Lounge Lizards This Week: CAO Brazilia in Box-Press with Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon Whiskey/celebratory cigars/The Women in Lizard Nation, Cigars for Celebrating Milestones, Cigar-Adjacent Gifts from Significant Others, Davidoff Ownership Transition,

[El Presidente]

 

The Lizards pair the CAO Brazilia in Box-Press with Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The guys discuss recommended celebratory cigars, they answer a listener email on the best credit cards for rewards, and they share a voice memo unlike any other before. PLUS: The Women in Lizard Nation, Cigars for Celebrating Milestones, Cigar-Adjacent Gifts from Significant Others, Davidoff Ownership Transition, Tennessee Legislator Proposes E-Commerce Ban, New Cuban Trinidad & More

 

 

[NYGuido]

Great episode, as always, guys! I've been scared to try this cigar, since I have preconceived notions about CAO, but I will give it a shot after hearing the unusually varied ratings on the pod. For Senator to give a 10 to something that also gets a 7 is absolutely wild to me, and this is a stick I need to try for myself.

Your related discussion of "cigar snobbery" was interesting because I think you all acknowledge you have it to a degree and that the podcast is what has broken you out of that (which it has for me, as well). Case in point, I am smoking a La Galera Habano lancero right now and loving it, but I would neither have known about nor tried this brand if you all hadn't featured it and raved about it (BTW, I agree with Rooster that, for me, the La Galera is more in my flavor wheelhouse than the Aladino Classic Elegante). Being a snob isn't a bad thing if it is rooted in wanting to have a good experience--we all have such limited time to smoke (well, maybe except Senator, who seems to smoke at least a box per week) that it is hard to risk it on an unknown or, worse yet, a brand we've previously disliked. Snobbery only becomes a problem when it is rooted in perceived status rather than preserving enjoyment. But, in any event, you all have done more to break that wall down than you ever have to build it up.

I also loved Lizard T's voicemail and agree with the room that the treatment she describes is deplorable and, at least in NYC, fairly rare. I've seen many women smoking at lounges in the city and they are by and large treated as any other smoker. I do recall one instance in which a male smoker (who was not a regular at our lounge) was being patronizing and a bit sexualizing to a female smoker. The regulars in the lounge shut that down REAL fast, and that guy was told that he either could behave himself or we would gladly give him an etiquette lesson of our own. The Lady Lizard was appreciative, and I bought her an Exclusivo as a peace offering, explaining that he doesn't represent us or how we treat any smoker who comes to the lounge to enjoy some time with a good cigar. I've seen her a few times since, and she's always smoking genuinely amazing stuff and actually prefers a flavor profile very similar to my own.

You and your podcast have been consistent: Cigars are the great equalizer. This doesn't mean just among men. It means among people, all people. Age, race, gender, nationality, language, income level, education, job--all of this evaporates the moment flame touches foot. We are thereafter all fellow brothers and sisters of the leaf. While I know there are smokers who may feel different, I think that there is no true Lizard who can disagree with that sentiment.

Thanks again for all you do. As I've mentioned in the FOH Discord, I've got some stuff going on with family (both human and animal) that has me a bit topsy turvy lately, but I know that I will be able to forget all about it for 2-ish hours every Tuesday.