Cigar Finder Quiz

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Question 1 of 4

What cigar should I smoke? Start with the moment, not the brand

Most people walk into a cigar shop or land on a cigar website and ask the wrong question first. They ask which brand is best. The better question is what you are doing while you smoke it. A cigar for the back nine is a different cigar than the one you light after a steak dinner, and both are different from the one you hand a friend who has never smoked before.

That is why our cigar finder starts by asking where you are going to smoke it. From there it narrows on the three things that actually change the experience: how long you have, how strong you want it, and which flavors you like. Four questions, then three real cigars from our in stock shelf.

What the cigar finder asks you

1. Where are you going to smoke it

Golf, boating, a campfire, an after dinner nightcap, morning coffee, a drink pairing, a gift, or your first cigar. Each answer sends you down a different path, so a golfer and a first time smoker never see the same set of questions.

2. How much time you have

This is the Burn Clock question, and it is the one most cigar retailers never ask. Cigars are not interchangeable in length. A robusto runs about 50 minutes, while the biggest double coronas can run close to 100. If you only have half an hour before dinner, a Weekend Warrior sized cigar gets abandoned in the ashtray half smoked.

3. How strong you want it

Strength describes body and nicotine, not flavor. A mild cigar can still taste rich and complex. If you are new, or if you have not eaten, start mild or medium.

4. Classic tobacco or infused

This is the one real dividing line in cigars. Classic cigars taste like the leaf they are rolled from. Infused cigars have flavor added during production. Pick a side, or tell the quiz you have no preference and it will choose on occasion, time, and strength instead.

How long does a cigar burn? The Burn Clock explained

Every cigar on Cigar Nation carries a burn time, and we group them into three tiers so you can shop by the time you actually have:

  • Quick Smokes, 40 minutes or less. Coffee break, dog walk, one drink.
  • Power Hour, 45 to 65 minutes. A round of nine, a long phone call, most porch sessions.
  • Weekend Warrior, 70 minutes or more. Eighteen holes, a fire that is going nowhere, a long conversation.

Burn time varies with how fast you draw, how humid the day is, and how well the cigar is stored, so treat these as honest estimates rather than a stopwatch.

Infused cigars vs classic cigars: what is the difference?

An infused cigar has flavor added to it. During production the tobacco is exposed to botanicals, oils, or flavorings, which is why an infused cigar can taste distinctly of vanilla, rum, or dessert. The flavor is unmistakable and it is consistent from cigar to cigar. Infused and flavored cigars are a common starting point for new smokers because the taste is familiar.

A classic cigar has nothing added. Everything you taste comes from the tobacco, the wrapper leaf, and how it was fermented and aged. That still covers a wide range. Plenty of classic cigars carry cocoa, coffee, cream, or cedar notes, and a Connecticut wrapper can read as noticeably smoother and sweeter than a Maduro. But those notes are subtle, and they show up differently for different palates. If you are expecting the punch of an infused cigar, a classic one will not taste that way.

Neither is better. They are two different things, and knowing which one you are buying is the difference between a cigar you enjoy and one you put down halfway.

Best cigars for beginners

If you are buying your first cigar, look for something mild to medium, in a smaller ring gauge, from the beginner cigars collection. Many new smokers also start with infused cigars because the sweeter flavor is familiar and forgiving. Take your time, do not inhale, and let it rest between puffs so it does not overheat and turn bitter.

Popular cigars by occasion

Buying for a group? Our custom event cigar packages cover weddings, retirements, and bachelor parties, and the cigar registry lets someone else do the picking for you. New to all of this? Start with Cigars 101.

Cigar finder questions

How does the cigar finder quiz work?

You answer four questions about the occasion, your available time, your preferred strength, and your flavor direction. The quiz then pulls three cigars that are currently in stock and match those answers, along with a link to the full matching collection.

How long does a cigar burn?

Anywhere from about 20 minutes for a small cigarillo to around 100 minutes for the biggest double coronas. On the Burn Clock, Quick Smokes run 40 minutes or less, Power Hour cigars 45 to 65 minutes, and Weekend Warriors 70 minutes or more.

What is the difference between an infused cigar and a regular cigar?

An infused cigar has flavor added during production, so it tastes distinctly of things like vanilla or rum. A classic cigar has nothing added, and any cocoa, coffee, or cedar notes come from the tobacco and wrapper themselves. Those notes are real but far more subtle.

What if I do not know what strength I like?

Choose medium. It is the most common preference among regular smokers and it is forgiving in either direction. If it feels heavy, move to mild next time.

Can I take the quiz more than once?

Yes. Different occasions produce different recommendations, which is the point. Take it once for golf and once for your after dinner cigar and you will get two different sets.

Do you ship the same day?

Orders placed Monday through Friday by 3 p.m. ET ship the same day, humidor-fresh from our Columbus, Ohio humidor to smokers nationwide. In Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, most orders arrive at your doorstep within one to two business days. Shipping is free on orders over $85.