Sticks-n-Stonez Cigar & Spirits Show

About Sticks-n-Stonez Cigar & Spirits Show

Sticks-n-Stonez is a weekly podcast that pairs fine cigars with premium spirits. Each week a premium hand rolled cigar is paired with just the right spirit to enhance the palate and profile of each offering. During the episode Brent, the host, will share details about each offering and then present his opinion on the visual aspects, nose, and palate of the cigar and spirit and detail his opinion and rating of the pairing. He will also sprinkle in some of his own offbrand humor. Between each episode you can catch Brent on Instagram at @sticksnstonez1. The show's Insta account is approaching 20,000 followers so you should really jump in now. Brent is a retired combat veteran with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He picked up cigars while deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, in 2004 and has been developing his nose and palate ever since. With two decades of experience in cigars and 3 decades in fine spirits his senses are acutely tuned to provide the best possible advice. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sticks-n-stonez--5910792/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sticks-n-stonez--5910792/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss).

Publisher

Brent Elrod

Category

leisure

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

12 Oct 2021

Latest episode

13 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

235 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   13 Oct 2026

   S6 E23 Unexpected Harmony: Penelope Four Grain + Room 101 Miami Snow

   Can a soft, creamy Connecticut cigar bring out the hidden complexity in a four-grain bourbon without getting lost in the sweetness? OPENING MONOLOGUE Welcome back to Sticks-n-Stonez. Today we’re bringing together two bottles and sticks that take a softer approach—but don’t mistake that for boring. Penelope Four Grain brings four different grains and layers of sweetness, fruit, vanilla and spice, while Room 101 Miami Snow brings cream, cedar, roasted nuts and just enough pepper to keep things interesting. And after years without pairing this bourbon, it’s time to see what these two can really do together. THE SPIRIT — PENELOPE KENTUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBON FOUR GRAIN Style: Straight Bourbon Whiskey Proof: 80 Age: 4 Years MASH BILL 75% Corn 15% Wheat 7% Rye 3% Malted Barley Penelope describes Four Grain as a blend of three bourbon mash bills using all four grains. MASH BILL IMPACT The high corn and wheat percentages give this bourbon its soft, sweet foundation, while the rye and malted barley add enough spice and grain character to keep it from becoming one-dimensional. That’s exactly what makes it interesting with a lighter Connecticut cigar. NOSE Corn sweetness, caramel, light oak, syrup and subtle savory notes. PALATE Fruit, candied sweetness, vanilla and a touch of berry and citrus. FINISH Buttercream, cornbread and lingering vanilla spice. THE CIGAR — ROOM 101 MIAMI SNOW Size: Toro, 6 x 50 Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut Binder: Honduran Filler: Honduran Profile: Mild to Medium Miami Snow is built around a golden Ecuador Connecticut wrapper with Honduran binder and filler. Its profile brings creamy cedar, roasted nuts, earth and subtle pepper. CONSTRUCTION & BURN The Toro format gives the blend plenty of room to develop, with a substantial smoke presence while maintaining the mellow-to-medium character that defines Miami Snow. NOSE Cream, cedar, toasted tobacco and light nuttiness. COLD DRAW Sweet cedar, nuts, light earth and a touch of pepper. FIRST THIRD The Miami Snow opens creamy and approachable. Cedar and light roasted-nut notes lead, while the Four Grain brings caramel and corn sweetness. PAIRING — INITIAL IMPRESSION This is immediately harmonious. The bourbon’s sweetness reinforces the cigar’s creamy character, while the cigar’s cedar keeps the bourbon from feeling overly sweet. The wheat in the mash bill makes the opening particularly smooth. SECOND THIRD The cigar starts developing more earth and pepper while the bourbon reveals more vanilla, fruit and baking-spice character. PAIRING — MID-SESSION EVOLUTION This is where the Four Grain earns its place. The rye and malted barley provide just enough spice and toasted-grain character to interact with the cigar’s pepper and roasted-nut notes. The combination becomes more complex without becoming heavier. FINAL THIRD The Miami Snow moves toward deeper toasted cedar, earth and pepper while the bourbon leaves lingering vanilla spice and buttercream. PAIRING — FINAL IMPRESSION The Four Grain’s sweetness softens the cigar’s increasing pepper, while the cigar gives the low-proof bourbon enough structure to keep the finish interesting. Neither one dominates—the bourbon rounds out the cigar while the cigar gives the bourbon definition. WRAPPER IMPACT NOTE The Ecuador Connecticut wrapper is the key to this pairing. Its creamy, cedar-forward character creates a natural bridge to Four Grain’s wheat, vanilla and buttercream notes, while the wrapper’s lighter profile allows the bourbon’s four-grain complexity to remain noticeable. OVERALL EXPERIENCE This is a pairing built on harmony rather than power. The Four Grain doesn’t overpower Miami Snow;...

2. 

   9 Oct 2026

   S6 E22 Can This Wheated Bourbon Tame a Nicaraguan Powerhouse

   Can a soft, wheated bourbon bring out the darker, richer side of a Nicaraguan powerhouse without getting lost in the smoke? Welcome back to Sticks-n-Stonez. Today we’re doing a bourbon and cigar pairing with 1792 Sweet Wheat and My Father El Centurion Toro. We’re tasting a wheated bourbon alongside a Nicaraguan cigar to see how caramel, vanilla, earth, pepper, and dark tobacco work together. Let’s get into this bourbon and cigar review. The Spirit — 1792 Sweet Wheat Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Proof: 91.2 / 45.6% ABV Mash Bill: The exact percentages aren’t publicly disclosed, but Sweet Wheat replaces the traditional rye component with wheat alongside corn and malted barley. Mash Bill Impact Note: Wheat creates a softer, rounder sweetness and smoother mouthfeel. Instead of adding another heavy layer of spice, the bourbon gives this cigar pairing a sweet, creamy counterpoint to El Centurion’s Nicaraguan intensity. Nose: Vanilla, caramel, sweet grain, soft oak, and light baking spice. Palate: Caramel, vanilla, brown sugar, and soft oak with a creamy texture and gentle baking spice. Finish: Warm and lingering, with vanilla, caramel, oak, and subtle spice. The Cigar — My Father El Centurion Toro Tobacco Breakdown Wrapper: Nicaraguan Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Wrapper Impact Note: The Nicaraguan wrapper brings earth, pepper, and dark tobacco richness, giving this premium cigar plenty of intensity beside the softer bourbon. Construction A Toro format with a comfortable draw, strong smoke production, and plenty of room for the flavors to develop. Cigar Nose: Rich tobacco, earth, pepper, and subtle natural sweetness. Cold Draw: Earth, cedar, pepper, and a hint of sweetness. First Third El Centurion opens with earth, cedar, pepper, and rich tobacco while 1792 Sweet Wheat brings caramel and vanilla. Pairing Experience: The bourbon’s sweetness rounds off the Nicaraguan pepper without hiding the cigar’s character. The cigar provides intensity; the bourbon provides the cushion. Overall Experience: Smooth, contrasting, and balanced. Second Third The cigar develops darker earth, espresso, dark tobacco, and subtle cocoa while the bourbon continues with caramel, vanilla, and soft oak. Pairing Experience: This is where the pairing really clicks. The bourbon pulls sweeter, richer notes from the cigar, while the cigar’s earthiness keeps the bourbon from becoming overly sweet. Overall Experience: The cigar deepens the bourbon; the bourbon smooths the cigar. Final Third The cigar moves toward dark earth, charred wood, pepper, and concentrated tobacco. The bourbon’s oak and warmth become more noticeable. Pairing Experience: The wheat becomes especially valuable here. Instead of adding more spice, Sweet Wheat provides relief from the cigar’s increasing intensity and keeps the finish rounded. Overall Experience: Rich, warming, and substantial. The Big Pairing Takeaway This bourbon and cigar pairing works because the flavors contrast rather than compete. 1792 Sweet Wheat: Caramel • Vanilla • Brown Sugar • Soft Oak El Centurion Toro: Earth • Pepper • Dark Tobacco • Cocoa The bourbon’s softness gives this Nicaraguan cigar room to show its darker side, while the cigar’s depth keeps the bourbon grounded. Final Verdict Spirit: 9.1/10 Cigar: 9.2/10 Flavor Harmony: 9.3/10 Balance: 9.2/10 Evolution: 9.1/10 PAIRING SCORE: 9.2/10 Sweet meets spice. Smooth meets strength. Become a supporter of this podcast: <a...

3. 

   28 Sept 2026

   S6 E21 Can This 100-Proof Bourbon Handle a Full-Bodied Cigar Henry McKenna + La Imperiosa

   Can a 100-proof, 10-year-old bourbon with serious oak and spice stand up to a dark, full-bodied Nicaraguan cigar built on pepper, earth, and char? Welcome back to Sticks-n-Stonez. Today we’re pairing Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel Bottled-in-Bond with Crowned Heads La Imperiosa Mágicos. McKenna brings caramel, vanilla, honey, oak and baking spice at 100 proof, while La Imperiosa brings an Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler. This is a pairing built on contrast: sweetness and mature oak meeting dark fruit, earth and pepper. THE SPIRIT — HENRY McKENNA 10 YEAR Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon | Age: 10 Years | Proof: 100 | Bottled-in-Bond Mash Bill: 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley Mash Bill Impact: The corn brings sweetness, while rye adds peppery spice and barley helps round the profile. Nose: Caramel, vanilla, toasted oak and baking spice. Palate: Honey, caramel, oak and sharp spice. Finish: Long, sweet, warming and spicy. THE CIGAR — CROWNED HEADS LA IMPERIOSA MÁGICOS Vitola: Mágicos | 4.5 x 52 Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro Binder/Filler: Nicaraguan Tobacco Breakdown: Dark, rich wrapper character with Nicaraguan earth, pepper and savory depth. Wrapper Impact Note: The Habano Oscuro wrapper drives richness, cocoa, earth and intensity. Nose: Earth, leather, cocoa and cedar. Construction &amp; Burn: Substantial Robusto format, generous smoke and a generally slow, even burn. Cold Draw: Cedar, earth, cocoa and subtle sweetness. FIRST THIRD Pepper, cedar, earth and dark fruit lead the cigar. McKenna’s caramel and vanilla immediately provide contrast, rounding the pepper while its 100-proof body keeps up with the cigar. Pairing: Sweet oak meets dark earth and pepper. SECOND THIRD The cigar moves toward earth, cedar, cocoa and savory depth. McKenna’s oak connects with the cedar while caramel bridges the darker flavors. Rye spice reinforces the cigar’s pepper without overwhelming it. Pairing: Contrast begins turning into harmony. FINAL THIRD Oak, leather, earth and savory notes take over. McKenna’s mature oak and sweetness keep the cigar from becoming too dry, while the bourbon’s rye spice keeps the finish lively. Pairing: Dark fruit, leather, caramel, oak and lingering spice. OVERALL EXPERIENCE This works because neither component tries to overpower the other. McKenna brings sweetness, honey, mature oak and spice; La Imperiosa brings dark fruit, earth, cedar and pepper. The pairing evolves from caramel and pepper to oak and earth, then into a long, dark, spicy finish. FINAL VERDICT Spirit: 9.3/10 Cigar: 9.1/10 Flavor Compatibility: 9.3/10 Balance: 9.2/10 Complexity: 9.3/10 OVERALL PAIRING: 9.2/10 Henry McKenna doesn’t tame La Imperiosa Mágicos—it gives all that dark pepper, earth and oak something sweet and structured to push against. By the final third, they’re speaking the same language. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sticks-n-stonez--5910792/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sticks-n-stonez--5910792/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss). Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sticks-n-stonez--5910792/support

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

18,804

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

17 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 78 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

99

Social presence

0

YouTube

92

Engagement

51

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