Here’s why you probably shouldn’t buy a box of cigars as a gift

[JohnS]

Briley Kenney is The Manual's resident cigar enthusiast and expert. This article is aimed more at the novice level, so read it with levity.

Here’s why you probably shouldn’t buy a box of cigars as a gift

Plus, some cigar gift ideas that would work much better for the cigar lover you know.

By Briley Kenney - November 13, 2024

JV / Unsplash

As we’re nearing the holidays and getting closer and closer to gift-giving season, I thought it would be a good idea to chat about cigars particularly, why you should probably avoid buying a box of cigars as a gift. Now, before we get into it, I should add that this will not apply to everyone. There are instances where giving your favorite cigar person a box of cigars would be a fantastic idea. If you decide to go through with it, good on you. It’s always going to work best when you know the recipient well — which is one of the reasons why I say avoid buying a box of cigars as a gift.

Nevertheless, it’s a better option to buy a cigar sampler, pick out a few single cigars that you know the recipient likes, or just opt for cigar accessories to gift instead. Let’s get into it.

Why you should probably avoid buying a box of cigars as a gift

Darling Arias / Unsplash

Simply put, no two cigars are alike. Through the sorcery of master blenders and flavor gurus, cigar makers blend entirely unique experiences in every cigar. In fact, even cigars that use the same tobacco configurations can have totally different flavors. The soil, the region where the tobacco is grown, the curing and fermentation process, and even the rolling can all influence the experience a smoker has when they get their hands on that cigar. Why do you care?

Think of cigars as you would food, sweets, or even candy. Every cigar has a unique flavor profile. Some will be bitter, others sweet, and the flavors you pick up — from nuttiness to cream or chocolate — are all different. Cigar smokers tend to migrate toward a particular experience. Cuban cigar lovers, for example, like distinct flavor profiles in those types of cigars. New-world cigar smokers tend to like different flavors. Over time, your palate grows more sophisticated and changes, but the real point is that everybody likes something different.

When you buy a box of cigars, you’re getting anywhere from ten to 20 cigars, sometimes more. But they’re all identical. If you gift a cigar smoker a box of cigars and they don’t like that cigar, the flavors, or the blend, that’s a huge waste. Now, it’s not that the recipient won’t be grateful — the cigar community is wonderful, so I’m willing to bet any cigar smoker would love the thought. But unless you know your recipient’s favorite cigar brand or label, you’ll want to avoid buying a box of cigars as a gift. Plus, they can be pretty expensive.

What do I get a cigar enthusiast as a gift?

Valiant Made / Unsplash

If buying a cigar box as a gift is a bad idea, what should you get your resident cigar lovers this holiday season? It’s a valid question.

Here are some quick ideas:

• Get them a gift card to their favorite online cigar retailers.
• Buy them a sampler from any of the online retailers.
• Buy them accessories such as lighters — torch lighters work best — ashtrays, brand merch, and other gear.
• Find them a custom piece like personalized lighters, ashtrays or even drinking glasses.
• Think about buying them a small travel humidor, also called a Herf-a-dor, or a leather cigar case.

If you decide to go with a sampler, or you want to grab a few cigar singles to gift, make sure you talk to your recipient beforehand — or someone who knows them well. You’ll still want to plan your gift around what kind of cigars they like.

Are cigar boxes a bad gift, then?

Briley Kenney / The Manual

Not always, no. It depends on the recipient, how much you know about them, and whether or not you know what kind of cigars they prefer.

The world of cigars is vast and there are many, many, many brands, labels, types, and experiences to choose from. Even down to the vitola, the size of the cigar, and that also affects the flavors and experience. Some people like a particular vitola over others. For instance, I tend to prefer robusto and toro vitolas. Others, like a bigger ring gauge size 60 or greater. Some like a short and sweet cigar they can finish in under an hour. It really just depends on the person.

If you’re going to buy a box of cigars as a gift then definitely take some time to get to know your recipient’s preferences better, if you don’t already. The other reason I caution against buying a box of cigars is that if it’s a particular blend the smoker has never had, the same thing might happen. They might try one or two and discover they don’t like the cigar. That’s a lot of cigars to waste if that were to happen. Sure, they can always gift them to someone else, but some people don’t like when that happens.

All I’m saying is, to keep the fact in mind that there’s a chance you could buy a whole box and the recipient won’t like them. I know it’s not always smart to predicate an idea on “what if” scenarios, but cigar boxes are expensive and there are so many different kinds, I really just think there are better cigar gifts to give. That’s all.

Source: https://www.themanual.com/culture/dont-buy-box-of-cigars-for-gift-heres-why/

[RDB]

I think this advice applies in general to lovely, well-intentioned but non-expert friends buying the thing their obsessed, nerdy friend really loves, knows too much about, and has a collection of.

[JohnS]

Absolutely @RDB, I agree. 

[raggie]

I’m just going to gift all my friends empty boxes instead. That way they can’t be disappointed in the sticks!

[Duxnutz]

It might make them lose Global Entry as well! Ask me how I know. 

[BoliDan]

I always have to remind people not to get me cigars. I've told my wife over and over, and then one Christmas she got me a box of Cohibas... Red dots. I couldn't react disappointed but she could tell and said I thought you liked Cohibas, and then had explain General Cigars vs CCs. She never got them again, but I did reluctantly smoke about 5 so she could see and pretended they were decent.

[Chitmo]

For the record, if anyone was thinking of getting me a box of CCs for Christmas I’m perfectly okay with that. 😜 

[MickVanWinkle]

I don’t drink so I get gifted A LOT of cigars…typically from non-smokers. It is a really nice thought, but I do try to drop hints about my discerning palate, as they often miss the mark.

Fortunately my wife has finally taken the hint. Occasionally I’ll inform her about something that pops up on 24:24 and she’ll kindly ask me to buy myself a gift.

[nKostyan]

On 11/16/2024 at 1:45 PM, BoliDan said:

I've told my wife over and over, and then one Christmas she got me a box of Cohibas...Red dots.

You should be happy, because otherwise you would have received a fake with 99% probability.

 

[Chibearsv]

Honestly, I'm fine with cigar gifts.  Good or bad, CC or NC, I will appreciate the thought and will certainly give them a try.  My father shocked me (in a good way) with an Ashton sampler one year and I really enjoyed them all.  The article almost implies that a receiver of cigars only wants his favorites.  I don't expect anyone is wrapping a box of legit Esplendidos or Sig VI for me, but that's fine, I'll take any cigar I get as a gift with genuine gratitude.

[BoliDan]

13 hours ago, nKostyan said:

You should be happy, because otherwise you would have received a fake with 99% probability.

True