WELCOME TO THE EMBER & ASH
Hey — welcome to the very first issue of The Ember & Ash. I'm Nick, writing to you from St. Pete, Florida.
If you're new to cigars, you're in exactly the right place. If you've been smoking for years, welcome too — I think you'll find something worth your time here.
This newsletter is simple: every two weeks, I'll share an honest cigar review, something interesting happening in the cigar world, a local Tampa Bay lounge worth visiting, and a drink pairing to go with it. No fluff, no snobbery, no 500-word descriptions of "tertiary notes of aged Manchego." Just real talk about great smokes.
Let's get into it.
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WHAT'S HAPPENING IN CIGARS RIGHT NOW
Here's something cool that's been happening in 2026: cigar makers are starting to act more like craft coffee roasters. Instead of just saying "Nicaraguan tobacco," they're now telling you exactly which field the leaf came from, what the soil composition is, and why that specific plot produces a different flavor than the one 10 miles away.
Why does that matter to you as a beginner? Because it means the industry is getting more transparent and more interesting. You're not just buying a cigar — you're buying a story. And the more you smoke, the more you'll start to taste the difference.
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THIS WEEK'S CIGAR: OLIVA SERIE V MELANIO FIGURADO
Price: ~$12–15 | Strength: Medium-Full | Shape: Torpedo-style (tapered at the tip)
Okay, I want to be upfront: this is not a beginner cigar in the traditional sense. It's full-bodied. But it's on this list because it's one of the best-constructed, most consistent cigars you can buy at this price point — and if you've had a few cigars already and want to step up, this is the one.
What does it taste like? Start with espresso and a little black pepper. As you get into the middle, it mellows into dark chocolate and cedar. By the end, it's warm and spicy — like a good bourbon finish. No bitterness, no harshness.
One tip: smoke it slowly. One puff every 60 seconds. If you rush it, any cigar will turn bitter on you.
If you're brand new and not ready for full-bodied yet — no worries. Grab a Macanudo Cafe or a Charter Oak Connecticut first. Both are under $10 and incredibly smooth.
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SIP & SMOKE: WHAT TO DRINK WITH IT
Skip the beer on this one. Try a dark rum — something like Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva or Zacapa 23 if you can find it. Both are sweet and smooth, and they play perfectly off the chocolate and coffee notes in this cigar.
Not a rum person? A small pour of bourbon works great too. Avoid anything too sweet or too light — it'll get lost next to the smoke.
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LOCAL SPOTLIGHT: CENTRAL CIGARS — DOWNTOWN ST. PETE
If you're in the Tampa Bay area and haven't been to Central Cigars on Central Avenue, put it on your list. It's St. Pete's oldest cigar lounge — been around since the late 90s — and it still feels like the real deal.
Walk-in humidor with over 650 cigars to choose from. Full bar. Comfortable leather chairs. Staff that actually knows what they're talking about and won't make you feel dumb for asking questions.
It's a great place to smoke your first premium cigar in a proper setting, or just to grab a recommendation from someone who knows the inventory.
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That's Issue #1. Thanks for being here from the start — it means a lot.
If you have a cigar you want me to review, a lounge you think I should visit, or just want to say hey — reply to this email. I read every one.
Keep it burning slow,
Nick
The Ember & Ash | theemberandash.com