The Cigar Authority
A weekly, long-form podcast where a panel of cigar retailers and enthusiasts smoke and discuss cigar news, culture, and industry personalities.
A classic "hangout" show for the cigar world, hosted from inside a working cigar shop by its owner and staff. Each episode is a two-hour-plus live recording that blends industry news, a specific topic of the week (like the secondary market or brand histories), and long-form interviews with cigar makers. It's an insider's perspective, deeply intertwined with the hosts' own retail business, which is frequently mentioned.
“Unlike many review-focused shows, this podcast is broadcast live from the hosts' own cigar shop with a studio audience, giving it a loose, "on the sales floor" feel. Its deep integration with the Two Guys Cigars retail business means discussions are often grounded in the practicalities of buying and selling.”
Who hosts this show
The Cigar Authority is one of the longest-running weekly podcasts dedicated to premium cigars, broadcasting since 2010. Hosted by retailer David Garofalo with co-hosts Jonathan "Mr. Jonathan" Carney and Ed Sullivan, the show is recorded live with a studio audience at Two Guys Smoke Shop in Salem, NH. The panel smokes cigars on-air while discussing industry news, conducting reviews, and interviewing cigar makers and brand owners. The show positions itself as a guide to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions before spending their money.
Credentials & credits
- David Garofalo: Owner & President, Two Guys Cigars
- David Garofalo: Author, "David vs. Goliath" and "The Cigar Authority COOKBOOK"
- David Garofalo: Founder, United Podcast Network & Studio 21 Podcast Café
- Jonathan Carney: CEO, Bentley Tobacco USA
- Jonathan Carney: Manager, Two Guys Cigars (Salem location)
- Awarded "Ambassadors of Cigars" by Cigar Journal Magazine
Other ventures
- Two Guys Cigars (Retail & Online Store)
- United Podcast Network
- Studio 21 Podcast Cafe
- Garofalo Cigars (cigar line)
- Bentley Tobacco USA (Jonathan Carney)
- The Purveyors (Jonathan Carney)
What kind of podcast
- Country
- United States
- Region
- usa
When new episodes drop
- 01Cigars That Sell Over Sticker PriceJun 28, 2026 · 2h 05m
- 02Two Cigars - One FamilyJun 21, 2026 · 2h 10m
- 03The Most Wanted Cigars of 2026Jun 14, 2026 · 2h 02m
- 04Celebrating a Cigar Legend: Jose Orlando PadronJun 7, 2026 · 2h 06m
- 05The NFT Cigar StoryMay 31, 2026 · 2h 04m
- 06Perdomo Legacy Father & SonMay 24, 2026 · 2h 13m
- 07Cigar Abbreviations and WhiskeyMay 17, 2026 · 2h 02m
- 082026 Cigar DraftMay 10, 2026 · 2h 04m
Notable episodes
- 01Two Cigars - One Family
Features an insightful interview with father-son duo Rafael and Carlos Nodal, exploring family dynamics and succession in the cigar business.
- 02Cigars That Sell Over Sticker Price
A practical discussion on the secondary and gray markets for cigars, explaining the psychology and economics behind why some products exceed their retail price.
- 03Celebrating a Cigar Legend: Jose Orlando Padron
A tribute episode for what would have been the Padrón patriarch's 100th birthday, featuring a special conversation with his son, Jorge Padrón.
- 04The Most Wanted Cigars of 2026
Explores the psychology of collecting and hype, breaking down what makes certain cigars like Opus X and Liga Privada so desirable beyond just their quality.
What you'll be asked on this show
Interviews are conversational and conducted by the three-host panel. David Garofalo often leads, using his long-standing industry relationships to establish immediate rapport. Questions move between technical cigar details (e.g., wrapper type) and personal origin stories. They often probe into the business struggles and successes behind a brand, contrasting early failures with later triumphs. There isn't a single signature closer, but conversations often circle back to the guest's legacy and family involvement in the business.
A three-host panel discussion recorded live with an audience, structured around smoking different cigars over a two-hour broadcast. The show is punctuated by recurring, sponsor-driven segments like the official "cutting time" and "question of the week." The vibe is informal and conversational, like listening to knowledgeable shop staff talk business after hours.
Questions the host keeps coming back to
9 cataloguedIf you're going on this show as a guest, expect some version of each of these. Each note explains when the host reaches for it.
origin
1- Q.01
“Do you remember your first cigar?”
Used to explore a guest's personal entry point into the cigar world, often asked of second-generation cigar makers.
personal
2- Q.01
“Who's harder to impress, the cigar consumer or your dad?”
Asked to younger, second-generation guests to explore the personal and professional pressures of upholding a family legacy.
- Q.02
“What would you be doing if cigars weren't in the cards?”
A recurring hypothetical from the 'Question of the Week' segment to explore a person's core motivations outside of their career.
controversy
2- Q.01
“Did it ever piss you off that you came in second place [in a ranking]?”
A direct, provocative question used to get an authentic reaction about a well-known past event or perceived slight.
- Q.02
“What would you do if a retailer falsely advertised a product?”
An ethical hypothetical posed to the audience or hosts to discuss industry standards and business practices.
technique
1- Q.01
“What's the purpose of drawing on a cigar when it's not lit?”
A technical question, often from the 'Question of the Week,' used to educate the audience on common cigar smoking practices.
industry
1- Q.01
“What are the world's most wanted cigars and why?”
A broad opening question used to frame an entire episode's topic around market trends and consumer psychology.
craft
2- Q.01
“Was this the first cigar ever to have [a specific feature]?”
A historical, detail-oriented question asked during a cigar review to establish its unique place or innovation.
- Q.02
“Is this cigar a Maduro?”
A clarifying question asked during the initial lighting segment to establish the cigar's basic characteristics for the listeners.
Signature segments
- · Opening with "Light 'em up, light 'em up, light 'em up!" and a cowbell
- · The "Question of the Week" segment
- · The "Official Time to Cut Our Cigar" segment
- · Live broadcast from a cigar shop with a studio audience
- · The "News from the Insane Asylum" segment
Topics covered repeatedly
Who gets booked here
Primarily cigar industry insiders: brand owners (Rafael Nodal), master blenders, and the children of legacy cigar makers who are entering the family business (Carlos Nodal, Jorge Padrón). The show leverages its long history and the hosts' retail connections to book established figures and rising stars.
- Rafael Nodalon Two Cigars - One Family
- Carlos Nodalon Two Cigars - One Family
- Tom Zbyradon Cigars That Sell Over Sticker Price
- Jorge Padrónon Celebrating a Cigar Legend: Jose Orlando Padron
- Nick Perdomoon Perdomo Legacy Father & Son
- Nicholas Perdomoon Perdomo Legacy Father & Son
Where to find this show
Audience & reach
The show is heavily sponsored by cigar and accessory brands, with many segments explicitly tied to a sponsor like Perdomo, Vertigo, and Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust. The podcast itself is a major marketing arm for the hosts' primary business, Two Guys Smoke Shop, which is mentioned frequently as '2guyscigars.com'.
Subscriber and view counts are pulled live from YouTube and re-verified on a 30-day cycle. Listener estimates for the RSS feed aren't published here unless they're host-verified.
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People also ask
- Who are the hosts of The Cigar Authority?
- The primary hosts are David Garofalo, Jonathan "Mr. Jonathan" Carney, and Ed Sullivan.
- Is the podcast still active?
- Yes, it releases new, two-hour episodes weekly.
- What is the show's format?
- It's a weekly live show recorded with a studio audience where the hosts and guests smoke cigars, discuss industry news, and cover a topic of the week.
- Where is The Cigar Authority recorded?
- It is recorded at Studio 21 Podcast Cafe, located above the Two Guys Smoke Shop in Salem, New Hampshire.
- Is the show affiliated with a cigar shop?
- Yes, it is owned and operated by David Garofalo, the founder of Two Guys Cigars, and the show is heavily integrated with the retail business.
- What is the United Podcast Network?
- It is a podcast network and production studio founded by host David Garofalo, located in the same facility as the show.
Built from the show's public RSS feed, YouTube, the host's own websites, and the cited sources below. Computed and AI-extracted fields are labelled. Facts only — no private info, no fabrication, no transcripts republished.
Sources & how this page was built
This page is AI-assisted, grounded in the public sources cited below, and host-verifiable. We publish facts only; we do not republish transcripts. If anything here is wrong, the host can claim and correct the page above.Model: gemini-2.5-pro · high confidence
- [01]Official Websitethecigarauthority.com
- [02]Two Guys Cigars - Meet the Staff2guyscigars.com
- [03]David Garofalo Author Biodavidvsgoliath.com
- [04]Jonathan Carney Teams Up To Launch Bentley Tobacco | USAthecigarauthority.com
- [05]The Cigar Authority - Apple Podcastspodcasts.apple.com
- [06]The Cigar Authority - United Podcast Networkunitedpodcastnetwork.com
- [07]Two Guys Smoke Shop Changes Its Name After 40 Years - Cigar Snob Magazinecigarsnobmag.com
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