Wedding Smokes

[Cubatabaco]

I'm getting married in a couple of months and, of course, I plan to have a cigar bar. I've been debating on what to buy and can't make up my mind, so I thought I'd ask for a little feedback.

I'm thinking about get 2 boxes, possibly 1 of them being an NC, but it doesn't have to be. I don't want to go too overboard as some people with probably take them just because they are free, light it up, and throw most of it away.

I'm drawn more to tubos as they are easy to carry and won't be picked up and cracked by clumsy hands. What is smoking good in tubos these days? Bolivar, Romeo, Partagas?

Tell me what you think!

[Bunner]

Congrats! The only suggestion I have is to set aside a defined time! Weddings are crazy busy and time is short. Go with a robusto (a reasonably sized cigar time wise) maybe and your favorite brand.

 

 

[WillEd11]

I've been in charge of getting boxes for people's weddings over the last year or so. Here is what I've taken... and what was enjoyed the most... what caused issues... and what I've learned:

1. HdM Epicure Especial, Siglo IV, Upmann Connie #1, Monte #2, Monte #4, Series D4, HdM Ep #2

1. Smoke the cigars on Friday before/during/after the rehearsal dinner. Finding time to smoke a cigar during the wedding has proven to be difficult. Between the groom always being busy, eating, dancing... etc... it was hard to find a time that someone could spend an hour enjoying a smoke. We pissed off more than one bride heading out to smoke after the wedding dinner was served and eaten. We basically delayed the dance floor being full of people for about an hour and would cause a pissed off bride to come yell at the wedding party.

2. While everyone is into Cubans because they are Cubans... not everyone loves cigars or wants to smoke an entire cigar. I've found that even a robosto can be too large for most non-enthusiasts. Because of this, I've found that the Petite Corona is the perfect size. Slow smokers can get up to an hour... quick smokers can take >30 minutes. Just seems like the perfect fit. Over the course of 6 weddings... I the Montecristo #4 was the most popular. It was also the cheapest cigar that I passed out at any wedding. A real home run. I will continue to bring these out as they seem to be perfect for everyone involved.

Hope that you find what you're looking for... but the advice above is what we've learned during the 2015/2016 season. Have a great wedding!

-WillEd11

[Corylax18]

I would agree that a shorter format is perfect, and I love Monte 4s, so I would definitely second that recommendation. Unfortunately they don't come tubed. Time always goes by very quickly during weddings so getting in a DC or the like is probably not going to happen. Romeo has a good selection of smaller cigars in tubos( Romeo No 1, 2, and 3 as well as the short and wide churchills), same with Bolivar(Boli Tubos No 1, 2, 3 and the royal corona), fewer for Partagas ( Coronas Jr and Sr, or Partagas De Luxe). 

[Cubatabaco]

Thank you guys for the feedback! Keep it coming. I had leaned toward a smaller format and I don't see myself getting a chance to smoke one at all. These are just for the guests. Monte #4's have never failed me, but didn't know how the recent production tubos were smoking. RyJ may be my go-to as the presentation is nice and most people know the name. I wanted to keep it reasonably priced for the ones that don't smoke a lot and the many that will just toss them after a few puffs.  

Thank you for the best wishes as well!

[Fugu]

In order to make sure they don't throw most of it away, skip the NC offering...

 

Seriously, it doesn't need going overboard (cost-wise) - better offer a smaller format, but offer quality. Preferably with some age on it. If you are indeed going for two boxes, which is a good idea, offer one Minuto (or PC as a maximum) for the non(-regular) smokers and a larger format for those who will appreciate a smoke and take the time (not all guests will be permanently on the dancefloor).

It's the day of your lifetime - invest in two sound, quality boxes, and if some sticks are indeed being tossed and "wasted", so be it. Perhaps you'll be able to draw a few of your mates into our passion.

 

P.S. - and I'd abstain from tubos. When too fresh they can be underperforming burn-wise.

[Cubatabaco]

2 minutes ago, Fugu said:

In order to make sure they don't throw most of it away, skip the NC offering...

 

Seriously, it doesn't need going overboard (cost-wise) - better offer a smaller format, but offer quality. Preferably with some age on it. If you are indeed going for two boxes, which is a good idea, offer one Minuto (or PC as a maximum) for the non(-regular) smokers and a larger format for those who will appreciate a smoke and take the time (not all guests will be permanently on the dancefloor).

It's the day of your lifetime - invest in two sound, quality boxes, and if some sticks are indeed being tossed and "wasted", so be it. Perhaps you'll be able to draw a few of your mates into our passion.

 

P.S. - and I'd abstain from tubos. When too fresh they can be underperforming burn-wise.

Good advice!

These boxes are primarily for the guests. I plan on purchasing a Sept '16 box when they come available to smoke on my anniversary. I'll end up smoking something vintage with my friends. Thank you for your input brother! It's always a pleasure to pull another person in to the lovely world of cigars! 

[raymond5737]

Most people don't know their ass from a hole in the ground about cigars, much less Cuban cigars.

I was offended once when I gave one to a guy that lit it up, took a few puffs and ground it out on

the ground like it was a cigarette. I'd suggest a box of Oliva Series V robustos, you wont be sorry.

Make sure that you have them rested for a week or two.

[PapaDisco]

While the temptation is to go with something truly celebratory like a Churchill or Double Corona, WillEd raises a very good point about fitting things into the evening.  If there were a way to specifically choreograph in a 45 minute cigar segment that would be ideal: after dinner, after the intro dances, etc., but you're still stuck with not leaving the bride on her own for an hour (unless there's a bride + bridesmaids something you can invent).  

I would skip the tubo altogether.  It encourages the faux pas of people taking a cigar to smoke later, rather than sharing the moment with the guys at the wedding party.

Go with two boxes of under $200/box cigars: PSD4, Punch Punch, Upmann PC or Monte 4.  May not be a bad idea to get two different formats.

Congratulations on the engagement!  

[demer]

I asked this question for my wedding and the answer I got back was not to smoke anything crazy because of how busy wedding are and you wont have time to enjoy it. 

[zeedubbya]

PSD4s and either RYJ Petite Coronas or Montecristo 4s (as mentioned before) If it's a large wedding I would add a Montecristo 5.  All of these are smoking awesome fresh right now IMO.  If you want to hand a few Tubos out to more important people (read wedding party and/or known cigar smokers) at the event get 9-15 CORO Tubos. The presentation on them is outstanding I think, but I wouldn't put them in a cigar bar.  Just my opinion.  Congrats!  Most importantly have fun! 

 

[Cubatabaco]

1 hour ago, zeedubbya said:

PSD4s and either RYJ Petite Coronas or Montecristo 4s (as mentioned before) If it's a large wedding I would add a Montecristo 5.  All of these are smoking awesome fresh right now IMO.  If you want to hand a few Tubos out to more important people (read wedding party and/or known cigar smokers) at the event get 9-15 CORO Tubos. The presentation on them is outstanding I think, but I wouldn't put them in a cigar bar.  Just my opinion.  Congrats!  Most importantly have fun! 

 

Thank you, Zee! I like the idea of the CoRo tubos. The wedding is going to be around 135-150 people. It's going to be an evening wedding, with a very relaxed atmosphere. I'm not a dancer....at all...and won't be on the dance floor except for the 2 dances I have to do, but will spend most of my time with friends while enjoying cigars. My fiancé already know this much...lol.

2 hours ago, PapaDisco said:

While the temptation is to go with something truly celebratory like a Churchill or Double Corona, WillEd raises a very good point about fitting things into the evening.  If there were a way to specifically choreograph in a 45 minute cigar segment that would be ideal: after dinner, after the intro dances, etc., but you're still stuck with not leaving the bride on her own for an hour (unless there's a bride + bridesmaids something you can invent).  

I would skip the tubo altogether.  It encourages the faux pas of people taking a cigar to smoke later, rather than sharing the moment with the guys at the wedding party.

Go with two boxes of under $200/box cigars: PSD4, Punch Punch, Upmann PC or Monte 4.  May not be a bad idea to get two different formats.

Congratulations on the engagement!  

Much appreciated, Disco!

My fiancé knows what cigars mean to me and actually suggested the cigar bar. I think she'll let me enjoy my friends, especially the ones who are flying in, for the time it takes to smoke a "good cigar". I may smoke what I supply for the guests as to not seem too snobbish and smoke my good sticks the night before.

[Ethernut]

Some great advice here.. Mine would be to go inexpensive. A couple boxes of Monte #4 would be be ticket. Most of them won't be connoisseurs and won't know the difference. Perhaps 1 box of Monte 4's and one along the line of Quintero Favorito's for putting out and a couple more expensive singles hidden for your friends that may enjoy it more. Most people will light up, take a few puffs and toss them on the low-low. 

[luv2fly]

^This.  And congrats!  Coming up on my 3 year in November.

[MrGlass]

If I went to a wedding and they had a cigar bar with Monte 4's I would be so happy.

Don't forget to go cheap with multiple cutters and lighters too. Those things have an uncanny ability to grow legs and wander.

[Cubatabaco]

 

2 hours ago, ethernut said:

Some great advice here.. Mine would be to go inexpensive. A couple boxes of Monte #4 would be be ticket. Most of them won't be connoisseurs and won't know the difference. Perhaps 1 box of Monte 4's and one along the line of Quintero Favorito's for putting out and a couple more expensive singles hidden for your friends that may enjoy it more. Most people will light up, take a few puffs and toss them on the low-low. 

I think you and I are on the same page! 

57 minutes ago, MrGlass said:

If I went to a wedding and they had a cigar bar with Monte 4's I would be so happy.

Don't forget to go cheap with multiple cutters and lighters too. Those things have an uncanny ability to grow legs and wander.

Great idea! I completely forgot about this.

2 hours ago, luv2fly said:

^This.  And congrats!  Coming up on my 3 year in November.

Thanks brother! And congrats to you!

[luv2fly]

Thanks!

[JohnS]

8 hours ago, Cubatabaco said:

I'm getting married in a couple of months and, of course, I plan to have a cigar bar. I've been debating on what to buy and can't make up my mind, so I thought I'd ask for a little feedback.

I'm thinking about get 2 boxes, possibly 1 of them being an NC, but it doesn't have to be. I don't want to go too overboard as some people with probably take them just because they are free, light it up, and throw most of it away.

I'm drawn more to tubos as they are easy to carry and won't be picked up and cracked by clumsy hands. What is smoking good in tubos these days? Bolivar, Romeo, Partagas?

Tell me what you think!

Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials.

7 hours ago, raymond5737 said:

Most people don't know their ass from a hole in the ground about cigars, much less Cuban cigars.

I was offended once when I gave one to a guy that lit it up, took a few puffs and ground it out on

the ground like it was a cigarette. I'd suggest a box of Oliva Series V robustos, you wont be sorry.

Make sure that you have them rested for a week or two.

I have to agree with Raymond. This is what some guests did at my wife's birthday celebration a few years ago. I recommend you to expect a few guests to throw away perfectly good cigars but don't let it get to you, just enjoy the day!

[DrunkenMonkey]

My favorite cigar for sharing a whole box with a lot of people, many of whom may not have had many cigars:

Hoyo de Monterrey Palmas Extra

Its not expensive, it's quite mild, and it's a nice size; not too big in case people ditch them.  Then for the people who really do like cigars, have something else for them. Everyone's happy.  

[dvickery]

Ray

partagas coronas junior ... Cheap and pretty good smoke for novices yet not to cheesy for experienced smokers ... Come in a tube .

at my sons wedding ... About 85 or 90 people ... Had two boxes ready ( and a five pack of siglo I's ) went through 23 cigars from the box and the sig I's  ... So about one in three will have a cigar .

enjoy

derrek

[Cubatabaco]

8 hours ago, dvickery said:

Ray

partagas coronas junior ... Cheap and pretty good smoke for novices yet not to cheesy for experienced smokers ... Come in a tube .

at my sons wedding ... About 85 or 90 people ... Had two boxes ready ( and a five pack of siglo I's ) went through 23 cigars from the box and the sig I's  ... So about one in three will have a cigar .

enjoy

derrek

Awesome! This sounds like the route I want to take.

Thanks, Derrek!

[tsolomon]

My daughter got married last year and I put out a box of the Monte Petit Edmundo and a box of the H. Upmann PCs.  My wife was worried about people spending too much time smoking cigars and this worked out well.  I will second the suggestion on cheap cutters and lighters and maybe some cigar ashtrays as well.  I never found the time to go smoke myself, but I did end up with at least half a box of each left over.

[gangstarrrrr]

Box of Monte 4s and Party Short/Monte 5s would give a good selection at a reasonable cost.

[Troels]

Id choose something mild and yet of a quality that is a good ambassador for the hobby - as Reyes and hdm epi 2 - but despite  discontinuations there still many alternatives 

[yhomas]

For a good low cost NC, consider the (Honduran) Punch Punch "London Club (Corona) (5.0"x40)".  I am no expert, but IMO, these would fit in plausibly well with more full bodied CC.  Some people may have never smoked a cigar, so they might want something smaller and cheaper (so they don't feel guilty about wasting it).  

A box of something like these could substantially reduce the amortized cost per cigar, thus allowing a CC selection of something more expensive (perhaps larger) for those who might better appreciate it.