Gift to a connoisseur?

[Peter11216]

Suppose you are to have dinner with a cigar connoisseur. You know nothing about this person, but that he or she is a connoisseur of cigars. You have no idea what kind of cigar this person likes. Given that it is important to you that you make a good impression, showing what kind of person you are, what box do you present after the meal is over? And more importantly, why do you choose what you choose?

Thanks,

Pete

[Firewiz25]

Since you don't know their type of smoke you have to take something that you know most everyone likes. I recommend Cohiba Sig II, just my .02.

[tsolomon]

Take something you like, something you think is good. I think that most cigar connoisseurs enjoy smoking different cigars and you might find it difficult to come up with something special. I would probably bring a selection of cigars to share, but if I had to pick a box it would depend on what I had on hand that was smoking well. These three boxes would probably be at the top of my list.

Cohiba Robusto

Cohiba Sig IV

H.Upmann Mag 46

[Puros Y Vino]

If he / she is a connoisseur one could assume that this person has been smoking cigars for quite some time. Anything you could pull out of your humidor you can bet they have as well. What you'll want to present is something that is truly rare and can take them back in time.

You pull out one of the following. Descending in terms of $$'s.

A Cuban Davidoff (any brand)

A Cuban Dunhill. (any brand)

An aged Cuban. Maybe pre "Cigar Boom" (1992?) Preferably a classic marca: Cohiba, Montecristo, Partagas, Bolivar..etc.

A highly sought after LE or RE. Ie Cohiba Pyramides or a Montecristo Sublime.

If that person you are hosting is a true connoisseur. They'll appreciate your offering.

[dochowl]

Easy choice... Partagas used to make a cigar specifically for this purpose... Serie du Connaisseur #1, 2 or 3. Simply pick the size you like the best and you are good to go. With a cigar specifically designed for the connaisseur, you can't go wrong.

[Colt45]

....showing what kind of person you are....

A box of SmithRodrigo customs

And more importantly, why do you choose what you choose?

cuz i'm low rent

[tmac77]

Depends on who's paying for the dinner.

[laficion]

First, I would be sure of myself, Second, if he's a true cigar connoisseur, he would be curious about any cigar that he would be offered.

As for me, I'd offer a box of what I like and that represents me the best.

Box of HdM Epicure No.1

Box of SLR Series A

They may not be the very best but far from being the worse but above all, they would leave a lot of room for conversation between

two cigar lovers and would be enough to enjoy a great dinner between two epicurean.

NOW, as for the wines, I wou'...d...............................OK, OK, I guess that's another story.

[Habanakane21]

A box of SmithRodrigo customs

cuz i'm low rent

BINGO!

[warren516]

You're planning on giving a box of cigars to someone who you are having dinner with. I would hope that this person is either a really good friend or someone who's been a mentor to you. After all, you're giving them a present worth a minimum of $200.

If he's a movie buff - you could go with a Fuete Opus X Lost City.

The story behind this cigar: "The Lost City", starring and directed by Andy Garcia, was partially filmed on location at Chateau de la Fuente in the Dominican Republic. In order to help Andy Garcia shoot his movie, Carlito Fuente planted tobacco in the off-season. Harvested and aged for five years, Carlito used the same super-premium tobaccos that starred in "The Lost City" to create his new, uber-limited edition Fuente Fuente OpusX the Lost City cigars. A full bodied smoke with more complexity than we've ever tasted, Fuente Fuente OpusX the Lost City cigars come packaged in ten-count boxes complete with an individual serial number, and a certificate of authenticity. At the request of Andy Garcia, a portion of the proceeds from these cigars will be donated to the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation.

[Habanakane21]

Take something you like, something you think is good. I think that most cigar connoisseurs enjoy smoking different cigars and you might find it difficult to come up with something special. I would probably bring a selection of cigars to share, but if I had to pick a box it would depend on what I had on hand that was smoking well. These three boxes would probably be at the top of my list.

Cohiba Robusto

Cohiba Sig IV

H.Upmann Mag 46

I agree with you. A connoisseur would want to smoke something you're familiar with. A cigar that you can discuss in depth. For me it would be a cigar that I've smoked boxes and boxes of and through out a span of 10 years. So that would be 2 cigars for me. Bolivar Royal Coronas and HDM No.2.

[anacostiakat]

First, I would be sure of myself, Second, if he's a true cigar connoisseur, he would be curious about any cigar that he would be offered.

As for me, I'd offer a box of what I like and that represents me the best.

Box of HdM Epicure No.1

Box of SLR Series A

They may not be the very best but far from being the worse but above all, they would leave a lot of room for conversation between

two cigar lovers and would be enough to enjoy a great dinner between two epicurean.

NOW, as for the wines, I wou'...d...............................OK, OK, I guess that's another story.

What? No pastrami? Sadly I fear you are slipping

[Ken Gargett]

Suppose you are to have dinner with a cigar connoisseur. You know nothing about this person, but that he or she is a connoisseur of cigars. You have no idea what kind of cigar this person likes. Given that it is important to you that you make a good impression, showing what kind of person you are, what box do you present after the meal is over? And more importantly, why do you choose what you choose?

Thanks,

Pete

as ridiculous as i'm sure many of us think it is, if your friend is american, it may be worth considering his political sensibilities. he may not be pleased to be given a cuban product - or he may be utterly delighted. might be worth thinking about tho if he does love cigars, you'd hope he'd be fine.

[laficion]

What? No pastrami? Sadly I fear you are slipping

Jim, of course if this person is a real connoisseur, we would be dinning at KATZ's

and enjoying a great PASTRAMI..............................................What else ?

[El Presidente]

If he is a decent bloke he couldn't give a rats arse what you offered him. It's a cliche but the"gift is in the giving" and he would be well aware and understanding of your predicament.

Present him with something you are currently really enjoying.

If he turns his nose up at it (says thank you and then pulls out one of his own 1759 bla bla bla) then he is a Tosser and you shouldn't waste your time.

Cigars are never the main event. The people are, the conversation, the laughter. If he is more interested in the cigar than the person then he is a prima facie wanker.

[Fuzz]

I agree that you should gift him with something that you enjoy. To me a gift isn't just something that the person would like, but also a small reflection of the giver.

[ewipper]

Suppose you are to have dinner with a cigar connoisseur. You know nothing about this person, but that he or she is a connoisseur of cigars. You have no idea what kind of cigar this person likes. Given that it is important to you that you make a good impression, showing what kind of person you are, what box do you present after the meal is over? And more importantly, why do you choose what you choose?

Thanks,

Pete

You choose cigars you have aged yourself. Then, you are sure of provenance, and the cigars are priceless.

[tsolomon]

Jim, of course if this person is a real connoisseur, we would be dinning at KATZ's

and enjoying a great PASTRAMI..............................................What else ?

I thought Guy was banned from using the P word here.

[tmac77]

I think that I have to agree with 'laficion' and pick something that best represelts youself and your own taste in cigars whoch would in turn lead to a much more interesting conversation. For me it would be a toss up between an H. Umpann Mag 46 or a Punch Punch. As stated before however, as I am a cheap bastard, it would depend on who is paying for dinner.

[CohibaBehike]

...tough question... If I was bringing a full box... Ramon Allones 898, Great cigar plus it's discontinued. If I was bringing singles I'd grab some Cohiba Gran Reservas, because it would be a great gift/conversation cigar.

[CohibaBehike]

If he is a decent bloke he couldn't give a rats arse what you offered him. It's a cliche but the"gift is in the giving" and he would be well aware and understanding of your predicament.

Present him with something you are currently really enjoying.

If he turns his nose up at it (says thank you and then pulls out one of his own 1759 bla bla bla) then he is a Tosser and you shouldn't waste your time.

Cigars are never the main event. The people are, the conversation, the laughter. If he is more interested in the cigar than the person then he is a prima facie wanker.

What if you were the one getting the gift and he gave you a swisher sweet or an Acid cigar? Would you smoke it?

[ryans]

Depends on my mood.

If I'm in a good mood I agree with laficion.

If I'm in any other mood I agree with El Prez.

[El Presidente]

What if you were the one getting the gift and he gave you a swisher sweet or an Acid cigar? Would you smoke it?

If given in the right spirit...why not?

I was given last year a Cohiba Robusto with a photocopied band by a mate of a mate who purchased them in Vietnam for $2 a piece. He genuinely said he could fix me up with some. He had no idea but loved them.

I smoked it to the 3/4 mark and had a really enjoyable conversation over a bottle of bubbly. His mate (and my good friend) came over and asked if it was a fake. I wish he didn't.

My response was along the lines of "Who gives a rat's, it is a fine cigar."

In reality it was a crap cigar. However he liked them and I am not on this earth to puncture balloons of people who have genuine intent.

[Wicky]

If given in the right spirit...why not?

I was given last year a Cohiba Robusto with a photocopied band by a mate of a mate who purchased them in Vietnam for $2 a piece. He genuinely said he could fix me up with some. He had no idea but loved them.

I smoked it to the 3/4 mark and had a really enjoyable conversation over a bottle of bubbly. His mate (and my good friend) came over and asked if it was a fake. I wish he didn't.

My response was along the lines of "Who gives a rat's, it is a fine cigar."

In reality it was a crap cigar. However he liked them and I am not on this earth to puncture balloons of people who have genuine intent.

word.

[adic88]

If given in the right spirit...why not?

I was given last year a Cohiba Robusto with a photocopied band by a mate of a mate who purchased them in Vietnam for $2 a piece. He genuinely said he could fix me up with some. He had no idea but loved them.

I smoked it to the 3/4 mark and had a really enjoyable conversation over a bottle of bubbly. His mate (and my good friend) came over and asked if it was a fake. I wish he didn't.

My response was along the lines of "Who gives a rat's, it is a fine cigar."

In reality it was a crap cigar. However he liked them and I am not on this earth to puncture balloons of people who have genuine intent.

+1 gazillion

Rob, you're not only a great merchant, but a true gentleman. This post confirms it.