Leaf to Ash Cigar Lounge

10/14/2026

🧠💨 Wisdom & Wit Wednesday
A midweek mix of sharp humor, timeless truths, and a puff of perspective.

10/13/2026

🌟 Tasting Note Tuesday: Fortaleza y Libre – Bodacious Maduro 🌟

Yesterday's Cigar Lesson Monday was all about Maduro wrappers, exploring how fermentation and careful to***co processing develop those beautiful dark colors, rich flavors, and natural sweetness. We also discussed one of the biggest misconceptions in the cigar world: darker doesn't necessarily mean stronger!

Today, we're putting that lesson into practice with a cigar that might not be quite as familiar to everyone.

At Leaf to Ash Cigar Lounge, we carry a wonderful selection of Maduro ci**rs, from some of the industry's most recognizable names to smaller boutique manufacturers that deserve a little more attention.

This week, we're shining the spotlight on the Fortaleza y Libre Bodacious Maduro Toro (6 x 52).

Fortaleza y Libre is a boutique cigar company whose name translates to "Strength and Freedom." The brand embraces traditional craftsmanship and the spirit of independence, offering ci**rs that deserve a place alongside some of the better-known names in the humidor.

The Bodacious takes its name from the legendary rodeo bull, famous for being one of the most difficult bulls to ride. It's certainly a memorable name for a cigar!

🌿 The Maduro Experience

As we learned yesterday, Maduro isn't a particular to***co variety. It describes a dark wrapper whose color and character have developed through the to***co's cultivation, curing, fermentation, and aging.

While many people associate Maduro ci**rs with strength, their appeal often comes from the rich flavors and natural sweetness that properly processed to***co can develop.

The Bodacious Maduro gives us an opportunity to explore those characteristics without reaching for one of the usual suspects.

🔥 Flavor Journey

First Third:

Look for earthy to***co character, roasted coffee, and a touch of pepper. A gentle underlying sweetness helps round out the opening.

Middle Third:

As the cigar settles in, cocoa, toasted wood, and roasted nut characteristics may become more noticeable, creating a richer and more rounded experience.

Final Third:

The darker flavors take center stage, with coffee, earth, and lingering spice providing a satisfying finish.

Individual tasting experiences will vary depending on your palate and smoking pace.

🥃 Perfect Pairings

• Bourbon or Aged Rum
• Espresso or Dark Roast Coffee
• Porter or Brown Ale

🌟 Why We're Featuring It

Yesterday we learned that there's much more to a Maduro wrapper than simply its dark appearance. Today, the Fortaleza y Libre Bodacious Maduro gives us another opportunity to appreciate what these to***cos can bring to the smoking experience.

It's easy to reach for the same familiar Maduro ci**rs every time you visit the humidor. And while there's certainly nothing wrong with having favorites, sometimes the most enjoyable discoveries come from trying something you haven't heard much about.

So the next time you're looking for a Maduro, consider stepping outside your usual rotation. You might just discover a new favorite!

Available in the Toro (6 x 52) at Leaf to Ash Cigar Lounge.

**rs **rs

10/12/2026

🔥 Cigar Lesson Monday 🔥

🌎 The Wonderful World of Wrappers – BONUS LESSON! 🌿

🍫 Maduro – Dark, Rich, and Completely Misunderstood!

Over the past 13 weeks, we've explored everything from Connecticut Shade to Candela, learning how different to***co varieties, growing regions and processing methods influence the ci**rs we enjoy.

But there's one word you'll see throughout almost every humidor that deserves a lesson of its own.

Maduro.

And here's something that might surprise you:

Maduro isn't a to***co seed. It isn't a country. And it isn't a particular variety of to***co.

It's all about what happens to the leaf after harvest.

📍 So, What Exactly Is Maduro?

Maduro is Spanish for "ripe" or "mature," and in the cigar world, it generally describes to***co that has developed a darker color through fermentation and processing.

Remember last week's Candela lesson?

Candela gets its green color through rapid heat curing that preserves chlorophyll.

Maduro takes a very different path.

Instead of preserving the green, cigar makers develop darker colors and different flavor characteristics through carefully controlled processing.

🌿 How Does To***co Become Maduro?

First, the to***co is harvested and cured. After curing, the leaves undergo fermentation, a process that uses naturally generated heat and carefully managed moisture to transform the to***co.

During fermentation, harsh compounds are reduced, chemical changes take place, and the to***co develops greater complexity.

For Maduro wrappers, manufacturers often select thicker, heartier leaves capable of handling substantial fermentation.

Depending on the to***co and the manufacturer's methods, additional fermentation, aging or other processing techniques can help produce the deep brown and nearly black colors associated with Maduro.

But here's something important:

Not every Maduro is processed exactly the same way.

And not every dark wrapper is necessarily a Maduro.

🌎 Can Different To***co Varieties Become Maduro?

Absolutely!

Remember our lessons on Connecticut Broadleaf and Mexican San Andrés?

Both are commonly used to produce Maduro wrappers, but they're not the same to***co.

A Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro and a Mexican San Andrés Maduro can have very different personalities because the underlying to***co is different.

The seed, soil, climate, growing methods, fermentation and aging all contribute to the finished product.

That's why simply seeing the word "Maduro" on a cigar box doesn't tell you everything about the wrapper.

👃 What Does Maduro Taste Like?

Maduro ci**rs are often associated with rich, deep flavors, but the exact profile depends on the to***co and the complete blend.

Some commonly encountered characteristics include:

🍫 Dark chocolate & cocoa
☕ Coffee & espresso
🍯 Molasses & natural sweetness
🌎 Earth
🥜 Roasted nuts
🌶️ Black pepper & baking spices
🍒 Dark fruit
🥾 Leather

Those flavors aren't guaranteed, and Maduro doesn't automatically mean sweet.

A well-fermented Maduro wrapper may offer wonderful richness, but the binder and filler have just as much of a story to tell.

⚠️ Common Myth #1 – Maduro Means Stronger

This might be one of the most persistent misconceptions in the cigar world.

Someone sees a nearly black cigar and immediately assumes it's going to knock them out of their chair.

Not necessarily!

Flavor intensity and ni****ne strength are two different things.

A Maduro cigar can have bold, rich flavors while remaining relatively mild or medium in strength. Meanwhile, a much lighter-colored cigar can deliver considerably more ni****ne.

Wrapper color simply isn't a reliable way to predict strength.

⚠️ Common Myth #2 – Maduro Means Sweet

Maduro wrappers can develop natural sweetness through fermentation and aging, but that doesn't mean every Maduro tastes like chocolate cake.

Some are earthy. Some are spicy. Some are woody. Others may have a bittersweet character with very little obvious sweetness.

And no, a naturally sweet Maduro doesn't automatically mean someone added sugar to the wrapper!

🍂 A Little Advice from Leaf to Ash

The next time you're looking at a Maduro cigar, ask yourself three questions:

🌿 What to***co variety is the wrapper?
🌎 Where was it grown?
🔥 How does that wrapper work with the binder and filler?

Those answers will tell you considerably more than the word "Maduro" alone.

And if you've always avoided dark ci**rs because you thought they were too strong, you might be missing out on some wonderful smoking experiences.

🌎 The Wonderful World of Wrappers has taken us through an incredible variety of to***co.

And perhaps the biggest lesson of all is this:

A cigar's wrapper can tell you a lot about what you're about to smoke.

But it never tells you everything.

Sometimes the most interesting part of the story is what you can't see. 🌿💨

**rs

10/09/2026

🔥 Fireside Friday: What's the Most Unusual Thing You've Ever Used as a Cigar Cutter?

We've all been there. You've got a great cigar, a comfortable place to enjoy it, and plenty of time to relax.

There's just one little problem...

You forgot your cutter. 😂

Now, a reasonable person might wait until they could find one. But cigar smokers can be a resourceful bunch, and sometimes necessity leads to some rather questionable decisions!

Maybe you've used a pocketknife, your fingernails, your teeth, or something so ridiculous you're almost embarrassed to admit it.

Perhaps your improvised cutter worked perfectly, or maybe you completely destroyed a perfectly good cigar in the process.

And let's be fair, there's a fine line between ingenuity and stupidity. Sometimes we don't know which side we're on until it's too late! 😂

💬 So here's today's question: What's the strangest or most unusual thing you've ever used to cut a cigar?

Did it actually work, or did you immediately regret your decision?

And if you've witnessed someone else's creative attempt at cutting a cigar, we want to hear that story too!

🔥 Remember, this is Fireside Friday. We're here to share stories, have a few laughs, and occasionally learn from someone else's mistakes!

10/08/2026

10/08/2026

🍽️🏛️ SPOTLIGHT THURSDAY: THE NATIONAL EXEMPLAR! 🏛️🍽️

Last week, our Spotlight Thursday explored the fascinating history of the Village of Mariemont, the carefully planned community envisioned by Cincinnati philanthropist Mary M. Emery.

This week, we're staying in Mariemont to spotlight a restaurant that has been part of the community for more than four decades.

The National Exemplar!

And as it turns out, there's a wonderful historical connection between the restaurant and the village itself.

🏛️ A NAME ROOTED IN HISTORY

When Mary Emery envisioned Mariemont in the early 1900s, she wanted to create more than another Cincinnati suburb.

She dreamed of a thoughtfully designed community that could serve as a model for towns throughout America.

In fact, she referred to her developing community as a "National Exemplar" — a national model of good town planning.

And that's exactly where the restaurant got its name!

🏨 A HISTORIC SETTING

The National Exemplar is located inside the beautiful Mariemont Inn, one of the village's most recognizable landmarks.

The Inn opened on April 13, 1926, and was built as part of Emery's original vision for the community. Its distinctive Tudor-inspired architecture remains one of Mariemont's defining features.

Fast-forward exactly 57 years.

On April 13, 1983, The National Exemplar opened its doors inside the Inn.

For more than 43 years, the restaurant has welcomed generations of Cincinnati families, becoming a favorite destination for everything from a casual breakfast to a special evening out.

🍳 BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER

One of the things that makes The National Exemplar special is its versatility.

Looking for a traditional breakfast? They've got you covered, including a Cincinnati favorite — goetta!

Meeting friends for lunch? Enjoy sandwiches, salads, and their signature Hungarian Mushroom Soup.

Planning a dinner out? The restaurant offers American cuisine, seasonal selections, and nightly specials, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients and locally sourced products whenever possible.

And the setting is every bit as inviting as the menu, with a spacious dining room and outdoor patio.

🍷 AND DON'T FORGET SOUTHERBY'S!

Just off the hotel lobby is Southerby's Pub, a cozy gathering place featuring comfortable seating and one of the building's original 1920s fireplaces.

It's the kind of place where you can settle into an oversized chair, enjoy a drink, and appreciate a little Cincinnati history at the same time.

❤️ MORE THAN FOUR DECADES OF TRADITION

Perhaps one of the best examples of what makes The National Exemplar special is its longtime Men's Tuesday Breakfast Club.

A group of friends began gathering there regularly decades ago, and in 2018, the restaurant and Mariemont's mayor officially recognized their tradition.

That's what a great neighborhood restaurant can become.

Not simply a place to eat, but a place where friendships grow, families celebrate, and memories are made.

Mary Emery wanted Mariemont to be a community that brought people together.

More than a century after she began building that vision, The National Exemplar continues to play its part.

📍 THE NATIONAL EXEMPLAR
6880 Wooster Pike
Mariemont, OH 45227
☎️ (513) 271-2103

Open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

So, have you visited The National Exemplar?

Are you a breakfast regular, a fan of their Hungarian Mushroom Soup, or someone who enjoys a relaxing evening in Southerby's?

We'd love to hear your favorites!

10/06/2026

🌿 Tasting Note Tuesday: Founders Hamilton Candela 🌿

Yesterday's Cigar Lesson Monday was all about Candela — that unmistakable green wrapper that once dominated the American cigar market.

Today, we're putting that lesson into practice with a cigar that wears its green proudly:

Founders Hamilton Candela – Toro (6 x 50)

And there's actually a pretty clever reason they named it Hamilton.

Founders wanted to honor Alexander Hamilton, our nation's first Secretary of the Treasury and one of the chief architects of America's financial system.

So what better cigar to bear his name than one wrapped in green? 💵

Introduced in 2022, the Hamilton offers a modern interpretation of the classic Candela cigar. As we discussed yesterday, that green color isn't because the to***co is immature. It's the result of a special curing process that preserves chlorophyll in the leaf.

And that process produces a flavor profile unlike almost anything else in the humidor.

Blend Highlights:

• Wrapper: Ecuadorian Candela
• Binder: Ecuadorian Habano 2000
• Filler: Dominican Seco Negrito, Honduran Seco Piloto Cubano & Nicaraguan Viso Corojo from Jalapa
• Vitola: Toro (6 x 50)
• Profile: Mild to Medium

Flavor Journey:

🔥 First Third

The Candela immediately makes its presence known with fresh grass, hay and herbal notes accompanied by cream and a gentle natural sweetness.

🔥 Middle Third

Toasted nuts and cedar begin joining the greener flavors, while white pepper and subtle spice from the to***cos underneath add another layer of complexity. You may even notice some of the floral and cooling characteristics that make Candela so distinctive.

🔥 Final Third

The profile becomes a little richer while remaining smooth, with cedar, toasted nuts, hay and gentle spice accompanying that unmistakable grassy Candela character through the finish.

Why Try a Candela?

Because there's really nothing else quite like it.

If most of your cigar experience has been Connecticut, Habano, Corojo, Maduro and darker wrappers, Candela can completely reset your expectations of what a wrapper can contribute.

Fresh grass, herbs, hay, cream and subtle sweetness aren't flavors we normally associate with a cigar — but that's exactly what makes Candela so interesting.

Perfect Pairings:

☕ Light or Medium Roast Coffee
🍵 Green Tea
🥃 A Light Bourbon or Irish Wh***ey

Yesterday we learned how Candela gets that unmistakable green color.

Today, you can taste the result.

And with the Founders Hamilton, even the name reminds us why sometimes it's good to smoke a little green. 💵🌿

We carry the Founders Hamilton exclusively in the Toro (6 x 50).

Available at Leaf to Ash Cigar Lounge.

**rs

10/05/2026

Sometimes, a package arrives that means a little more than the others.

Leaf to Ash Cigar Lounge has been hand selected by My Father Ci**rs as one of the few retailers in the country authorized to carry the ultra-exclusive **Garcia y Garcia**.

We are incredibly honored to have been chosen.

And yes… they're here.

10/05/2026

🔥 Cigar Lesson Monday 🔥

🌎 The Wonderful World of Wrappers – Week 1️⃣3️⃣ 🌿

Candela – Yes, the Green One! 💚

We've made it to another wrapper that's pretty hard to mistake for anything else.

Candela.

It's green. Sometimes VERY green.

And no, they didn't pick the to***co too early. 😂

📍 So, What Exactly Is Candela?

Here's something Candela has in common with last week's Rosado lesson:

Candela isn't a particular to***co seed.

Instead, Candela is created by the way the to***co is cured.

Normally, freshly harvested green to***co gradually loses its green color during curing as chlorophyll breaks down and the leaf changes toward the familiar shades of tan and brown we associate with cigar to***co.

Candela takes a very different path.

🔥 How Does It Stay Green?

Freshly harvested to***co is rapidly cured using considerably higher temperatures than those used in conventional air curing.

This removes moisture from the to***co quickly while preserving much of the chlorophyll responsible for the leaf's green color.

Instead of spending weeks slowly changing from green to brown in the curing barn, Candela can complete this heat-curing process in only a few days.

And that's how you get a cigar that looks like somebody rolled it in a leaf straight from the garden.

But don't let that bright green wrapper fool you.

It's absolutely cured to***co.

🇺🇸 Once Upon a Time, America LOVED Green Ci**rs

Here's the part of Candela history that might surprise you.

Today, Candela can seem unusual. Decades ago, it was anything but.

From roughly the late 1950s through the early 1970s, green-wrapper ci**rs were enormously popular with American smokers.

They became so closely associated with the United States that the cigar trade actually had a name for them:

🇺🇸 American Market Selection – AMS

Meanwhile, brown natural wrappers were commonly referred to as English Market Selection, or EMS.

Eventually American tastes changed, brown wrappers became the norm, and Candela went from being a familiar sight in the American cigar market to one of the more unusual wrappers you'll encounter today.

👃 What Does Candela Taste Like?

As we've learned throughout this series, the wrapper is only one part of the blend, so there isn't one flavor that every Candela cigar will produce.

But Candela wrappers are often associated with characteristics such as:

🌿 Fresh grass & herbs
🍵 Green tea
🌱 Vegetal notes
🍯 Gentle sweetness
🌶️ White pepper
🥜 Nuts
🌲 Cedar
🌼 Occasionally floral notes

That fresh, grassy character is part of what makes Candela so distinctive.

🍂 Leaf to Ash Recommendations

Want to find out what a Candela actually tastes like?

We currently have two very different examples at Leaf to Ash Cigar Lounge:

💚 Arturo Fuente Flor Fina 8-5-8 Candela – 6 × 47

A classic Fuente vitola wearing that unmistakable green Candela wrapper. The 8-5-8 has been offered with different wrappers over the years, making the Candela particularly interesting if you're already familiar with the traditional 8-5-8.

🇺🇸 Founders Hamilton Candela Toro – 6 × 50

The Hamilton takes Candela in another direction, using an Ecuadorian Candela wrapper over a multinational blend.

Two Candela ci**rs. Two completely different blends.

Which brings us right back to something we've been learning throughout this entire series:

The wrapper matters—but it never tells the whole story.

⚠️ Common Myth

Candela ci**rs are green because they're made from immature or uncured to***co.

Nope!

That green color comes from a deliberate curing process designed to preserve chlorophyll in the leaf.

And here's another myth worth throwing out while we're at it:

Green doesn't automatically mean mild.

Just like we've discussed with Connecticut Shade and Broadleaf, wrapper color isn't a reliable strength meter.

A Candela wrapper may contribute a lighter, fresher flavor character, but the binder and filler underneath it can turn that cigar into something considerably stronger than its bright green appearance suggests.

🌎 Thirteen wrapper lessons into our journey, we've gone from pale Connecticut Shade to dark Broadleaf, from Africa to Brazil, Mexico to Ecuador—and now we've arrived at a wrapper that's unmistakably GREEN. 💚

And if there's one thing this journey continues to teach us, it's that you can't judge a cigar simply by looking at the color of its wrapper.

There's always more to the story behind the leaf. 🌿💨