This week on Flavor Odyssey, we’re heading to Churchill Downs for our own cigar-smoking celebration of the Kentucky Derby. Fresh off the 152nd running of the “Run for the Roses,” your hosts dive into Kentucky Derby-inspired cigar and drink pairings that go far beyond the classic Mint Julep.

From Churchill-sized cigars to rose-themed cocktails, bourbon-forward classics, and even the essential oversized Derby hat, this episode is all about capturing the spirit of Derby Day with style and flavor. Whether you’re pairing for tradition or getting creative with your own race-day ritual, Flavor Odyssey is off to the races with plenty of fun and unexpected combinations.

Pairings

Randy: Winner’s Circle Julep & Fuente Hemingway 👍🏻
Robby: Official Mint Julep & Illusione Group of Five 👍🏻

Votes

Randy: 39%
Robby: 61%

🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings

Nathan Stewart: Davidoff Aniversario No. 3 & Aromatic Mint Julep 👍🏻👍🏻

𝙎𝙉𝙇 -- Head over to our Smoke Night LIVE podcast for cigar interviews and entertainment: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQ3OJ366KRotIlJb6-akfx_SKEmI45Y-k&si=Agu9o_OXidZLvcSW

👀 Follow Cigar Dojo on social media:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/cigardojo
𝕏: https://twitter.com/cigardojo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CigarDojo/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cigardojo

The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show introduces hundreds of new cigars each year—but what should you pair them with? That’s where Flavor Odyssey comes in. On this episode, your hosts sample a selection of new releases and put them to the test, pairing each cigar with the perfect drink to see what truly elevates the experience. Tune in to discover which combinations hit the mark and which ones miss the boat.

Pairings

Sensei: Black and Tan & Sobremesa Tapa Negra 👎🏻
Robby: Jungle Bird & AVO Expresivo 👍🏻

Votes

Sensei: 25%
Robby: 75%

🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings

Nathan Stewart: Davidoff Yamasá & Ember Old Fashioned 👍🏻👍🏻

𝙎𝙉𝙇 -- Head over to our Smoke Night LIVE podcast for cigar interviews and entertainment: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQ3OJ366KRotIlJb6-akfx_SKEmI45Y-k&si=Agu9o_OXidZLvcSW

👀 Follow Cigar Dojo on social media:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/cigardojo
𝕏: https://twitter.com/cigardojo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CigarDojo/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cigardojo

Flavor Odyssey has gone nuts! This week, hosts Robby and Randy explore nutty-inspired cocktails featuring ingredients like Orgeat, Frangelico, Amaretto, Nocello, and Licor 43. From almond and hazelnut to walnut and beyond, these flavors can add depth and texture to a cocktail—and might be the perfect match for a premium cigar. Mix up your own nutty pairing and join the conversation.

Pairings

Randy: Dominican Mai Tai & Davidoff Puro Dominicano 👍🏻
Robby: Spiced Hazelnut Sour & Aladino Cameroon 👍🏻

Votes

Randy: 58%
Robby: 42%

🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings

Sam Finnell: Frangelico Espresso Martini and the Perdomo Legacy Maduro 👍🏻👍🏻

𝙎𝙉𝙇 -- Head over to our Smoke Night LIVE podcast for cigar interviews and entertainment: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQ3OJ366KRotIlJb6-akfx_SKEmI45Y-k&si=Agu9o_OXidZLvcSW

👀 Follow Cigar Dojo on social media:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/cigardojo
𝕏: https://twitter.com/cigardojo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CigarDojo/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cigardojo

Everybody has one—you know exactly what I’m talking about. That dusty bottle of liqueur/liquor hiding in the back of your cabinet since 1989, when your Aunt Leslie brought it over for Easter dinner. Well, the moment has come to dust it off and put it to use.

What kind of cocktail can you create from that forgotten relic—and more importantly, what cigar would you pair with it?

Join hosts Robby and Randy for a challenging and creative episode of Smoke Night LIVE.

Pairings

Randy: Banana Espresso Old Fashioned & Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro 👍🏻
Robby: Velvet Orchard & Davidoff Maduro 👍🏻

Votes

Randy: 42%
Robby: 58%

🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings

Jimmy Birster: Undercrown 10 with a Peanut Butter & Jelly Punch 👍🏻👍🏻

𝙎𝙉𝙇 -- Head over to our Smoke Night LIVE podcast for cigar interviews and entertainment: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQ3OJ366KRotIlJb6-akfx_SKEmI45Y-k&si=Agu9o_OXidZLvcSW

👀 Follow Cigar Dojo on social media:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/cigardojo
𝕏: https://twitter.com/cigardojo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CigarDojo/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cigardojo

It’s April 1st, and you know what that means—corny tricks and gimmicky tomfoolery. On this episode of Flavor Odyssey, your hosts Robby Ras and Randy Griggs dive into some of the most over-the-top gimmick cocktails and pair them with premium cigars. It’s also the night we announce the winners of the COTY Samplers, so grab a drink, light up a cigar, and join the fun.

Pairings

Randy: Hot Agave Mezcal Paloma & Sensei's Sensational Sarsaparilla 👎🏻
Robby: Pickle Martini & Perdomo Legacy Connecticut 👎🏻

Votes

Randy: 91%
Robby: 9%

🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings

ccoulter25: BWS Swarm & Wendy's Frosty

𝙎𝙉𝙇 -- Head over to our Smoke Night LIVE podcast for cigar interviews and entertainment: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQ3OJ366KRotIlJb6-akfx_SKEmI45Y-k&si=Agu9o_OXidZLvcSW

👀 Follow Cigar Dojo on social media:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/cigardojo
𝕏: https://twitter.com/cigardojo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CigarDojo/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cigardojo

Flavor Odyssey returns, and this week we’re putting Protocol Cigars to the test with a full-on beer pairing challenge. Each host brings their pick for the perfect frosty companion, aiming to find the ultimate match for the brand.

Protocol’s own Juan Cancel joins the show to weigh in, talk cigars, and see how these pairings stack up. We’ll also announce the winners of the Cigar of the Year Sampler from our last segment.

Grab a Protocol, crack a cold one, and join us for the ride.

Pairings

Juan: Protocol Crime Scene Unit & Estrella Galicia 👍🏻
Robby: Protocol Night Stick & Robust Porter 👍🏻

Votes

Juan: 56%
Robby: 44%

🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings

Jimmy Birster: Protocol Crime Scene Unit & Guinness Draught w WG Maple OF chaser 👍🏻👍🏻
Randi Harrison: Protocol Fat Ash & Left Hand Galactic Cowboy Nitro Imperial Stout

𝙎𝙉𝙇 -- Head over to our Smoke Night LIVE podcast for cigar interviews and entertainment: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQ3OJ366KRotIlJb6-akfx_SKEmI45Y-k&si=Agu9o_OXidZLvcSW

👀 Follow Cigar Dojo on social media:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/cigardojo
𝕏: https://twitter.com/cigardojo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CigarDojo/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cigardojo

This week on Flavor Odyssey, Master Sensei and Robby return as we wrap up the Cigars of the Year sampler segment with Cigar Dojo’s No. 1 Cigar of the Year: the Perdomo Legacy Nicaraguan Shade Grown.

Now it’s your turn to join the experience. Grab a Perdomo Legacy Nicaraguan Shade Grown, pour a drink you think makes the ideal pairing, and smoke along with us as we see what pairing brings out the best in this year-end standout.

Pairings

Randy: Gold Rush Highball & Perdomo Legacy Nicaraguan Shade Grown 👍🏻
Robby: Guinness Cocoa Old Fashioned & Perdomo Legacy Nicaraguan Shade Grown 👍🏻

Votes

Randy: 31%
Robby: 69%

🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings

Jeff Endrizzi: Mezcal Spicy Mama & Perdomo Legacy Nicaraguan Shade Grown 👍🏻👍🏻

𝙎𝙉𝙇 -- Head over to our Smoke Night LIVE podcast for cigar interviews and entertainment: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQ3OJ366KRotIlJb6-akfx_SKEmI45Y-k&si=Agu9o_OXidZLvcSW

👀 Follow Cigar Dojo on social media:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/cigardojo
𝕏: https://twitter.com/cigardojo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CigarDojo/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cigardojo