Cuban rum and cigar know-how can be learned fast. This 90-minute session in Paris is built around the real rituals—choosing a cigar and learning how to light and taste it—while also walking you through the story and flavors of Cuban rum. I like how the room feels deliberately “Cuban aura” and how the explanations stay clear. One thing to consider: it’s not suitable for children under 18 (and not for pregnant women).

I also like that the group is small (10 people max), so you get attention instead of getting shuffled. Expect a guided tasting in a smoking room, a rum intro led by Amicar, and a Cuban cigar to finish the experience. If you’re new to both, you’ll be in your comfort zone; if you hate smoke, you might want to think twice.

Key highlights you’ll actually use

• Amicar’s hands-on guidance for choosing, lighting, and tasting
• Cigar rituals explained step by step (not just theory)
• Old-rum tasting with stories tied to Cuban rum history and distillation methods
• A rum range from sweet to light matched to your tasting journey
• A Cuban cigar at the end so you leave with a complete experience

Step into a Cuban smoking room in Île-de-France

This experience starts the moment you arrive at the meeting point in a dedicated cigar club linked to Paris Rhum Club. The vibe is warm and intentionally stylish: a decorated smoking room with an exotic Cuban feel, plus the right accessories set out for the session. It’s the kind of setting that lowers the pressure. Instead of feeling like you’re in a lecture, you’re part of a guided moment.

The 90 minutes is short enough to stay focused, but long enough to cover the full flow: cigar basics, lighting rituals, rum storytelling, tasting, and then a relaxed wrap-up at the table. And because the group is limited to 10 participants, the guide can adjust the pace to the people in front of them.

Meeting Amicar and getting comfortable with the rhythm

Your guide is Amicar (he’s the host for the welcome). He brings the session alive with a mix of practical instruction and interesting context. The session includes French, Spanish, and English, so you can follow comfortably even if your comfort language isn’t your strongest one.

Before anything technical happens, the tone is set: you’re invited into the experience rather than tested by it. The format also helps if you’re a beginner. You don’t need to bring anything, and the whole point is to help you learn without having to guess what to do first.

From a value standpoint, this matters. Tastings can turn into awkward guesswork when you don’t know where to look or what questions to ask. Here, the rhythm is handled for you: the guide explains, you practice, and you taste with direction.

Choosing your Cuban cigar wisely

The core of the session is learning how to choose a cigar the right way. You won’t just be told which cigar to pick. You’ll learn the logic behind selection and what to consider when you’re trying to appreciate the differences between varieties of tobacco.

You’ll also be guided through the idea that different tobaccos can create different tasting experiences. The session focuses on nuances you can actually notice, not vague claims. That’s where beginners often benefit most: you learn what to pay attention to, so the tasting feels meaningful instead of random.

And it’s not only about the cigar you taste at the end. You learn how selection affects what comes later. If you ever bought a cigar and felt lost, you’ll likely leave with a clearer mental checklist—based on what you practiced during the session.

Tobacco lighting rituals: the “how” that changes the taste

Lighting is where many people rush—and where a lot of flavor can be affected. That’s why this experience gives you dedicated attention to the rituals of tobacco lighting. You learn how to light a cigar correctly, with the guide showing the steps and giving you a feel for the right approach.

This isn’t presented as fancy theater. It’s practical. When lighting is done well, you’re more likely to get a consistent experience from the first puffs to the later tasting moments. When it’s done poorly, everything can feel off, and you don’t learn anything because the cigar isn’t giving you its best version.

You’ll also have accessories available during the session, which removes another common problem: not having the tools or not knowing how to use them. You learn, you watch, and then you apply what you’ve been taught in the setting of a small group.

The tasting journey: from first rum sip to final cigar

The session is built like a story with a tasting arc. You start with cigar education, then the rum component takes over. The guide introduces a taste journey that includes history and technique—especially around Cuban rum.

You’ll hear anecdotes about Cuban rum history and learn about different distillation methods. The goal isn’t to memorize process diagrams. It’s to connect how rum is made to what you taste. When you understand the basic logic behind distillation choices, flavors don’t feel random anymore.

Then comes the tasting itself: you’ll have a glass of carefully selected rums, ranging from sweet to light. This matters because it trains your palate to notice shifts. You’re not just sipping one style and calling it done. You’re tasting in a progression, which helps you build a sense of what each rum brings to the table.

Old rums full of history: what “sweet to light” really teaches you

That “sweet to light” range isn’t a gimmick—it’s a learning tool. When you taste rums along that spectrum, you start separating sweetness from other qualities you might otherwise group together. Even if you’re not a rum expert, you’ll learn how different rum styles can feel in your glass.

The session also emphasizes old rums, described as full of history. In practice, that means the guide uses the tasting to explain context: why certain rums became associated with particular preferences, and how production choices tie back to flavor.

If you like to buy alcohol as a souvenir, this is one of the best outcomes: you don’t just leave with a drink. You leave with language for what you liked and why. That makes it easier to choose again later, either in a shop or at another tasting.

How the rum and cigar work together at the end

The experience is designed around the union of two complex pleasures: rum and cigars. You’ll taste the cigar and then reflect around the table with the guide. The wrap-up is part of the value—because you can connect the flavors you just experienced instead of walking out mid-thought.

This is also where the small group helps. In a group of 10, it’s easier to ask questions and actually hear the answers. You can compare notes with the people next to you, and you can ask for clarifications on anything you want to revisit: cigar choice, lighting rituals, or how to interpret rum flavors after hearing the distillation and history discussion.

One of the most praised aspects of the session is that the workshop feels complete and the explanations are clear. That clarity tends to show up at the end: you’ll be able to talk through what you learned in plain terms, not just repeat someone else’s script.

Who this is for (and who should skip it)

This is a great fit if you’re:

• Curious about both rum and Cuban cigars
• New to cigars and want the basics taught step by step
• The type of person who enjoys stories that connect to what you taste
• Looking for a memorable gift—this kind of experience has clearly worked well as a special-occasion present

You should skip it if:

• You’re pregnant (not suitable)
• You’re under 18 (not suitable)
• You strongly dislike being in a smoking-room environment

On the upside, the experience is listed as wheelchair accessible, so it’s designed with accessibility in mind.

Price and value: is $129 per person worth it?

At $129 per person for 90 minutes, you’re paying for three things at once: guided instruction, tastings, and a cigar experience included in the flow. The value works best if you treat it as a learning session, not just a drink and a smoke.

You get:

• Rum tasting with a carefully selected glass and a range from sweet to light
• A cigar included at the end
• A guide-led explanation of Cuban rum history and distillation methods
• Cigar education covering choosing, lighting, and tasting

That’s a lot packed into a short format. If you’re simply looking for a casual night out, it might feel like more structure than you want. But if you want to leave with better skills and a clearer palate, it’s strong value for the amount of guided content you receive.

Practical tips before you book

You don’t need to bring anything, which makes it easy to commit. Still, a few habits will help you get more from the session:

• Arrive curious and ready to ask small questions. The session is built for instruction.
• Pace yourself with the rum tasting. It’s better to stay present than rush.
• Think of it as two connected lessons: cigar technique first, then rum flavor logic.

If you know you’re sensitive to smoke, double-check that the smoking-room setting fits your comfort level before you go.

Should you book Découverte de rhum et cigare cubain?

Book it if you want a guided, beginner-friendly introduction with real structure. I’d especially recommend it if you like the idea of learning cigar rituals (choosing and lighting) while also understanding what makes Cuban rum taste the way it does. The small-group size and Amicar’s clear, passionate approach make it feel like a focused workshop rather than a rushed tasting.

Skip it if smoke in an indoor cigar room is a dealbreaker, or if it doesn’t fit your comfort level. And if you’re expecting a long, multi-stop tour with lots of sightseeing, this isn’t that—it’s a concentrated, taste-and-technique experience in one place.

If you’re looking for something different in Paris that feels both authentic and educational, this one is a solid yes.

FAQ

How long is the experience?

It lasts 90 minutes.

Where does the experience meet?

The meeting point is at Paris Rhum Club, in a club of cigars for amateur aficionados who enjoy Cuban cigar tradition.

How much does it cost?

The price is listed as $129 per person.

What’s included in the tasting?

You’ll taste a glass of carefully selected old Cuban rums, and a good Cuban cigar accompanies the end of the experience.

Do I need to bring anything?

No. You do not need to bring anything for the experience.

How big is the group?

It’s a small group limited to 10 participants.

What languages is the host available in?

The host or greeter speaks French, Spanish, and English.

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