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In This Article
A cigar subscription box solves the problem most smokers run into after the first few months: you find two or three cigars you like and smoke them on repeat, missing everything else the market has to offer.
A good subscription forces variety. Every month you get cigars you wouldn’t have picked yourself — different countries of origin, different wrappers, different strength profiles. Some become new favorites. Some don’t. Either way you learn more about what you actually like, faster than you would buying singles.
This guide covers the five best cigar subscription boxes available right now, chosen for curation quality, value per cigar, and flexibility.
What to Look for in a Cigar Subscription Box
Curation over quantity. Five well-chosen cigars from a knowledgeable curator is worth more than ten mid-shelf fillers padded out to hit a price point. Look for services with a track record of sourcing from established manufacturers.
Flexibility. The best services let you choose your strength preference — mild, medium, or full — so you’re not getting cigars you can’t smoke. Some also let you skip months or pause without penalty.
Value per cigar. Divide the monthly price by the number of cigars. Anything under $10 per stick at the mid-tier is solid value. Premium services charging $15+ per stick should be delivering accordingly.
Tasting notes. The best subscriptions include information about what you’re smoking — origin, wrapper, flavor profile — so you’re actually learning, not just burning through tobacco.
The 5 Best Cigar Subscription Boxes
1. Premium Cigar of the Month Club — Best Overall
Price: From ~$39/month | Cigars: 4–5/month | Strength: Choice of mild, medium, or full
The Premium Cigar of the Month Club is the benchmark. Four to five premium cigars per month, curated by a panel of experienced smokers, with detailed tasting notes for each selection. The curation leans toward established manufacturers — Arturo Fuente, Oliva, Perdomo, Rocky Patel — with occasional limited-edition inclusions that aren’t available retail.
Strength selection at signup means you’re never getting a full-bodied Nicaraguan when you prefer Connecticut milds. The flexibility to pause or cancel without fees makes it a low-risk entry point for anyone new to subscriptions.
Strength options: Mild / Medium / Full | Cancel anytime: Yes | Tasting notes: Yes
Start the Premium Cigar of the Month Club →
2. Rare Cigar of the Month Club — Best for Serious Collectors
Price: From ~$59/month | Cigars: 3–4/month | Strength: Curated full-bodied focus
For smokers past the beginner stage who want access to limited releases and boutique manufacturers, the Rare Cigar of the Month Club sources cigars that aren’t available at most retailers. The focus is on aged tobaccos, small-batch productions, and regional releases — the kind of cigars you’d otherwise have to know someone to find.
Three to four cigars per month at a higher price point reflects the sourcing cost. If you’re smoking regularly and want to push past the standard retail shelf, this is where you go.
Strength options: Full and premium focus | Cancel anytime: Yes | Tasting notes: Yes
Start the Rare Cigar of the Month Club →
3. Cigars International Cigar Club — Best Value Per Stick
Price: From ~$29/month | Cigars: 5/month | Strength: Mixed
CI’s club is the volume play. Five cigars per month at a price point that works out to under $6 per stick — the lowest cost-per-cigar on this list. The trade-off is curation depth: these are solid, reliable cigars from CI’s core inventory rather than limited releases or boutique selections.
For everyday smokers who want to keep their humidor stocked without overthinking it, CI’s club delivers consistent quality at a price that makes the subscription sustainable long-term.
Strength options: Mixed selection | Cancel anytime: Yes | Tasting notes: Yes
4. Thompson Cigar Subscribe & Save — Best for Flexibility
Price: Varies by selection | Cigars: Your choice | Strength: Your choice
Thompson’s Subscribe & Save model is different from the curator-picks approach — you choose the cigars, set the frequency, and save 10–15% on every order. It’s less of a discovery service and more of a replenishment model for smokers who already know what they like.
If you’ve found three or four cigars you smoke regularly and want to automate restocking at a discount, Thompson’s model is the most practical option on this list. No surprises, no cigars you didn’t ask for.
Strength options: Full catalog | Cancel anytime: Yes | Discount: 10–15% off retail
Start Thompson Subscribe & Save →
5. Gotham Cigars Monthly Club — Best Premium Selection
Price: From ~$49/month | Cigars: 4/month | Strength: Medium to full focus
Gotham’s monthly club leans premium — four cigars per month with a focus on medium to full-bodied selections from top-tier manufacturers. Gotham’s buying relationships mean access to cigars at competitive prices, and their curation reflects a genuine preference for quality over padding the count.
If your palate is in the medium-to-full range and you want a premium club experience without the rare/limited-edition price premium of the top tier, Gotham’s club hits the right balance.
Strength options: Medium-Full focus | Cancel anytime: Yes | Tasting notes: Yes
Start the Gotham Monthly Club →
Quick Comparison
| Club | Price/Month | Cigars | Best For | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium Cigar of the Month | ~$39 | 4–5 | Best overall | MonthlyClubs → |
| Rare Cigar of the Month | ~$59 | 3–4 | Serious collectors | MonthlyClubs → |
| CI Cigar Club | ~$29 | 5 | Best value | Gotham Cigars → |
| Thompson Subscribe & Save | Varies | Your choice | Flexibility | Thompson Cigar → |
| Gotham Monthly Club | ~$49 | 4 | Premium selection | Gotham Cigars → |
How Cigar Subscriptions Work
Most cigar subscription services operate on a monthly billing cycle. You sign up, choose your preferences, and cigars ship once a month — usually in the first two weeks. Most services include a small card or insert with tasting notes for each cigar in the shipment.
Storage matters. If you’re getting 4–5 cigars per month and not smoking them all immediately, you need a humidor. A desktop unit with Boveda packs is the minimum — our guide to cigar humidors under $100 covers the best options at every budget.
Pair it with a good cutter and lighter. A subscription is only as good as the smoke — which means you need a clean cut and an even light every time. Our guide on how to smoke a cigar covers both from start to finish.
Already smoking regularly? Check our full guide to cigar subscription clubs for a deeper breakdown of how each service compares across price tiers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best cigar subscription box for beginners?
The Premium Cigar of the Month Club with mild strength selected. It handles the curation decision for you and ensures you’re getting appropriate cigars while your palate develops.
Can I cancel a cigar subscription anytime?
All five services on this list allow cancellation without penalty. Most process cancellations within 24–48 hours before the next billing cycle.
How many cigars should a subscription include?
Four to five per month is the sweet spot for most smokers — enough variety to explore without overwhelming your humidor or budget. Services offering 10+ per month at low prices typically sacrifice curation quality.
Is a cigar subscription cheaper than buying individually?
Usually yes, especially at the mid-tier. The Premium Cigar of the Month Club at ~$39 for five cigars works out to ~$7.80 per stick — meaningfully below retail for that quality level.
What strength should I choose for my first subscription?
If you’re newer to cigars, choose mild or medium. Full-bodied subscriptions are best suited to smokers with established tolerance. See our guide to mild, medium, and full-bodied cigars for help deciding.
The Bottom Line
The best cigar subscription box for most smokers is the Premium Cigar of the Month Club — consistent curation, strength selection, flexible cancellation, and a price point that makes the monthly commitment easy to maintain.
If you’re past the discovery stage and want access to limited releases, step up to the Rare Cigar of the Month Club. If you already know what you smoke and want to automate restocking at a discount, Thompson’s Subscribe & Save is the most practical model on the list.
Ready to subscribe? Start the Premium Cigar of the Month Club → | Browse all subscription options →
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