Cigar Gifts From Non-Smokers

[Joeyjojo]

It was my birthday a few weeks ago and my Brother (who is a non-smoker) bought me for the first time a cigar based gift. 

A sampler of JC Newman Quorum. A very budget-friendly sampler, even for UK prices. 

I stashed them away and just remembered them today and decided to fire one up. Nothing too bad. Pretty bland but not completely off-putting and for the money I could see folks having these as a 'yard' cigar. (And the taste is certainly being helped by the Kopper Kettle bourbon I'm drinking ) 

So I was wondering what are some of your hits and misses when it comes to cigar gifts from non-smoking friends/family members?

 

 

[Chibearsv]

I've received a few clunkers but I'll keep my post positive.

My father who has never smoked anything got me this NC Montecristo sampler for a birthday gift a couple years ago.  Shocked me that he would even try to get me some cigars.  They probably tasted better than they should have because of how much I appreciated pop's effort.

Then one of my co-workers got me this multi-function lighter for Christmas that I've used every day since.  I love it.

 

[cigcars]

     *My sister (a non-smoker) went on one of those cruise ships vacations and made the acquaintance of a "Cuban" cigar manufacturer and bought a 3 sampler pack of them. She said she smelled them first and got that barnyard odor from them and figured they'd be reasonable authentic. I smoked one and have the other two waiting in my humidor.  Not bad at all, was the first.

[RichG]

I received a cigar cutter for Christmas this year that has a fixed metal plate behind the two cutting blades. So where there is normally a hole to stick your cigar through...instead there is a metal plate. I have no idea what the deal is with this thing! I have only been smoking since cigars October 2020, so maybe I’m missing something here?

[Bijan]

3 minutes ago, RichG-LI-NY said:

I received a cigar cutter for Christmas this year that has a fixed metal plate behind the two cutting blades. So where there is normally a hole to stick your cigar through...instead there is a metal plate. I have no idea what the deal is with this thing! I have only been smoking since cigars October 2020, so maybe I’m missing something here?

I think it's a backstop to cut just the tip off. Often they have a hole in the plate, without that they're pretty useless for pyramids and figurados.

https://images.app.goo.gl/aNtJktGz4mzL39k28

 

[RichG]

That’s it, thank you! It’s godawful. I don’t want anything dictating my cut depth! I should probably upgrade from my $1 cutter for all of this excellent tobacco however.

[LordAnubis]

8 hours ago, RichG-LI-NY said:

That’s it, thank you! It’s godawful. I don’t want anything dictating my cut depth! I should probably upgrade from my $1 cutter for all of this excellent tobacco however.

To cut torpedoes or more than the standard amount, then just cut it a few times!.... Its actually how i teach newbs to cut a cigar. Put the cutter on the table, stand the cigar in the cutter, and snip. That way they don't lop off a cm and ruin the cap and then have an unravelling cigar through the experience. Works every single time...

[RedLantern]

53 minutes ago, LordAnubis said:

To cut torpedoes or more than the standard amount, then jsut cut it a few times!.... Its actually how i teach newbs to cut a cigar. Put the cutter on the table, stand the cigar in the cutter, and snip. That way they dont lop off a cm and ruin the cap and then have an unravelling cigar through the experience. Works every single time...

This reminds me of my friend who cannot, for the life of him, get the hang of smoking cigars. I've probably smoked 10-15 cigars with him over the years, and it is highly embarrassing to watch him undertake the process of cutting, lighting, and smoking. It's confusing to me as he's a very coordinated guy, not a spaz at all with anything else, but it's like watching a baby giraffe trying to walk. 

[La_Tigre]

Stinky ™️ ashtray has gobbled a number of cigars either by wet or wind. The holders are too narrow and shallow and you need the balance of a gymnast to keep them from falling into the bottomless pit. 

[mprach024]

1 hour ago, RedLantern said:

This reminds me of my friend who cannot, for the life of him, get the hang of smoking cigars. I've probably smoked 10-15 cigars with him over the years, and it is highly embarrassing to watch him undertake the process of cutting, lighting, and smoking. It's confusing to me as he's a very coordinated guy, not a spaz at all with anything else, but it's like watching a baby giraffe trying to walk. 

You know Scott too?  Small world 

[RedLantern]

What do you think it is that is such a problem? Am I just misremembering how long it took me to get the hang of it? Is it like some form of the yips?

[mprach024]

3 minutes ago, RedLantern said:

What do you think it is that is such a problem? Am I just misremembering how long it took me to get the hang of it? Is it like some form of the yips?

I think it’s a fear of looking stupid doing something in front of someone who knows what they are doing.  Out of that fear of looking stupid, they look very stupid.

[RedLantern]

You're probably right, though we have been best friends since we were 16, so I'd like to think we are beyond being self-conscious around each other!

[mprach024]

1 minute ago, RedLantern said:

You're probably right, though we have been best friends since we were 16, so I'd like to think we are beyond being self-conscious around each other!

Lol all the more reason for you to be in a position to bust his balls.  A stranger might be polite 😂

[Walter19]

Individually sealed Acids from my brother-in-law. I believe the bag as referred to as a "fresh pack".

[Chibearsv]

16 hours ago, RichG-LI-NY said:

That’s it, thank you! It’s godawful. I don’t want anything dictating my cut depth! I should probably upgrade from my $1 cutter for all of this excellent tobacco however.

Love my perfect cutter - idiot proof, ideal for me

[LordAnubis]

Regarding actually smoking, my training exercise in how to smoke a cigar is Bubbletea. Not really the drink but more that fat straw you get with it, but really any straw will do. Get a drink (even just water) and a straw. Tell the newbie to drink through the straw and pay attention to that act of drinking with a straw, how your throat closes,you create suction with your cheeks etc. That is the exact process of smoking a cigar (without inhaling any into your lungs). Ive found its worked every single time. Even for the old classic dart smokers for 30 years types, theyve got it first go without inhaling anything or going green.

[Fuzz]

13 minutes ago, LordAnubis said:

Regarding actually smoking, my training exercise in how to smoke a cigar is Bubbletea. Not really the drink but more that fat straw you get with it, but really any straw will do. Get a drink (even just water) and a straw. Tell the newbie to drink through the straw and pay attention to that act of drinking with a straw, how your throat closes,you create suction with your cheeks etc. That is the exact process of smoking a cigar (without inhaling any into your lungs). Ive found its worked every single time. Even for the old classic dart smokers for 30 years types, theyve got it first go without inhaling anything or going green.

I used a similar analogy with a friend who wanted to try smoking. She was not impressed with my description.

[gojira]

I have been lucky so far. My girlfriend gifted me cigars, a Dupont Maxijet and a very nice ashtray over the years. But she's a woman of taste, otherwise she wouldn't be with me! 😝

[Ryan]

My first trip to Cuba was a birthday present from my wife.

For the not so good. A half box of fake Montecristo No. 1 from my father-in-law. He got them from another son-in-law from a trip to Cuba 25 years ago. Of course I thanked him. Not my brother-in-law.