OT - Cigar Help

[zip]

I need some help. My dad is turning 75 next week. I am always at a loss when it come to birthady gifts for him.

I do know he enjoys capping off an evening with a bit of good port and a good cigar.

I know what port to get, but have not a clue about cigars.

Any of you know of any?

Thanks!

[Sandy]

No cigar, but happy birthday to your dad!


Sandy

[DarrenCT]

best of 2005 cigar awards

http://www.top25cigar.com/library/best_of_2005.htm

or

the cigar advisor

http://www.cigaradvisor.com/

[DarrenCT]

which serotta forum member is in this picture?

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7030/smoker32201we4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[pauly]

Here's some suggestions:

Padrons (if money is no object)

Fuente - almost any brand - typically an excellent cigar

Davidoffs - classy, expensive and many mild brands

Rocky Patels - again, almost any brand is very good.

Talk to the cigar store folks for additonal help. Another suggestion - a good cigar cutter if he doesn't have one yet.

Paul

[Too Tall]

Hun, I gave your paw a small assortment of Romeo y Julieta couple yrs. back. I picked the smaller jobs because he commented in the past his habit of standing for a smoke outside rather than smoking an entire full cigar. I can't recall the other cigar I got him. You might want to visit the cigar shop located at corner of 17th and Conn. ave. They have fantastic small assortments and will do a "mixed case" ;)

[MilanoTom]

Everybody has a different opinion on which cigar to buy if money is no object. I'll keep mine to myself.

+1 on the cutter. If you're not sure if he has one, get a cheap plastic one when you get the cigars.

I've always had good luck with JR Cigars. They've been around for 20+ years and know what they're doing. Give them a call and they'll set you up.

1-800-JRCIGAR
http://www.jrcigars.com/

In the alternative, Mike's Cigars has a lot of the same stuff, and I've had good service there as well.

1-800-962-4427
http://www.mikescigars.com/Home.aspx

Both places have prepackaged gift packs (usually 5 - 10 cigars) that may not be available at your local shop. If your dad smokes every day, then a box of 25 is fine. If it's an occasional thing, you may want to consider a gift pack or sampler pack. By the time an occasional smoker gets to the end of a box of 25, they'd be starting to get dry and stale. Under ideal conditions, cigars will stay fresh pretty much forever, but ideal conditions require a little bit of maintenance. Aluminum-tubed cigars will stay fresher under less-than-ideal conditions, and there's a pretty wide variety of those available, too.

Regards,
Tom

[M.Sommers]

Congrats, get your Dad a sweet box of cigars. They're somewhat personal. I smoke the Hoyo de Monterrey robusto (size) in double maduro (dark). They used to be $2.00 each, then during the cigar craze of the early 90's, they became $5.00 each.

A rock solid cigar, I carry two in my saddle bag in case I bump into DarrenCT at a bar:

http://www.cigars-review.org/Hoyo-de-Monterrey-de-Jose-Gener-Petit-Robusto.htm

[diiulio]

Cigars are always good. I smoke CAO Brazilian, but also like a good Punch or if you can find a Punch Rare Corojo. The problem is cigars are very personal and they can be expensive.

You can buy a 'variety pack' from on-line dealers like JR or Cigar.com. If you don't know what he likes or even if he doesn't know what he likes a variety pack is nice. Gives him an opportunity to try something new or different than what he would normally pick. I have received these a couple of times and they are always a treat.

You could also swing for a nice humidor if he keeps cigars on hand.

Jason

[MilanoTom]

I enjoy Punch and Hoyo (especially the Robusto) myself, but one possible concern is that they're both pretty strong. Someone who likes a milder cigar (such as a Macanudo) might find them a somewhat overwhelming. Do you know if your dad likes his cigars strong? Better yet, do you know what brand and/or size he currently prefers?

Regards.
Tom

PS - Regarding humidors, many (maybe 20) years ago the JR catalog (which is a hoot to read most of the time) said that 90% of humidors were crap (that's the word used, as I recall) and that the best way to keep a box of cigars fresh was to put the whole box in a big ziplock bag along with a humidrole (scroll down the linked page to see a humidrole).

http://www.updowncigar.com/catalog/index.cfm?sction=3&subsection=5

[djg21]

Congrats, get your Dad a sweet box of cigars. They're somewhat personal. I smoke the Hoyo de Monterrey robusto (size) in double maduro (dark). They used to be $2.00 each, then during the cigar craze of the early 90's, they became $5.00 each.

A rock solid cigar, I carry two in my saddle bag in case I bump into DarrenCT at a bar:

http://www.cigars-review.org/Hoyo-de-Monterrey-de-Jose-Gener-Petit-Robusto.htm

I really like the Fuente Hemingways and Fuente Short Stories. I prefer the Maduro wrappers when available, but Fuente only sells those around the holday season.

The Ashton Cabinet series is really nice too.

For a more reasonably priced cigar, I like the Hoya de Monteray Presado.

If you are in the Capital District, you might visit Habana Premium Cigar. It's website is http://store.pipesandcigars.com/index.html. Habana has a really nice selection, and the staff will can help you pick something nice.

[Ti-Boy]

There are more expensive/trendy cigars, but Padron is the ticket.

[dave thompson]

My favorite cigar is the Carlos Torano Exodus 1959. It's a rich-flavor, medium bodied, highly-rated maduro cigar that smokes well and is extremely enjoyable.
Moderately priced and relatively available at good smoke shops.

[cw05]

I was in Phoenix last week and saw this guy's shop: http://www.habanostorres.com/
He is a Cuban expat and makes them all by hand...seems interesting and something different. He also said he will ship if you call and order some.

[Smiley]

Zip, contact Bumperjohn here on our website , he owns a cigar shop down near Verizon Center and I am sure he'll hook you up very well. He knows his stogies :banana:

[johnnymossville]

Very satisfying as far as cigars go. I have one every couple years (not a big smoker, down from maybe 6-10/year). Tried many, but always return to Macanudo.

Found just about every Cuban cigar I tried when I'm in a different country totally overrated. I think the embargo mystique is their only plus.

Try the Vintage Macanudo or the Gold Label.

[bumperjohn]

Zip, contact Bumperjohn here on our website , he owns a cigar shop down near Verizon Center and I am sure he'll hook you up very well. He knows his stogies :banana:

Thanks Smiley. Drop me a pm, I will be happy to help you. If you are in the DC area better yet, stop by and see me, 640 14th st NW.

John

[Smiley]

Thanks Smiley. Drop me a pm, I will be happy to help you. If you are in the DC area better yet, stop by and see me, 640 14th st NW.

John


She (Zip) works in DC and I am sure would be happy to swing by the shop. I rode with Zap and Zip on Saturday as they were on their tandem. The cold sleet from the morning rain made us cut our ride short. Thanks Bumperjohn.

[zip]

Thank you to everyone for your help.

With all of your help I was able to provide a great surprise to my Dad.

A special thank you to BumperJohn for the personal assistance provided.

If you are ever in D.C. and in need of a very good cigar look up BumperJohn's shop, Draper W Curtis Tobacconist Incorporated.

The gift package was the following:

Gran Habano
Ashton Cabinet
Leon Jimons Cameroon
Dafidoff Geneve
Cao
AV8
The Griffins

As you can see my Dad is a very happy dude.

[Smiley]

Priceless, I think Bumperjohn has the goods if you need to put it in your pipe and smoke it :)

What Bumper man could not sneek in a Cubie in for good old dad

[trophyoftexas]

....that a Padron Anniversario didn't creep into his gift box but, you know what, that picture says it all and he looks like one-happy-cigar enjoying Dude! Cheer's to you Dad! :beer:

[bumperjohn]

Glad your dad is happy! It was a pleasure meeting you as well. The reason a Padron did not make it in to the present was due to the fact that the Anniversarios are not in cello and that was one of our criteria.

John

[trophyoftexas]

...they aren't wrapped. Next time you are in the cigar store get one of the Pyramids or larger sizes, grab a nice cup of coffee and sit and relax...they are fan-f'in-tastic! I quit smokin' about 4 years ago after a quintuple bypass and I had something like TEN boxes of those things in various humidors....well, needless to say I went to smokin' and didn't stop UNTIL they were all gone, huuuuum, can taste them now!

[sc53]

Your Dad looks very pleased with your selection! My Dad loved cigars and I used to frequent a shop near my law office bldg at 15th and F--maybe that's Bumper John's shop? Anyway he always loved Macanudos and had a particular size he also liked, not too long as it was too much for one smoke he thought. When he died in 2000, we actually buried him [ashes] in his humidor!! not kidding. It was draped with the flag and all in a full on military honors ceremony at Arlington.
Seeing the pleasure on your Dad's face reminded me of the many happy years we all had with my Dad. He certainly always appreciated a cigar box gift.

[bumperjohn]

sc53 that is my shop, we are at the corner of 14th and G.Stop by and say hi if you are back in the hood.

John

[Cdub]

This post takes me back a bit. Your dad does indeed look satisfied. I am surprised No one mentioned Montecristo #2. One of my favorites, but all the others mentioned are good too.

Great photo.