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It's pretty simple. On the one hand, the more efforts an influencer puts into looking like an expert in the eye of the newbie, the bigger the audience, no matter the field. On the other hand, knowledgeable people often don't really care about appearing so, which leads to much smaller audiences. Therefore, if you want to help educate a lot of people, you can't be an expert unless you crack that code which is what I hope will happen next. To be realistic I just think they'll all disappear at one point and that will be for the best. Nothing new under the sun, those who know have always been and will always be the quiet ones, it's human nature.

And these have appeared for sale at 65£. Which did surprise me somewhat. Because I expected a higher price. So at a might try once for fun point for me.

This is a very good point regarding YT. I've just lost interest in anything but very specific content. Browsing has become laborious. Wife might get annoyed watching ads when searching crochet content but hey...

Nice edits @JohnS

I have some thoughts on dark dark cello like this that Jackson and I will eventually discuss over a 2021 Tatuaje that already has cello this dark. (Spoiler: wildly unstable temperature conditions)

Two cigars one mouth

I loved this one, really

Yes, and you pointed out three flavor notes that I got, but forgot to write down. Pineapple, corn, and chicory.

So many similarities

Lots of similarity

I destroyed the head of this cigar when i clipped it, but luckily was able to apply some cigar glue and rectify the loss. Cold draw has coffee, sweet baking spices, and berry. Light-up has loads of plum brandy, some coffee, and the same spices. Going on, some ancho chile heat and good spiced fruits. Brioche with some cashew butter. A little meatiness, charred oak, and very faint soft leather. Second third is basically cocoa-rubbed pork fat. Delicious, although it’s trying to unravel on me. Past the midpoint, some earthy funk and salted nuts. Almond, and maybe a little toffee bar. Still some meaty notes, but it’s moving more toward duck fat than pork. Rich. At about this point, @Çnote himself shows up at the lounge, so I can thank him in person for this smoke. Pleasantly distracted with conversation, but this cigar ends about like it began. Some plum wine, coffee, brioche, earth, faint whisps of leather, and even a little citrus peel toward the end. Some more unraveling at the head, but overall a great aged Tat. 90, because the unraveling was not a construction issue. Cody shared with me that these were some scratch n dent acquisitions. Honestly the one I had wasn’t that damaged, smoked pretty well throughout. Thanks for another fantastic smoke, Cody!

It really was!

Not sure of the vitola name or whatever in the Riqueza line. @Çnote advised that I dry-box this one, and even after two days it’s a pretty firm draw, but it’ll smoke fine. Cold draw is damp earth, oak, and grassy flavors. Light-up is lots of pepper, and some extremely bright spices. Almost like ginger and wasabi. First third is very crisp, still with that raw ginger quality. Some honey as well. Maybe sesame cakes (“Stop eating my SESAME CAKE!!”) Bonus points if you can name that movie… Going on, things do mellow out some. Still a sharp pepper and spice zing, but there is a delicious dark herbal note in the draw. Almost reminding me of the Warped Upper Realm that we smoked awhile back, or maybe what I wanted the Upper Realm to be. Ricola herbal notes, but sweeter. Contrasts nicely with the spice, actually. In the second third, getting some citrus. Savory soy sauce, no…duck sauce, but smokier. Pepper has subsided, and I’m grateful. Very bold, but very smooth. Nothing in the way of strength, all the expression is in the flavor, and not in the power. But again…smooth. Almost like a Merlot. Some dark berries in the finish of each puff. This is actually reminding me a lot of Curivari Reserva Limitada at the moment, the Robusto one they call “Epicures.” Past the midpoint, things turn to creamy almond paste and deep cocoa vibes. The last third is glowing with ripe fruit, rich cocoa powder, slightly burnt sugar, and vibrant spices. I’m getting a little Mexican hot chocolate here, which is very nice on a crisp, cool day. The nub is mostly dark roast coffee bean with some oak smoke, and a little nuttiness still. Excellent smoke! 94

I see what you mean for sure, lol. Box looks rough but that's how it goes sometimes. I have a box of RASS just like this and they are fantastic. I also have a box of Aristocrats that are worse but they smoke way above their price point. You just cant base your thoughts on look alone. Smoke one!

The original Anarchy cigars were the best. I found one in my humidor with lots of years rest…disappointing. Not at all the cigar that was intended by PJ. It was, in fact, the cigar that made me realize NCs don’t need to be rested in order to be the cigar they are rolled to be.

This is something I would probably watch! Just hit record. What I'm doing on my YouTube channel is what I hope to be anti-influencer content. Just me, what I can find in the way of an incredible view and my random thoughts. Long form, relaxed and just real. I think the younger generations are going to head into this direction, where there are no frills, just real life and honest, authentic thoughts and opinions. Short-form and high brow content has been on it's way out for a little bit now, but I'm imagining with the rise of AI, anyone can post a picture of themselves standing on the hood of a Lamborghini and I think the generation coming up actually has some disdain toward that.

I agree with all of this, and it’s getting worse. I, too, am thinking of killing my YouTube Premium because it’s just AI. Though Rick Beato has fantastic music content. And if you find that John Mayer replay, can you send it my way, please? Have been looking as well and can’t find it.

I am assuming they just didn’t include it in the press release. Generally speaking, the special releases in 2025 describe the blend ingredients. Take a peak at some vendors descriptions if you’re inclined.

I think the biggest threat to 'influencers' as you describe them is AI slop. In the last six months it's gotten very difficult to find quality original non-AI content on YouTube, Instagram or elsewhere. For example, this morning I wanted to watch John Mayer's tribute to Bob Weir that I missed live the night before. After searching, four of the first six videos that were shown were either AI summaries or AI re-creations of what he said. I'm actually considering canceling YouTube premium as I'm just not using it like I used to. AI fatigue will be the death of the internet as we know it. Bots talking to bots making content for bots.

AI is going to crush a lot of them. Also audience burnout is very real and it’s only getting worse. Like I said above, I don’t think “influence” is going anywhere, but who is doing the influencing will change. Companies won’t pay for things that are ineffective. They will have better data and won’t spray and pray like they do today. The cream will rise to the top.

The time for Rob and Ken to team with Jasim for deck review videos is now.

End state is that everyone is an influencer and everyone has their own micro brand.

Tatuaje Lanceros are in your future.

Well, they only rate new releases and they don't have a direct line to a retailer that will hold new shiny stock for them to buy units at msrp without caveat. It's tough to get what you want the way you want it, when everyone wants that too and wants it more. Patina and Umabog as value is very nice to see though. Some big feelings on all the store exclusives on the other hand.

My first Don Pepin. Ever. Got this from my secret Santa. (Thanks Nick !) Smaller RG and or Lanceros have always been my favs. My last New World cigars years ago were just in no way shape or fashion comparable to my CC's. I eyed my gift cautiously and thought no way I can smoke this. I was wrong. Maduro/dark wrappers are not my thing. But...you know me, there's always a but. 😄 This cigar has in fact somewhat renewed my interest in New World cigars. Somewhat. Construction and draw was flawless. Cut the cap and go. All the way through however, the taste vaguely reminds me of a stage in a CC. Just can't quite pin down which cigar it is. That being said, quite one-dimensional throughout. Not bad at all, just no variety in it. All in all, I would certainly not turn one down. I may delve into this one a little deeper. It did indeed reignite a small interest in New World. We'll see.