We spend so much of our lives planning—our calendars, our meals, even our cigars. And while preparation has its place, sometimes the most memorable moments are the ones that catch us by surprise.

That’s what the Blind Cigar Sampler is all about.

It’s not about chasing the perfect pairing or flavor profile. It’s about letting go of control, if only for a moment, and letting something good find you.

The Beauty of the Unplanned

At Smokers Abbey, we believe there’s a quiet kind of wisdom in not always knowing what’s coming next. Choosing a cigar without knowing what it is—reaching into a bag and pulling one out blindly—isn’t just a fun experiment. It’s a practice in presence.

It asks you to let go of expectations.
To put your trust in the moment.
To say yes to a cigar that you didn’t choose—but that might be exactly what you needed.

Why It Matters

The unplanned cigar slows you down. You’re not reaching for what’s familiar. You’re not analyzing wrappers or second-guessing your mood. You’re simply present—with the cigar, and with yourself.

And more often than not, something surprising happens.

You enjoy a brand you’d normally pass by.
You find appreciation in a size you wouldn’t typically pick.
You discover new layers in your own preferences—not because you were hunting for them, but because you let them find you.

That’s the magic.

How the Blind Sampler Works

We gather six cigars from the humidor—random, unthemed, unrehearsed. You don’t pick them. You don’t peek. When you’re ready, you reach in, pull one out, and light it.

It’s not a mystery in the sense that bands are removed. You’ll see what it is as soon as you hold it in your hand. But you didn’t choose it.

And that subtle shift? That’s where discovery begins.

Pair It With Reflection

We’re big believers in journaling—not to keep a running tally of what you’ve smoked, but to make space for what the experience reveals.

Try this prompt:

“I didn’t choose this cigar—so what did it teach me?”

Ask yourself:

• What were your first impressions based on the band or size?
• Did you enjoy the experience more or less than if you’d selected it intentionally?
• How did this moment shape the rest of your day?
• What did you notice—about the cigar, about yourself, about your mood?

You don’t have to be a writer. Just be honest. Let the experience speak, and write down whatever rises to the surface.

A Gentle Invitation

We’re not here to tell you what to smoke. We’re just here to say that sometimes, the best cigar isn’t the one you planned for. It’s the one that found you when you weren’t trying so hard.

If it’s been a while since a cigar surprised you—or if you’re feeling the need to let go of the curated and embrace the unknown—the Blind Sampler is your invitation.

Let go. Light up. Lean in.

Let the cigar choose you.

And if you feel like sharing, we’d love to hear what you discovered. Tag us or use #AbbeyUnplannedSmoke so we can see where the moment took you.