For years the typical image of cigar culture was older, formal, and whiskey focused; that heritage still exists. What is changing is visibility and influence from younger adults (millennials and gen z) in specific places and channels, especially online and in lounges that program events around pairings and design. UK data show a real rise in non-cigarette tobacco use over the past decade, with the sharpest increases among young adults; the UCL Smoking Toolkit Study estimates exclusive non-cigarette tobacco use in England grew from roughly 0.36% to 1.68% between 2013 and 2023, a nearly fivefold change.
In the United States, premium cigar users still skew older and predominantly male; several analyses find most premium cigar consumers are age 25–45 or older, with samples showing a large share 55+. So the dynamic is best described as growing younger participation and influence, not a wholesale demographic handoff.
Younger smokers often test beyond whiskey and rum; coffee programs, craft beer pairings, natural wine flights, and chocolate boards are common in lounge calendars and media features. These are lifestyle trends, not population prevalence measures, so they should be framed as programming and content patterns rather than hard market shares; still, they reflect visible behavior in lounges and creator channels. Tastemasters
Time is a factor; smaller vitolas fit 45–60 minute sessions. Trade coverage aligns with this, noting that petit coronas and robustos figure prominently in “Best Buys of 2024,” which matches a broader shift toward efficient formats without sacrificing flavor.
Premium cigar brands actively promote on brand-owned social accounts; a 2023 peer-reviewed study documents themes and strategies used by premium brands to engage audiences, which helps explain why accessories with clean finishes and compact form factors photograph well and spread quickly. That same literature notes low age-gating across channels; this matters for policy debates, and it also explains why younger adults encounter cigar content more easily.
Lounge operators report relaxed dress codes, mixed-use programming, and more inclusive atmospheres; think coffee flights, afternoon tastings, music nights, and photography-friendly interiors. These adaptations speak to Millennials and Gen Z preferences for social discovery, documentation, and flexible time blocks; they also provide natural upsell paths, including portable humidors, compact ashtrays, and sleek premium cutters that travel well and look clean on camera. (This section synthesizes lounge and trade reporting rather than census-quality data; treat it as operational observation.)
Curated samplers for modern pairings, coffee, port, chocolate, select beers; these highlight contrast and help newer palates find structure.
Small-format variety, robustos, petit coronas, short perfectos; supported by “Best Buys” evidence and by session length.
Portable storage and protection, travel humidors, sleeves, pocket rests; useful for event-based smoking and short lounge visits.
Sleek premium cutters and lighters, compact, photogenic, reliable; aligned with social-sharing habits and brand presentation documented in research.
Region matters, England shows clear increases in non-cigarette tobacco use since 2013, with notable gains among young adults; do not copy this trend 1:1 to the U.S. market without caution.
Age mix in U.S. premium cigars remains older, multiple datasets and reviews show the buyer base is still largely male and older; frame Millennials and Gen Z as an influential minority that shapes aesthetics, events, and content.
Pairings and programming are lounge-level trends, not national consumption shares; they are useful for merchandising and events, but should not be over-generalized.
Younger smokers are visible in the channels that set taste, especially social and events; they respond to compact formats, broader pairings, and gear that feels modern and photo-ready. The core premium buyer base still skews older; serve both groups by anchoring quality and tradition, while offering curated samplers, portable storage, and premium cutters that match current presentation habits.
Helpful sources: UK non-cigarette tobacco trend 2013–2023 with young adult gains, peer-reviewed documentation of premium cigar brand social media use, and trade confirmation that smaller formats feature prominently in 2024 value lists.
A long column of cigar ash often draws admiration, a photo-worthy mark of skill or cigar quality. In truth, it’s more complex. Ash doesn’t just display craftsmanship; it reflects combustion science, tobacco anatomy, and smoking rhythm. Each fragment of ash carries information: how evenly the leaves were bunched, how the
Scarcity as a Strategy Scarcity has always been one of the strongest forces in the luxury market. In cigars and accessories, it takes many forms: numbered lighters, single-batch humidors, or limited-run cigars rolled from small harvests. The principle is simple but powerful, when something cannot be easily replaced, its perceived
Drop your email and phone number below to get your discount code.
Drop your email and phone number below to get your discount code.