The morning of my visit to Q Cigar Room, I stopped at my parents' place for coffee. During the usual catching up, I mentioned my plans for the weekend, which included an evening of cigars and scotch.
My mother immediately asked, "You don't smoke, do you?"
You know that slightly scolding, disappointed tone mothers have perfected? The one that can make a fully grown adult feel like they're about to be grounded?
Yeah. That one.
I responded with what I can only imagine was the facial expression of a deer caught in the headlights of an approaching semi.
"I have used smoke products before."
What the actual fuck kind of answer is that?
Apparently, somewhere in the back of my mind, I had forgotten two important details. First, I'm an adult. Second, I no longer need to conceal the fact that I smoked Grape PrimeTime cigars in high school and used absolutely criminal amounts of Febreze to cover up the evidence in my vehicle.
For context, I'm asthmatic. Smoke and my respiratory system have never exactly been on speaking terms, so my mother's concern was entirely justified.
Sorry, Mom.
Despite that history, I've always been fascinated by the flavour profiles of a quality cigar, particularly when paired with a good scotch. The way smoke, spice, sweetness, oak, and peat can complement or completely change one another has always intrigued me.
And while my teenage cigar experiments did absolutely nothing to inspire confidence in the cigar industry, I figured it was probably time to give the experience another chance.
Preferably with something a little more refined than a gas station cigar.
Which brings us to Q Cigar Room.
Our first drink was the Smoked O.G., made with Buffalo Trace bourbon and smoked simple syrup. It arrived under a smoke chamber, which was removed tableside for a little presentation. A nice touch, but I'd have preferred to see the smoke fully dissipate before the chamber was lifted. If you're going to smoke a cocktail, give it time to absorb some of that character.
For our next smoked drink, we specifically requested that the chamber be left on longer, allowing the cocktail to become fully enveloped in smoke before being served. It's a small detail, but one that matters when the smoking process is part of the experience.
The Smoked O.G. was still a good starting point for the evening. Buffalo Trace provided a solid bourbon base, and the smoked simple syrup had potential. I just wanted a little more smoke to make its presence known.
To accompany the drink, I asked our hostess if we could have a look at the humidor and choose a cigar. We initially had our sights set on an espresso cigar, which seemed like it could make for an interesting pairing with the bourbon. Unfortunately, they were sold out. Our hostess suggested the Fat Bottom Betty Robusto instead, and we decided to trust her judgement.
As it turned out, that was a pretty good call.
The Fat Bottom Betty brought a pronounced maple sweetness to the experience, with a warm, almost syrupy character that reminded me of maple syrup drizzled over a stack of pancakes, only with the added depth and earthiness of tobacco. Its sweeter notes worked particularly well alongside the bourbon and smoked simple syrup, creating a pairing that felt cohesive without becoming monotonous.
The maple notes played nicely with the bourbon, and neither one overstayed its welcome.
Considering our original choice was unavailable, I was more than happy with the recommendation. In fact, it left me wondering whether missing out on the espresso cigar was actually a blessing in disguise.
And then, because one drink and a cigar weren't enough to satisfy my curiosity, I decided to kick things up a notch.
Enter two ounces of The Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve and one ounce of Drambuie.
I tend to enjoy a Rusty Nail considerably more when it's made with a richer, more robust single malt. The Dalmore struck me as being on the lighter side, and I found it didn't quite have the depth I wanted to stand up to the Drambuie.
The liqueur already brings plenty of sweetness to the party, with its honeyed, herbal character. Layering it over a lighter whisky made the drink a little too sweet for my taste, leaving less room for the depth and complexity I look for in a Rusty Nail. Give me a richer single malt with enough weight and character to push back against the Drambuie, and we're having a considerably different conversation.
That said, the cigar helped cut through some of the sweetness, making the pairing more enjoyable than the drink might have been on its own.
I also would have preferred a single large ice cube, with the whisky poured over top. It's a small presentation detail, but one that would have made the drink feel a little more considered while limiting dilution as it sat. Regardless, it was still enjoyable, even if it wasn't quite the Rusty Nail I'd have made for myself.
Our hostess, Bev, supplied us with a cigar cutter and a torch, making sure we had everything we needed to get settled in and enjoy the experience.
Beyond the drinks and cigars, Q Cigar Room has a few other things going for it.
The venue offers VIP services, off-sales for its cigars, and a surprisingly diverse food menu. So, while the name might suggest a place exclusively for those looking to settle in with tobacco and a glass of something brown, there's more to the operation than that.
Near the end of our visit, I asked Bev if I'd be allowed to take a few pictures of the humidor. That opened the door to a rundown of Q Cigar Room's VIP membership, and there's considerably more to it than simply having somewhere to stash your cigars.
At roughly $150 a month, members receive their own private, locked cigar locker in the humidor, along with 30% off their entire bill on Mondays. That Monday perk also comes with VIP access to the patio. Members get reduced prices on food, drinks, and cigars, invitations to members-only events and tasting panels, and access to the monthly Cigar of the Month features. There's also a 50% discount on cutting fees when bringing in your own cigars from elsewhere.
That's a fairly extensive list of perks for anyone who spends a good amount of time here. The private locker is a nice touch, particularly for regulars who want to keep their collection somewhere secure rather than hauling their cigars back and forth every visit. Between the discounts, exclusive events, and tasting opportunities, the membership seems geared toward turning an occasional evening out into something of a regular ritual.
Whether the $150 monthly price makes sense will depend on how often you visit, but there's enough included to make it worth considering for dedicated cigar enthusiasts.
The atmosphere strikes a comfortable balance between classy and relaxed. There's a covered patio, fire pits, and lounging-style seating that encourages you to settle in rather than rush through your evening. A dress code is in effect, although from what I observed, the approach didn't seem particularly restrictive. Nobody appeared to be measuring lapel widths or checking whether my shoes had been polished by a team of professionals before allowing me through the door.
One policy worth noting is that cigarettes and vapes are prohibited. Given that this is a dedicated cigar lounge, the distinction is worth knowing before you arrive. If you're planning a visit, particularly with a group, it's good to know what is and isn't permitted.
One detail that caught my attention behind the bar was the sheer variety of dehydrated fruit available for garnishes. Orange, citrus, and other dried fruit can add both visual appeal and a little extra character to a cocktail, and seeing such a broad selection suggested some thought had gone into the finer details of the bar program. It's the sort of thing that might escape notice if you're focused entirely on the whisky list, but I appreciate the little touches that help make a cocktail feel considered.
Overall, Q Cigar Room made for an enjoyable evening. The Smoked O.G. could have benefited from a longer smoking process, and I'd make a small adjustment to how the whisky was served, but neither issue took away from the experience. The cigar pairing was a highlight, the atmosphere was inviting, and the staff made it easy to settle in without feeling out of place.
The evening was a marked improvement over my previous cigar experiences, and Q Cigar Room made a convincing case for giving cigars another chance.