Cigar Gift Help Needed

TSgt | 11/28/2011 | TSgt

[TSgt]

I am cigar ignorant.

Can FReepers give me ideas for a nice going away cigar gift for an executive who has been a great mentor to me?

Up to $100...

[bcsco]

I purchased 3 Montecristo Rothschilds for the holiday at $9.99 each. These are excellent medium-strength cigars. I usually smoke the Churchills which are larger and sell for $11.99 locally, but didn’t want to stand outside in our cold air for that long :) For a slightly milder cigar consider the Ashton.

[CAluvdubya]

BFLR

These are great ideas for a Christmas present for my son. Great thread!

[Riptides]

Cuban cigars were once great but not any more.
It is a misconception that they are good but in reality they are not.
Honduran and Dominican cigars are much better than Cuban cigars.

[ml/nj]

I'm guessing you know the guy likes cigars. Do you know anything about the cigars he smokes now? Color of the wrapper: Dark brown or lightish brown? Size: skinny or fat? short or long? Brands: any idea? Strength: mild or strong. This last is most difficult to know from casual observation, but probably the most important to know to make a selection. If you know any folks he shares cigars with they MIGHT be able to tell you. If someone were to buy cigars for me without knowing much about my preferences, there's a good probability that I would smoke one or two and give the rest away.

ML/NJ

[ml/nj]

Cuban cigars were once great but not any more.

I absolutely agree with this. But still there is a mystique about Cuban cigars which might make them the best choice for a non-smoker to give to a cigar smoking friend.

ML/NJ

[wagglebee]

I know, the LFDs are.

[Hammerhead]

Get a variety pack.

1. Padron 1926
2. Padron 1964
3. Davidoff (any)
4. Paul Gamarian 20th Anniversary
5. Avo Heritage
6. Joya de Nicaragua Antano 1970 and Antano Dark Corojo
7. Kristoff Ligero Maduro
8. La Flor Dominica double ligero
9. Rocky Patel Sumatra
10. San Cristobal

[wagglebee]

That would work just fine and it's a good price.

[PilotDave]

Real and shipped quick
http://www.topcubans.com/cuban-cigars/samplers.php

Or if you want the best on a budget..
http://www.famous-smoke.com/oliva+serie+v+2010+sampler+cigars/item+31572

[wagglebee]

Cubans are still good if you know which ones to get (the Cubans still make sure the "mainstays" like RyJ Churchill, Monte #2, Punch Punch and others are good) AND you need to keep them in a humidor for at least six months before you smoke them; however, there will ALWAYS be a few out of every box that are duds.

[harpu]

The Fuente Opus or Ashton VSG Sampler packs are great choices. The Opus gift pack could be a little difficult to find.

BOTH are 1st Class Gifts

Holts for the Ashton Sampler if my mail, or...
Tampa Sweethearts for the Opus if you can't find at retail

[ConservativeDude]

I have smoked three in a row which were given to me, but purchased in the US.

I am very skeptical that the first two were Cubans. They had an unpleasantness that I have never experienced. Not really bad, by any stretch. But it just didn’t strike me as similar to my Cuban experiences in the past.

The third was a larger size and was better by comparison. But still...it just didn’t ring entirely true.

I also have in the humidor two that I personally purchased in Europe, in cedar lined tubes. So I know these babies are authentic.

That will be the true test. Logically there are only 3 options: 1) my palate has changed; 2) all Cubans have sort of gone downhill; or 3) real Cubans are still good, and “Cuban cigars” from Mexico are, well, pretty much what you would expect.....

[piytar]

Pardon 1964 series
For a little more, 1926 series
Fuente Don Carlos
Of course, high end is Fuente God of Fire series and Opus X

Really depends on what the recipient likes to smoke: Strong, mild, muduro, long smoke, short smoke, etc. It’s all very personal. Although it is hard to go wrong with Fuente’s — even their “cheap” cigars are pretty decent...

[piytar]

Pardon 1964 series
For a little more, 1926 series
Fuente Don Carlos
Of course, high end is Fuente God of Fire series and Opus X

Really depends on what the recipient likes to smoke: Strong, mild, muduro, long smoke, short smoke, etc. It’s all very personal. Although it is hard to go wrong with Fuente’s — even their “cheap” cigars are pretty decent...

[mnehring]

Opus X is good but very hard to get. You also will pay around $30 per stick (or more).

Instead, check out Cohiba or Pardon. The Pardon 1926 would be a good one that is less than an Opus X, would stand out to an aficionado, but would be easier to find and cost a little less.

Found some sets here in your price range.
http://www.cigarsdirect.com/ProductCart/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=222

[martin_fierro]

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[Prokopton]

Padron Serie 1926 sampler. It will be appreciated.

[wagglebee]

There are A LOT of counterfeit Cubans out there, you need to buy them from a reputable Cigar shop overseas (La Casa del Habana, Davidoff shops in Europe, etc.) or a very reputable online dealer. If you buy full boxes there are holograms on the seals that are impossible to fake and you can verify the validity that way.

Every sundry shop in Mexico and the Caribbean sells cigars that are almost always fake.

[TSgt]

Thanks everyone for their help!

I loath smoking, can’t stand cigars but love the smell of a pipe.

Go figure...

Maybe it’s from my elementary school days, 1980’s, when our principal would walk around the school smoking his pipe. Yes, in the school.

There’s something wise and grandfatherly about that smell...

Merry Christmas Everyone!

TSgt

[ConservativeDude]

Yeah, no kidding!

The disturbing thing is that these came (or so I am told) from full boxes. (I doubt they checked teh hologram though...good point).

I’ll have to revisit this thread after I burn the ones I got in Europe. I am optimistic that neither my palate has deteriorated, nor has the true Cuban deteriorated.

I look forward to the first few puffs and saying, “THAT’S IT!” In the past, the “it” has always been unmistakable.

Fingers crossed here!