Last Wednesday, I had the pleasure of attending an unforgettable event! An evening with Jeremy Casdagli and Izalco rum – here’s my take on it. You’re invited to read along.
The event took place on the occasion of Rum Love Festival – an annual celebration for rum lovers. And rum, as it turns out, pairs beautifully with the divine aroma of cigar smoke. That’s exactly why Polish cigar distributors joined forces this year to elevate the experience even further.
We were invited by Tomasz Żołądkiewicz, representing Iguana – the company behind Cigarro.pl and the Polish distributor of Izalco rum, which we had the pleasure of sampling that evening. But for me, the real highlight was meeting (and smoking a cigar with) Mr. Jeremy Casdagli of Casdagli Cigars. Opportunities like this don’t come around often, so when the invitation landed in my inbox, I knew what had to be done – dropping everything and heading straight for a smoke with Casdagli!
The event took place at Forum Panorama – more specifically, at the Royal Cigar Lounge in Kraków, which has been home to a growing number of cigar-focused events lately. Given the distance from my home base, I was especially glad for the venue choice. On my first visit, I got to meet one of the owners, and we agreed that I’d return to properly review the place for Polski Aficionado. Still no date set, but I need to make it happen!
To wrap up the intro – here’s the cherry on top: I got to attend the event with my cigar companion, often mentioned here on Polski Aficionado. That doesn’t happen very often, and sharing a smoke together in a new setting was a real treat.
An Evening with Jeremy Casdagli and Izalco Rum
We arrived a bit early. We’d left Rzeszów ahead of schedule to avoid traffic, and it worked out beautifully. The road to Kraków felt shorter than usual – maybe thanks to the engaging conversation that carried us all the way there and back. From the moment I got into the car until I stepped back into my apartment around 1 AM, the drive was filled with discussion that made the journey feel like a blink.
I assumed the event would be held in a larger hall. To my delight, it turned out to be inside the cigar lounge itself – giving me the perfect chance to finally take a closer look at it. As we walked in, we were greeted by a mature, well-dressed gentleman with a distinct British accent. No ice needed breaking – it melted the moment the door shut behind us.
Jeremy wasted no time handing each of us a small cigar – after all, what’s a cigar event without smoke? And just like that, before I’d even had the chance to greet Tomasz Żołądkiewicz or Borys Makowski – whom I already knew as a connoisseur of fine cocktails and spirits – I found myself standing there with a cigar in hand before the event had officially even begun.
It didn’t take long to realize that Jeremy is a natural-born storyteller, with a level of historical knowledge that would impress even a seasoned academic. The way he wove in names, dates, and moments from Polish and European history left us truly impressed. And I’m sure my cigar companion, if he’s reading this, won’t mind me speaking in the plural – we were both clearly captivated. Meanwhile, guests slowly began to arrive, and Jeremy, while welcoming each one personally, kept his stories flowing effortlessly.
The Official Part
We were a bit late, technically speaking – but no one seemed to mind. Everyone waited until the rest of the guests had arrived, and honestly, there wasn’t a single dull moment. With Jeremy in the room, silence simply isn’t an option! At some point, the “official” part of the evening just… began – right in the middle of a story so engaging, everyone had already been drawn in.
Suddenly, the cigars for the evening were handed out. By “official,” I mean the ones specifically prepared for the occasion. Until that moment, I had been enjoying something else: the Casdagli Vater Petit Robusto – a cigar that deserves a sentence of its own here. I had never even heard of this line before that night.
The Vater line pays tribute to great military generals. This particular cigar is dedicated to Joseph Radetzky von Radetz, whose strategy and leadership helped lead the coalition to victory over Napoleon at the Battle of Leipzig in 1813. The name Vater (German for “father”) comes from the affectionate nickname given to him by his soldiers.
Naturally, this story – like so many others – was shared by Jeremy himself, with remarkable detail and depth. What I’ll remember most about the cigar, though, is its very original flavor. It features a unique blend that includes Zimbabwean tobacco, which contributed to a profile both earthy and distinctly mineral. My cigar companion described it perfectly with one word: milky. I have to agree – there was a soft, creamy texture to it that felt unusual yet completely satisfying. A really good cigar! One I’d love to revisit for a full review.
Now, back to the real start of the evening..
Peruvita with Izalco 10 Years
The first “official” cigar of the evening was served with a glass of 10-year-old Izalco rum – a spirit Piotr is absolutely in love with. The cigar itself was tiny, almost like a cigarillo, yet crafted with Peruvian tobacco among other components – an unusually bold choice that added to its uniqueness. And despite its size, it packed some strength. I really enjoyed it, especially with the pairing. The combination worked beautifully.
After the very first sip of the rum, I instantly understood Piotr’s enthusiasm. Sweet, rich, and incredibly fragrant – this was a rum that commanded attention.
The tasting experience was, of course, seasoned with countless stories, side notes, and fascinating facts from the world of cigars.
During the official part of the event, Jeremy shared his personal story, and absolutely captivated everyone in the room. He wove tales passed down to him from his grandfather and father with geopolitical turns on the world stage. Somehow, it all tied back to the identity of the brand, making it feel even more authentic and meaningful in our eyes.
Nicarita with Izalco 15 Years
Next up, we were invited to try another petite cigar – Nicarita. According to Jeremy, this one was supposed to be much milder than the previous stick – and it truly was. Unfortunately, mine didn’t quite work out. The draw was way too tight, and not wanting to give myself a hernia behind the ears, I decided to set it down halfway through. Had it been my first cigar of the evening, maybe I would’ve fought through it – but I let it go.
Somewhere along the way, a new pour of rum appeared on my table – this time, the 15-year-old Izalco. Definitely stronger (55% ABV!), more lacquered in aroma, and not entirely up my alley in terms of flavor. The strength was very noticeable too. If it were up to me, I’d reach for that first bottle again without hesitation – and that’s exactly what I plan to do next time I get the chance.
Casdagli Villa Lonsdale with RY3 Rye Cigar Series
The third – and main – cigar of the evening was the Casdagli Villa Lonsdale, a favorite format of the brand’s founder himself. I must admit, I don’t often reach for this shape, though I do enjoy it from time to time. According to Jeremy, long and slim cigars are the very embodiment of elegance. When someone asked if he thought those slimmer vitolas were “for women,” he just laughed and said that was complete nonsense. These cigars, he insisted, are the essence of sophistication. And to be honest – I enjoyed this one far more than the Robusto from the same line, which didn’t really speak to me. This one did.
This was also the moment when another glass found its way into my hand – this time filled with bourbon. The finale of the tasting featured RY3 Rye Cigar Series bourbon, served at cask strength (60.6%). I enjoy bourbon quite a bit these days, and it’s often my go-to. Still, for me, the 10-year-old Izalco rum remained the star of the evening – absolutely delicious!
About halfway through the cigar, Jeremy and I stepped away to record an interview for Polski Aficionado. Tomek had already mentioned to Jeremy that I’d like to sit down for a quick chat. I had prepared my questions in advance, though I wasn’t sure he’d agree. Looking back now, the idea of him refusing feels absurd. I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again: Jeremy Casdagli is a born storyteller. Just as I loomed over him like an executioner about to strike, he sensed the moment and asked, “Are we recording?” I smiled, and seconds later I was asking my first question. The full interview will, of course, be published on polskiaficionado.com, along with a few photos taken that night – by me, my cigar companion, and Tomek.
After the interview, we kept talking – more casually this time. I learned a ton of fascinating details, which I hope to share someday.. ideally over a cigar.
Time to Say Goodbye
Before we even hit the road, my cigar companion asked, “How late do you want to stay?” “I don’t think later than 10 p.m.,” I said, thinking of the drive back. He agreed – he’d been thinking the same. But the evening swept us away, and we only started gathering our things around 11 p.m. I suppose that says a lot about the atmosphere.
Before leaving, I had the chance to briefly meet Don Lecho, who was also at the event – though “meet” might be a bit of an overstatement. Don Lecho is the one and only cigar roller in Poland. I said goodbye to Tomek, who promised to “let us know about events like this in advance” (Tomek, I’m holding you to that!), and, of course, to the star of the evening himself. There’s something satisfying about exchanging business cards at the end of an evening like this. It always makes me feel like the real story is just beginning.
We got home around 1 a.m. The drive back was filled with conversation – lively, thoughtful, despite the hour. Another reminder that I wasn’t the only one who had a great time. It also gave us a rare chance to talk a bit longer than we usually do over a cigar. I truly value that.
As I laid my head on the pillow, I found myself thinking back on everything we’d heard – and about how I’d tell Piotr, who unfortunately couldn’t make it. But we’ll catch up – it’s just a matter of time. It was a good evening.
A Few Words to Close
I’m genuinely happy to see how many cigar-related events are taking place in Poland these days. It feels like there are more than ever before. As Polski Aficionado, we’ve been receiving more and more invitations – each one accepted with great enthusiasm. Our mission has always been to promote the cigar lifestyle: a philosophy of finding time for yourself, connecting with others, and nurturing friendships that often start with a shared smoke. Cigars bring people together – that’s our motto, and once again, this event proved it true.
As for Jeremy Casdagli, I have to say – I was deeply impressed. A truly cultured man, with a rare gift for storytelling that makes history feel vivid and alive. What stood out to me was when he mentioned how his mother – an Australian by birth – always spoke highly of the Polish people: “They are good people.” I get the sense he’s taken that to heart, as you can hear it in his stories and see it in how he carries himself while in our country. As we said goodbye, he threw in a casual “We’ll meet again,” and I sincerely hope that turns out to be true.
The stories he shared reflect the philosophy behind his brand. From the historical references in the names of his lines to the unique blends he develops, everything about Casdagli Cigars feels cohesive and intentional. You can tell that both the man and the brand are authentic. And in today’s world, that deserves both recognition and respect – which he has earned from me.
I had the pleasure of attending this event thanks to Iguana Cigars and Tomasz Żołądkiewicz, to whom I extend my sincere gratitude.
Tomek also learned that we don’t bite – so inviting us to cigar events is perfectly safe.
If you enjoyed reading this, let me know! Drop a comment or share the post – every bit of support helps others discover my cigar reviews and smoking tips. If you prefer to listen, I co-host a podcast with Piotr Siwiński called „Spotkanie z Dymem” („A Meeting with Smoke”) – currently in Polish, though who knows what the future holds? You can also find me on Instagram, where I share a slice of my cigar life – and a bit more. I always welcome a good conversation. That’s how great connections start – and they often go far beyond just cigars.
Stay smoky!
Mateusz Krzywiecki, @mateusz.krzywiecki, Polski Aficionado, @polskiaficionado
