Cigar Tasting Masterclass

Cigars reward patience, not speed. This private 90-minute masterclass turns a cigar into a lesson in tobacco, craft, history, and taste, with a personal cigar expert guiding your group through the process. I like the clear hands-on format, and I like that the session includes a hand-picked cigar, cigar tools, tasting notes, and a complimentary whiskey sample.

The main consideration is price. At $708 for up to 15 people, this makes the most sense for a group sharing the cost, not a solo visitor or small party on a tight budget. It is also strictly for adults, and extra alcoholic drinks cost more.

The experience has earned a 5 out of 5 rating from a verified November 2024 booking by Louis of the United Kingdom, who said it was worth recommending both to cigar fans and to anyone simply curious about cigars. That is the right audience here: you do not need to arrive as an expert.

Key points at a glance

• A private group session for up to 15 people: The fixed price works best when several friends, colleagues, or family members share it.
• Hands-on cigar instruction: You learn how to cut, light, smoke, and taste a cigar rather than simply listen to a talk.
• A hand-picked cigar with tasting notes: Your cigar becomes the focus of the session, with discussion of its story, tobacco, shape, size, and flavor.
• Whiskey pairing is included: A complimentary whiskey sample helps show how drinks can change the way cigar flavors come across.
• Cigar culture in one compact session: The class covers growing regions, preservation, humidors, anatomy, and the cigar trade.
• Flexible, adult-only booking: Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the experience, and you can reserve now and pay later.

What the 90-minute cigar masterclass is really about

This is not just a smoking break dressed up as an activity. The purpose is to teach you how cigars are made, how they are handled, and how to pay attention while smoking one.

The session is led in English by a cigar expert from Les Deux Canards LTD. You receive your own hand-picked cigar and learn the story behind it. The wording of the experience suggests a guided tasting rather than a simple cigar-and-drink pairing, so expect the expert to keep the conversation moving between practical technique and flavor.

I like this approach because cigars can feel intimidating at first. There are unfamiliar shapes, names, sizes, cuts, and customs. A good introduction gives you a way into the subject without asking you to pretend you already know the difference between a wrapper, binder, and filler.

You should also expect conversation and a relaxed atmosphere. Optional games may be available, adding a social element for groups who want more than a formal lesson. The games are not described in detail, so I would treat them as an extra rather than a major reason to book.

Starting with tobacco, regions, and cigar culture

The opening part of the session places cigars in context. You learn about the history of cigars, the tobacco plant, growing regions, and the wider cigar industry.

That background matters because a cigar’s taste is not only about how you smoke it. Tobacco comes from particular climates and regions, and the way it is grown, prepared, blended, and stored affects the final product. You may find that the geographical discussion gives you a better sense of why two cigars can look similar but taste quite different.

The course also covers exotic tobacco regions and the stories attached to the chosen cigar. This is one of the more appealing parts for beginners. Instead of treating a cigar as an expensive object to be admired, the expert explains what went into it and why it has its particular character.

I would not expect a full technical course in tobacco farming during 90 minutes. The time is short, so the history and industry section will necessarily be an introduction. Still, it gives the tasting some purpose and stops the activity from becoming a checklist of cut, light, puff, and finish.

Learning cigar anatomy, shapes, and sizes

Cigars are made in a surprising range of forms. This masterclass covers cigar anatomy, shapes, and sizes, giving you the vocabulary to understand what you are holding.

That vocabulary is useful when you later buy or choose a cigar. Size can influence how long the cigar lasts, while shape affects the way it feels and burns. Anatomy helps you understand the different parts of the cigar and why careful handling matters.

The session also covers preservation and humidors. This is practical information, especially if you are buying cigars as gifts or thinking about keeping them at home. Cigars are not best treated like ordinary packaged snacks. Storage affects condition, and the class gives you a basic idea of why humidors are used.

I appreciate that preservation is included. Many tastings focus only on smoking, but storage is part of cigar culture. A cigar can be well made and still disappoint if it has not been kept properly. The experience does not promise that you will become a humidor expert, but you should leave with a clearer understanding of why proper conditions matter.

Cutting and lighting your cigar correctly

The practical instruction is the heart of the experience. Your cigar expert shows you how to use a cutter and how to light the cigar with the supplied equipment.

All the needed tools are provided: cutters, lighters, matches, and trays. That means you do not have to arrive with specialist equipment or worry about buying the wrong cutter before the session. For a beginner, this removes much of the fuss.

Learning to cut and light a cigar is valuable because technique affects the whole tasting. A poor cut can make the cigar awkward to draw, while rushed lighting can interfere with the first flavors. The class gives you a controlled setting in which to learn these steps and ask questions.

You should still expect the session to be about learning, not speed. Cigars are traditionally smoked slowly, and the tasting notes are easier to notice when you are not rushing through the process. The 90-minute duration provides enough time for a focused introduction, though it may feel brief if your group has many questions.

Tasting notes and the hand-picked cigar

Once your cigar is prepared, the expert helps you pay attention to what you are tasting. The session includes cigar tasting notes, with discussion of tobacco flavors, methods, varieties, and regions.

For someone new to cigars, tasting notes can sound vague unless they are explained in plain language. Here, the value comes from connecting the notes to the cigar in your hand. You are not merely given a list of flavors. You learn how to notice what changes as you smoke.

The hand-picked cigar is an important detail. It gives the session a clear focus and means your group is not simply sampling random products. You learn about its history and the stories behind it, then use that information as a starting point for the tasting.

I would keep expectations sensible. The information does not specify the exact cigar, brand, size, or tobacco origin, so you cannot choose a particular label in advance. That uncertainty may bother a serious cigar collector, but it also allows the expert to shape the session around a suitable introduction.

The format should work especially well for the curious beginner. You can ask basic questions without needing to compare your knowledge with anyone else, since the group is private.

Whiskey pairing and optional drinks

A complimentary whiskey sample is included with the experience. The expert explains drinks pairing and how different flavors can work with the cigar.

This is more than a bonus pour. Pairing gives you another way to notice taste. A sip of whiskey can bring out or soften certain notes in a cigar, and comparing the two helps you understand why cigar smokers often discuss drinks alongside tobacco.

Only the complimentary whiskey sample is included. Any additional alcoholic drinks you buy are optional and cost extra. I would keep that distinction in mind when working out the final budget, especially if your group expects a longer evening around the tasting.

The pairing also makes the class appealing to people who enjoy food and drink experiences but do not yet know much about cigars. You do not have to be committed cigar smoker to appreciate the connection between aroma, flavor, and texture.

Private groups, atmosphere, and accessibility

The session is a private group experience for up to 15 people. That is a useful setup for birthdays, team events, or a small gathering of friends who want something more unusual than a standard bar activity.

Private booking should make it easier to ask questions and set the pace around your group. It also gives the experience a more social feel than a large public class. The included conversation and optional games support that relaxed mood.

The maximum group size is worth noting. Fifteen people is large enough for a lively event but may feel less personal than a session for two or four. If your group is at full capacity, you may have fewer chances to speak one on one with the expert. The description does promise your own personal cigar expert, so the exact format may provide more direct guidance than the group size alone suggests.

The experience is wheelchair accessible. The instruction is in English, and English is the listed language. Pregnant women and children under 18 are not permitted, which is important when planning a mixed-age celebration.

Is $708 good value for up to 15 people?

The price is $708 per group, with up to 15 people included. That works out to about $47.20 per person if the group is full. For 10 people, it is about $70.80 each. For five, it is about $141.60 each.

That calculation changes the value picture. A full group gets a private class, an expert, a cigar, equipment, tasting guidance, and a whiskey sample at a reasonable per-person cost. A small group pays much more for the same 90 minutes.

I like fixed group pricing when the event is designed for a celebration or workplace gathering. You know the main cost before booking, and the private format gives the group a shared activity rather than a simple purchase of drinks and cigars.

The price is harder to justify if only one or two people attend. In that case, you are paying for exclusivity and specialist instruction. If your priority is simply to smoke a cigar, you can likely find a less expensive option. If your priority is to understand the subject and have an expert guide the experience, the fee has a clearer purpose.

Remember to allow for extra drinks if your group wants more than the included whiskey sample. The experience provides the core tasting, but it does not cover optional alcoholic purchases.

Booking flexibility and practical planning

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are arranging a group event before everyone has confirmed.

The duration is 1.5 hours, and you need to check availability for starting times. Since no fixed daily schedule is provided, I would confirm the time before building the rest of your plans around it.

The location is in South East England, with the experience described as a London-area cigar event. The supplied information does not give a precise address, so check the meeting point carefully before booking and allow time to reach it.

There is no need to bring cutters, lighters, matches, or trays. Those are supplied. I would wear something comfortable and plan to give the activity your full attention, since the class combines instruction, smoking, tasting, and discussion in a fairly compact period.

Who will enjoy this cigar experience most?

I would recommend it to:

• A group of friends looking for a social activity with a difference
• Beginners who want to learn cigar basics without buying specialist equipment
• Experienced cigar smokers who enjoy hearing the story behind a selected cigar
• Whiskey fans interested in tasting pairings
• Colleagues planning a private adult group event
• Anyone curious about cigar culture and the tobacco industry

I would be more cautious if you do not smoke, dislike tobacco smoke, or want a long, relaxed evening rather than a structured 90-minute class. The event teaches you how to smoke a cigar, so it is not a passive museum-style talk.

The single verified booking from November 20, 2024, gave the experience a full 5 out of 5 rating. Louis specifically recommended it both for cigar lovers and for people interested in learning more. That praise fits the design of the class: its strongest point is the mix of practical instruction and approachable background information.

Should you book the Cigar Tasting Masterclass?

Book it if you can fill most of the 15 places, want a private adult activity, and would enjoy learning how cigars are cut, lit, stored, tasted, and paired with whiskey. The expert guidance, supplied equipment, hand-picked cigar, and tasting notes give the session more substance than a simple smoking stop.

Think twice if your group is very small or if you want to select a specific cigar in advance. The exact cigar and start time are not specified, and extra drinks are not included.

For the right group, this is a focused and sociable introduction to cigar culture. It is best approached with curiosity, not with the expectation of becoming a cigar expert in 90 minutes.

FAQ

How long does the Cigar Tasting Masterclass last?

The experience lasts 1.5 hours, or 90 minutes.

Where does the masterclass take place?

It takes place in South East England, in the United Kingdom. The experience is described as a London-area event, but a precise address is not provided in the available details.

How much does the experience cost?

The price is $708 per private group of up to 15 people.

Is the whiskey included?

A complimentary whiskey sample pairing is included. Any additional alcoholic drinks you purchase are optional and are not included in the price.

What equipment is provided?

Cutters, lighters, matches, and trays are provided. You do not need to bring those items.

Is the experience suitable for children?

No. Children under 18 are not permitted, and the experience is also not suitable for pregnant women.

Can I cancel or pay later?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.