Robby Ras

There’s little debate that whiskey (especially bourbon) is one of the best pairings for a cigar. But what are the go-to picks for the Flavor Odyssey hosts? This week, we reveal six whiskeys that deserve a spot within reach of your home bar. Grab a cigar, pour a glass, and join the fun on this special episode of Flavor Odyssey. Pairings Sensei: Davidoff Maduro & OF 100, Henry McKenna 10yr, Bookers 👍🏻 Robby: JFR 20th Anniversary & EH Taylor Small Batch, Blue Note Uncut, Elijah Craig BP 👍🏻 Votes Sensei 47% Robby: 53% 🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings Bill Powers: Padron 1926 Maduro & Noah's Mill.

Flavor Odyssey is teeing up another great cigar and drink pairing to help you beat the summer heat. This week, we’re going non-alcoholic with a true clubhouse classic—the Arnold Palmer. It’s a refreshing mix of iced tea and lemonade, perfect for the 19th hole or just lounging in the shade. But the big question is: what cigar pairs best with this legendary summertime sipper? Take a swing at your own pairing and join the fun as our summer sipper segment stays in full swing. Pairings Sensei: AriZona Arnold Palmer & Aladino 85 Aniversario Reserva 👍🏻 Robby: Liquid Death "Dead Billionaire" & German Engineered Cigars Raumzeit 👍🏻 Votes Sensei 42% Robby: 58% 🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings Stephen Moses: Joya Numero Uno & Standard Arnold Palmer.

We’re now deep into the heart of summer, and that means it’s time to kick off a brand-new Flavor Odyssey segment: Summertime Sippers. For the next few weeks, we’re exploring easy-drinking, warm-weather cocktails that pair perfectly with a fine cigar and a little sunshine. This week, hosts Robby and Randy whip up a classic: the Summer Shandy. Light, crisp, and citrusy, this beer-based cocktail is a backyard favorite—but how does it hold up when paired with premium tobacco? Grab your favorite summer smoke and sip along, whether you’re riding the shandy train or just keeping it seasonal. Think bright, refreshing, and perfect for a patio. Let the summer pairings begin! Pairings Randy: Summer Shandy Cocktail & Warped La Colmena Black Honey 👍🏻 Sensei: Left Hand Summer Shandy & Aganorsa Supreme Leaf 👎🏻 Votes Randy 69% Robby: 31% 🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings Bill Powers Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario Connecticut & Beggar's Banquet.

In the (slightly altered) words of Shakespeare: “To smoke or not to smoke, that is the question.” Most of us have a special cigar tucked away in the humidor—maybe it was a gift, maybe a rare find—but for one reason or another, we just can’t bring ourselves to light it up. Some say you should smoke and enjoy it; others argue there’s value in simply owning it, admiring it from time to time. On this episode, Robby and Randy explore this debate and break out a few special cigars and spirits of their own to put theory into practice. Pairings Randy: Classic Martinez Cocktail & Fuente Fuente OpusX 20 Years Celebration 👎🏻 Robby: Tootsie Roll Cocktail & Dunbarton 10th Jubilee 👍🏻 Votes Randy 59% Robby: 41% 🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings Steve Toth (Abbina Candlewood & Tatuaje Anarchy NFT) & Nathan Stewart (Salted Caramel Bourbon & Davidoff Winston Churchill).

Let’s shake up a Mojito with a unique twist! On this week’s episode of Flavor Odyssey, we’re wrapping up our series on classic cocktail variations. Join Robby and Randy as they explore the Mojito, tweaking the recipe for a fresh take, and pair it with the perfect cigar. Pairings Randy: Hibiscus Basil Mojito & Casa Fuente 👍🏻 Robby: Spiced Pineapple Mojito & Gellis Family Absolutos 👍🏻 Votes Randy 47% Robby: 53% 🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings Steve Toth (Mock Mojito & Fuente Fuente OpusX Dubai) & Mike Heykens (Florida Sunset Mojito & AVO Syncro Caribe).

In this four-episode segment, Flavor Odyssey hosts Robby Ras and Randy Griggs explore classic cocktail recipes, creating new variations designed to pair perfectly with a premium cigar. This week, they tackle the Manhattan, typically made with bourbon, sweet vermouth, and bitters. Mix up your own Manhattan variation and join the fun! Pairings Randy: Black Walnut Manhattan & Liga Privada No. 9 👍🏻 Robby: Rob Roy cocktail & Artista Midnight 👎🏻 Votes Randy 89% Robby: 11% 🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings OTTERS! (all otters tie).

Not to be redundant but it’s time to kick that mule in the ass… This week on Flavor Odyssey, hosts Robby and Randy continue their quest to bring fun twists to classic cocktails. They’re shaking things up by testing variations of the mule cocktail, swapping out the traditional vodka base for spirits like bourbon, rum, mezcal, and more. Pairings Randy: Kentucky Mule & Espinosa Warzone 👍🏻 Robby: Darker & Stormier & Davidoff Escurio 👍🏻 Votes Randy 47% Robby: 53% 🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings Sam Finnell: Mezcal Mule & Perdomo Habano Bourbon Barrel Aged Sun Grown.

Flavor variations are the next stop in our pairing odyssey! That’s right, folks, we’re diving into classic cocktails with bold, creative twists. This week, your hosts Robby and Randy take on a show favorite, the Old Fashioned, swapping out bourbon for smoky, funky Mezcal. Shake things up by crafting your own Old Fashioned variation and join the the show! Pairings Randy: Mezcal Old Fashioned & Herrera Estelí Brazilian Maduro 👍🏻 Robby: Mezcal Old Fashioned & RoMa Craft Maestranza 👍🏻 Votes Randy 29% Robby: 71% 🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings Joe Machado: Gonzalez Mezcal Old Fashioned & Tatuaje Lomo de Cerdo.

It’s the final episode of the Big Screen Bracket Challenge! In this episode, we pit Harry Potter’s Butterbeer, The Big Lebowski’s White Russian, Glass Onion’s Cuban Breeze, and Casino Royale’s Vesper Martini against each other to determine the ultimate movie cocktail for pairing with a cigar. Grab your favorite cinematic cocktail and join the show! Pairings Randy: Butterbeer Old Fashioned & Alma Fuerte Colorado Claro 👍🏻 Robby: White Russian & Tatuaje T110 Corojo 👍🏻 🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings Josh Rivas (episode) & Jeff Endrizzi (segment contest winner).

Bond… James Bond. On this episode of Flavor Odyssey, we explore the iconic Vesper Martini, famously known as James Bond’s drink of choice. But does this classic cocktail pair well with a cigar, and if so, which one? Mix up a martini (shaken, not stirred – err, well that’s debatable) and join the fun with our Big Screen Bracket Challenge. Pairings Randy: Vesper Martini & Davidoff Aniversario No. 3 👍🏻 Robby: Vesper Martini & Davidoff Grand Cru Diademas Finas 2024 👍🏻 Votes Randy 54% Robby: 46% 🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings Bill Powers & Nathan Stewart.

This week on Flavor Odyssey, we tackle the ultimate pairing challenge: the Bloody Mary. That’s right, folks—this cocktail’s intense, spicy tomato flavors make it a daunting match for cigars, one that most professionals would avoid. But no mission is too tough for the Flavor Odyssey hosts, who bravely risk it all for your benefit. Are you bold enough to tackle an impossible pairing? It doesn’t have to be a Bloody Mary—choose a drink and cigar combo that defies your better judgment and join the fun! 🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings Randi Harrison & Nathan Stewart.

Flavor Odyssey returns with the next Big Screen Bracket Challenge cocktail contender from the movie Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. The Cuban Breeze takes the spotlight, vying to be the ultimate movie-inspired cigar pairing. Mix up this cocktail, light a cigar, and join the fun! *There are many recipes for a Cuban Breeze, and instead of requiring you to use ours, we invite you to find or create your own perfect version of this refreshing cocktail.* Pairings Randy: Cuban Breeze & Arturo Fuente Hemingway 👍🏻 Robby: Cuban Breeze & Aganorsa Aniversario Connecticut 👍🏻 Votes Randy 53% Robby: 47% 🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings Sam Finell: Cuban Breeze & Diamond Crown 👍🏻

This week on Flavor Odyssey, we’re diving into a wildcard edition! Join us as we explore unique cigar pairings you may not know. Robby Ras will smoke the Entropy from Domain Cigars, while Sensei tries the Viso Horny 555 from Tyler Jeffery. To round out the theme, our hosts will pair these cigars with an under-the-radar bourbon. Tune in for an intriguing episode! Pairings Sensei: Still Austin Cask Strength & Viso Horny 555 👍🏻 Robby: Sabbatical American Single Malt & Stolen Throne Crook of the Crown 👍🏻 Votes Sensei 71% Robby: 29% 🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings Sam P: Old Pepper Rye & Patina Oro de Nicaragua 👍🏻 

Careful, man, there’s a beverage here! This week on Flavor Odyssey, our Big Screen Bracket Challenge continues with movie-themed cocktails. In this episode, the Dude abides as we dive into the iconic White Russian, the pivotal drink from the Coen Brothers’ classic, The Big Lebowski. So, pour yourself a White Russian, grab the perfect cigar pairing, and join the fun! Pairings Randy: Sarsaparilla & White Russian 👍🏻 Robby: Illusione OneOff Black & Black Russian 👍🏻 Votes Randy 55% Sensei: 45% 🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings Sam Finell: Tiramisu White Russian & Perdomo 10th Anniversary Champagne 👍🏻

Last week on Flavor Odyssey, we kicked off the Big Screen Bracket Challenge, where we selected four movie-themed cocktails to explore over the next four episodes. First up, from the beloved Harry Potter series: Butterbeer! So grab your wand, shout ‘Bevifors Butterae,’ and conjure up this magical drink. You can craft a ‘traditional’ Butterbeer (if such a thing exists) or whip up your own creative twist—then pair it with a cigar of your choice. Pairings Randy: Butterbeer Old Fashioned & BLTC Bishops Blend 👍🏻 Robby: Butterbeer Old Fashioned & Foundation El Güegüense 👍🏻 Votes Randy 54% Sensei: 46% 🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings Sam Finell: Butterbeer Old Fashioned & Perdomo 12yr Maduro 👍🏻

In our most ambitious episode yet, Flavor Odyssey hosts Robby and Randy set out to craft cigar and drink pairings inspired by iconic cocktails from the big screen. First, they need to narrow down the options to the top four movie cocktails. That’s where this bracket challenge comes in! Join the hosts and the audience as they debate and determine which four cinematic drinks will star in our next pairing segment. Pairings Randy: Sazerac cocktail & Partagás Casa del Habano 👍🏻 Robby: Squeaky Wheel cocktail & AJF 20th Anniversary 👍🏻 🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings Craig Lee: Chianti & My Father No. 3 👍🏻

Red, red wine goes to my head—come on, you know the song! This week on Flavor Odyssey, we’re diving into a cigar and drink pairing that doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. Your Flavor Odyssey hosts are on a mission to find the ultimate cigar and red wine combinations, and we invite you to join the fun with your own pairings! Pairings Robby: True Grit Petite Sirah & HVC 10th Anniversary 👍🏻 Sensei: Saldo Zinfandel & Mi Querida Triqui Traca 👍🏻 Votes Robby 35% Sensei: 65% 🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings Thane Russey: Casa de Uco El Salvaje Malbec & Toscano Extravecchio 👍🏻

It’s Wildcard Madness on Flavor Odyssey! Hosts Randy and Robby are tossing out the rulebook as we celebrate the most outlandish cigar and drink pairings imaginable. Fancy a chocolate-infused cigar with a spicy mule? Or perhaps a bold maduro with a frothy piña colada? As March Madness approaches, bring your most bracket-busting combinations and show us what flavor chaos you can create! The crown awaits the most daring flavor explorer—so what wild pairing will you bring to the table? Pairings Randy: Courtside Punch & Southern Draw 300 Hands Maduro 👎🏻 Sensei: Aperol Spritz & Tatuaje Karloff 👎🏻 Studio: Dark 'n Stormy (w/ Soy Sauce) & Psychedelic Turtle II 👍🏻 Votes Randy 44% Sensei: 56% 🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings Bill Powers: Mtn Dew Old Fashioned & La Zona Farm-Rolled Maduro 👎🏻

Sure, ’tis our grand annual St. Paddy’s Day edition of Flavor Odyssey, so nab yer green cigars and yer Irish-themed cocktails and drinks, and come join the craic! Randy and Master Sensei will be on the hunt for the audience members with the finest St. Paddy’s Day cigar and drink pairings, so ye’d best bring yer A-game, lads and lassies! Pairings Randy: Alec Bradley Filthy Hooligan & Tipperary Cocktail 👎🏻 Sensei: Alec Bradley Filthy Hooligan Shamrock & Shamrock Sour 👍🏻 Votes Randy 47% Robby: 53% 🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings Jeff Endrizzi: Irish Negroni & All Saints St. Patrick's Firecracker 👍🏻

In this episode, we’re focusing on the Otters! During the first segment of 2025, we’ve been exploring the best drink pairings for our Cigar of the Year Sampler, available at Smoke Inn. Our audience (aka “The Otters”) have joined in, creating their own pairings. Hosts Robby and Randy will highlight the top audience submissions, choose the best one, and award the winner with a sampler of their own. Pairings Randy: Randy: Bill Powers' Busted Pipe & Plasencia Alma Fuerte Colorado Claro 👍🏻 Robby: Nathan Stewart’s Modified Manhattan & Tatuaje TAA 2020 👍🏻 Votes Randy 38% Robby: 62% 🙋‍♂️ Audience Pairings Darrell Whitacre: Walnut Old Fashioned & Aganorsa Arsenio 👍🏻