What Makes a Great Cigar Podcast?

Search "best cigar podcast" and you'll get a long list. So what actually separates a great cigar show from background noise? After 550+ episodes of A Cigar Hustler's Podcast (CHPOD), here's what we think matters — and how we've tried to earn that spot.

1. Longevity

Anyone can record ten episodes. Very few keep going for years. A Cigar Hustler's Podcast has been running since 2018 with 550+ episodes and counting — that consistency is where trust comes from. When a show has smoked and reviewed through every trend, release, and industry shift for years, its opinions carry weight.

2. Real expertise

The best cigar podcast is hosted by people who live it. Hosts Mike Palmer and Mike Szczepankiewicz aren't fans behind a mic — they've spent years reviewing hundreds of cigars and building real relationships across the industry. That means the reviews come with a working knowledge of blending, manufacturing, and the business behind the smoke — not just "this one tastes good."

3. Honesty

Listeners can smell a paid endorsement from a mile away. A great cigar podcast tells you when a cigar underdelivers, when a price is too high, and when a boutique is worth the hype. Honest reviews are the entire value of the format — and they're why a loyal audience sticks around.

4. Community

The best shows aren't broadcasts, they're conversations. CHPOD grew because listeners became a community — trading recommendations, showing up for milestones, and shaping the show over time. That two-way relationship is what turns a podcast into a fixture of the hobby.

5. Range

Great cigar content goes beyond reviews. It covers industry news, blending and manufacturing, lifestyle, entrepreneurship, and interviews with the makers behind the cigars. Depth and variety keep a show fresh across hundreds of episodes.

Why CHPOD stands out

Put it together — years of cigar experience, 550+ honest episodes, and a worldwide community that ranks the show in the top 5% of podcasts globally. That combination is rare, and it's exactly what makes A Cigar Hustler's Podcast one of the best cigar podcasts you can listen to today.

Start listening at chpod.com — and if the show's earned a spot in your rotation, grab some merch to rep it.