First off… shoutout to @Steven Dekok for winning the April Member Contest 👏🔥 Consistent, active, and always part of the conversation. Well deserved. BUT… that’s not the only announcement in the video 👀 We’re officially moving forward with a The Stogie Clubhouse x Privada cigar collaboration. This is something I never imagined when starting the Clubhouse, and honestly it’s a huge moment for the community. More details will come later, but just know this will be a very limited release built for the people who helped build this thing from the beginning. Big things coming to the Clubhouse 💨

✨ ASHTON: THE SOPHISTICATED SMOKE If you haven't discovered Ashton yet, you're missing out on one of the most underrated brands in the industry. **THE STORY:** Ashton has been crafting cigars since 1985 with one mission: create smooth, sophisticated cigars that don't compromise on quality. No gimmicks. No hype. Just excellence. **THE PHILOSOPHY:** Ashton believes that elegance matters. Every cigar is carefully blended, every leaf is selected with intention, every vitola is designed for the discerning smoker. **WHY THEY STAND OUT:** 🔹 Smooth & refined — Perfect for any occasion 🔹 Consistent quality — Every cigar is excellent 🔹 Sophisticated approach — Elegance over hype 🔹 Accessible excellence — Premium quality at fair prices 🔹 Underrated gem — Serious smokers know, but not everyone does **SIGNATURE CIGARS TO TRY:** 🔹 **Prime Minister** - The flagship, medium-bodied, smooth, elegant 🔹 **VSG** - Full-bodied, complex, sophisticated 🔹 **Classic** - Entry-level quality, accessible excellence 🔹 **Aged Maduro** - Dark wrapper, rich, refined 🔹 **Magnum** - Larger format, premium experience **THE EXPERIENCE:** Smoking an Ashton is like experiencing refinement. It's smooth, it's balanced, it's thoughtful. This is what happens when a brand prioritizes elegance over everything else. **WHY OUR COMMUNITY WILL LOVE THIS:** ✅ Sophistication — Shows what elegance looks like ✅ Consistency — Every cigar is excellent ✅ Accessibility — Premium quality at reasonable prices ✅ Underrated appreciation — Introduces them to a gem ✅ Drives engagement — Asks for their Ashton stories --- 💬 HAVE YOU TRIED ASHTON? Drop a comment: • Which Ashton cigar have you smoked? • What's your favorite line? • Why do you think Ashton is underrated? Let's vibe about it! 🔥

Man… this weekend hit exactly how it needed to. It had been almost a month since I even touched a cigar, so getting back into that rhythm felt right. Saturday, I kicked things off with a CAO Flathead—good company, good conversation—out at West Coast Cigars and Tobacco. Just one of those moments where everything settles into place and the people with you make that much more special. Then Sunday, I posted up at my guy’s bar and spent some real time with a BrickHouse from JC Newman. That one… took its time with me. Slow, mellow, easy. The kind of smoke that makes you forget about the clock altogether. On top of that, I broke out some gifts from my brother Cigarlier—and that just elevated the whole experience. Took an already smooth weekend and made it feel intentional… like a proper reset.

Cohiba isn't just a brand—it's a legend. And the story behind it is as fascinating as the cigars themselves. **THE BEGINNING (1960s):** Cohiba was created in Cuba in the 1960s, right after the revolution. But here's the thing—it wasn't created for the public. It was created exclusively for Fidel Castro and the Cuban government's elite. Think about that. While other brands were selling to the world, Cohiba was a secret. A private cigar for the most powerful people in Cuba. For years, Cohiba didn't exist in the commercial market. It was legend, whispered about, mythologized. **THE SECRET YEARS:** From 1966 to 1982, Cohiba was invisible to the world. Only Cuban government officials and select dignitaries smoked them. The mystique grew. The legend grew. Everyone wanted what they couldn't have. In 1982, Cohiba finally went public. When it hit the market, it was an instant sensation. The world had been waiting for this cigar, even though most people didn't know it existed. **THE PHILOSOPHY:** Cohiba operates on a simple principle: **Excellence without compromise.** Every Cohiba is crafted with obsessive attention to detail. The tobacco is aged longer than most brands. The rolling is meticulous. The quality control is unforgiving. They don't cut corners. They never have. **WHY COHIBA BECAME A LEGEND:** ✅ **Mystique** - Created in secret, shrouded in intrigue ✅ **Exclusivity** - Smoked only by the most powerful people ✅ **Quality** - When it finally launched, it delivered on the hype ✅ **Prestige** - Became the ultimate status symbol ✅ **Consistency** - Decades later, still the gold standard **THE ICONIC CIGARS:** 🔹 **Cohiba Robusto** - The most recognizable. Medium-bodied, smooth, sophisticated. This is THE Cohiba. 🔹 **Cohiba Torpedo** - Iconic shape, complex blend, powerful presence. A statement cigar. 🔹 **Cohiba Behike** - The premium tier. Aged longer, more complex, more expensive. For serious collectors. 🔹 **Cohiba Siglo II** - Medium format, elegant, perfect for a shorter smoke. Underrated gem.

Let me break down what makes this stick special. **THE BASICS:** Brand: Diesel (Eiroa) Origin: Honduras Vitola: Robusto (5" x 50) Strength: Full Price Range: $8-$12 **FIRST IMPRESSION:** When you light it up, you immediately notice the dark, oily Maduro wrapper. This isn't a light smoke—the wrapper tells you right away this is a bold, full-bodied experience. The construction is impeccable. Perfect draw, even burn, dense smoke output. **THE FLAVOR JOURNEY:** 🔹 First Third: Rich chocolate and dark coffee dominate. There's a subtle sweetness underneath—almost like molasses. A hint of spice builds as you progress. The smoke is thick and creamy. 🔹 Second Third: The profile deepens. Black pepper and leather come forward, balanced by that chocolate undertone. You get earthy notes and a touch of cocoa. The strength builds but stays refined—not harsh, just powerful. 🔹 Final Third: Finishes strong with chocolate, leather, and lingering pepper. The Maduro wrapper really shines here—rich, complex, sophisticated. Smoke stays thick all the way to the nub. A slight sweetness returns at the very end. **THE VIBE:** This is a **statement cigar**. Perfect for when you want something bold and uncompromising. Great for a celebration, a reflective moment, or just when you're in the mood for a full-bodied smoke. Not for beginners—this demands respect. **MY TAKE:** Diesel Vintage Maduro is proof that Maduro wrappers don't have to be one-dimensional. Yes, it's bold and full-bodied, but there's real complexity here. The blend is thoughtful, the construction is flawless, and the experience is memorable. This is a cigar that rewards your attention. Highly recommend if you like full-bodied smokes. **PAIRING SUGGESTION:** Pairs beautifully with **bourbon** or **dark rum**. The rich chocolate and leather in the cigar complement the warmth and depth of a good bourbon perfectly. If you're going rum, a dark, aged rum brings out the sweetness and spice notes. --- 💬 HAVE YOU TRIED THIS ONE?