The ASHOLOGY™ Cigar Bracket Challenge Begins January 22, 2027

The ASHOLOGY™ Cigar Bracket Challenge is officially scheduled to begin January 22, 2027.

The Connecticut pilot will bring cigar smokers and participating smoke shops together for a head-to-head tasting competition built around one simple question:

Which cigar do you prefer?

Each matchup places two cigars against one another. Participants smoke both cigars, complete their palate tests, and choose the cigar they believe should advance.

The winner moves forward in the bracket.

More Than a Cigar Tournament

The Cigar Bracket Challenge is designed to be entertaining, competitive, and educational.

Participants are not being asked to imitate professional cigar reviewers.

They are being asked to trust their own palate.

Throughout the tournament, smokers will compare characteristics such as flavor, aroma, construction, balance, burn, draw, strength, and overall enjoyment.

The more matchups they complete, the more they learn about what they personally enjoy in a cigar.

Smoke Shops Become Part of the Competition

Participating Connecticut cigar retailers will serve as the home of the program.

Smokers will be able to visit participating stores, purchase matchup cigars, take part in the weekly competition, and follow the bracket as it develops.

The program also creates a team element, giving stores an opportunity to build their own group of cigar smokers and compete throughout the tournament.

One Matchup at a Time

The bracket format keeps the process simple.

Instead of trying to compare a large group of cigars all at once, participants only need to decide which cigar they prefer in each individual matchup.

As the tournament continues, winning cigars advance and the field becomes smaller until a champion is determined.

January 22, 2027

The additional preparation time before the January launch will allow participating stores, cigar companies, and the ASHOLOGY™ team to make sure the program is ready for smokers from the first matchup forward.

The first ASHOLOGY™ Cigar Bracket Challenge begins January 22, 2027.

For participating locations, tournament updates, and matchup information, follow CigarBracket.com as the launch approaches.