Smoke Night Live - Cigar Dojo

Nobody loves and celebrates great food more than Rafael Nodal from Altadis USA. In this show, he joins Sensei, Jordan, and Juan to rate and rank the best regional cuisines. What’s better: a Philly Cheesesteak, Italian Beef, Lobster Roll, or Cuban Sandwich? And what about other regional favorites? Let the debate begin! We invite you, the viewing audience, to join the discussion.

Bill Ives and Juan Cancel reunite on this episode of Smoke Night LIVE. Ten years ago, Bill and Juan were Cigar Dojo members and cigar enthusiasts who decided to start a cigar brand named Cubariqueño, also known as Protocol. They quickly became one of the most popular brands on the market, paying homage to police officers worldwide. Since then, the company has undergone many changes, including Bill leaving to focus on his career in law enforcement. On this show, Juan and Bill reunite for the first time to reminisce and discuss Protocol’s wild history over the past decade.

Get ready for our 3rd epic AMA (Ask Me Anything) on Smoke Night LIVE! The audience takes the wheel, firing tough, fascinating questions at the Dojo crew: Master Sensei, Juan Cancel, Kid-Producer Jordan, Scotty Braband, and Matty Hall. Best of all, submit your question(s) for a chance to win a 10-count bundle of Protocol Jane Doe cigars! Drop your most compelling questions and join the fun!

Buy, Hold, or Sell? With the annual cigar trade show behind us, it’s time to evaluate how the top brands performed and whether their yearly pitches hit or missed the mark. To guide us through these assessments, we’ve assembled an expert panel for one of our most popular episodes: the Cigar Brand Stock Market. Join Juan Cancel, William ‘Cigar Coop’ Cooper, and John ‘Cigar Surgeon’ McTavish as they advise ‘investors’ on which cigar brands are worthy of your investment.

Survey Says! Terence Reilly from Aganorsa Leaf joins the show to predict the results of our cigar consumer survey before we dive into the answers. How well does Terence understand the habits of premium cigar smokers? Tune in to find out! Plus, complete the survey for a chance to win a FLEX Sampler featuring 10 incredible Aganorsa Leaf cigars.

The 2025 Premium Cigar Association Trade Show has concluded, and the burning question on everyone’s mind is, “What are the best cigars from this year’s show?” The Cigar Dojo team answers this question in our annual First Impressions Show. Our crew—Sensei, Jordan, Robby Ras, and Matty Hall—will each smoke three new releases, rating them live on air to guide cigar enthusiasts on which premium cigars to seek out in 2025.

Nashville’s Crowned Heads have been making waves with a flurry of announcements ahead of this year’s PCA trade show, unveiling new cigars and even a refreshed logo. Miguel Schoedel, the VP of Sales, joins the show to break down all the latest updates and provide an inside look at what’s happening within the Crowned Heads and OZ Family Cigars brands.

What makes Juan, “Juan?” Have you ever wondered about that? Juan Cancel is one of the most intriguing figures in the cigar industry. Before founding Protocol Cigars (also known as Cubariqueño), his life was shaped by a series of events that molded him into the man he is today. In this episode, we’ll uncover the journey that crafted the one and only Juan Cancel.

Fred Rewey, formerly of Nomad Cigars and Illusione Cigars, now a partial owner of Cigar Press Magazine, joins the show to talk about… cigars. You like cigars, right? Well, we’re diving into cigars and much, much more on this fun, freewheeling episode of Smoke Night LIVE.

In this episode, Cigar Dojo welcomes Oliver Nivaud, Director of Sales and Marketing at United Cigars. Join us for an in-depth conversation with Nivaud, who will be in-studio for this special interview. Oliver leads the team behind some of the most interesting cigar brands in the industry, including the Firecracker series, Atabey, Byron, Red Anchor, and the recently launched Gold Star line.

In this episode, our guest is Sandy Cobas, the owner and operator of El Titan de Bronze, the famed cigar factory in Miami. El Titan de Bronze stands out as a rare gem, being one of the last cigar factories still operating in the United States. Sandy and her team craft some of the finest cigars in the world, producing for renowned brands like Cohiba, Drew Estate, Warped, La Palina, and many others. In 2024, their Redemption cigar earned the #16 spot on The Dojo’s Cigar of the Year list, and Sandy herself was honored as our Person of the Year.

The Great Smoke (Renaissance Fair Edition) is just a few of weeks away, and it’s no secret that it has become one of the premier cigar events in the world. Abe Dababneh, the mastermind behind this unique event, joins the show to discuss what’s in store for this year and more.

A new Perdomo cigar is set to hit stores in May. That’s right, folks—it’s the Perdomo Legacy, a tribute to Nick Perdomo Jr., created by his son Nicholas. Nicholas will join the show to share all the details about this exciting new release on this episode of Smoke Night LIVE.

Let’s get ready to rumble! It’s time for one of the most highly anticipated episodes of the year, where we pit four of the top Cigar-of-the-Year lists against each other in a no-holds-barred battle royale. The best part? The viewing audience decides the outcome! Last year’s champion, Cigar Snob Magazine, returns to defend its crown against Cigar Press, How Bout That Cigar, and Smokin’ Tobacco. Which year-end list will reign supreme? Tune in to find out!

It all comes down to this! Sunday’s big game between Kansas City and Philadelphia is just hours away, but the party starts now. Camacho’s Jack Heyer and William “Cigar Coop” Cooper join the show to break down the matchup and discuss the ultimate game-day lineup (e.g. best snacks, smokes, and drinks for the occasion). Kick off Super Weekend with Smoke Night LIVE and enter to win HUGE prizes from Camacho!

What’s the right cigar for a wedding? A funeral? Or even a Star Wars cosplay convention? We’ll answer these questions and many more on this week’s episode of Smoke Night LIVE! Juan Cancel and Nick Libretti join the show to help us break down why certain cigars are better suited for specific occasions. Don’t miss this engaging discussion about pairing the perfect cigar with life’s most memorable moments.

And the winners are in! It’s time to reveal the recipients of our Cigar of the Year awards. Who will take home the honors for Best Under-the-Radar, Value-Priced Cigar, Best Packaging, Person of the Year, and Brand of the Year? We will also discuss our selections for the Top 20 Cigars of 2024. Stay tuned to find out!

Hear ye, hear ye! As the calendar turns to the year of our Lord, 2025, the first gathering of this noble assembly shall commence anon, and thou art invited to take the reins! Yea, good folk, the gallant Dojo fellowship shall gather ’round the fabled ‘Table of Rounds’ to discourse upon the matters thou dost present.But hark! The merriment doth not end there. The most splendid query or topic proffered by the audience shall be deemed worthy of a grand prize. This princely reward includeth a bounteous collection of fine cigars from the venerable houses of Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust, Foundation, Joya, Black Star Line, Room101, and others of renown. Moreover, the victor shall claim a coveted Squishy Sensei and a freshly forged Dojo Xikar Xi2 cutter, treasures fit for a sovereign.Come forth and join the revelry, for thine wit and wisdom may yet claim thee this glorious bounty!

Believe it or not, 2024 is winding down. As we prepare to welcome the new year, it’s time to rewind and review the biggest and most significant stories of the past year. Joining the show for a round-table discussion are Juan Cancel, Fred Rewey, and John “Cigar Surgeon” McTavish. Together, they’ll dive into topics from the cigar industry, as well as highlights from movies, television, music, sports, and more!

Good tidings we bring to you and your kin! Have you been a good girl or boy this year? Santa—or in this case, Michael Herklots—is making his list and checking it twice. Join us for the annual Christmas episode of Smoke Night LIVE, featuring Ferio Tego’s Michael Herklots. It’s a festive night of fun, laughter, and cigars you won’t want to miss!