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

Randy: Olde Raleigh Toasted French Oak Bourbon & Mi Querida Black PapaSaka 👍🏻
Robby: Olde Raleigh Olde Stogie Bourbon & Ferio Tego Timeless TAA 2025 👍🏻

Votes

Randy: 67%
Robby: 33%

🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings

OTTERS!

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

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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

Randy: Mezcal Old Fashioned & Olmec Claro 👍🏻
Robby: Cuban Rum Old Fashioned & Olmec Maduro 👍🏻

Votes

Randy: 17%
Robby: 83%

🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings

Eric Willis: Crowned Heads Juárez & Topo Chico w Regan's Orange Bitters 👍🏻

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

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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 👎🏻

🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings

@GeminiMike-f8w : Sidecar cocktail & Espinosa Laranja Reserva 👍🏻

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

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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

Randy: Pork Shoulder, Bourbon Peach Tea Highball, & Fuente God of Fire Serie B 👍🏻
Sensei: Teriyaki Steak, Extra Extra Juicy Bits IPA, & Mi Querida 👍🏻

Votes

Randy: 62%
Sensei: 38%

🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings

Nathan Stewart: Davidoff Nicaragua 10th Anniversary, Apricot Bourbon Cooler, & Cherrywood Smoked Baby Back Ribs. 👍🏻👍🏻

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

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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 episode is all about discovering which wrapper-and-drink combination delivers the ultimate experience.

Pairings

Randy: Final Hour Highball & 22 Minutes to Midnight Connecticut Radiante 👍🏻
Robby: Black Manhattan & Olmec Maduro 👍🏻

Votes

Randy: 36%
Robby: 64%

🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings

Bill Powers: Undercrown Dojo Dogma Maduro (2018) & Butter Allspice 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

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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

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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

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