Cigar Night Start Up ideas?

[ccd1977]

Brothers! I have had some people come up to me and want to create a steady cigar night. However, they are new and don't know what to get. They do however like my suggestions. I have a good group and need some advice.

We usually meet up at my crib and that means we all car pool to Corona and get cigars and stay there. However, I want to host this at my home so everyone can bring their bottles over to save money and I have a buddy with a firepit for the Fall. OK.

So here is my question. Being on a tight budget with emergency dental work, I am getting by on about $20 per week. Now I want to buy a selection of cigars for the brothers that show up so we don't have to go to Corona. So! What would you all suggest I do on my budget? Oh, BTW, I am open to cheap cigar choices. No shame here.

 

[StogieNinja]

You want to provide cigars for your friends, and you have a total weekly budget of $20?

I admire your generosity of spirit, but I think you may need to accept that it wouldn't be prudent for you to treat everyone to cigars if you're not able to pay for basic necessities.

Unless I'm reading that wrong and your budget is $20 allocated for just cigars, in which case, it would depend on how many cigars you need to purchase with that $20.

 

[squaresoft]

yeah, if you have such a small amount of money to live on its probably best to use it to live lol...

on the other hand it sounds like everyone in the group usually bought their own stuff at the cigar shop so would it be out of the question for everyone in the group to supply like 5 bucks to put in a party night fund? that way you can still have the cigar night without killing your own finances.

 

[ccd1977]

You want to provide cigars for your friends, and you have a total weekly budget of $20?

I admire your generosity of spirit, but I think you may need to accept that it wouldn't be prudent for you to treat everyone to cigars if you're not able to pay for basic necessities.

Unless I'm reading that wrong and your budget is $20 allocated for just cigars, in which case, it would depend on how many cigars you need to purchase with that $20.

I figured that. Right now its only 6 people. The idea is to buy cigars and have them throw like $4 or $5 per stick. It would not to make a profit at all. It would be either at price or cheaper.

 

[ccd1977]

yeah, if you have such a small amount of money to live on its probably best to use it to live lol...

on the other hand it sounds like everyone in the group usually bought their own stuff at the cigar shop so would it be out of the question for everyone in the group to supply like 5 bucks to put in a party night fund? that way you can still have the cigar night without killing your own finances.

This is an allowance too. This does not cut into living expenses.

I was thinking about that. I would also need to get a cutter, punch and torch. Any suggestion on these items that is cheap but will last me. LIke cutters around me are $10 for a cheap plastic junk. I don't want to keep spending money on stuff like that.

 

[squaresoft]

the perfect cutter is allegedly very good and has a lifetime warranty if i recall correctly for 20 bucks.
https://www.cubancrafters.com/cuban-crafters-perfect-cigar-cutters-cuts-the-exact-amount-off-all-ring-sizes/?gclid=Cj0KEQjwi_W9BRD_3uio_Jz-p8UBEiQANU80vv8gfVB7dPUVhrkYSop5MzoEGztbibdnmTUbhUNajxQaAoSg8P8HAQ

additionally ronson lighters are insanely cheap (like 4 bucks) but theyre a bit of a crap shoot because sometimes they just stop working after a few days. There are cheap torch lighters you can though too for like 15 bucks that are reliable.

 

[ccd1977]

OK. I will look into these options.

The Cuban crafters site looks like they have some cheaper cigars. Are they any good?

 

[StogieNinja]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Cuban-Crafters-Perfect-Cigar-Cutter-Exact-Cut-All-Ring-Sizes-/262591019005?hash=item3d23a4f7fd:g:3wMAAOSw6n5XvKil
$15 cutter, and it's one I use on a regular basis. I keep that and a Ronson in my car, and they work great. Been using them for a couple years now. For under $20, you're set on a quality cutter and a good torch lighter.

The Cuban crafters site looks like they have some cheaper cigars. Are they any good?

I wouldn't bother with them. Too many other great options in the $4-5 price range. Check out cigarmonster.com at 8am and 8pm for the "monster mash up"; lots of quality sticks in the $4-5/stick price range. I would look for Fuente, Padron, Crowned Head (Four Kicks, Four Kicks Black Belt, i think possibly Jericho Hill), Drew Estate (Undercrown, Nica Rustica); you can often get a fiver of one of those quality brands for $19-25.

 

[squaresoft]

no idea, ive never even looked on that site aside from the cutter to be honest. the cheapest I go when i buy sticks is probably in the 5-6 dollar range. stuff like AFuente 858, padron delicias/2000, CAO la traviata, Diesel unholy cocktail, brickhouse, etc

 

[ccd1977]

Ok. I will take a look at all these suggestions! Thank you


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[Ga Gator]

For cutters buy the cheap single blade guillotine cutters, they last a good while till the razor blade gets dull and they only cost a few bucks.

Offer matches get the cedar ones from the cigar stores everytime you buy a cigar and soon you will have plenty. Lighting a cigar with a few matches is a lost art. Clip the head after roasting the cigar till it's lit. Nothing wrong with a soft flame for lighting and or touch ups.

I would start your cigar nights as BYO let them bring their own cigars and drinks. You are providing a space to meet and they will be saving money, no reason you have to furnish smokes and drinks. In a short time after the group begins to find their way there will be plenty of sharing from all the people in the group.

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[ccd1977]

I am totally down with BYO. However, many of these guys are new to cigars and don't know what to get so I go with them. Eventually this will change.

 

[Ga Gator]

But finding your way (and taste / palate) is the fun part of the cigar hobby.

I can't tell you the amount of shitty cigars I've tried in the past 20 years. That how I've found my favorites by trying them all.

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[ccd1977]

Good point. I will start encouraging them to explore.

 

[Craig Mac]

IMO, what you are doing is more about the friends getting together and having a cigar. Personally, I would take that $20 and get the basics like chips, dip, soda/water, ice, throw away cups and grab a shit load of napkins next time you go to McDonalds . Let them know you've got the basics and tell the guys to BYO on the cigars and alcohol. If you feel you need to guide them a bit then just head over to the shop and grab cigars and come back home, nothing wrong with a grab and go from a local shop.

 

[knw247]

You may consider having each person buy the equivalent of one cigar for each person. Each week you all smoke the same cigar and share notes on what you like or don't like about the cigars. This will allow you each to help each other with learning what you like, what you dislike and why. By doing this, everyone is basically buying their own cigars and learning to share the share. You could also just have a list of readily available cigars from the local B&M and then have everyone bring the same stick and do as mentioned above. Each week you decide what next weeks stick will be and everyone goes out an gets that.

My personal recommendation is if your only have a $20 a week cigar budget, only smoke 1 or 2 good smokes. Smoking 5-7 crap sticks will not be as enjoyable. Remember, "Life is short.. don't smoke crap". If your entire discretionary budget is $20 a week, you may consider holding off on getting into cigars. Other things you could be doing with that money...

Good luck.

 

[ccd1977]

Thank you all for your help. Everyone here is legit! thanks.