World's Best Cigar Auction Kirby Allison Video

[barrygoodvibes]

I'm hoping this isn't a repost. As much as I don't particularly jive with Kirby's aura for lack of a better word, he does hire the right people to produce great content with interesting guests. I'm happy to see that this has got 1.5M views already! That is pretty impressive for a cigar video. I love anything that brings positive attention and new eyes to this thing of ours.

[JDoughty]

I get what you mean about the aura. Kirby is a nice fellow, I don't think I've ever seen him be hateful, gatekeep-ish or even unkind like some other cigar "influencers" I could name. But he is very much about cigars as costuming props to achieve the appearance of sartorial elegance. Which is weird to me, but fine. To each their own and it's okay that he likes cigars for that reason. He has stated that he can not taste the flavor profiles of the cigars he smokes and has basically no palate. Fancy cigars are part of the sartorial experience for him rather than a taste experience. His money, his cigars, his business, even if I don't get it. 

My favorite way to smoke cigars is in my camo PJ's on my comfy old couch, or anywhere else that is relaxing. I'm not going to dress up in uncomfortable clothes to smoke, because that is the exact opposite of relaxing. I want to smoke cigars with a delicious flavor profile that I can enjoy. IDGAF who sees me smoking what or how expensive my lighter is, as long as it f***ing works and does a perfect job of toasting without scorching for maximum flavor. I like clothes that are comfortable and functional and a watch that does useful things rather than advertising how much money I spent pimping my wrist. I like a car that can haul corn out to my deer stand and deer back out again with no fuss if my boots are muddy. If other folks enjoy surrounding themselves with fine arts and crafts that are a bit less practical than the things I prefer, I'm happy for them. People being different is what makes the world go round, and that's a good thing. But me personally, I have about as much use for the fancy stuff as a fish has for a bicycle. And that's okay too.

I actually like Kirby because he has nothing negative to say about people who have different lifestyle preferences and who enjoy cigars in a different way for different reasons. I don't vibe at all with the way he enjoys cigars, it is the complete opposite of how I do. That doesn't mean he isn't just fine the way he is. Respect goes both ways and he is one who does give it to others. 

[MrFolgers]

1 hour ago, JDoughty said:

I get what you mean about the aura. Kirby is a nice fellow, I don't think I've ever seen him be hateful, gatekeep-ish or even unkind like some other cigar "influencers" I could name. But he is very much about cigars as costuming props to achieve the appearance of sartorial elegance. Which is weird to me, but fine. To each their own and it's okay that he likes cigars for that reason. He has stated that he can not taste the flavor profiles of the cigars he smokes and has basically no palate. Fancy cigars are part of the sartorial experience for him rather than a taste experience. His money, his cigars, his business, even if I don't get it. 

My favorite way to smoke cigars is in my camo PJ's on my comfy old couch, or anywhere else that is relaxing. I'm not going to dress up in uncomfortable clothes to smoke, because that is the exact opposite of relaxing. I want to smoke cigars with a delicious flavor profile that I can enjoy. IDGAF who sees me smoking what or how expensive my lighter is, as long as it f***ing works and does a perfect job of toasting without scorching for maximum flavor. I like clothes that are comfortable and functional and a watch that does useful things rather than advertising how much money I spent pimping my wrist. I like a car that can haul corn out to my deer stand and deer back out again with no fuss if my boots are muddy. If other folks enjoy surrounding themselves with fine arts and crafts that are a bit less practical than the things I prefer, I'm happy for them. People being different is what makes the world go round, and that's a good thing. But me personally, I have about as much use for the fancy stuff as a fish has for a bicycle. And that's okay too.

I actually like Kirby because he has nothing negative to say about people who have different lifestyle preferences and who enjoy cigars in a different way for different reasons. I don't vibe at all with the way he enjoys cigars, it is the complete opposite of how I do. That doesn't mean he isn't just fine the way he is. Respect goes both ways and he is one who does give it to others. 

[loose_axle]

14 hours ago, barrygoodvibes said:

I'm hoping this isn't a repost. As much as I don't particularly jive with Kirby's aura for lack of a better word, he does hire the right people to produce great content with interesting guests. I'm happy to see that this has got 1.5M views already! That is pretty impressive for a cigar video. I love anything that brings positive attention and new eyes to this thing of ours.

One thing I did find odd about this series in particular was that Kirby was able to put his mitts and nostrils over a bunch of cigars that were going to go for thousands of pounds. If I was someone who could afford those things and had watched the videos first I wouldn't be bidding. 

I also got the vibe that Dominique couldn't care less about cigars or Kirby but is here for the free advertising and money. 

[zacca]

18 hours ago, MrFolgers said:

Yeah it should be in pretty evident the guy is basically an actor. Not saying it in a bad way, but YouTube is just new TV. Most people actually being “real” on there have no following…because that’s not what’s incentivized. But if you pretend to be real and authentic and do it with high production quality, you’ll succeed at the game. 

[El Presidente]

The cigar world is a big church. There is plenty of room for all 

Now I am not a happy clapper. If the evangelical church doesn't suit me I may look for another. A the same time I am not a apostolic pentecostal. Way too many rules for one of my ilk. 

The cigar world is much the same. Find the suit that fits. Create your own suit if none fits. 

[JDoughty]

5 hours ago, El Presidente said:

The cigar world is a big church. There is plenty of room for all 

An apt analogy, because the one thing I don't think we should be making room for is people who choose violence towards anyone who does things differently. Either in cigars or in church. 

[El Presidente]

Just now, JDoughty said:

An apt analogy, because the one thing I don't think we should be making room for is people who choose violence towards anyone who does things differently. Either in cigars or in church. 

Where is the violence, JD?

I see quirkiness, I see a touch of passion. It’s not my style, but that’s okay.

The only issue I had with Kirb’s was the video/photo of him smoking a cigar next to a Cuban changing a tyre. Jesus, if I had to apologise for every faux pas I’ve made, I’d be here for a millennium.

I have never met Dominique or Kirby one on one. It will be a great lunch.

They won’t understand my world or my direction. All good. 

[JDoughty]

35 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

Where is the violence, JD?

I see quirkiness, I see a touch of passion. It’s not my style, but that’s okay.

The only issue I had with Kirb’s was the video/photo of him smoking a cigar next to a Cuban changing a tyre. Jesus, if I had to apologise for every faux pas I’ve made, I’d be here for a millennium.

I have never met Dominique or Kirby one on one. It will be a great lunch.

They won’t understand my world or my direction. All good. 

Certainly not on Kirby's part. As I said above, I rather like that guy because I've never seen him be negative or exclusionary towards anyone. His style is definitely not my style, but I'm not judging him for doing it differently because I've never seen him do it to others. That guy is kind of like the Pee Wee Herman of cigars. Quirky AF but really quite nice. 😆

[Havanaaddict]

I tell you this; it’s getting harder and harder to win anything in those freaking online auctions!😭

[BrightonCorgi]

13 hours ago, Havanaaddict said:

I tell you this; it’s getting harder and harder to win anything in those freaking online auctions!😭

It's also made me hesitant to open sealed boxes knowing their auction value.

[LizardGizmo]

On 3/26/2026 at 2:47 PM, El Presidente said:

Where is the violence, JD?

The only issue I had with Kirb’s was the video/photo of him smoking a cigar next to a Cuban changing a tyre.

This photo really irked me - which he then followed up immediately by whitewashing the Cuban peoples’ reality in every one of his videos he filmed on that same trip. I don’t expect him to trash to the regime, given that HSA all but certainly financed the series either directly or indirectly, but even just a sentence acknowledging the reality would have sufficed. Just a bit less plastic, a little more human.

I’m glad he’s bringing eyes and curiosity to cigars and I think his production team is brilliant. I wish he and Dominque didn’t perpetuate the myths of plume in their first auction house video - which if he had any deep level of curiosity himself, say on a level to become a cigar “master” - he would reject falsehoods and focus on truly educating the folks he’s introducing to this world.

I wish him well - I think we just view “diving deep” differently.

 

[Li Bai]

6 hours ago, LizardGizmo said:

This photo really irked me - which he then followed up immediately by whitewashing the Cuban peoples’ reality in every one of his videos he filmed on that same trip. I don’t expect him to trash to the regime, given that HSA all but certainly financed the series either directly or indirectly, but even just a sentence acknowledging the reality would have sufficed. Just a bit less plastic, a little more human.

I’m glad he’s bringing eyes and curiosity to cigars and I think his production team is brilliant. I wish he and Dominque didn’t perpetuate the myths of plume in their first auction house video - which if he had any deep level of curiosity himself, say on a level to become a cigar “master” - he would reject falsehoods and focus on truly educating the folks he’s introducing to this world.

I wish him well - I think we just view “diving deep” differently.

I very much agree with all you said George, but to be honest, I'm running out of patience...

It's a broader issue than Kirby and Jasim or even the cigar industry, it's everywhere and it's poisoning everything.

I'll tell you a story, when I bought my pup 3 years ago I asked the dog breeder what he thought about neutering (never had a dog before), he told me 100% I should and that it would be stupid not to (cancers, bite risks...). Of course I did my research after that and it turns out it's clearly debatable. But of course, a dog breeder lives of the dogs he sells and having pure golden retrievers reproducing in the wild is bad for business. 

My point is that it's becoming almost impossible to trust anyone when money's involved and it's infuriating. Quality, expertise and transparent guidance should be put above all else, period.

"They muddy the water to make it seem deep", to quote Nietzsche, and fortunately for us, all the Kirbys and Jasims of this World are here to help us, not at all to serve their own interests...I don't wish them any harm but I really hope they'll get their sh*t together eventually or do something else with their lives because what they're trying to do goes against everything I stand for.

Sorry about all that rant folks but instead of "give the people what they want", it should be "give them what they need".

My two cents.

[JDoughty]

@Li Bai the breeder is 100% correct. I don't breed or sell animals but I do have enough veterinary background peripheral to my field to preach the same thing. Absolutely do spay and neuter. It significantly decreases health risks and increases quality of life for both you and them. This is not something an ethical breeder will say only because of personal profit. Your own veterinarian will tell you the same. 

[Li Bai]

2 hours ago, JDoughty said:

@Li Bai the breeder is 100% correct. I don't breed or sell animals but I do have enough veterinary background peripheral to my field to preach the same thing. Absolutely do spay and neuter. It significantly decreases health risks and increases quality of life for both you and them. This is not something an ethical breeder will say only because of personal profit. Your own veterinarian will tell you the same. 

Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it👍

But in a way it's exactly what I was talking about in my previous post about trustworthy professionals or people in general.

The first year of his life we've seen half a dozen different veterinarians and it appears there's no consensus about that, at least in France. Some said we should, some said there's no point in doing it for this breed and some said it was up to us. My wife has also been in touch with other clients of this breeder and some had their unneutered pet reach 15 and one even 17 years of age.

So, when you know nothing about anything in a field, who should you trust?

[Puros Y Vino]

I do not love his content but he does it very well. I get the sense that this is all done for the "pomp and circumstance" of the cigar hobby. Especially as it relates to the UK. His primary stake is clothing I believe. I will say he's looking healthier as several months ago he looked very pallid and thinner than usual. It seems he's gotten over whatever was ailing him. Whatever his motivations are, they don't really bother me. It may not be to my particular taste but I do find him more palatable than Jasim.  

[CuriousObserver]

2 hours ago, Li Bai said:

Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it👍

But in a way it's exactly what I was talking about in my previous post about trustworthy professionals or people in general.

The first year of his life we've seen half a dozen different veterinarians and it appears there's no consensus about that, at least in France. Some said we should, some said there's no point in doing it for this breed and some said it was up to us. My wife has also been in touch with other clients of this breeder and some had their unneutered pet reach 15 and one even 17 years of age.

So, when you know nothing about anything in a field, who should you trust?

This is a good point! I always ascribed to the rule Trust those you know, until you know better!

As for getting dogs spayed/neutered, I'm a big proponent, but I like to hold off until after they are a year old. Hormones help protect bones and joints while they are growing for sure. Same in us humans! But, animal shelters here being overrun due to negligence in getting animals fixed has made me a firm believe in the process.

As for Kirby, I like his videos and just about everyone he has in his cigar videos. He's not exactly to my taste, but he seems like a decent person otherwise. The great thing about cigars are that they are for everyone!

[JDoughty]

@Li Bai your veterinarian, assuming he or she is knowledgeable about the veterinary specifics of the breed and about your dog in particular. 

[Li Bai]

27 minutes ago, JDoughty said:

@Li Bai your veterinarian, assuming he or she is knowledgeable about the veterinary specifics of the breed and about your dog in particular. 

That's what I did, he didn't agree with the breeder but in my book I shouldn't have to always second guess everything I'm told by people who know more than me, hence my point.

[JDoughty]

2 hours ago, Puros Y Vino said:

I do not love his content but he does it very well. I get the sense that this is all done for the "pomp and circumstance" of the cigar hobby. Especially as it relates to the UK. His primary stake is clothing I believe. I will say he's looking healthier as several months ago he looked very pallid and thinner than usual. It seems he's gotten over whatever was ailing him. Whatever his motivations are, they don't really bother me. It may not be to my particular taste but I do find him more palatable than Jasim.

Agreed. Kirby does not know nearly as much about cigars as the much more knowledgeable experts he smokes with, but he's never been rude, hateful, judgemental or exclusionary towards people who don't look like him. Can't say that about the smoking naked in a bathtub guy who dresses like a wannabe Liberace and complains that women only smoke cigars for attention. 🙄 

[JDoughty]

31 minutes ago, Li Bai said:

That's what I did, he didn't agree with the breeder but in my book I shouldn't have to always second guess everything I'm told by people who know more than me, hence my point.

Thing is, that's life. When you hire anyone from a home repair contractor to a doctor or veterinarian or dog breeder, you have to do some due diligence as to their qualifications. Some will be better qualified than others, especially in your specific circumstances, whatever those circumstances are. If you trust your veterinarian and they know your dog, by all means go with their advice. I'm just saying that in general, there are very good reasons to neuter and spay household pets. 

[Li Bai]

21 hours ago, JDoughty said:

Thing is, that's life. When you hire anyone from a home repair contractor to a doctor or veterinarian or dog breeder, you have to do some due diligence as to their qualifications. Some will be better qualified than others, especially in your specific circumstances, whatever those circumstances are. If you trust your veterinarian and they know your dog, by all means go with their advice. I'm just saying that in general, there are very good reasons to neuter and spay household pets. 

Very much agreed. I'm an obsessive type (like many here), I wouldn't make any important decision without spending days or even weeks/months gathering all the information and advice I can from knowledgeable people. 

That's life, you're right, let's not be naive. Still, I don't think we should accept it because incompetent people and crooks get away with it too easily. I don't know mate, when has it become so naive to expect fair guidance from professionals? I can't second this, I couldn't look at myself in the mirror if I wasn't reliable in my field.

Anyway sometimes, when you're lucky, you cross paths with someone like @El Presidente, knowledgeable as can be, transparent and with a strict no BS policy and it helps restore your faith so instead of wasting time I'd rather show my full appreciation for all the Robs of this World 🙏🙏🙏

[zacca]

On 3/28/2026 at 2:31 AM, LizardGizmo said:

This photo really irked me 

I got a kick out of this one too.

[BrightonCorgi]

On 3/28/2026 at 6:02 AM, JDoughty said:

@Li Bai the breeder is 100% correct. I don't breed or sell animals but I do have enough veterinary background peripheral to my field to preach the same thing. Absolutely do spay and neuter. It significantly decreases health risks and increases quality of life for both you and them. This is not something an ethical breeder will say only because of personal profit. Your own veterinarian will tell you the same. 

You'll never get that dog off your leg if you don't neuter. Even after being neutered, they're still a bit randy.  You're lucky it's not spaying. That one cost significantly more money.

[BrightonCorgi]

23 hours ago, Li Bai said:

Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it👍

But in a way it's exactly what I was talking about in my previous post about trustworthy professionals or people in general.

The first year of his life we've seen half a dozen different veterinarians and it appears there's no consensus about that, at least in France. Some said we should, some said there's no point in doing it for this breed and some said it was up to us. My wife has also been in touch with other clients of this breeder and some had their unneutered pet reach 15 and one even 17 years of age.

So, when you know nothing about anything in a field, who should you trust?

The brands of dog food are going to make a huge difference in life expectancy. The newer freeze-dried whole food dog food is the way to go until they are old.