REVIEW · CACHACA AND RHUM AGRICOLE TOURS

Découverte de rhum et cigare cubain

★ 5.0 · 3 reviews 1h 30m From $129 Operated by PARIS RHUM CLUB · Bookable on GetYourGuide
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The real draw here is the pairing of Cuban cigar rituals and old rum in a private-feeling smoking room. Amicar guides you through choosing, lighting, and tasting a cigar, then connects each sip of rum to the drink’s ingredients, distillation methods, and long story.

I like the small group limit of 10, which should leave room for questions, and I like the clear teaching focus. Amicar is described as passionate and easy to follow, so this is not just a glass and a cigar placed on a table. The main caution is simple: this is a smoking experience, so it is not suitable for children under 18 or pregnant women, and anyone who dislikes cigar smoke should skip it.

Key points

  • Amicar leads the full session: You learn cigar and rum basics from one host rather than moving between separate tastings.
  • Cigar technique is part of the experience: The session covers how to choose a cigar, light it correctly, and notice changes in flavor.
  • Old rum is included: You taste a glass of aged rum, with selections ranging from sweet to light styles.
  • A Cuban-style smoking room sets the mood: The club is decorated for the occasion, with cigar accessories ready for use.
  • Small groups keep it personal: No more than 10 people attend, and French, Spanish, and English are available.
  • The session lasts 90 minutes: It is long enough for instruction, tasting, and a final discussion without taking up half a day.

A 90-minute lesson in rum and cigar culture

Découverte de rhum et cigare cubain - A 90-minute lesson in rum and cigar culture

This experience is built around a simple idea: rum and cigars make more sense when you understand how to taste both. Instead of treating the pairing as a luxury pose, Amicar breaks it into practical steps.

You begin in a dedicated cigar club smoking room in the Paris area. The space is described as magnificent and decorated with an exotic Cuban feel. You will have the accessories needed for the session, so you do not need to arrive with a cutter, lighter, cigar case, or tasting equipment.

That matters if you are new to cigars. Many first-time tasters feel unsure about what to hold, how to cut, or when to light. Here, the point is to make those rituals less mysterious.

The setting also gives the activity a clear identity. This is not a general bar tasting with one cigar added at the end. It is a club-based introduction to two linked traditions, with the smoking room providing the backdrop.

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Learning how to choose a Cuban cigar

Découverte de rhum et cigare cubain - Learning how to choose a Cuban cigar

The cigar portion starts before the first puff. Amicar explains how to choose your cigar wisely, which is useful because cigar selection can feel full of rules and jargon when you are starting out.

The supplied details do not specify the exact cigar brand, size, or tobacco blend used on a particular date. That is worth keeping in mind if you want a very specific label or a rare vintage. The promise is broader and more practical: you will be introduced to the qualities of different tobacco varieties and shown how those differences affect the tasting.

You can expect the conversation to focus on the cigar as a crafted product rather than a prop. Tobacco variety affects aroma, strength, and flavor. Your own pace also matters, since cigar tasting is meant to be gradual rather than rushed.

I like this part for beginners because it gives you a way to make future choices. After the session, you should have a better idea of what to ask for at a cigar club and what kind of profile suits your taste.

For experienced cigar smokers, the value depends on how much new material Amicar covers. The activity is aimed at learning and appreciation, not at promising a rare cigar or an advanced masterclass. If you already know your favorite Cuban brands and lighting methods, the social setting and rum pairing may matter more than the basic instruction.

The ritual of lighting, explained clearly

Découverte de rhum et cigare cubain - The ritual of lighting, explained clearly

Lighting a cigar properly is one of the most useful skills covered here. Amicar shows you how to light the cigar correctly and how to pay attention as it begins to burn.

The description does not list a step-by-step technical method, so I would not book this expecting a written certification or a formal cigar-school course. You will, however, be guided through the ritual as part of the tasting.

That distinction is important. A good cigar lesson is not only about getting the flame started. It is also about noticing how the cigar changes while you smoke it. Amicar explains how to appreciate subtle variations in flavor, so you are encouraged to taste rather than simply finish the cigar.

You should plan to stay engaged during this section. Ask questions if you are unsure about the lighting process, how fast to smoke, or what flavors you are noticing. The small group size gives you a better chance of getting a direct answer than you would in a large public tasting.

The smoking element also means this experience has a narrow audience. You need to be comfortable around tobacco smoke. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or anyone under 18, and those restrictions are not minor footnotes. They define the kind of evening this is.

Tasting rum from sweet to light styles

Découverte de rhum et cigare cubain - Tasting rum from sweet to light styles

The rum tasting gives the cigar lesson a second track. You will taste a glass of carefully selected old rum, with the selection ranging from sweet to light rums.

The wording suggests a guided tasting rather than a large flight of separate pours. Since only one glass is specifically included, you should not assume that several full-size drinks are part of the price. The focus is on learning how different rum styles work with the cigar.

Amicar discusses the history of Cuban rum, different distillation methods, and the traits that separate one type of rum from another. This gives you useful context for a drink that many people know only as a cocktail ingredient.

Rum can vary in sweetness, weight, and aroma. A lighter style may feel cleaner beside a cigar, while a sweeter or older rum may offer a rounder match. The activity appears designed to help you notice those contrasts, not to push you toward one correct pairing.

I appreciate that the rum is described as old and full of history. That makes the included drink more than a basic house pour, though the exact bottle or age is not provided. If you collect rum or want a particular Cuban label, contact the provider before booking rather than treating the general description as a guarantee.

Because alcohol is included, the 90-minute length also helps keep the event focused. You get a measured tasting alongside the cigar instead of a long drinking session. Still, you should approach the activity as a tasting lesson, not as a night built around multiple cocktails.

Why the pairing works for beginners

Rum and cigars can seem like separate hobbies. One is poured into a glass, the other is lit, and both come with their own vocabulary. Putting them together gives you a practical reason to compare aroma, sweetness, strength, and finish.

The cigar changes as it burns. The rum can also show different qualities as you taste it slowly. Amicar’s role is to help you connect those changes.

This is especially helpful if you are buying the experience as a gift. One booking was given as a Christmas present, and the recipient enjoyed it greatly. That makes sense: the session feels more special than a standard drink tasting, but it is still short enough to fit into a Paris visit or an evening plan.

The activity also works for couples and friends with different experience levels. A cigar enthusiast can enjoy the setting and discussion, while a complete beginner can learn the basics without needing to prepare in advance.

The limitation is that the pairing is not for everyone. If you do not smoke, dislike smoke, or prefer alcohol-free activities, the experience offers little substitute content. The cigar is not an optional decoration. It is one of the two central pleasures of the session.

A small group with a multilingual host

The group is limited to 10 participants. That is a useful size for a tasting because you can see the demonstration, hear the explanation, and take part in the discussion without a crowd around the table.

It also fits the club setting. A group of 10 or fewer should feel more controlled than a big public tour, although the exact number on your date can vary. You will be sharing the session with other participants rather than receiving a fully private lesson.

Amicar hosts in French, Spanish, and English. This is a real advantage in Paris, where some tastings run only in French. You should select the language you are most comfortable using when you book or confirm it with the provider.

The host’s personality appears to be part of the appeal. Amicar is described as very friendly, passionate, and clear in his explanations. Those traits matter in a tasting because the best questions often come from people who are unsure of the basics.

The final portion allows everyone to discuss what they learned around the table. That closing conversation gives the session a natural finish. You can compare impressions, ask about the cigar or rum, and leave with a clearer sense of what you tasted.

Is $129 a fair price for 90 minutes?

Découverte de rhum et cigare cubain - Is $129 a fair price for 90 minutes?

At $129 per person, this is not a cheap way to have a drink and smoke a cigar. You are paying for a guided experience in a specialist club, a cigar, an included glass of old rum, the equipment, and Amicar’s instruction.

The value depends on your goal. If you only want to try a Cuban cigar and a rum on your own, the price will feel high. If you want help with cigar selection, lighting, tasting, and rum pairing, the fee covers several lessons in one sitting.

The small group helps support the price. A limit of 10 allows the host to speak directly with participants and answer questions. The three-language option also adds practical value for international visitors.

The session’s length is both a strength and a limit. Ninety minutes is enough to learn the central rituals without taking up a full afternoon. It is not long enough for a broad rum flight, a meal, or a detailed course in cigar production.

I would see this as a special-occasion activity or a thoughtful gift rather than a routine drink stop. The price makes the most sense if you are curious about both rum and cigars, since you get less value if you plan to ignore one half of the experience.

Practical details before you book

You do not need to bring anything. The accessories required for the session are available at the club, and the included cigar and rum are part of the experience.

The meeting point is a cigar club for people who appreciate the tradition of Cuban cigars. Make sure you allow enough time to find the club, since the supplied details identify the type of meeting place but do not provide a street address here.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which helps if your Paris schedule is still changing.

The activity is wheelchair accessible. The host language options are French, Spanish, and English.

Most important, remember the age and health restrictions. This is for adults 18 and older, and it is not suitable for pregnant women. You should also be comfortable in a smoking-room setting before you reserve.

Who should book this cigar and rum experience?

I would recommend it to a first-time cigar smoker who wants instruction rather than guesswork. It is also a good fit for someone who enjoys rum and wants to understand how an older pour can work with tobacco.

Couples should find the format easy to enjoy, especially if one person is receiving it as a gift. Friends can also use it as a short evening activity before dinner, provided everyone is comfortable with smoking.

The experience is less suitable for a serious rum collector seeking a long list of bottles, or an expert cigar smoker looking for advanced production details. The available information points to a friendly introduction, not a technical certification.

The 5 out of 5 rating from three submitted ratings is encouraging, and the praise centers on the complete setup, clear explanations, and Amicar’s passion. I would treat that as a positive sign, while remembering that the sample is small.

Should you book the Paris Rhum Club session?

Book it if you want a focused introduction to Cuban rum and cigar culture, appreciate personal instruction, and are happy to spend $129 on a polished 90-minute tasting. The strongest reasons are the small group, multilingual hosting, practical cigar guidance, and included old rum.

Skip it if you avoid tobacco smoke, want several different rum pours, or expect a long technical course. For the right person, this is a compact and memorable way to learn the rituals behind two traditional pleasures. For everyone else, the cigar-centered format will be too narrow.

FAQ

Where does the rum and cigar experience take place?

It takes place at a cigar club for aficionados of Cuban cigar traditions in the Ile-de-France region of France.

How long does the activity last?

The experience lasts 90 minutes.

What is included in the price?

The experience includes the required accessories, a glass of selected old rum, and a Cuban cigar.

Do I need to bring anything?

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

Which languages are available?

Amicar can host the activity in French, Spanish, or English.

How many people can join the session?

It is a small-group activity limited to 10 participants.

Who cannot take part?

The experience is not suitable for pregnant women or children under 18.

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