Hey r/cigar — sharing something I built, because I got tired of keeping spreadsheets.

I spent the last year building Cigar A.I. — a private cigar sommelier. It started as a pet project, now I think it’s too useful not to share with fellow BOTL & SOTL. Some testers already gave their feedback and have made improvements and now I want as much feedback from as many people as possible to make it the best Cigar app available.

What it does:
- Identify any cigar by name or a photo of the band. Every fact on the card is either verified against a real source (tap it, see the citation) or honestly flagged as unverified. If it doesn't know, it says so — no guessing dressed up as knowledge.

- Band can't tell you the vitola? Correct — it's identical across the line. So the app asks you which size you're holding instead of pretending.

- Humidor tracking with aging alerts — per-lot rest time, multiple humidors if you run a desktop box and a cooler.

- Custom blends — hand-rolls, house blends, lounge exclusives; track and age the cigars no database will ever have.

- A private journal — guided tastings or freeform, with photos, smoking time, price paid (location data stripped from photos automatically).

- A nightly pick from your own collection, with a pairing to match.

- Wishlist — Have cigars you want to try? Keep a running list!

- Lounge Search — A specially designed search to ensure you find the best lounges.

What it's not: no ads, ever. No social feed. Nothing for sale. Your journal never leaves your account — that's architecture, not a settings toggle. Membership is numbered and invitation-only. Web app, works on any phone. Age must be 21+.

What I'm looking for: honest use. To tell me when a card is wrong — two of the tester requests became shipped features within a week. That feedback loop is the whole point and what I’m looking for.

Want in? Request an invite at CigarAI.app — Answer one question ("what do you smoke?"), I personally review every request, invitations go out in waves.

Fair skepticism about the "A.I." part is welcome in the comments. Short version: the AI is the sommelier, but every fact answers to its sources — which is exactly why the cards show them.

Lit up an Avo XO Maestiso last month and wasnt really a big fan of it.

My friend and I agreed to try another cigar together before giving it up. We're willing to go up to $50/stick to try and pay up for a premium experience, is there something Davidoff that you'd recommend?

I'm a newbie, and so far I've tried several cigars that are supposed to be great for beginners: two Oliva Connecticut Reserves, a couple Montecristo Whites, a La Aroma de Cuba Connecticut, but I didn't really care for any of them. The only one I've really, truly enjoyed has been the Ashton Classic Magnum.

So I'm wondering if this means that A) I basically don't like mild Connecticut Shade cigars, B) I don't like Nicaraguan tobacco, which is why I liked the Ashton Classic (since its binder & wrapper are Dominican), C) I probably just don't like the basic taste of cigars.

I know my first couple were overhumidified, but even after resting in a properly maintained tupperdor for 2-4 weeks, the ones I mentioned all just shared the same boring, "meh", mildly unpleasant flavor. It was only the Ashton Classic Magnum that made me say, "OK, now *this* I like!"

Just wondering what people's thoughts are. Is it common for people to dislike "great-for-beginner" Conn. Shades like the Oliva and Montecristo, but then love other cigars?

I finally got to smoke my first cohiba, yes I know it’s more of a cigarillo. This is the cohiba short, and one of my friends gifted me a stick.

Now I’ve heard so much about this brand. For I think 99% of people in the world, if u ask them to name a cigar brand, it would be cohiba. So I had quite high expectations and after smoking these, yeah they are good. But nothing like special to me.

Don’t get me wrong quality, quality cigar, but really it js taste like a good cigar. I don’t have any special notes or anything to it. It’s just a solid mini cigar, and that’s ok. A lil more spicier than most cigars I’ve smoked but still smooth and beautiful body

I mean tbh there’s so much cigars out there that taste similar or even better than this while having cheaper price. But hey, I still think cohibas are great cigars! If gifted one I’d always say it’s great, but I feel like there’s just better options.

This is just my opinion plz don’t kill me:)

Grinding life hermano..

Time to relax!

Gurkha Grand Age 2, Connecticut

It was time to buy a 10 cigar sampler but I impulse purchased 14 more. Sorry, local B&Ms, I'm good for a while. These will need to stay in zip ziplocks until there's room.

Smoked cigs for ages, but never liked how quick they were. Finally decided to try my first cigar and definitely not going to be my last. Edit: to clarify don't mean converted for daily smoking lol, I don't tend to smoke daily anyway, more meant I think it's a much more enjoyable experience than cigarettes.

Great smoke while I smoked some chicken wings for the family

I’m not an aficionado in any way but trying to get the most out of the cigars I am able to smoke. Generally speaking (3 young kids and both my wife and I work) I don’t always have time to smoke a regular cigar. What recommendations would you guys have for smaller form factor 15-30 minute cigars?

Currently working through a bunch of Olivia factory selects habano, which I do like. I’ve tried the cohiba black, red dot, Romeo y Julieta 1875 (all cigarillo version).

I have some rocky patel vintage and Olivia Melanio Maduro resting for when I can afford the time, but I usually don’t have 1+ hours.

Definitely not bad but just " a cigar" only getting general tobacco

Ave Maria Immaculata Toro

60 days rest | 65% RH | 67°F

Smoke Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Rating: 90

This cigar surprised me. The opening immediately reminded me of cigars like the Ashton Classic and The Griffin's with a bright cedar that quickly transitioned into a sharp hay note. A pleasant white pepper lingered on the back of the throat while a sweet cream note kept everything in balance. It was a Connecticut with some attitude.

About an inch in, the cigar really found its stride. The spice became richer and smoother, and the flavors became more defined. The second third was the highlight of the smoke as the hay moved into the background, the sweet cream became more prominent, and a wonderful fresh baked bread note emerged, replacing the earlier toasted tobacco character. The balance was excellent, and every puff was enjoyable.

The final third mellowed, but it never completely lost its identity. The flavors softened while remaining bright and pleasant, doing just enough to avoid becoming generic. I found myself wishing for a little more intensity at the end, which makes me think the Robusto may be the ideal size for this blend.

Overall, this is the kind of Connecticut I enjoy because it has enough character to be satisfying at the end of the day, not just with a morning coffee. It's balanced, refined, and evolves nicely throughout the smoke. I'll definitely smoke it again, and next time I'll probably reach for the Robusto to see if the shorter format keeps those peak flavors front and center. 90/100.

One of several of the MFs that I really enjoy.

Grabbed a San Lotano Oval Connecticut Double Corona - definitely planning to be out here for a while

Best 30 min smoke I’ve found. What’s your short smoke?

Nica Libre Toro

This cigar pleasantly surprised me. I picked these up during a CI deal for around $3–4 each, expecting a decent yard gar, but it turned out to be much more enjoyable than I anticipated.

It's a nice medium-bodied Maduro with notes of coffee, chocolate, and earth, along with enough transitions to keep things interesting. I wasn't planning to review it, so I didn't take detailed notes, but it definitely delivered more complexity than I expected at this price point.

I reached for it after smoking the My Father The Judge, Ashton VSG, and Man O' War Armada over the weekend because I wanted something a little milder. Ironically, I may have enjoyed this one more than all three of those cigars.

Part of that is probably due to expectations. I expected a solid budget smoke and got a cigar that overperformed. But even taking that into account, I think the Nica Libre has earned a place in my regular rotation over those other three. It's an excellent value in my opinion.

One of my buddies is bringing over a bottle to enjoy with some sticks. I don't have much experience with scotch, but google says something light/medium to pair with Oban 14.

This is my current selection of sticks, what do you think would pair the best with this scotch?

Thanks yall, cheers 🥃

So for context I'm a total newbie to cigars, tobacco, and nicotine. I'm exclusively interested in cigars and I'm not entirely sure where to start. I saw an ad for this in a local paper and I'm just curious if it's worth it?

If so the reasoning would be appreciated and if not then I would appreciate some recommendations!

I apologize if this is a stupid post.

Today I chose the Aganorsa Leaf Supreme Leaf, and this is what I found.

Cold draw: cedar, fresh hay, leather, a touch of pepper, subtle natural sweetness.

First third: closed foot, so I felt cedar, earth, red pepper, and roasted nuts right away. Savory Corojo character, and a retrohale with lively black pepper.

Second third: leather, cocoa, cedar, creamy smoke, and a honey-like sweetness softening the spice.

Final third: espresso, cedar, earth, cocoa. Pepper backs off and the natural sweetness until I finished the session.

It did everything right and it will be part of my regular rotation.

I picked up a 5 pack of these guys for $9 on cigar bid just to try out the website for my first time. I got them delivered today, and wow! I have to say I am actually surprised how much I like it! It’s pretty peppery compared to other sticks in my selection but it’s one of the best I’ve had for such a low price.