Picking the Perfect Thanksgiving Cigar

Looking to improve your holidays? Nothing complements turkey and cranberry sauce better than a little post-meal cigar. And a nap.

Here at Smoke Inn, we pride ourselves on finding you the perfect cigar for any occasion, and the Thanksgiving cigar is no different! Check out our recommendations to find the best celebratory cigar and get ready to light up in style. Oh, and uh… maybe start defrosting your turkey?

Tip #1: Go Full-Bodied

I won’t lie, I’m normally more of a mild to medium-bodied guy myself. But the best time to light up a dark, full-bodied cigar is after a big meal. And having a big meal is quite high on my to-do list for Thanksgiving day. Let’s skip the science mumbo-jumbo for this talk and keep the takeaway simple: full stomach, full cigars.

So, what do we have on the docket for big bold cigars? For me, I’m going La Flor Dominicana. To be more specific, I’m looking at the La Flor Dominicana Air Bender Chisel. An old-school classic, LFD Air Bender was one of the first cigars that really knocked my socks off.  And I mean that in terms of both flavor and body. Offering loads of Dominican richness, this is a fantastic cigar at a great everyday price to boot.

Want something a little more limited? Turn your eyes towards the Black Label Trading Company Bishop’s Blend Novemdiales. This cigar has a ton going for it – besides just a long name! Wrapped in an uber-dark PA Broadleaf wrapper and loaded with some Connecticut Broadleaf in the filler, you’re gonna find power in spades here. The Novemdiales delivers a great bouquet of flavor too, with earth, black licorice, clove, and a dark, natural sweetness.

Tip #2: Go Big!

Here’s another thing I love about Thanksgiving – I’m not in any rush. There’s some hustle and bustle around all the meal prepping and planning, but after the dishes are done, I’m ready to straight chill until I fall asleep on the couch, remote in hand.

So, a day like Thanksgiving is an awesome time to break out a larger vitola than you may normally smoke. After all, you’ve got the time!

And there’s some amazing cigars available in larger vitolas. Let’s check out the Mi Querida Black SakaKhan by Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust to start. Faithful fans of Smoke Inn know we love Steve Saka’s creations, and SakaKhan is a perfect example of why. Offered in a 7.25”x54 Double Corona, this sucker is going to take you at least a couple hours – but don’t worry! You’ll be rewarded for your effort with loads of cocoa, black pepper, and coffee.

Alternatively, I’m looking towards the all-new Tabernacle Knight Commander by Foundation. A beautiful 6.75”x52 Double Figurado, this cigar takes Foundation’s popular Tabernacle line and adds an extra 15-months of cedar aging. I’ll be honest with you, I haven’t had a chance to light this one up yet – but I can’t think of a better occasion to dig in, and it’s sure been calling my name.

Tip #3: Sneak One In?

Okay, let’s say your afternoon on turkey day is looking a little… less than ideal. In-laws, multiple homes, travelling… maybe you don’t have a couple hours to sit in a leather chair and send up some smoke signals. No problem! Here’s a few awesome, quick smokes that pack a ton of flavor into a quick time frame. Just tell the family you need to clean the gutters or something, then pop out for a quick 30 minute treat.

For a real quick cigar, I like the Oliva Connecticut Reserve Petite Corona. A slight, 4”x38 blend, this cigar is perfect for taking the dog around the block or just grabbing some fresh air. And even though it’s tiny, you’ll still get tons of great flavor with some slight cedar and coffee mixed with hints of black pepper.

For a newer option, My Father’s rebranded Fonseca line has a 4.25”x40 Corona that’s solid. Fonseca delivers a medium-bodied flavor profile with a classic Cubanesque flavor: a twangy mix of earth, coffee, and slight natural sweetness.

Wrapping it Up

Whatever cigar you go with, make sure you take some time this upcoming holiday season to slow down and soak it all in. After all, this is what it’s all about! Spending quality time with family, friends, and enjoying life.