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Cigar Tip: Give the Gift of Cigars

17 May 2011

[Editors’ Note: In celebration of the five-year anniversary of StogieGuys.com, we’re updating and re-publishing some of our oldest articles, many of which focused on cigar basics. Our hope is to encourage a discussion among readers and reacquaint the community with important cigar fundamentals.]

Giving cigars as a gift, even to a known cigar fan, isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Smokers’ tastes in cigars vary widely. Some are averse to specific brands based on bad past experiences, some only like very mild or very strong cigars, some are maduro smokers or Cuban snobs, and some will try any handmade cigar at least once. Unlike buying cigars for yourself, buying cigars for friends, relatives, acquaintances, and co-workers is an entirely different animal. So to help you out, here are three tips for good cigar gift-giving:

Avoid buying the box. Some people are easy to buy for because they have a specific favorite cigar and you know that buying them a box of those means they will be thoroughly enjoyed. Unfortunately, most people aren’t that easy. That’s why we don’t suggest buying a whole box. We always recommend trying few sticks before jumping in for an entire box, and that’s even more true for gifts. Tastes are quirky and even if you really think that the recipient will enjoy it, there’s a chance, for reasons completely beyond your control, that they won’t.

Samplers are the way to go. Samplers make great gifts and here’s why: Variety is the spice of life. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Sure, these are tired old clichés, but they’re also true. When you give a sampler of ten different cigars, it is like giving ten different gifts. The recipient might not love all ten, but chances are he or she will really enjoy at least a few, and you might even be responsible for turning someone on to his or her new favorite smoke.

Get something special. Finally, give someone something they wouldn’t buy themselves. Gifts are meant to be special, so buy some super-premiums for that person who refuses to spend more than three bucks per stick for himself or herself. If gifts are meant to be special, then what is more special than giving that guy or gal who smokes only value cigars a premium cigar that he or she would never purchase?

Please feel free to leave a comment if you have some cigar gift-giving advice of your own.

The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

2 Responses to “Cigar Tip: Give the Gift of Cigars”

  1. Ethan K Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 9:13 am #

    That's a wise article today. I don't buy superpremiums for myself so am unlikely to do so for others. Sort of go w/ Ashburn Dave's idea.
    I've given samplers of La Tradicion Cubana because the cigars are good (w or w/o age), not in most shops, and presented in an inviting way: visible through the plastic wrap which goes over the modest 3-sided, sp. cedar.

  2. Cigars Monday, May 23, 2011 at 6:34 am #

    It sounds good to give cigars as a gift for cigar’s fan. But there would be a problem that so many cigars fan changed their brands because of the past experience. You shouldn’t buy a cigar for yourself. You can buy it for your friend, relatives or co-workers. Your tips are really awesome. Thanks for nice tips.