Flavor Odyssey

The dog days of summer have arrived, and there’s no better way to cool off than with a refreshing cocktail and a great cigar. On this episode of Flavor Odyssey, hosts Robby Ras and Randy Griggs head to the bar in search of the best summer cocktail and cigar pairings. From classic mojitos and margaritas to tiki drinks and spritzes, they’ll explore which combinations deliver the most flavor. Mix your favorite summertime drink, light up a cigar, and join the conversation live.

Pairings

Sensei: Mezcal Mule & Caldwell Savages Malpensante 👎🏻
Robby: White Port & Tonic & Ag...

It’s a special episode of Flavor Odyssey as Luis Baez, Global Brand Ambassador for Flor de Caña, joins the show to talk rum and cigars. Luis is one of the most engaging personalities in the spirits world and a familiar face at the Premium Cigar Association Trade Show, so he knows his tobacco as well as his rum. Grab a pour of rum, light up a cigar, and join the conversation.

Pairings

Randy: Flor de Caña Sour & Padron 1964 Natural 👍🏻
Robby: Nica Negroni & Liga Privada H99 👍🏻

Votes

Randy: 56% 
Robby: 44%

Over the past few decades, Nicaragua has gone from an up-and-coming tobacco producer to the undisputed leader in premium cigars. But how did it happen, and what makes Nicaraguan tobacco so special? On this episode of Flavor Odyssey, Robby and Randy explore the country’s rich tobacco heritage while pairing drinks with some of Nicaragua’s finest cigars. Grab your favorite Nicaraguan smoke and join the conversation.

Pairings

Randy: Rum Manhattan & Joya de Nicaragua Cinco Décadas 👎🏻
Robby: Cerveza Toña & Mombacho Liga Maestro 👍🏻

Votes

Randy: 50% 
Robby: 50%

🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings

Eric...

It’s a milestone episode of Flavor Odyssey as Robby and Randy celebrate 300 shows! Join us as we take a trip down memory lane and pair drinks with the cigars that first ignited our passion for premium cigars. What was the cigar that started your journey into the cigar lifestyle? Light up your “origin story” cigar, pour your favorite drink, and join the conversation as we celebrate 300 episodes together.

Pairings

Randy: Vieux Carré & Davidoff The Late Hour 👍🏻
Robby: Mezcal Manhattan & Gran Habano Corojo No. 5 👎🏻

Votes

Randy: 86% 
Robby: 14%

🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings

OTTER...

Since the very beginning of Flavor Odyssey, hosts Robby Ras and Randy Griggs have maintained that higher-proof spirits make better cocktails. This week, they’re putting that theory to the test.

On the show, we’ll be mixing both low-proof and high-proof versions of the same cocktails and comparing them side by side to see if the long-standing belief holds true. Grab your favorite cigar, pour yourself a cocktail, and join the conversation as we find out whether more proof really means more flavor.

Pairings

Randy: Whiskey Sour & Davidoff Aniversario No. 3 👎🏻
Robby: Revolver...

This week on Flavor Odyssey, we’re celebrating local whiskey with special guest Brandon McCraney, master distiller at Olde Raleigh Distillery. Join us as we explore the unique flavors coming from craft distilleries across the country and search for the perfect cigar pairings to match.

Bring your favorite local whiskey, share the story behind your hometown distillery with the rest of the otters, and discover new combinations that elevate both the cigar and the spirit. It’s an evening of great cigars, great whiskey, and great conversation you won’t want to miss.

Pairings

Rand...

Many of your favorite cigars come in either maduro or claro wrapper variations. But beyond the difference in color, what exactly separates a maduro from a claro? And which drink pairings work best with each?

On this episode of Flavor Odyssey, Robby Ras steps into the ring to represent the rich, dark world of maduro wrappers, while Randy Griggs makes the case for the lighter, brighter claro side. Grab your favorite maduro or claro cigar, pour a pairing of your choice, and join us for another flavorful journey on this week’s Flavor Odyssey.

Pairings

This week on Flavor Odyssey, we celebrate the release of Psychedelic Rabbit, the newest collaboration between Espinosa Premium Cigars and Cigar Dojo. But one important question remains: what do you pair with a Psychedelic Rabbit? To find the answer, Robby and Randy take a metaphorical trip down the rabbit hole, exploring a wide range of pairing possibilities in this special episode. As always, the Otters are invited to join the adventure and bring their own wildcard pairing creations to share with the audience.

Pairings

Randy: Randy's Psychedelic Highball & Psychedelic Rabbit 👎🏻
Robby: Psychedelic Frog & Psychedelic Rabbit...

This week on Flavor Odyssey, we’re firing up the grill and heading into uncharted territory. With Cigarbecue happening this Sunday, May 31st, the show takes on a brand-new challenge: pairing cigars, drinks, and BBQ all in one experience. That’s right—BBQ, Cigars, and Booze.

Your hosts will each build triple-threat pairings featuring premium cigars, carefully selected beverages, and fresh BBQ straight off the grill to see which combinations truly deliver flavor harmony. Grab your favorite cigar and drink—and if you’re feeling ambitious, throw something on the grill and join the fun.

Pairings<...

This week on Flavor Odyssey, we’re comparing two of the most iconic cigar wrapper leaves and how they influence the perfect beverage pairing. Robby will represent the rich, bold character of Maduro wrappers, while Randy takes the smooth and nuanced side of Connecticut Shade. These wrapper styles couldn’t be more different in flavor, texture, and intensity, which means the right drink pairing can make all the difference.

Join the fun by choosing your side—Maduro or Connecticut Shade—and creating your own pairing for the night. Whether you prefer dark and decadent or light and refined...

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 r...

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%

...

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 M...

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...

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: BW...

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: Protoc...

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 Fashio...

This week on Flavor Odyssey, we take a break from the Cigars of the Year sampler segment for a wildcard episode featuring the new Cigar Dojo x Aganorsa Leaf ReviveR Maduro.

With Robby and Sensei away on assignment, Randy and Kid-Producer Jordan lead the show. Grab a ReviveR Maduro, pour a drink you think will pair well, and smoke along with us.

Pairings

Randy: Mexican Chocolate Old Fashioned & ReviveR Maduro 👍🏻
Jordan: Dark Harbor Sour & ReviveR Maduro 👎🏻

𝙎𝙉𝙇 -- Head over to our Smoke Night LIVE podcast for cigar interviews and entertainment: https://youtube.com/p...

Clocking in at number nine on this year’s Cigar Dojo year-end list is the Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Sobremesa Solita Red from Steve Saka. On this episode, Robby and Randy will set out to find the best drink pairing for this Ecuadorian Habano-wrapped cigar. Grab a Solita Red from the Dojo COTY sampler, pour yourself a drink, and join the fun as we explore which pairing works best.

Pairings

Randy: Solita Red Trade Wind & Sobremesa Solita Red 👎🏻
Robby: La Tavola Rossa & Sobremesa Solita Red 👎🏻

Votes

Randy 67% 
Robby: 33%

🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings

...

As Flavor Odyssey continues its journey through the Dojo’s Cigar of the Year Sampler, this week hosts Robby Ras and Randy Griggs spotlight Rafael Nodal’s Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Concerto, which landed at No. 13 on our year-end list. But what drink pairing will bring this premium cigar into perfect harmony? Tune in, join the conversation, and help us discover the ideal match.

Pairings

Sensei: Concerto Notturno & Aging Room Concerto 👍🏻
Robby: Division Bell & Aging Room Concerto 👍🏻

Votes

Sensei 17% 
Robby: 83%

🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings

Bill Powers: Aging Room Concerto & The Shineb...

This week on Flavor Odyssey, Robby Ras and Randy Griggs find the perfect drink pairing for the Gold Star from United Cigars.

Our #18 cigar of the year (and in the Dojo’s ‘Cigar of the Year Sampler’ from Smoke Inn), it features an Ecuadorian Habano 2000 wrapper, Indonesian Sumatra binder, and fillers of Dominican Ligero, Criollo ’98, Corojo ’98, and Connecticut Broadleaf.

Pairings

Randy: Gold Standard cocktail & United Gold Star 👍🏻
Robby: French 125 cocktail & United Gold Star 👍🏻

Votes

Randy 67% 
Robby: 33%

🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings

Jeff Endrizzi: Gold Star Robusto & Maple Whiskey Sour 👍🏻👍🏻

𝙎𝙉...

This week on Flavor Odyssey, Robby Ras and Randy Griggs launch their annual journey through the Dojo’s Cigar of the Year Sampler from Smoke Inn. The featured cigar is the 601 La Bomba Warhead 11, a bold release from AJ Fernández’s San Lotano factory. The guys break down what makes this cigar stand out and invite listeners to join in with their own pairing picks. Every audience pairing entry has a chance to win prizes, including a free Flavor Odyssey sampler.

Pairings

Randy: The Detonator Highball & 601 La Bomba Warhead 11 👍🏻
Robby: The Nor'easter & 601 La Bomba Warhe...

This week on Flavor Odyssey, Randy Griggs and Master Sensei take a mini-odyssey unlike any other—one built around pure pairing versatility.

The challenge? Find one cigar that can hold its own against three wildly different drinks: kombucha, dessert wine, and even pickle beer. It’s a true test of balance, adaptability, and flavor synergy as the hosts search for the ultimate “all-purpose” cigar pairing.

And for the audience, it’s a total wildcard week—bring any cigar and any drink, join the conversation, and compete for bragging rights. Grab something bold, pour something weird, and let’s se...

Get ready for another full-throttle pairing showdown on Flavor Odyssey. This week, two powerhouse boutique brands go head-to-head as Tatuaje faces off against Illusione in a battle that helped shape modern premium cigars.

Robby steps into the arena repping Tatuaje, while Randy takes the side of Illusione, with both hosts pairing their picks with whiskey sour. From balance and body to how each cigar interacts with the cocktail’s citrus and sweetness, every detail is up for debate as we hunt for the better pairing.

Light up a Tatuaje or Illusione, mix yourself a whiskey so...

Two titans of the cigar world go head-to-head on Flavor Odyssey. And no—we’re not talking about your hosts, Robby and Randy. This week’s battle features two of the most legendary brands in cigars: Arturo Fuente and Padrón.

Which one pairs best with a World’s Best Old Fashioned?

Robby steps into the ring for Padrón, while Randy defends Fuente in a no-holds-barred showdown for flavor supremacy. Grab a Fuente or a Padrón, mix up your favorite Old Fashioned, and join the debate as we put these icons to the test.

Flavor Odyssey is back for its 9th season, and with Dry January in full effect, Robby and Randy are on a mission to find big, bold flavor—without the alcohol. Can a non-alcoholic drink deliver the depth and complexity needed to pair with a premium cigar? And if so, what techniques and strategies make it possible?

Pairings

Randy: Blood Orange Vanilla Tonic & Perdomo Double Aged 12 year Connecticut 👍🏻
Robby: Ginger Chai Highball & JC Newman Diamond Crown Black Diamond 👍🏻

Votes

Randy 29% 
Robby: 71%

🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings

Sam Finnell: Perdomo Legacy Maduro & Bitter M...

It’s the final episode of Flavor Odyssey for the year, and you know what that means—it’s time to crown the best cigar-and-drink pairings of 2025. Your Flavor Odyssey hosts will each reveal their top three pairings from the past year and reminisce about the journey along the way. We’ll also highlight the standout audience pairings that made 2025 one to remember. Pairings Randy: Black Walnut Manhattan & Liga Privada No. 9 Robby: Almond Reposado OF & Aganorsa Arsenio 🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings OTTERS! 

KISS (Keep it Simple, Stupid) works for a lot of things in life, but does it hold up in the world of cocktails and cigar pairings? This week on Flavor Odyssey, hosts Robby Ras and Randy Griggs explore whether a standout pairing really needs to be complex. The challenge: craft your own three-ingredient cocktail, choose a cigar that complements it, and join the fun. Pairings Studio: Black Manhattan 👍🏻 🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings Nathan Stewart: 10-Year Aged Alec Bradley Black Market Double Perfecto & Smoked Maple Old Fashioned

This week on Flavor Odyssey, we’re diving into cigar pairing tips and tricks—everything from advanced techniques to simple strategies that work with just about any cigar and drink combo. Professor Robby Ras and Randy Griggs will be leading the class in this fun and informative episode. Don’t forget your school supplies (a cigar and a drink), and whatever you do, don’t be late for class! Pairings Randy: Brown Butter Tequila Sour & Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario Connecticut 👍🏻 Robby: Spiced Maple Rum Old Fashioned & Tatuaje Cojonu 2012 Capa Especial 👍🏻 Votes Randy 15% Robby: 85% 🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings Mike Heykens: Room101 Red Rocket & Chocolate Boulivardier.

You’ve heard of Friendsgiving—now get ready for Friendspairing! This week on Flavor Odyssey, hosts Robby and Randy are switching things up: they’ll craft a cocktail using each other’s recipes, then hunt down the perfect cigar to pair with it. Tune in for this special holiday edition of Flavor Odyssey and bring your own Thanksgiving-themed pairing to the table! Pairings Randy: The Decennium & Aganorsa Leaf Guardian of the Farm Nightwatch 👍🏻 Robby: Scotch Negroni & Aquitaine Gran Perfecto 👍🏻 Votes Randy 71% Robby: 29% 🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings THE OTTERS.

Pull up a chair, spark up a cigar, and settle in—it’s time for a fireside edition of Flavor Odyssey. This week, Robby and Randy explore the cozy side of cigar pairings, featuring classic warm cocktails that were made for sipping by the fire. From spiked cider to hot buttered rum, it’s all about comfort, rich flavor, and wintery vibes that complement your favorite smoke. Pairings Randy: Caffe Amaro & Southern Draw Rose of Sharon Desert Rose 👍🏻 Robby: Amaro Hot Spiced Toddy & Stolen Throne Call to Arms 👍🏻 Votes Randy 64% Robby: 36% 🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings Nathan Stewart: Hot Mead w Lemon Cocktail & Herrera Estelí B

It’s time to step outside our comfort zones and dive into pairings we think we don’t like—but are determined to make work. This week on Flavor Odyssey, it’s the Extreme Makeover Edition. Robby will confront his greatest fear: tequila. Meanwhile, Sensei is once again on a mission to redeem sour beer as a cigar pairing. Pairings Sensei: Boon Oude Geuze & Aganorsa Supreme Leaf 👎🏻 Robby: Tequila & Plasencia Alma del Cielo 👍🏻 Votes Sensei 29% Robby: 71% 🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings Nathan Stewart: Martinez Gin Cocktail & Alec Bradley Black Market Estelí.

It’s the witching hour, Halloween is in the air and spirits are all around us. This week on Flavor Odyssey, we’re conjuring up “Trick-or-Neat,” where we explore neat spirits like bourbon, tequila, mezcal, rum, and more to discover which pair best with our favorite cigars. Pour yourself a glass, light up a cigar, and join the spooky fun! Pairings Randy: Sobremesa Solita Red Sensei: Padron 1926 Serie 🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings Sam Finnell: My Father Blue & G4 Reposado.

Not all of us can afford $100 cigars and top-shelf whiskey every night. Most of us live on tighter budgets and get creative with our pairings. This week on Flavor Odyssey, we’re exploring the best budget-friendly cigar and drink pairings. Grab your favorite affordable combo and join the show! Pairings Randy: Evan Williams Old Fashioned & La Aurora Broadleaf 👍🏻 Sensei: Boilermaker & Quorum Shade 👎🏻 Votes Randy 62% Sensei: 38% 🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings Alex Lancaster: Cafe con Leche & Alec Bradley Project 40.

Breathe it in—can you feel that crisp fall air? The leaves are turning from green to shades of yellow, brown, and bright red. And you know what else is changing? Our cravings for those perfect fall cigar and cocktail pairings. But what are the top options this season? Flavor Odyssey is counting down the five best fall cocktails and their ideal cigar counterparts. So grab your favorite autumn drink, light up a great cigar, and join the show! Pairings Randy: Bird on a Wire & Fuente Rosado Sun-Grown Magnum R 👍🏻 Sensei: Apple Cider Toddy & Perdomo Legacy Shade Grown 👍🏻 Votes Randy 25% Sens...

Lock up the alcohol—it’s Sober October! Okay, maybe we won’t go the whole month, but your Flavor Odyssey hosts Robby and Randy are kicking things off by exploring some of the best non-alcoholic drinks and the premium cigars that pair perfectly with them. Mix up a fun mocktail (or any other non-alc drink) and join the show! Pairings Randy: Cold Brew Tonic & La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor 👍🏻 Robby: Root Beer Float & Foundation Tabernacle 👍🏻 Votes Randy 60% Robby: 40% 🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings Steve Toth #pairing I went with a Mock Mojito paired with an Illusione Singulare. I made the Mojito with some fresh mint...

What are the ultimate cigar-and-drink pairings? This week on Flavor Odyssey, hosts Robby and Randy unveil their four all-time favorite combinations—their “Mt. Rushmore” of cigar pairings. Have your own favorite pairing ready and join the show.

There are few guarantees in life, but one of them is the annual Oktoberfest episode of Flavor Odyssey. How should you approach a cigar and beer pairing fit for the occasion? Hosts Robby and Randy—well known for their love of German brews—dedicate this episode to raising a stein in celebration. So grab your favorite Oktoberfest beer, pour it into a proper stein, find the perfect cigar to match, and join the festivity. Pairings Randy: Warsteiner Oktoberfest & Brick House Oktoberfest 2025 👍🏻 Robby: Hacker-Pschorr & Brick House Oktoberfest 2025 👍🏻 Votes Randy 50% Robby: 50% 🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings Jose Soiza: Bent Barley Märzen & Alec Bradley Prensadoa Nathan Stewart...

The 1970s called—they want their cocktails back! Dust off your bell bottoms, crank up that Earth, Wind & Fire cassette, and join us on Flavor Odyssey as we take a groovy trip back in time. This week, we’re shaking up some classic ’70s drinks that have been lost to the sands of time: think Midori Sour, Blue Lagoon, Sex on the Beach, 7&7, and more. Mix yourself a cocktail your parents would have made and get ready for some retro fun! Pairings Randy: Tequila Sunrise & JDN Antaño 👎🏻 Robby: Midori Sour & Undercrown Shade 👍🏻 Votes Randy 48% Robby: 52% 🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings Randi Harrison: H. Upmann Vintage...