A great starter cigar?

[Altercall]

OK, so I've got a very good friend getting married in two weeks and he wants a cigar, and not just any cigar, he wants a good cigar, something around $20 or so. I thought he had used to smoke cigars with some of us when we were in college, but he was never in town when we were smokin. He said all he's had is stuff like Swisher Sweets (spit). So, I've been asking some of my cigar guys what to get him.

I had wanted to just give him a Hemingway, but if I go there I'll have to find a Masterpiece. I've thought about a 160, too, but I was hoping there was something better out there. One thing I was told might be good is a LA Preferidos Cameroon. I was also told by one guy to get a Padron 26 Nattie, which I have in the humi, but I figure it couldn't be too much lighter than the Maddie, right? Anyway, what out of those, or others, would you guys suggest?

 

[Greg]

I'd go with the Hemi.

 

[smokey the bear]

If he doesn't smoke too much I would get him an Ashton Puro Sol. This is a really flavorful cigar but it is not over powering. Plus I would concider it a "nice" cigar.

 

[MichiganM]

If it's a larger 26, I'd go with that. I'm not sure which size you were speaking of. The #35 doesn't develop fully.

 

[Altercall]

I'd say it's pretty big, it's a #1.

 

[jwintosh]

if he's that new to cigars, i think a padron anni will flatten him. maybe, a couple of af short storys,,, or a hemi maduro if you can find one!

jeff

 

[Altercall]

That's what I though about the 26, but the old cigar guy thought it might be OK. I would think the Hemi Maduro would be too much, too. I've got 5 in the humi, but I haven't tried any of them yet.

 

[tubaman]

Why not one of the AVOs? They are on the lighter side for a novice smoker.

 

[ezrider]

Good call Tuba....................

 

[RX2010]

if he wants an expensive cigar that's not gonna kill him, what about a Davidoff?

 

[Altercall]

Never had one, how are they Tim?

 

[RX2010]

I've never had one either, mainly due to the price, but they're known for being mild, flavorful, and overpriced. Which more or less is what your friend wants.

I'm sure they're available locally somewhere in your area

 

[Donk]

Or even dry a good Dunhill, or even a Cohiba

 

[CWS]

Davidoff is an excellent starter. Mild cigar lots of prestige. Otherwise I'd give him a RyJ.

 

[kirscovitch]

cant go wrong with a VSG

 

[Boppa-Wasch]

I've had the Davidoff Series 2000 I think is was very taste and mild.

 

[Altercall]

cant go wrong with a VSG

I don't want to kill him, he is a friend. His wife would probably still taste that cigar during the wedding, and it's 2 days later.

 

[kirscovitch]

oh c'mon.... theyre not that bad..... lol

 

[Altercall]

No, but he's a weee little lad and I doubt anything would be left of him after it. If I were to go there, I might as well floor him with and Anejo, or see what he thinks of an Opus.

What Davidoffs should I look for? Is there a specialty line that's pretty good?

 

[CWS]

I always try to think of the first realy good cigar I had past the drug store crap. A very nice macanudo or RyJ Reserva Real and he will think he's in heavan. An ESG will be wasted.