Cigars you can't go wrong with?

[CigarInspector]

Hello everyone,

I was thinking about an article idea for the blog and decided to ask for your advice. I'm looking to create a short list of cigars that you can gift and that will please every or almost every cigar smoker. The goal is to help people who do not necessarily know much about cigars (either non smokers or beginners) and who want to make a gift to their smoking friends (I often receive e-mails asking for this kind of advice).

I think that the cigars we are looking for should be:
- rather easy to find
- suitable for every kind of smoker (= no powerhouses, no extremely mild cigars)
- a significant part of these cigars should be within a reasonable budget

I came up with the following cigars that I think would be great for every smoker whatever his/her flavor profile:
Oliva Serie V (too strong?)
Cubao range
Ashton VSG
Arturo Fuente Hemingway
CAO La Traviata
Padron 1926
Illusione 88
Avo Domaine
Tat - which blend?

Wondering what's your opinion on these. Any brands/blends you think should not be on the list? Anything you'd like to add?

Thanks a ton :)

[Martel]

Not a bad list. I would suggest Padron 2000's as well. Cheaper than some others on your list, easy to find, smoke great right away, and consistent.

BTW, I enjoy the blog.

Cheers,
G

[Adriftpanda]

I think that the cigars we are looking for should be:
- rather easy to find
- suitable for every kind of smoker (= no powerhouses, no extremely mild cigars)
- a significant part of these cigars should be within a reasonable budget

I came up with the following cigars that I think would be great for every smoker whatever his/her flavor profile:
Oliva Serie V (too strong?)
Cubao range
Ashton VSG
Arturo Fuente Hemingway
CAO La Traviata
Padron 1926
Illusione 88
Avo Domaine
Tat - which blend?

Wondering what's your opinion on these. Any brands/blends you think should not be on the list? Anything you'd like to add?

Thanks a ton :)

Not a bad list, but I don't think a Padron 26 is a reasonable budget for new smokers. :2

CAO Gold, La Triviata
AF Hemmingway
Tatuaje Havana (Red Label)

[Shemp Howard]

I like your list as I have smoked most but not all of them. I especially enjoy the Ashtons and Hemingways. I do think that there is of course not a magic smoke that everyone will enjoy.

[688sonarmen]

Not a bad list. I would suggest Padron 2000's as well. Cheaper than some others on your list, easy to find, smoke great right away, and consistent.

BTW, I enjoy the blog.

Cheers,
G

Smoked one with several years on it yesterday and it was quite enjoyable.

[Kreth]

Not a bad list, but I don't think a Padron 26 is a reasonable budget for new smokers. :2

:tpd: Although not as pricey, the VSGs are probably a little steep for a beginner.
The regular Padron line is always good, and how about something "entry-level" like a JPG Fumadore, Indian Tabac Classic or Maduro, or a Perdomo Lot 826?
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[hammondc]

Anything Padron, Fuente, Oliva or Pepin

[nick2021]

Anything Padron, Fuente, Oliva or Pepin

+1 :tpd:

[mosesbotbol]

Davidoff

[688sonarmen]

La Riqueza. I heard that the bands changed for these, I seriously hope the blend has stayed the same.

[alwayslit]

Padron 1000 series maduro
Fuente Hemmingway and Don Carlos
Illusione
Tat brown label
Pepin blue label

[Ogre]

I have yet to have anything bad from

Arturo Fuente
AVO
Romeo y Julieta (limited exposure) but all good so far.

[Stinky]

I like what you're saying, but your list does not take me there!

As stated; you have a few that are high priced! Suggest you ease the pain with the new guy$!

Agree with your criteria to keep it to the medium range. . . you list stepped outside the box a few times! OUCH! You'll have to include a resuscitation kit for the Newbies ! ! !

You also said rather easy to find. Where do you think your readers are? Tat's are NOT easy to find across the country. They are a very popular cigar among avid cigar enthusiasts, but still considered a boutique line of cigars. VSG is also a difficult line to find in the average cigar shoppe.

Rather than offer my list of favorite cigars. . . I'd strongly suggest you include a paragraph about how to select/approach a local tobacconist (cigar store). First; we ALL need to support our local B&M (brick and mortar) shops. Second; your experience and guidance will be better balanced if you encourage research and an open-mind while beginning one's exploration of the world of fine cigars. JMHO. I don't encourage short-cuts. . . not sayin' your list is a short-cut, but some newbies might take it that way. When it comes to suggesting cigars (flavor, aroma, size, strength, body, etc.) it's VERY (extremely) personal what people will like.

Interesting topic. I enjoy discussions with the new cigar guys (newbies). . . and they are fun to watch! :)

[CigarNut]

As others have said, the Padron 1926 and some of your other choices are pretty spendy. When I start someone off I ususally start with one of the following:

- Don Pepin Garcia Cuban Classic 1952 or 1979
- Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story or Best Seller
- Gran Habano Corojo #5

[Mr.Erskine]

For newbs, what about the Oliva O? I know the V gets all the press because it is outstanding, and easily one of my favs, but if there is a question of strength with the V, I think that the O is a perfectly acceptable starting point.

My list, if we're talking about something for newer cigar smokers or smokers that are learning, (as I am,) would be thus:

Oliva V (I'm putting this in mostly because it is one of the best)
Oliva O
Rocky Patel The Edge habano
Ashton VSG (Pricey)

[DaBear]

Hello everyone,

I was thinking about an article idea for the blog and decided to ask for your advice. I'm looking to create a short list of cigars that you can gift and that will please every or almost every cigar smoker. The goal is to help people who do not necessarily know much about cigars (either non smokers or beginners) and who want to make a gift to their smoking friends (I often receive e-mails asking for this kind of advice).



I believe he is asking for ideas for good cigars that anyone would like, regardless of whether they started smoking yesterday or 30 years ago, so that if someone close to them wants to get them a gift they can get them a good smoke.

[Garbandz]

Carillo,Perdomo Connecticut and Maduro 10th anniv.,La Traviata,Oliva Cameroon and Maduro,Patel 1961,Guillermo Leon,Illusione,Padron,San Cristobal,La Aroma de Cuba,Cubao,Perdomo lot 23.
Mid range prices and medium strength,and consistant quality.

[T.G]

I believe he is asking for ideas for good cigars that anyone would like, regardless of whether they started smoking yesterday or 30 years ago, so that if someone close to them wants to get them a gift they can get them a good smoke.


You could ask every member here and you're going to get just as many different answers as there are members.

[gijoey959]

I had the RyJ habana reserve for 5 or 6 dollars and it was easily one of the best smokes in the price range

Anything from DPG Black label, those are amazing

I can't get Tatuaje locally anymore, so I don't know if i'd put that for a general list

Hope this works out for you, sounds like a cool idea :tu

[Wharf Rat]

The cigars being suggested are largely pretty strong cigars. I agree with tem, but I wonder if you need a similar list for folks who like lighter cigars.

[Bill86]

Anything Viaje
Montecristo Platinum
Cohiba Black
Tatuaje Black
Fuente Short Story
Don Pepin Cuban Classic
Romeo Y Julieta Reserva Real
5 Vegas Gold

[CigarInspector]

Thanks for your response (and all the suggestions - I'm keeping track of those) guys!

Padron 1926 & Ashton VSGs are the two blends that I selected among the pricier cigars, I am aware that they are not for everyone's wallet.

@Martel, thanks for your kind words. Padron 2000 is a cigar I always recommend as a great price/quality ratio.

@DaBear, you summed it up very well.

@Stinky, what do you think are the blends available across a lot of cigar shops in the whole country, within a reasonable budget? I'm curious to hear your opinion as you seem to work closely with B&Ms.

[nozero]

CAO La Traviata


Currently my favorite smoke.

[DaBear]

For a lighter cigar, Perdomo 10th Champagne.

Brickhouse is good and fairly easy to find(in my experience) as well, though its more medium bodied

[flybum62]

I suggets the following to those who ask for my opinion:
Montecristo Platinum
Romeo Y Juliette 1875
Nub

[babybob2k]

For newbs, what about the Oliva O? I know the V gets all the press because it is outstanding, and easily one of my favs, but if there is a question of strength with the V, I think that the O is a perfectly acceptable starting point.

:tpd:

Since I've started smoking cigars as a hobby, I've turned three of my friends on to them with the Serie O. All three of them have gone on to try different smokes and all come back asking for another Oliva.

They aren't too strong, seem to always burn near perfectly (all of mine have anyways), and are just an all around good first experience.

[Brad]

Padron 1964's. Any of them.

[joeobx]

CAO Gold
CAO Gold maduro
RP Edge
CAO Brazllia (spelling ? )
Anything AJ Fernadez

[Wharf Rat]

:tpd:

Since I've started smoking cigars as a hobby, I've turned three of my friends on to them with the Serie O. All three of them have gone on to try different smokes and all come back asking for another Oliva.

They aren't too strong, seem to always burn near perfectly (all of mine have anyways), and are just an all around good first experience.

Actually, an Oliva sampler spanning from The Conn Reserve to the MB3 would be a pretty good intro...

[BeerAdvocate]

Brickhouse - Best cigar for the price!

[Wolfgang]

Fuente 858

[joeobx]

Man o War

[troutbreath]

I had the RyJ habana reserve for 5 or 6 dollars and it was easily one of the best smokes in the price range

Anything from DPG Black label, those are amazing

I can't get Tatuaje locally anymore, so I don't know if i'd put that for a general list

Hope this works out for you, sounds like a cool idea :tu



One of my favorite value smokes. Bought a box of robustos about 2 years ago, and I have been digging back into them now that the weather is getting colder -- too cold for the double coronas, anyway.

Other reliables at a value price:

Hemingway -- always reliable, Short Story is a good value
Padron x000 series (fan of the 5000's, myself)
Carlos Torano Exodus Gold
Tatuaje Browns (love the Unicos -- maybe too pricey)
Cabiguan Guapos Jr.
Don Tomas Sungrown Perfectos (#1, is the little guy, I think)
Oliva G special G

[boom]

Oliva G's
CAO La Triviata
AF Hemmingway
Tatuaje Havana VI

[Martel]

Yeah, Hemingways for sure. That's a smoke with pretty broad appeal.

Cheers,
G

[Shemp Howard]

Yeah, Hemingways for sure. That's a smoke with pretty broad appeal.

Cheers,
G
I concur. They are my current favorite.

[markem]

I'll toss in the Punch Punch, which I always liked and compares favorably, in my experience, with the short story.

[jsd]

Padron 1964's. Any of them.

Definitely. I've never been disappointed with one of these.

[jsd]

Punch Rothschild Double Maduro has never let me down either.

[SouthernSmoke]

Oliva V's, G's, or O's
DPG Cuban Classics
601 Blue/Red
Cubao
Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro
Tat Havanas

just my .02

[CigarInspector]

All right, here's an updated list; I included blends mentioned several times:

Oliva Serie O/G for less experienced and V for more experienced smokers
Padron 2000 as an excellent value/money choice
Brickhouse same as above
Cubao
Arturo Fuente Hemingway
CAO La Traviata, CAO Gold
Padron 1926/1964 if you are willing to spend some money
Ashton VSG less expensive than Padrons but still pricey
Avo Domaine
Tat Havana, Brown that is, if you can find them
DPG Cuban Classic
Perdomo Lot 23

Thanks again for your help guys.

[dwoodward]

Most of the suggestions here I cannot find at any B&M here in town... I think you need to set your sights lower than Padrons and Hemmingways for gifts. Because at least around here, the non cigar smoker will have a extremely rough time finding cigars that meet that bill.

[cmitch]

Most of the suggestions here I cannot find at any B&M here in town... I think you need to set your sights lower than Padrons and Hemmingways for gifts. Because at least around here, the non cigar smoker will have a extremely rough time finding cigars that meet that bill.
Then move where there ARE good cigars. The manager of our local cigar store is from South Dakota.:tu:D

[Knip23]

Nice List brother, One i would add to it is Carinos, Cheaper that Padron and Ashton. Very Delightful smoke great through the whole smoke. And its like 70 bucks a box. Really enjoyed them.

[Ratters]

My list:
Camacho Corojo, it just is always a solid smoke.
Cubao
601 Red
MOW
Tat Red

But for non regular smokers I'll smoke these with them:
Edge Sumatra
Oliva G Maduro
Punch Rare Corojo

[Doctorossi]

Camacho Corojo, it just is always a solid smoke.

I was thinking so, as well, although it might be a bit strong in the nic department for some.