Question for the cigar connoisseurs

[TheDutchess]

My fiance has mentioned a few times that he would like to smoke cigars more. So for Christmas I decided I would buy him a few cigars. He's a novice so he doesn't know exactly what kind he likes and doesn't like and I know nothing about cigars what so ever. I was thinking about getting him a sampler of different cigars and there isn't a price range. With all that being said what cigars would you suggest for someone just starting out?

 

[Geesie]

Romeo y Julieta is always a good "everyday" sort of cigar.

 

[Selentino]

I would suggest a range of coronas or churchills from mild to something stronger to find where his taste are. Some suggestions:
• Almost anything from the Fuente family
• Rocky Patel Vintage
• Padron Maduro
• Romeo y Julieta
• Bolivar
• Cohiba
The last two should be Cubans if you can get them. If not the ones sold in the states will do. these are just my humble suggestions, I'm sure the other gents will have some excellent ones as well.

 

[rmrdaddy]

I'm not affiliated with them in any way, except for being a happy customer of theirs, but I recommend Cigars International for your sampler needs. They have a TON of different samplers available, and I have seen them recently in their mail catalog that I receive on sale. They ship quickly and they include a water pillow in each shipment to maintain the proper RH during transit.
Check them out online at : www.cigarsinternational.com

 

[BobC]

Ms. Dutchess, I have done cigar business with this place for quite a while now:

www.holts.com

They carry a wide selection of cigars and samplers and deliver them very capably.

My personal favorite legal cigar is the Ashton VSG, a full flavored Dominican cigar. I would suggest the Sorcerer, a churchill sized cigar, or the robusto. They are both reasonably priced and are very good cigars.

 

[indycop]

Ms. Dutchess, I have done cigar business with this place for quite a while now:

www.holts.com

They carry a wide selection of cigars and samplers and deliver them very capably.

My personal favorite legal cigar is the Ashton VSG, a full flavored Dominican cigar. I would suggest the Sorcerer, a churchill sized cigar, or the robusto. They are both reasonably priced and are very good cigars.

Thanks a lot Bob! I looked at your link and found the Fumidores. $30 a box and by Pepin so I had to order some, seemed definitely worth trying.

 

[Bassman]

I'm not affiliated with them in any way, except for being a happy customer of theirs, but I recommend Cigars International for your sampler needs. They have a TON of different samplers available, and I have seen them recently in their mail catalog that I receive on sale. They ship quickly and they include a water pillow in each shipment to maintain the proper RH during transit.
Check them out online at : www.cigarsinternational.com

I second the CI reccommendation for many samplers at great prices!

 

[TheDutchess]

Thanks guys for the wonderful suggestions!

 

[Kermez]

IMO, for low price / high quality, you can never go qrong with Arturo Fuente.

 

[BobC]

Thanks a lot Bob! I looked at your link and found the Fumidores. $30 a box and by Pepin so I had to order some, seemed definitely worth trying.

Glad you found something you like. I've ordered from them for several years now and they've never treated me bad.

Try the Ashton VSG if you get a chance. The Sorcerer (churchill size) is about my favorite legal in the US cigar.

 

[RedPop4]

Most good online tobacconists have samplers and they're a great way to start.
If you'll indulge a few suggestions?
At this very early beginning point, I'd say to buy smaller cigars for the sampler.

Do a "corona" or "robusto" sizes that way he's not trying to work his way through a huge Churchill or double corona, especially if it's something he doesn't like. Nothing like a 7 inch long cigar if he hates it, it could turn him off completely. I hate to waste cigars or throw them away half-smoked if they're not good.

If they don't have them evident in the website, then by all means call or e-mail them.

Besides the two retailers mentioned, which are solid,
try also Famous Smoke Shop www.famous-smoke.com
or MD Cigars www.mdcigar.com

Good luck.

 

[indycop]

Redpop where ya been??!!

 

[Tatum]

Being married to the cigar business, I have to chime in on this. TheDutchess, you say that he is a novice at this? I agree with the gentlemen here about getting him a good variety, but definitely make sure that there are some mild to medium cigars in the selection!

A good trick to know: most of the time, the lighter the wrapper (the leaf that you see on the outside of the cigar), the milder it will be, and the darker the wrapper, the more fuller-bodied it will be.

The gentlemen here have VERY good taste, their suggestions are impeccably good! Arturo Fuente puts out a very good, consistent product, as does Rocky Patel.

Here is what my husband likes to smoke, very available here in the states, depending on what he is doing. Although he is a seasoned smoker, he tends to prefer medium-bodied cigars to the fuller bodied ones (such as an Ashton VSG!):
Golf course, 9 holes: Arturo Fuente Chateau or Short Story
Almost 18 holes: Arturo Fuente 858, Avo XO Intermezzo
Hanging around: Graycliff Pirate is his all-time favorite, Monte Cristo #2 (although he prefers the Cubans)

I would also suggest that you provide him with a nice cutter, as well as a v-cut and a punch, so he can control the draw more precisely for his tastes, and you can impress him with your knowledge!

Good luck!

 

[RedPop4]

Redpop where ya been??!!

I've been running a cigar-related magazine, lately, and actually doing real work at my place of employment. Thank you for noticing and asking.

 

[indycop]

I've been running a cigar-related magazine, lately, and actually doing real work at my place of employment. Thank you for noticing and asking.

It's a good thing in this economy too! I have not noticed any retailers hurting cigar wise, maybe it's a comfort item.....

 

[CigarMan]

If you want to splurge a little bit . . .
Davidoff is always a fantastic smoke
As is AVO which has a nice range from very mild to full bodied
Padron is a nice Nicaraguan with spicy taste to it
All of the other suggestions above are fantastic as well.

Looks like you'll have a nice selection going . . .

 

[rkwilker]

Kermez gives good advice. Can't go wrong with a good Fuente.

 

[nola89]

I would suggest a range of coronas or churchills from mild to something stronger to find where his taste are. Some suggestions:
• Almost anything from the Fuente family
• Rocky Patel Vintage
• Padron Maduro
• Romeo y Julieta
• Bolivar
• Cohiba
The last two should be Cubans if you can get them. If not the ones sold in the states will do. these are just my humble suggestions, I'm sure the other gents will have some excellent ones as well.

I agree with these choices but will add Onyx. They are a new brand and aren't my go-to cigar but they are smooth and were rated a 94 I believe by Cigar Aficionado.

 

[MissJeanavive]

Excellent thread

I love a thread that answers my question before I have to ask it!

I am getting ready to go to my little island cigar shop to purchase my honey party of his valentine gift.

I have scratched off a list of Cigars to look for. I think I will get a pair; nothing finer than having a cigar together.

 

[RedPop4]

Sounds enjoyable, well done.