This week on Lounge Lizards: Byron 19th Century Poemas with 1933 Macleod's 15 Years Old Sherry Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky/retrohaling and how we taste food and wine/bad customer service

[El Presidente]

The Lizards pair the Byron 19th Century Poemas with 1933 Macleod's 15 Years Old Sherry Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky. The guys debate if retrohaling affects how we taste food and wine, Senator talks handling bad customer service and a listener asks them to reflect on their most cherished cigar memories. PLUS: Gizmo vs. USPS, EDIAV Loves the Black Honey, Spanish Smoking Ban, New Cuban Punch, Nicaraguan Cigar Tariffs & More

 

[NYGuido]

Loved the episode and really agreed with all the notes the guys had. I bought a 3 pack of these to smoke along with them but busted one out in the interim. I wasn’t impressed. Give me a Millennium Robusto or a Padron Exclusivo any day, and give me a Davidoff Maduro or a Padron Family Reserve instead for a more special smoke. 

I also really appreciate the discussion on customer service! So often, we from the NY/NJ area get accused of being demanding when all we want is the experience we paid for. In the world of higher prices, squeezing the customer, and folks having to save and make a conscious choice for a luxury experience, the onus is on the provider to ensure we at least get what we paid for. And demanding that level of service—politely but firmly—isn’t rude. And we’re not there to be these people’s friends—we’re there or spending our money with them to get an experience or product we want. 

But the post office? Those guys are exhibit A of why I don’t want the government running anything they don’t already 😂 

Thanks again for the great episode, congrats to Gizmo on winning FOH Man of the Year, and here’s to another great year of Lizard Nation!

PS, @LizardGizmo, for those of us who won Lizard of the Week before you announced the BR partnership, are we still eligible to get some of the new BR stuff as part of that!?

[TommySnark]

I don’t think they’re going retroactive with the BR goodies - I was Lizard of the Week for ep. 201 and didn’t receive anything. 🤷🏼‍♂️ 

[NYGuido]

6 hours ago, TommySnark said:

I don’t think they’re going retroactive with the BR goodies - I was Lizard of the Week for ep. 201 and didn’t receive anything. 🤷🏼‍♂️ 

Gotcha. Haven’t yet either, but I honestly just figure Giz is beyond busy and overwhelmed with things. And I’m absolutely happy to be patient; they’re good dudes to even do the podcast amidst all they’ve got going on. 

My one “Gizmo Accountability Hour” point is that he updated the ratings but hasn’t put any of Chef Ricky’s in the spreadsheet. Maybe Chef’s palate is just too good! 😂 

[TommySnark]

I agree, NYG - no hard feelings here. Would love some free BR cigars, but it’s no big deal. Love the podcast, look forward to it every week, and appreciate the time and effort that goes into it. Hoping they’re able to put together some kind of meet up together this year. 

[ElLoboLoco]

I have been curious to give a Byron a whirl, sounds like it’s a pass after the podcast. Priced at habanos levels (possibly higher); under delivering is an easy pass. Pass me a Trinity Robusto please.

[LizardGizmo]

Thanks guys. Unfortunately this Byron wasn't a winner. Next week's cigar is a much stronger performer.

On LOTW : I do them in huge batches twice-ish a year - but you’ll be very happy when they arrive. (and everyone will receive theirs, in time).

BR coming on for LOTW with the 10counts has been huge, though it will only be effective as of the announcement date. Keep in touch with us and hopefully (I'm sure) you’ll win again sometime...!

As always - appreciate the support guys!!!

[phlipp]

I’ve tried a lot of the selected tobacco releases as well as other United cigars and don’t get a lot of the hype surrounding Selected. The Atabey Black was an outstanding cigar and I like the Atabey Lancero. Bandelero premium was pretty good, Byron has been very hit or miss for me, the Alfonso Extra Anejo was also great. Most of the rest of them for me have been between not good, mediocre, and decent. Those are the standouts. 

I do really like the red anchor cigars by United (made by Klaus Kelner). They are fantastic as well. There’s also a new Kelner/United cigar coming in the future that Dave Garofolo recently teased. United is the distributor for Selected.

[TanT]

15 hours ago, ElLoboLoco said:

I have been curious to give a Byron a whirl, sounds like it’s a pass after the podcast. Priced at habanos levels (possibly higher); under delivering is an easy pass. Pass me a Trinity Robusto please.

I liked the episode and their description of the Byron, so I tried one at a nearby lounge. The flavor was excellent but it was basically unsmokeable since it had a deep crack that didn't show up until it was lit. Unfortunate. 

[ElLoboLoco]

I agree the Red Anchors are very tasty. They remind of the Cuban Montecristos a bit. Nothing worse than dropping super premium prices and the cigar cracks. 🤬

[NYGuido]

16 hours ago, LizardGizmo said:

Thanks guys. Unfortunately this Byron wasn't a winner. Next week's cigar is a much stronger performer.

On LOTW : I do them in huge batches twice-ish a year - but you’ll be very happy when they arrive. (and everyone will receive theirs, in time).

BR coming on for LOTW with the 10counts has been huge, though it will only be effective as of the announcement date. Keep in touch with us and hopefully (I'm sure) you’ll win again sometime...!

As always - appreciate the support guys!!!

Giz, thanks! Hope my comment didn’t come across as rude in any way. I know you’re slammed and never ever doubted I’d get something kickass. I genuinely apologize if it was received in any other manner. 

[LizardGizmo]

15 hours ago, NYGuido said:

Giz, thanks! Hope my comment didn’t come across as rude in any way. I know you’re slammed and never ever doubted I’d get something kickass. I genuinely apologize if it was received in any other manner. 

Not at all! It’s one of the few remaining endeavors where I need to “get my s**t together” and put a better system together. Maybe I’ll pass it off to Pagoda - that should go smoothly

 

[NYGuido]

15 hours ago, LizardGizmo said:

Not at all! It’s one of the few remaining endeavors where I need to “get my s**t together” and put a better system together. Maybe I’ll pass it off to Pagoda - that should go smoothly

He can just let me claim his lost cases from the Carnegie Club lost and found 😂 

[LizardGizmo]

On 1/9/2026 at 5:21 PM, NYGuido said:

My one “Gizmo Accountability Hour” point is that he updated the ratings but hasn’t put any of Chef Ricky’s in the spreadsheet. Maybe Chef’s palate is just too good! 😂 

Forgot to reply to this, but Chef is on the ratings guide! I looked yesterday to make sure I didn't miss him, but he's there!