Calling All Cigar Aficionados- Advice Needed(Vanity)

[yankeedame]

Help! I need some advice from all you cigar aficionados. My husband is a new car/truck saleman for Dodge. To all his high end truck customers ($30K+) he gives them a fine cigar as a kind of lagniappe. He's been doing this for about 4 months now; a marketing promo I'll admit, but one that's been working out very well.

Now here's where I need the advice: My husband doesn't smoke. That being the case, the selection of cigars he gives away have been pretty limited to what-looks-expensive-and-cost-a-lot ($6-$19 per).I mean the selections are all over the board.

So, I would appreciate any suggestions and/or recommondations on what kind of fine cigar he should use; something he can stick with.

(If this would help: A general profile of these high-end truck buyers is male, 45+y.o., owns his own business, born and raised here in/around central Ohio area, and he may or may not smoke...but 99% of them will smoke a fine cigar, esp. if they got for free.)

Thanks in advance for any and all help.

[daniel boob]

I'm with you - Padron's can't be beat.

[Tijeras_Slim]

I have had good luck with CAO Gold, Montecristo, La Gloria Cubana, and Gurkha. It might be good to have several varieties available, such a a mild Connecticut Shade wrapper cigar, and some spicier maduros.

[ContemptofCourt]

Good lord, no. I can't get away with that.

I started with humidors, and then ran out of space. So I moved into tuppadors (the big "tupperware" things). Then I ran out of space so I moved into cooladors (the big marine coolers).

Also have a frigador. As long as the container holds humidity and a constant temp, it works for me.

[cinFLA]

You might consider another gift for your non-smoking customers.

[wardaddy]

I'm 44 years old and have been smoking at least one big cigar per day for about 10 years. I usually buy the double corona sizes and cut them in half with my large cutter and then have two 45 minute robusto smokes for the price of one.

At this stage, there is really only one hand rolled long leaf brand that satisfies me (I'm having my morning smoke in my office as I type). That brand would be the La Gloria Cubana in EMS wrapper (English Market Selection). I of course do not inhale...I don't know how anyone could inhale what is arguably one of the world's strongest cigars. I do though enjoy the sting when I let in roll into my nose a bit...and they are quite salty. They are Dominican made.

I will also smoke Bauzas or Padron or Partagas if I'm out of LGCs. Of the Cubans, I really only like Sancho Panza, Bolivar, and Trinidads or maybe Cohiba. The rest although tasty are simply too light for my palate now.

I have become so used to cigars that anything but the heartiest taste grassy or straw-like to me. La Gloria Cubanas come by the box from http://www.mikescigars.com/main.cfm or http://www.jrcigars.com/ for about 3-5 dollars a stick in the big sizes. Cubans if authentic, will run you at least 10-12 dollars a stick. I have some pilot friends and truck drivers who bring them from the Registered Habana Stores outside the USA. Do not under any circumstances trust discount Cubans from any source besides the Habana stores or Davidoff or Dunhill shoppes. The rest are fakes.

The La Gloria Cubana Charlemagne stick is in my view as good a cigar as there is available on the planet. Rich, peppery, cedary, and very very pungent. I have two boxes on order from Mikes in North Miami(Bay Harbour) as we speak for 84.95/box of 25 sticks.

I hope I've been of help. Cigars are my last vice I allow myself and they are a pleasure my wife allows me to indulge.

[Pompah]

You're getting some very good advise on cigars today. I'm not an expert by any means. But if your husband wants to Truly "Impress" a client. Here's my two cents worth.:
Hoyo de Monterrey - Excaliber Number One.
Big, (Huge actually) Mild, and Fairly inexpensive. You can pick them up at "e-gars.com for under five bucks.

[wardaddy]

I bought a Don Carlos last week in a pinch out of town and it now sits in my ashtray. Too light for me now. I can remember years ago when I thought they were spectacular. Same goes for OpusX. Fine cigars to be sure although over-priced. My palate has simply gotten acclimated to the La Gloria Cubana. Bauza (of Oscar Bourchin fame is a close second).

Regards.

[wardaddy]

The Padron Anniversario is a fine stick. Box pressed and all. I met the father and son at their factory on SW 8th st in Miami a few years back. They were very very nice and showed me around their warehouse. The old man was quite old, I hope he is still with us.

I have a soft spot for conservative Cuban expatriot patriots. Big Time.

[wardaddy]

A nod to your Bauza and Padron picks. I'm still a La Gloria Cubana fanatic but those two are fine smokes to be sure.

[wardaddy]

I have a big antique wood and glass humidor that holds 200 boxes and several nice small wooden humidors. The smaller wooden ones will do fine and can be purchased online on sale for less than 100 bucks. Get a nice humidifier device and a digital temp/humidity reader. Some already come with those.

I have a collection of old smokes from the past 10 years including Cubans etc. I just let them age. Cigars will age indefinitely given proper care and they get much richer in taste.

I hate to bring this up but one of the world's greatest cigar collections is held by Al Goldstein of Porno fame. He is a despicable charlatan but he has a cigar selection to drool over. I would imagine Google could find some articles on his walk in humidor and 1000s of boxes of vintage Cubans and whatnot but you'll have to wade thru a lot of trash if you type in his name to be sure...LOL.

[wardaddy]

Quite right....everyone doesn't share my palate. Macanudos are always good for newbies. They are rather bland to me but very well made. They crown them very very well.

[wtc911]

Try thompsoncigar.com. They are based in Tampa and have a terrific selection and a great catalogue. I order both A Fuentes Double Chateau and H Upman Churchills from them. They deliver quickly and the cigars are always fresh. Both of these cigars are medium strength. They are not so strong that they will turn off the occassional puffer but they have enough body and character to please the daily smoker.

[wardaddy]

Mike's isn't carrying Padron either now. I know Thompson has them....maybe an exclusive for big online sales?

[wtc911]

Why am I not surprised that you know your way around cigars? I get mine from Nat Sherman in NYC or via the mail from Thompson Cigars in Tampa. My taste runs a little milder than yours.....Now how do you feel about single malts?

[wardaddy]

Lew's house brand Ultimate Presidente is indeed a good buy. I like them from time to time myself. Nice rich smoke.

[wardaddy]

The Excaliber #1 used to be my fav before I moved up to La Glorias. I liked Punch Chateau Ls and Grand Crus too. Nice strong filler and binders with a smooth but light CSW. Good price too. Nice Honduran smokes.

[sinkspur]

I used to order from Thompson, but find that JR or Mike's beats him on price substantially.

Also, Thompson's house brands are awful. Tried two boxes of different kinds and both were packed so tightly I couldn't draw; had to return them.

As far as humidors go, prefer Tupperware; I've got 25 or 30 different large Tupperware containers and can let them go for a couple of months without checking the humidity.

[wtc911]

I'll try Mike's. I travel to Montreal about 15 times a year on business. I'm always tempted to pick up some cubans but I figure that the quality difference is probably non-existant by now and I don't want to put any of my $$ into their pockets.....so I bring my own.

[AppyPappy]

That brand would be the La Gloria Cubana in EMS wrapper (English Market Selection).

Excellent choice. I have never had a bad LGC. They get MUCH better with age.

[AppyPappy]

Also, Thompson's house brands are awful

You are much too kind. Horrid, wretched dog rockets of the worst kind.

I have a Tuppedor of my own. Works wonderfully. I still have some AF 858's that I bought when my son was due. Note: He is 6 now.