Cigar to introduce a person?

[strider]

Hey,
Last few days I've been trying to get my bud to give a cigar a try. Today he said he's not really willing to spend his limited money on something he might not like. Sooo... I figured I'd offer to pick a stick up for him (soon anyways... need to replenish the wallet a bit). I'm unsure of what to have him try though. I've heard Acids recommended for a first time smoker and I think it might be a good idea. Just as a general outline of his tastes, for beers he goes for hopped up IPAs. Stone is one of his current fav (i think they're over rated). Tends to shy away from heavy malts. Just using beer hear cause it's where I know his tastes the best. In any case, anyone have a recommendation for either which acid or what else might try.
Thanks
-John

[icehog3]

I would go mild, but not flavored like an Acid...that will give him an impression of cigars that will be hard to change.

I would say maybe a CAO Gold.

[bobarian]

I think a good first smoke would be something mild like a Macanudo Hyde Park.
Smooth, not too strong in a Robusto size that is not too intimidating. Another good one is a Arturo Fuente Curly Head, short filler but nice flavor and affordable. :2

[Jbailey]

I would say the rocky patel edge light. They were a big hit at the shop for the new smokers.

[T.G]

Off the top of my head:

For a mild cigar I'd say
Butera Royal Vintage Capo Grande churchill w/ the natural wrapper if you can find them,
Playboy by Don Diego (this one has a white/biege/pink/gold trim band that says "Playboy by Don Diego" on the band, not to be confused with the new Playboy with the black/silver band which tastes like lawn clippings)
Nat Sherman "Host" line
Griffins
and a second vote for Bob's Macanudo Hyde Park suggestion.

If you want to move it up a notch to medium or so to keep up with the IPA:
Drew Estates Chateau Real Maduro,
HdM Excalibur / Excalibur 1066
Graycliff Red (original)
AVO XO

[icehog3]

If you want to move it up a notch to medium or so to keep up with the IPA:

AVO XO
Another good call. :tu

[druturn]

My first few were Acids and I wouldn't recommend doing the same to your buddy. It was really difficult to change my taste towards real cigars. A nice light Macanudo or 5 Vegas Gold should be a good go-to starter.

[doctorcue]

I'm always a fan of giving someone an Ashton classic 898. Good some, mild flavor & body, & a nice size. Most of the people I have given that to say its good; but they want something with more flavor. Then BOOM; you got them! :tu

[PuffdaMagic]

I dont think Acids will go good with hops

[NCRadioMan]

Lots of good suggestions above and I will add the Casa Torano or the Torano 1916.

[Don Fernando]

Flor de Oliva maduro

[Subvet642]

Off the top of my head: ...(SNIP)Playboy by Don Diego (this one has a white/biege/pink/gold trim band that says "Playboy by Don Diego" on the band, not to be confused with the new Playboy with the black/silver band which tastes like lawn clippings)...(SNIP)

I've gotta agree with you on that, although any Don Diego would be a good first stogie for someone; it was for me, I still love 'em :ss

[Don Fernando]

hey, I liked the new Playboy cigar. (http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=12702)

[Subvet642]

hey, I liked the new Playboy cigar. (http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=12702)

After Boot Camp (1981), I went to the Playboy Mansion in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. What a place that was for someone who hadn't even seen a woman for a couple months! :dr

[Bax]

Monte White. You get the classic brand name recognition plus it's a real nice mild smoke. Or a Taboo twist! I keep fogetting to recomend these to people,

[md4958]

I think a good first smoke would be something mild like a Macanudo Hyde Park.
Smooth, not too strong in a Robusto size that is not too intimidating. Another good one is a Arturo Fuente Curly Head, short filler but nice flavor and affordable. :2

:tpd: with Bob. Macanudos in general are great starter smokes. Name recognition, and a mildness that wont turn him off. It is a bit pricey if hes on a budget though.

[Coach Deg]

I would say the rocky patel edge light. They were a big hit at the shop for the new smokers.

First cigar I smoked and liked!! Then I could try others and always knew there was one I really liked that was also inexpensive.

[elderboy02]

Oliva Serie G
Rocky Patel Connecticut
Oliva Connecticut

[Kreth]

Or a Taboo twist! I keep fogetting to recomend these to people,
:tpd: Great milder smoke. Very creamy. Sancho Panza Double Maduro or Indian Tabac Maduro would be good options too.
Posted via Mobile Device

[darkninja67]

Funny this topic came up as my girlfriend smoked her first cigar last night and liked it a lot.

She had an AF Don Carlos No 4. It was between that and an AF Hemingway. I think I made a good call.

[CBI_2]

Perdomo Lot 23. Worked on me and a couple of other people I know.

5 Vegas Gold also, mild yet still a lot of flavor. My wife loved it.

[hotreds]

:tpd: with Bob. Macanudos in general are great starter smokes. Name recognition, and a mildness that wont turn him off. It is a bit pricey if hes on a budget though.

A third vote for the Macanoodle. All I've had are very well made, good burn, nice taste.

[JJG]

I'm going to suggest a slightly different approach. Instead of a mild cigar, I would offer them something medium to full bodied, but still smooth. My reasoning is that new smokers tend to favor maduros and stronger cigars. I know in my case, it wasn't until I had been smoking a while that I learned to appreciate the refined subtlety of a good mild cigar.

just be careful not to get anything harsh. I'd recommend a PAM but that's a little pricey for a first-timer.

[Skywalker]

Just give him a Thompson's Tampa and a kick in the nuts... That's how I got started!!!

It's all up hill from there!!!:D

[T.G]

Just give him a Thompson's Tampa and a kick in the nuts... That's how I got started!!!

It's all up hill from there!!!:D

What? No Arganese?


Who are you and what have you done with MOBD?

[JJG]

Perdomo Lot 23. Worked on me and a couple of other people I know.

oohh I always forget how good these are.

and cheap!

[pnoon]

Cuesta Rey Centenario would be my choice.

[Calexan]

CAO Gold gets my vote! Cheap and a great mild!

[357]

I'm with JBailey, the Rocky Patel Edge Lite is a perfect first time smoke. I got my start on NC Romeos. Most of their lineup is rather mild-med with decent flavor. Matter of fact I had one this summer for the first time in prob a year or two and I really enjoyed it. Much more than I expected to. That said, those Edge Lites are my fav Edge, and a very good $5-6 smoke.

Mike

[Zanaspus]

I'm going to suggest a slightly different approach. Instead of a mild cigar, I would offer them something medium to full bodied, but still smooth. My reasoning is that new smokers tend to favor maduros and stronger cigars. I know in my case, it wasn't until I had been smoking a while that I learned to appreciate the refined subtlety of a good mild cigar.

just be careful not to get anything harsh. I'd recommend a PAM but that's a little pricey for a first-timer.

:tpd: I had Macanudos and the like. I attribute the fact that I never got into cigar smoking until late in life to this unfortunate turn of events. A standard Padron pushed me down the slope. :dr

[BigCat]

The cusano 18 double connecticut is a great mild smoke in my book. Also consider a ryj reservea real. Both are cream bombs to me.

[PuffdaMagic]

The cusano 18 double connecticut is a great mild smoke in my book. Also consider a ryj reservea real. Both are cream bombs to me.

man ur making me wanna smoke my cusano 18

[icehog3]

Just give him a Thompson's Tampa and a kick in the nuts... That's how I got started!!!

:D

Which did you enjoy more, Darrell? :r

[tobii3]

Punch


London


Club


Maduro


;)

[ashtonlady]

Regular Ashton line may not be the right one for him. He likes hoppy beer so it may be too light and the price point is on the high side. My thought was a Padron in the 1000 series.

[ZachF88]

my first was a padron 1964 anniv. Principe (natural)

[cricky101]

Regular Ashton line may not be the right one for him. He likes hoppy beer so it may be too light and the price point is on the high side. My thought was a Padron in the 1000 series.

I usually go for a Padron 2000 or Londres when I'm hosting rookie smokers. Great flavor but hopefully won't make them turn green. And I really like 'em too so I always have them in the Vino

[strider]

Thanks everyone for suggestions. Got many ideas now. I think for the first one I will try with a mild. If it doesn't work, at least he probably won't be sick and I can try with a more medium body next which I'm taking notes on for ideas. I actually have a RyJ Reserva Real in my tupperdor that I might break out and smoke tomorrow to give me a idea on if that might be a good way to go. I've been meaning to get around to trying it anyways as I've been sticking with the fuller body stuff and need to diversify myself:) Feel free to keep them coming.
Thanks
-John

[CigarNut]

There have been lots of good suggestions for cigars. I am partial to something like the Perdomo Lot 23, a Padron 3000 Maduro, or a Macanudo Portofino.

Regardless of what cigar you choose, I would recommend a less expensive cigar for a first timer -- you don't want them to think that they have to spend a lot of money in order to enjoy a good cigar.

:2

[Snake Hips]

Give him a Litto Gomez Chisel to show your superiority, then act the benevolent savior with a Macanudo, and mentor him up the strength chain from there. Then he's all yours.

[icehog3]

Give him a Litto Gomez Chisel to show your superiority, then act the benevolent savior with a Macanudo, and mentor him up the strength chain from there. Then he's all yours.

Oh, Tyler...you had me at "hello". :)

[Nimbus]

Arturo Fuente Short Story or 858 Natural. :ss I still smoke them today because they are that good.

[TonySmith]

A good mild, inexpensive cigar is Indian Tabac Limited Reserve :2

[Snake Hips]

Oh, Tyler...you had me at "hello". :)
Haha. Tom, I always thought you had me :r

[scoot]

cabaiguan or perdomo champagne

[RevSmoke]

Avo is always a great choice, especially the XO line. But if you're watching the pocket book, the an Oliva Connecticut is a great choice.

[thebiglebowski]

i'm with the big fella (seriously, this is NOT a bromance...) and would say the CAO gold is a good bet. and should be available at any B&M.

[Powers]

858 Natural.

an Oliva Connecticut is a great choice.

:tpd:

[nehaworld]

That was funny

Getting your hands on affordable replica watches on my fat belly.

[thebiglebowski]

That was funny

Getting your hands on affordable replica watches

oh, jeez - go away, willya?

[Skywalker]

Which did you enjoy more, Darrell? :r

Any action below the belt is always welcome!!!:r

[Doctorossi]

I'll add a vote for the Padron x000 series and anything from Avo.

[gbum]

don diego aniversario would be nice...

[wayner123]

I have done this with a few friends. The main thing imo, is to know their strength level. A mild cigar will dissapoint someone who smokes a pack a day. And vice versa.

Mild:
Por Larranga Cabinet Selection - every new smoker I have given these to enjoyed them.

Stronger:
Padron X000 series - hard to beat

Strongest:
LFD Triple Ligero - they will remember it