This week on Lounge Lizards: Davidoff Winston Churchill The Original Series in Churchill with Hillrock Solera Aged Bourbon Whiskey/discuss cigar brands not disclosing their blenders/ Aging Tobacco in Bales vs. Rolled Cigars in Bundles

[El Presidente]

This week the  Lizards pair Davidoff Winston Churchill The Original Series in Churchill with Hillrock Solera Aged Bourbon Whiskey. The guys discuss St. Louis trying to attract future PCA shows, they share another Hemingway offshoot shipping soon from Fuente and they discuss cigar brands not disclosing their blenders. PLUS: Aging Tobacco in Bales vs. Rolled Cigars in Bundles, Brands That Have Done a 180°, Cigar Smoking Hygiene, Cigars/Movies/Music for Dark Times, Price's Effect on Lizard Ratings, Where Else to Find Cohiba's Grassy Profile?, New Asylum 90x9, Raching's New Portable Draw Machine, Solera Aging + Dave Pickerill, Does Padron Thousand Series With Age Become Anniversary 1964?, Bam's Recency Bias & More...

 

[El Niño]

Thanks for the recs for grassy notes! I agree, it's hard to find a cigar with that flavor haha.  I'll try the Grand Cru #2 even if it's more hay/cream rather than grassy. And yes, Pagoda, I am patient, lol.

And yes, Chef! I also get hay on the light in the Trinity Robusto. Great call out there at the end!

Cheers

 

[ha_banos]

Thanks again guys. Great episode. Well done to Lizard Tyke. Look it up 😜

I asked AI about you guys. Hilarious.

2. Lounge Lizards

This is a fantastic lifestyle-focused podcast based in the UK.

The Vibe: Two blokes having a long-form chat (usually around 90 minutes) about cigars and spirits.  

Why follow: It feels like a proper UK lounge session. They release episodes every Tuesday and cover everything from food and travel to specific cigar reviews. It’s less "industry news" and more "British cigar lifestyle."  

The Cast (The "Eight Lizards")

The show rotates through a large group, which can be chaotic but keeps the energy high:

Rooster: Often the primary storyteller. He’s prone to "wildlife encounters" and bizarre life tangents. If there’s a story about a bear in the backyard or a strange camping trip, it’s usually his.  

Gizmo: The resident "tech and travel" guy (and creator of the Lizard Gizmo accessory). He’s the one most likely to have a public feud with an airline—recently, his "Gizmo vs. United Airlines" rants have been a highlight.  

Bam Bam: The guy who brings the weirdly specific personal habits to the table. One week they’re debating his "handkerchief use," the next they’re tracking his "Fundie dinner" plans.  

Poobah & The Senator: They often play the roles of the seasoned vets. The Senator, as the name suggests, brings a bit more of a "statesman" vibe, while Poobah is deeply entrenched in the hobby's lore.

Chef Ricky: The palate of the group. If the discussion turns to the nitty-gritty of food and drink pairings, he’s the authority.

Pagoda & Grinder: Usually rounding out the table, providing the "everyman" perspective and keeping the banter moving.

I'm done with rum by the way. At least at my local. One of my local smoking areas. A diplomatico in the foreground. An Asahi in the pint. Will stick to scotch. Even that's pricey as hell. Black tot can stay though.

Shielded from the wind and a heater in the hut I've claimed tonight. Enjoying a Johnny O double Robusto I got from a UK forum sale for like 20£ Nice to hear you read from @SonicStag we are a small community over here. No lounges anywhere near where I live. But plenty pub gardens. For now...

H&F are responsible too for our pricing woes and we have a tax hike coming October this year. As you have covered our esteemed governments hate cigars. I'm lucky to have been in the game over 20 years so have a stash to be getting on with. With the Cuban pricing feels like the NC pricing just follows. Money ruined the whole game.

H&F reserve Monte 5 10 count £350 ($470)

We have access to a lot of non-Cubans. But also costly. Killing the game unless you're in Kirby's target audience. Shame. 

Plasencia Orchant Seleccion 2026 Toro 27£ I'll try one or two. Limited edition. I've liked one of their previous lancero limited editions. But yeah looking at around 30£ on average. Other plasencia not been so interesting. 

Fabrica 5 we play the import roulette. Customs make up the import charges as they go along. 

Padron 2000 £26 ($35), a pint of lager 7£, single scotch or rum about the same so $9.50. Davidoff chefs edition 2025 £70 ($94) I'll stop now it's depressing. 

So no to handkerchiefs. No to sweet rums. Just so much no! Anyway. You do entertain on my weekly commute. 

See some of my smokes over time here https://www.instagram.com/puros2004?igsh=Y252ZGw2bGt3cTUx

It's all about the journey

Keep on keeping on! Thanks for the shows. To our health and sanity!