It’s the first Cigars Daily LIVE of 2026, and we’re kicking the year off exactly how we mean to continue it: with hot takes, questionable choices, and a whole lot of fun.

Tonight we’re talking Top Lists as they start rolling out across the cigar world—what they get right, what they miss, and why you shouldn’t let a list tell you what to enjoy. We’re also unveiling something brand new and completely ridiculous: Billy’s Chubby Chicks—short, fat, unapologetic cigars that are here to make a statement (and probably a mess).

And of course, no great cigar night is complete without a few bad decisions, some laughs, and a lot of audience interaction. Whether you’re brand new to cigars after the holidays or you’ve been around the block a few times, this episode is all about starting the year loose, informed, and entertained.

It’s the last LIVE of the year, and tonight we’re doing something big.

We’re taking a deep look back at 2025 — the festivals, the trends, the standout cigars, the industry moments you loved (and some you didn’t see coming) — and then turning our attention forward to 2026 with predictions, premonitions, and bold calls for what’s next.

We’ll recap the year’s hottest events, review what made headlines in every corner of the hobby, and highlight the cigars that defined 2025 — including the ones that will shape conversations next year. Then we’ll dive into 2026: new releases, emerging trends, big opportunities, and what we think the future holds for cigar lovers everywhere.

So grab your favorite stick, settle in, and join us for a year-end celebration of cigars and a look at what’s on the horizon.

The holidays are here — and so is the chaos. From judgmental in-laws to freezing back patios to your aunt who’s still trying to tell you cigars are worse than cigarettes… it can be a lot.

In this episode of Cigars Daily LIVE, we’re talking about how cigars can actually make the holidays better. Whether it’s escaping the madness for a moment of peace or sparking up meaningful conversations in the garage-turned-smoking-lounge, cigars bring people together.

The Magic 8 Ball has been shaken, and the future is hazy… but that’s never stopped us before. In this episode of Cigars Daily LIVE, we’re peering into 2026 to make our boldest cigar predictions yet. From industry trends and upcoming projects to award-season guesses and long-shot prophecies, this is our chance to call our shots and see what the next year might hold for cigar lovers.

We’ll talk about where the industry feels like it’s headed, which brands could have breakout years, what kinds of cigars might dominate conversations, and what surprises could be lurking just around the corner. Some of these calls will be educated guesses, some will be wild speculation — and all of them are up for debate.

Bring your own predictions, drop them in the chat, and let’s see whose crystal ball is clearest when 2026 finally rolls around.

Tonight on Cigars Daily LIVE, I’m joined by Michael Knowles — yes, that Michael Knowles — who’s stepping into the lounge to talk cigars, history, craftsmanship, and his own new project: Mayflower Cigars.

This isn’t a political show and it isn’t a debate. It’s two guys hanging out, talking cigars, joking around, and digging into the story behind a blend inspired by one of the most iconic journeys in American history. We’ll cover everything from how the cigar was created, to what Michael wanted it to represent, to the wild ride of bringing a brand into the cigar world.

Expect laughs, stories, and the classic Cigars Daily lounge energy we’re known for. Whether you’re here for the cigars, the conversation, or the chaos — you’re in the right place.

This last week has been absolute madness in the cigar world — and tonight we’re unpacking all of it. From Thanksgiving rolling straight into Cigartopia, to the launch of LecheBurra, Steve Saka’s visit to the HQ, and the non-stop chaos of Black Friday weekend… it’s been one of the wildest stretches I’ve ever experienced at Cigars Daily.

And as if that wasn’t enough, we’re heading into December with two of the most anticipated arrivals of the year: Foundation’s Tabernacle Knight Commander and the Foundation 10th Anniversary Round 2. So yeah… it’s been a lot.

In this episode we’ll relive the insanity, talk through the biggest highlights, look ahead to the holiday season, and crack open some of the hottest new blends hitting shelves right now. I may be running on fumes, but the energy is high, the cigars are fire, and this community always brings the good times.

Tonight on Cigars Daily LIVE, we’re unleashing the wildest episode of the entire year. Steve Saka from Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust is in the studio, and we’re diving deep into the story behind LecheBurra — the completely unhinged collaboration he and I cooked up together (mostly he, but we’ll explain more during the show).

This is the kind of project you can only make with Saka: part genius, part madness, and all heart. In this episode, we’re breaking down how the blend came together, why this was unlike any cigar project I’ve ever worked on, and what makes LecheBurra one of the most ridiculous, hilarious, and downright exciting things we’ve ever released through Cigars Daily Edition.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to collaborate with a guy who refuses to take anything too seriously — except the quality of the cigar — this is your backstage pass. We’ll talk blending, vision, inspiration, and yes… the donkey.

Tonight, we’re putting the power in your hands. This is Cigars Daily LIVE: Community Choice 2025 — where we find out which cigars you think are true 10/10s.

The chat will build the leaderboard as we go, so drop your top smokes in the comments and we’ll crown a winner by the end of the night. Are we talking Padron 1926? Tabernacle? Or something totally off the radar?

We’ll run some quick-fire shoutouts, a blind taste duel, and a round of Hot Take or Not to see which blends actually live up to the hype. It’s all about the cigars the community loves — not the critics.