Written by Briley on December 27, 2024
The best ways to try new cigars
If you’re trying a new cigar, especially from a new brand, I always recommend skipping the box purchase, at least until you know whether you like those cigars or not. But that also begs the question: What is the best way to try new cigars? If you’re not buying a box, how do you acquire them?
The obvious answer is to head to a local shop and grab a single stick, but there are some other options. Pour yourself a glass, light up your favorite stick, and let’s dig in.
Try a sampler
The next obvious answer is to try a sampler, either from the brand you’re interested in, or a variety pack that contains the blend you want to taste. I’m not just talking about the pre-made bundles like the My Father samplers or the Padron samplers. Sometimes, cigar retailers will make their own bundles, whether for a deal or just to provide a great selection. Check places like Cigars.com, Cigora, Cigar Page, Best Cigar Prices, JR Cigars, or even Famous Smoke Shop.
Trade with Someone
You can always trade with friends and family, but if no one else you know smokes, don’t get discouraged. The cigar community is wonderful and there’s always someone willing to share. Use social media or just reach out to someone and see if they’d be willing to trade. Maybe they have a supply of the cigars you want and they’d be willing to swap for something comparable?
If this is the route you take, be sure to check on X (Twitter), Reddit, Facebook, and other networks that have cigar-related social media groups.
Attend cigar events
Earlier this year I went with my brother-in-law to the Tampa Cigar Bash 2024 held at the Hard Rock Casino here in Tampa, Florida, and hosted by Casa de Montecristo. The tickets cost money, so I’m not going to lie to you and say it’s free. However, included in that ticket price was a swag bag filled with 30 to 40 cigars, all from varying brands. In that package are a ton of cigars I never would have purchased or tried on my own, but they’re great. It gave me the opportunity to try some stuff that wouldn’t be on my radar otherwise.
Now, it’s important to note that cigar events happen all over the place. I’m not just talking about the big ones either. Many local cigar shops and lounges will hold events that you can attend, offering the same experiences. It’s just a matter of keeping an eye out for what’s happening around you.
Take a tour
Most cigar manufacturers offer tours of their factories and sometimes even different locations, like tobacco fields. This isn’t an option for everyone if you don’t live near cigar makers, but if you’re traveling on vacation or visiting someone nearby, maybe look into it.
When you take a tour they often give you either cigars to try or discounts you can use to go home with some cigars for less. Back in October, I had the opportunity to visit the Dominican Republic and La Aurora through the La Aurora Cigar Institute and Master Class experience. Needless to say, I had more cigars to smoke than I knew what to do with while I was there. I came home with some too. It was incredible and I’ll be talking more about that trip, specifically, soon — I did eventually publish my feature Visiting La Aurora. But if you’re visiting the Dominican Republic on a cruise, or one of the nearby islands, it’s definitely something you can check out.
Join the community
Back to the cigar community, if you’re participating in discussions, engaging with others, and sharing content or even resharing what others post, eventually you’ll rub elbows with someone willing to give back. Now, I’m not saying you should join to get free cigar drops. You shouldn’t and there are never any guarantees.
But I’m willing to bet money that most of the cigar community is ready to share their hobby with those interested at the drop of a hat. If you play your cards right, engage, and become a valuable member of the community, I’m fairly certain you’ll get a shipment or two of new cigars from an appreciative member.
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