A friend wants a cigar...

[RevSmoke]

... so what do you give him?

I ask the question because it something I am sure we al face, and am curious how you guys deal with the same situation(s).

There are four types of people that come over and while you're having a cigar, they want one too.

1st: The regular cigar smoker who smokes only their own White Owls, or whatever. You even tried giving them a better one, but they didn't like it. Thing is, they would never ask you for a cigar. They have been smoking their brand for 40 years and they like it.

So, do you keep trying to get them to try something "better?" Or, do you take the attitude, "hey, they like what they are smoking, they're happy, let 'em be."


2nd: This is also a regular cigar smoker. They smoke premium hand-made cigars. They're at your house, but find themselves without a cigar.

Do you select a cigar for them? Do you give them carte blanche access to all your sticks? Is there a specific humidor for these friends? How do you handle it.


3rd: This is the newbie to premium cigars. They are getting started and seriously interested in the hobby, giving serious contemplation to the cigars they smoke. They too are at your place sans cigars. You have one going, and they're asking questions about it. What do you do?

Do you select a cigar for them? Do you give them carte blanche access to all your sticks? Is there a specific humidor for these friends? How do you handle it.


4th: This is the mooch. They wouldn't know a Bolivar from a Backwoods. In fact, after gifting them a couple cigars to try (because they appeared interested), they gave you some Backwoods saying, "You'll like these, they're a great smoke." They are a friend, they're at your house, you have a cigar going, and they ask if you have a cigar for them. What do you do?

Do you select a cigar for them? Do you give them carte blanche access to all your sticks? Is there a specific humidor for these friends? How do you handle it.



I have my own answers to these questions, but will post them after a few responses have shown up.

[barbourjay]

i give visitors access to whatever they want out of my singles humi. it's only a cigar after all.

[BHowe]

1: I wouldn't mess with

2: I' let em pick whatever they want, but would probably make a couple
recommendations.

3: I would pick for him, and request they let me know what they think. I might almost insist they smoke a couple different ones while over.

4: I have a bundle of Occedental 2nds that would find end up in this guys hand.

B

[markem]

If I like you, you have access to my humidors and all the vinos and coolers. Friends are trusted with all my sticks, even the really old poo. That's why they are friends.

For everyone else, it depends. I usually ask, "what do you smoke" and try to give them something safe that they will like. For a certain select few, it's, "too bad I'm not smoking today".

Ask the stumptown crew - I'll give away crazy chit to a stranger just because they are friends with one of the crew. I'm been handing out MdO #3s like candy at recent events. Heck, gave an 85 Monte Sublime to the host of a scotch tasting recently and I'd never met him before, just knew him by reputation.

[Mark C]

All of my friends are clueless when it comes to cigars. Several will smoke with me, but I always pick one for them. I think I can do a fair job matching something to their taste, rather than letting them pick randomly and risk grabbing something unpleasant and ruining their taste for a good smoke.

1) I know a few of these, if they ask for a smoke at my place, I'll give them something cheaper, but still a good smoke. Tends to be on the mild side, I've found the white owl smokers don't like strong tobacco flavors.

2) Unfortunately I don't know any of these guys. If I did, I'd let 'em have whatever they wanted.

3) I know one of these guys. He'll light up a cigar once in awhile and seems to really enjoy them... but he likes them bone dry. I gave him a small humi once and he gave it away. Last stick I gave him he commented on how fresh it was. It wasn't fresh, it had been in my humi for 18 months, it was just properly cared for. I still pick for him, but I think I could match something to his tastes better than random guessing.

4) Cheap sticks for the mooches. Again, nothing I wouldn't smoke, but not the rarest of my collection either.

[Mr Edmundo]

If someone is at my place, then they are there because they are more than an aquaintance. So they pretty much can have whatever they want. But in a more neutral setting, where there are people of various relationship to me, the answers may differ somewhat, particularly the mooch. Although I can't say I know anyone that I would call that at this time.

Regardless of the relationship, however, there are a small number of sticks that are hands off for everyone. These would be the primo sticks that were gifted to me by another botl and are simply aging in the humidor. I wouldn't give any present I received from someone else, why would I do so with a cigar? I also have a few primos that I had purchased in samplers that I only have one of and have yet to try. These, I would like to hang onto. So out of about 300 sticks, maybe 10 are not for gifting.
So...
#1- I always like a challenge, so I would forever be trying to convert him with something I think he would like, whether at my place or other.
#2- All access except for those 10 sticks, whether at my place or other.
#3- Same as #2, but I would make a number of recommendations.
#4-If he's at my place, I probably like the guy, so same as #2, unless he's done this many, many times before. Then I might limit him to the cheapies. If it's outside of my place, it kinda depends on how well I know the guy. If I like the guy, then it's the same thing, but if I don't feel close or simply don't like the guy, and/or don't know him very well, I would be inclinded to offer up sticks that others like, but were not to my tastes or some of the better, but less expensive sticks.
Wow! That's a lot of typing. Hope I didn't bore you;)

[Biglizard1]

I would be very close to Mr Edmundo with my decision as well.
There are some that have been gifted to me and they are on the no touch list, probably in my humidor there is no more than 40 of these.

The rest are pretty much carte blanc with one exception, everyone has to give me a review of the stick, everyone.... so I can define their tastes later for future gifting!

[bobarian]

Noone gets carte blanche! My standard question "Is there something you have been wanting to try?"

[Cigarcop]

Noone gets carte blanche! My standard question "Is there something you have been wanting to try?"

I have to agree with this,... well maybe one person, but we have an understanding :D

[MikeyC]

Noone gets carte blanche! My standard question "Is there something you have been wanting to try?"

:tpd:

I don't give anyone carte blanche because . . .

1) chances are they're going to pick the one cigar I don't want to give out because I've been aging it, dying to try it, just got it, or whatever, and . . .

2) I don't like people handling my cigars. Chances are they'll be too rough and damage them or not put them back in a neat/organized manner.

I like to think I'm not a terribly selfish person and as long as I have more than 1 of that cigar generally speaking I'm happy to share. So, usually I ask what they like to smoke and give them a selection of cigars to choose from.

[Mr Edmundo]

So what's you're take on this RevSmoke? Huh! Huh!
Can't wait.....

[gvarsity]

It really depends on the specifics for me. I hate watching quality wasted it's disrespectful. I wouldn't take someone to a nice restaurant they wouldn't appreciate or pour an expensive glass of wine or scotch to someone who wouldn't appreciate it either. By that I mean someone who wouldn't care whether it was quality or not whether out of preference or ignorance.

I have an uncle who only wants to drink Michelob Genuine Draft Light beer. It's pretty much piss but I drink it with him because it's what he has and likes. I'm not going to insult him by bringing over micro brews and say here have a "good" beer. He has had micro-brews and just isn't interested. Same goes for the white owl guy. He likes what he likes and I'm not going to insult him by saying I know better. I may even smoke one of his white owls if offered. Probably not if I have my own but maybe.

For people who are interested but not knowledgeable I try to find something similar to what they have had and liked but a step up from what they may be used to help them refine their tastes. I used to do this quite a bit when I sold wine. Find out what they like match the style or predominant flavors with something similar but what would be generally considered a step up in quality. Now if all I had were 20 year + aged Cubans I wouldn't buy a special stock for these folks I would work within my personal selection to match but I don't and I have plenty of good tasty second tier cigars that would give them a good experience without having a top shelf stick wasted.

For me the mooch is different they could be very sophisticated and knowledgeable or completely ignorant they are not about the cigar they are about getting a freebie. No different than they guy always trying to get you to buy a round of drinks at the bar or pick up the tab for lunch. Totally depends on my mood and they never get anything premium. I'll pick up a meal, rounds of drinks, share my best wine scotch and cigars happily if it will be appreciated and they are not working me. None of my fiends are mooches but I am socially connected to people who are and in those situations I watch my interests. Not to say I won't be generous but I have to feel pretty generous to overcome the stink of a mooch. Maybe I'm just cynical but I feel no obligation to indulge those who don't understand generosity.

[Studebaker]

This might have been tacky, but a while back I had a couple of regular cigar smokers over. Neither of them had a cigar with them and so the smokes were my treat. They asked me to tell them what they could have; I said, "You can't have that one, or that one, or that one. Pick anything else you like." The "that ones" were a few expensive or special occasion sticks I was saving for myself. Dunno if they were put off by that, but it was my way of saving the ones I really wanted to keep, while hopefully being hospitable at the same time.

[Don Fernando]

Noone gets carte blanche! My standard question "Is there something you have been wanting to try?"

:tpd:

I have a lot of singles I have never smoked and I want to review all of them. So if anybody is here and wants to smoke a cigar, I ask him what he/she likes and pick out a cigar that either I have several of, or that I smoked & reviewed before.

on the other hand, if someone gives me carte blanche, I will never pick the stick where he/she has one of, and I always ask "is it ok if I smoke this?", but to be honest, I rather have no cart blanche at all.

[ca21455]

I handle my cigars same as the bar. If they know what they want, I get it for them. If they ask for a recommendation, I ask questions to determine what they might enjoy. If they are interested in browsing and picking something out then go for it!

Get a kick out of the macho guy demanding a "kick ass" cigar. Nothing more entertaining then to watch someone brave out a LFD Double Ligero Churchill Especiale Pigtail Cabinet. One guy actually turned green, but finished the whole thing!

[RevSmoke]

1st: The regular cigar smoker who smokes only their own White Owls, or whatever.

I have a neighbor like this. After a few tries with some hand-rolled sticks, he stopped accepting them and I stopped offering.


2nd: This is also a regular cigar smoker.

He can take whatever he wants from my humidors - the only thing that is off limits are the sinlges which have been gifted to me, as these I must review.


3rd: This is the newbie to premium cigars.

I will question them about what they have tried and liked. I will also aske what "wish" cigar they have on their list. I will then make suggestions accordingly. Then I will show them what else is available and allow them to then choose whatever they like.


4th: This is the mooch. (the one who doesn't know the difference between a Backwoods and Bolivar) Have a guy on the fire department with me, we go fishing once in a while. We aren't best friends, but more than acquaintances. I have given him a few cigars, but he keeps pushing Backwoods on me as a great cigars - especially the flavored ones.

I wouldn't waste a Bolivar on this individual - and I mean waste, for this type would not appreciate it anyway. I do have a bunch of CFOs that I love, but they're a reasonable price point, so I don't mind someone not appreciating them.

My modus operandi is normally, mi casa su casa. That goes for everything. It has all been gifted to me by God, so it really isn't mine to begin with. I have no problem sharing.

[SmoknTaz]

This might have been tacky, but a while back I had a couple of regular cigar smokers over. Neither of them had a cigar with them and so the smokes were my treat. They asked me to tell them what they could have; I said, "You can't have that one, or that one, or that one. Pick anything else you like." The "that ones" were a few expensive or special occasion sticks I was saving for myself. Dunno if they were put off by that, but it was my way of saving the ones I really wanted to keep, while hopefully being hospitable at the same time.

I'm with you. Unless if you specifically told them not to bring anything they should have brought their own, especially if they're regular smokers. I'm fairly new so I have a lot of singles that I'm waiting to try so unless if I have a box or a handful of the same I would be particular with what I part with.

[MikeyC]

I wouldn't waste a Bolivar on this individual - and I mean waste, for this type would not appreciate it anyway. I do have a bunch of CFOs that I love, but they're a reasonable price point, so I don't mind someone not appreciating them.

In my experience mooches DEFINITELY appreciate the finer things in life. They just don't want to pay for them ever.

[karmaz00]

i would let him go crazy.. im sure you would keep all your aged cigars in a different spot.

[BORIStheBLADE]

For my cigar friends that are always giving me nice cigars they can grab whatever they want.

For my friends that don't smoke a lot, but will appreciate and not waste a smoke they can have whatever they want.

For my friend that I don't know if they will actually appreciate or even finish anything I give them, I will pick for them.

[RevSmoke]

In my experience mooches DEFINITELY appreciate the finer things in life. They just don't want to pay for them ever.

There may be some mooches like that. There was a lawyer in our Connecticut Cigar Club like that - we'd do a cigar dinner, and the cigars would be an exchange - everybody bringing 3 premium sticks and wrapping them up so nobody could see. Then, we'd put them in a box and everybody would grab a number from a hat. We'd then start with #1 and going through. The lawyer often bring WBs, a $1.00 stick gotten at a local shop - the owner one day saw three of them in a package someone drew, and knew that they lawyer had bought them. The owner took the cigars from the guy who got the 3 WBs, walked up to the lawyer, asked, "So, what did you get in the exchange?" He'd gotten a number of upper ends. The shop owner says, "You were so tight that you put these (holding up the WBs in his hand) in the blind exchange? You can have these." He took the better sticks and left the WBs. The lawyer complained and go no sympathy - in fact, almost got punched.

Now, this is not a commentary on lawyers, but on this particular lawyer.

[MikeyC]

There may be some mooches like that. There was a lawyer in our Connecticut Cigar Club like that - we'd do a cigar dinner, and the cigars would be an exchange - everybody bringing 3 premium sticks and wrapping them up so nobody could see. Then, we'd put them in a box and everybody would grab a number from a hat. We'd then start with #1 and going through. The lawyer often bring WBs, a $1.00 stick gotten at a local shop - the owner one day saw three of them in a package someone drew, and knew that they lawyer had bought them. The owner took the cigars from the guy who got the 3 WBs, walked up to the lawyer, asked, "So, what did you get in the exchange?" He'd gotten a number of upper ends. The shop owner says, "You were so tight that you put these (holding up the WBs in his hand) in the blind exchange? You can have these." He took the better sticks and left the WBs. The lawyer complained and go no sympathy - in fact, almost got punched.

Now, this is not a commentary on lawyers, but on this particular lawyer.

Sounds like it's irrelevent that he is a lawyer. What is relevent is that he is a greedy, selfish pig. :mad:

Just reading this story makes me mad.

[nozero]

Aside from gifts and I'd explain why on those, I'd let them pick their own and I'd answer any questions they asked. Who am I to decide what they will or won't appreciate?

I've never had to deal with cigar mooches, so I'll cross that bridge if or when I get there. I never liked mooches when I smoked cigarettes, especially the regular repeat offenders. But more often than not, I gave them one anyway.

[macpappy]

I keep a humidor with a variety of singles just for cases like the four you mention. As I only keep 10 - 15 in this humidor and wind up replacing them about every 2 weeks I don't worry too much about the flavors blending.
With #1, I tell him to take a look and see if there is anything he would like to try but that I don't smoke his brand.

With #2, I tell him to take a look and to let me know if he doesn't see anything he likes. If this happens then I tell him what his higher end options are and I pull it out of my cooler.

With #3, the same unless I have something in mind that I think he would like.

#4, I just let them pick something from the humidor. It's only a cigar and I remember when I first started smoking cigars back in the 70s and I enjoyed the original Backwoods.

[smokeyandthebandit05]

I have a few friends who only smoke backwoods and only 1 or 2 who would actually appreciate a hand rolled cigar. I hate giving the ones who dont know anything about cigars something I really really wanna try and only have 1 of and they only smoke half or less. I'll be honest in the winter and/or dont have an hour or so to smoke a good cigar I'll have a backwoods. Any one else who appreciates and is a cigar smoker can have whatever they want, I can always buy another one

[RevSmoke]

Sounds like it's irrelevent that he is a lawyer. What is relevent is that he is a greedy, selfish pig. :mad:

Just reading this story makes me mad.

Don't get mad. You're right, he's greedy. Feel sorry for him.

[MikeyC]

Don't get mad. You're right, he's greedy. Feel sorry for him.

You're 100% right. I do feel bad for him because acting like that is no way to go through life.

[Mugen910]

In my experience mooches DEFINITELY appreciate the finer things in life. They just don't want to pay for them ever.
i do not like moochers.

i have a humi of single NCs i prob wont get around to ever so i let non cigar guys go through that. If they are cigar guys i will pick a NC or CC for them depending on my mood.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Sauer Grapes]

1) Let the guy smoke what he likes, but if your friendship is the type you can give him crap, then frequently remind him he smokes cheap, crappy cigars and would probably be better off with a marlboro.

2) and 3) (same for me on these ones for the most part) I would quiz them about what they really like, what their favorites so far were and then ask if they've had specific types of cigars that I have in my humi that I think they'd like. If I find one they haven't had, I'd suggest that and give them one. I'm a pretty generous guy, but I don't like the idea of giving anyone free reign on my humidor. Of course, there really isn't much there I wouldn't share.

4) I'd select a stick for them and they'd have to live with it. It'd probably be something I don't really smoke anymore, but not crap because I don't carry crap in my humidor.

[Langod]

As a newbie myself, this is my take. (I would fit solidly into category 3 myself.)

1st: The regular cigar smoker who smokes only their own White Owls.
I'd give him some cheap mild stick, nothing fancy. But I'm not going to try and "teach" him anything.

2nd: This is also a regular cigar smoker. They smoke premium hand-made cigars.
This guy can have pretty much free-reign in my humidor -- he probably knows more than me. I'd only keep him away from the few really good single sticks I've been saving.

3rd: This is the newbie to premium cigars. They are getting started and seriously interested in the hobby.
This is me. A couple of my friends also fit this description. I would let them have free reign, but might say, "hey, I had one of these the other day, it was really good. You can try it if you want." If there's something else they want to try, they can. Except for the couple of special sticks I'm saving.

4th: This is the mooch. They wouldn't know a Bolivar from a Backwoods.
I have one friend like this. He has little experience with cigars, just likes the idea of smoking cigars with the rest of us. I've given him a couple of "decent" sticks, but after seeing him destroy a couple (trying to peel the wrapper off, breaking one part way through!), I keep a cheap, mild smoke around when I suspect he might come by.)

[Smokin Gator]

I have a hard time answering this one... in a way.

I have one humidor that all of my singles are in. There are two trays in there, one CC and one NC, that I would say are pretty much off limits to almost anyone. Those are sticks that have been gifted to me by BOTLs. I also have one tray of pretty high end/rare things that I would offer to most people, but if I knew the person would not appreciate them I would offer from another drawer. Other than those anyone mooch or not could take there pick. I would be happy to offer advice if I thought they wanted it but wouldn't push it.

My aging humidor is off limits... heck I hardly open it.

All that being said... if one of you guys showed up at my door you could have anything I have bar none.

[Mr Edmundo]

All that being said... if one of you guys showed up at my door you could have anything I have bar none.


Hell! I'm on my way:r

[Footbag]

For me, if the person is showing any interest in the cigars, I give them pretty much carte blanch with the exception of a single drawer of trades and valuable smokes. If they know enough about cigars, they can make their own selection, otherwise I will ask them what they like and suggest.
I usually try a how do you like beer? Dark = stronger cigar Light= milder cigar

I do have a drawer full of pass out smokes, but have them reserved for the #4 Mooches.

[Smokin Gator]

Hell! I'm on my way:r

Come on down brother!!! With the stash you would bring I doubt I have anything you would want:r:r

[icehog3]

For situation number #1, I would try once to offer something better, and then respect his/her wishes after he told me "no" once.

For #2 and #3, I would ask if there was something they had been wanting to try, and maybe offer some suggestions. If they had no ideas, I would give them something likely better than they would have selected themselves.


#4, if they had no true experience, I would give them something mild but tasty.

[TripleF]

Usually I carry extras as I did New Years Eve, just in case someone asks me if I have an extra cigar for them. If they don't like what I offer....tufff banana's.

:D

[htown]

I never give carte blanche. I always try and match the cigar to the guest- I like people to try new cigars that they might like.

[pnoon]

I never give carte blanche. I always try and match the cigar to the guest- I like people to try new cigars that they might like.

I once thought that way, too.

Through the "magic" of the online cigar community, I have forged many deep and lifelong friendships. There are many I know now who are free to smoke anything I own. And I do mean anything.

[Mugen910]

I once thought that way, too.

Through the "magic" of the online cigar community, I have forged many deep and lifelong friendships. There are many I know now who are free to smoke anything I own. And I do mean anything.
I hope one day to evolve into such a nice guy. :D I just have to many non-cigar friends that I have seen treat them as phillie blunts. I am usually pretty straight forward so if there is something I was saving because it was given to me by a special person then I would just say so.
Posted via Mobile Device

[pnoon]

I hope one day to evolve into such a nice guy. :D I just have to many non-cigar friends that I have seen treat them as phillie blunts. I am usually pretty straight forward so if there is something I was saving because it was given to me by a special person then I would just say so.
Posted via Mobile Device

Whoa. Back the truck up, Bao. I didn't say anyone has carte blanche. Just that many do.

If it were someone who knew little or nothing about cigars, they would be offered a cigar or cigars from which to choose.