Cigar Clubs: Benefits & Best Picks

Many cigar enthusiasts are turning to cigar clubs to add some extra excitement to their cigar hobby. If you want to try a variety of cigars, get significant discounts, and get other perks like free shipping, you might want to join a cigar club. There are many cigar clubs out there, and choosing one can feel like a big decision. In this article, we’ll break down the benefits of cigar clubs and help you choose the right club to enhance your cigar experience.

What Is a Cigar Club?

Cigar clubs are subscription services, where you sign up once and then receive a curated package of cigars on a set schedule. Many clubs are monthly, so you’ll hear about “cigar of the month clubs,” but they could be on any schedule. When you sign up, you authorize your credit card to be charged a fee for what you’re sent each time a new package comes out. The cigars are sent right to your door, just like any other online cigar order you might make.

Each package in a cigar club is different, featuring a new set of cigars that you may or may not have tried before. Typically, you don’t know what you’re getting ahead of time. The surprise factor can be part of the fun of a cigar club.

Many cigar clubs don’t just send you cigars, they also send you information about them. You’ll learn more about the tobaccos you’re enjoying as you smoke them.

Benefits of Joining a Cigar Club

While no two cigar clubs are exactly alike, most offer some of the same benefits:

• Convenience. You sign up once, and you conveniently have cigars sent to your door on a set schedule. It’s easy to sign up for a cigar club online. You typically just need to create an account with your vendor of choice, choose the club you want, and enter your payment information. Then sit back and relax - you don’t need to do anything else.
• Variety. You’ll get to try different cigars consistently, so you’ll always have variety. Each package is curated by someone with deep knowledge of cigars, so you’ll get a good selection of cigars that you’re likely to enjoy. It’s a great way to try a lot of cigars that are new to you without any hassle.
• Value. Cigar club subscriptions save you a lot of money. Each package is significantly discounted, so you’ll save money every time a package gets sent to you. On top of that, clubs often offer free shipping or other freebies when you join.
• Community. Other smokers are joining these same clubs and smoking these same cigars. You may see them posting on social media or forums, and you can discuss the cigars together. If you have a group of friends who smoke with each other, you can all join a club, enjoy the cigars together, and discuss them. And have a great time smoking together, of course!
• Learning. Cigar club packages come with information about what you’re smoking, so they’re a great learning opportunity. You might learn about the tobaccos used, the brands that made the cigars, or the tasting notes that experts get from the cigars you’re smoking. You’ll always be trying new things, so you’ll learn about what you like and what doesn’t match your palate.

How To Choose a Cigar Club

There are a lot of cigar clubs to choose from. It can feel daunting to pick the right one, but it doesn’t have to be. Use these criteria to make your choice:

1. Choose a reputable company. You’re placing your trust in someone to pick cigars you’ll like and deliver great value. Make sure to go with a company that has gained trust and reputation for doing it right. A company like Thompson has been in the cigar club game for a long time and knows how to deliver excellent value. You won’t go wrong joining a Thompson club.
2. Pick the frequency. Do you want to receive cigars monthly? Quarterly? On some other cadence? Choose the frequency that makes the most sense for your smoking patterns, and make sure the club you’re joining delivers on that frequency.
3. Consider the types of cigars you’d like. Are you looking for daily smokes? Rare high-end options? Machine-made cigars? Premium but not pricy? The cigar club you choose should offer the types of cigars you want to smoke.
4. Review the vendor’s selection. The types of cigars the store has in stock are the types of cigars you’ll get from your cigar club. They might not match exactly, but they’ll be similar. Choose a retailer with a wide selection of cigars so you get the most variety in your subscription.
5. Look at freebies & extras. Check out what the different clubs offer for free or as add-ons. Some offer free shipping. Some might send accessories. Others might offer discounts for members. Compare what the clubs offer in addition to their curated cigars.
6. Check the price. You’ll want the price to be within your budget, especially because it’s a recurring cost. The cigar clubs we offer at Thompson won’t break your budget.

Best Cigar Clubs to Join

Thompson offers fantastic cigar clubs for every smoker. From premium samplers to machine-made, from five to fifteen cigars, from monthly to quarterly shipments - we have something perfect for you.

• Seasonal Premium 5-Pack Club includes new and sought-after blends at a big discount. Each quarter, our team selects 5 top-tier cigars for this assortment. The packages stay the same for the duration of the quarter, though you can choose to order quarterly or monthly. Here’s where it gets really incredible: each shipment is only $29.95, and the average MSRP for the cigars is about $11 each. And it ships free! That’s a huge value. This club is right for you if you’re looking to try some of the hottest premium cigars on the market.
• Cigar Tour Sampler sends you five different premium cigars each month for just $29.95. It includes free shipping, and also includes information about the cigars that are included. On top of that, you’ll get a free cutter when you join! If you’re looking for the biggest variety of premium cigars each month, the Cigar Tour is unbeatable.
• Value 15 Club is perfect for trying assorted budget-friendly cigars. Each quarter, our team selects 15 budget cigars, and the packages stay the same for the duration of the quarter. You can choose to order the sampler monthly or quarterly. Check out the value: you’ll get 15 cigars for $29.95, shipped free. That’s under $2 per stick! If you’re a budget smoker who likes variety, this club is perfect for you. Or if you’re a premium smoker who is looking for great budget options for daily smokes, give this club a try and find your next daily driver.

Some people aren’t looking for variety - they just want their favorite cigars delivered on a consistent cadence for big discounts. There are clubs for that too!

• The Convenience Club is for smokers who love top-tier machine-made cigars. In this club, you pick your favorite eligible machine-made cigars and then pick how frequently you’d like to receive them. Thompson will send you your cigars on whatever interval you choose, and if you’re buying 2 or more boxes you’ll also get free shipping. Thompson offers a huge variety of machine-made cigars, so you’ll definitely find something you love in this club.
• Subscribe & Save offers convenience & savings on the cigars you smoke consistently. You choose the cigars you’d like to subscribe to, and you choose the interval you’d like to receive them on. You’ll save 20% on every Subscribe & Save order, and they ship free if they’re over $49. New members also receive a free sampler with their first purchase. If you’re looking for the same cigars to be consistently delivered to your door for the biggest savings, Subscribe & Save is perfect for you.

No matter what types of cigars you’re into, there’s a cigar club that will fit your needs without breaking the bank. Check out these recommended clubs and see which is right for you!