanilla milkshake. Another host selected an Aganorsa Rare Leaf Corojo, calling it a near-daily smoke and praising its Corojo character. Together, the picks ranged from familiar staples to cigars the speakers had recently rediscovered.

Why do these picks matter more than a ranking?

The conversation makes clear that a draft is as much about taste and routine as reputation. One participant talked about choosing cigars he would smoke often, while another leaned into reliable favorites. Price, status and elegance were briefly raised as possible ways to judge a lineup, but the point was simple: the best roster for each person is the one built around what they genuinely enjoy.

The episode also includes a blind-smoking check-in, separate from the draft. The cigar was not identified in the discussion, and the tasters’ early impressions differed. One described sweetness and a jam-like quality in a cigar he thought was Connecticut; another suspected a Dominican character. Their exchange is a useful reminder that blind tasting can prompt guesses, but a guess is not the same as knowing a cigar’s identity.

What did BG say about hospitality?

After the draft, the conversation turned from cigars to the Creekside community and the work of making guests feel welcome. BG reflected on how the lounge’s community had grown beyond the people he initially expected to see regularly. The crew discussed the challenge of delivering attentive service while juggling the everyday demands of a busy shop.

Their takeaway was that hospitality should not depend on whether a customer is especially outgoing or says the right thing in return. The goal, as they put it, is to help people feel better than they did when they walked in. BG connected that approach to service in other fields, including real estate, where trust and a genuine connection can matter as much as the transaction itself.

Key takeaways

• The draft focused on cigars made in Nicaragua, without requiring every tobacco leaf to be Nicaraguan.
• The crew’s lists reflected individual favorites, not a single objective ranking.
• Named picks included the Padrón 96, Serino Wayfarer, Warped Corto 46 Maduro, Foundation Tabernacle and Aganorsa Rare Leaf Corojo.
• The discussion closed on a wider Creekside principle: thoughtful hospitality is part of the cigar lounge experience.

Cigars from this episode

• Padrón 96: BG’s first pick; he said it can feel strong on an empty stomach.
• Serino Wayfarer: Praised as an all-time classic; several sizes were mentioned.
• Warped Corto 46 Maduro: A personal favorite and recently back in stock, according to the speaker.
• HVC Pan Caliente: Selected as an any-time-of-day cigar; the transcript garbles the name slightly.
• Foundation Tabernacle: Named as a draft pick and described as a cigar the speaker enjoys for its consistency.
• Warped Sarto: Selected in the Robusto size.
• Crowned Heads Jericho Hill OBS: Described as hearty, sweet, slightly savory and box-pressed.
• Tatuaje Brown Label Corona: A recent favorite for one of the hosts.
• Liga Privada No. 9 Flying Pig: BG’s pick; he specified the Flying Pig size.
• Plasencia Alma Fuerte Maduro: BG specified the Maduro, or black, version.
• Plasencia Alma Fuerte Colorado Claro Eduardo: The Toro size was described as reminiscent of a vanilla milkshake.
• Aganorsa Rare Leaf Corojo: Called a cigar one host could smoke almost every day, with Corojo character.

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