What are your go-to cigars for friends who aren't connoisseurs?

[atzemis]

I think most of us probably have some of these in our lives -- friends and family that enjoy an occasional cigar, but don't necessarily appreciate the nuances and flavors. What are your go-to cigars to give these types of people? I think that ideally it should be something that's decent quality (and doesn't come across as cheap), won't be perceived as harsh, and of course isn't hard to replace.

[Hammer Smokin']

RyJ was made for this exact purpose. 

the easiest smoking cigars (in general). 

 

[GolfT3]

Monte 4, any smaller format stuff from Punch or RyJ works. 

[NSXCIGAR]

Romeo Belvederes or Tubos. Easiest-smoking cigars in the $4-5 range.

[X-Man]

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2

[Nevrknow]

4 yr old Depute. Smooth and small just in case they "say" they smoke cigars or just want to try one. If that bodes well. I start to step up offers.

[targa88]

HdM Epi #2

PLPC

[RedLantern]

I put some thought into what, if anything, I know about their general smoking habits. Someone with experience with cigarettes is likely to smoke fast and overheat a small RG, so for them I like RyJ petite royals, people with no smoking experience are likely to have trouble keeping a large RG lit well, so will go smaller. Also might think about how the cigar is likely to draw etc

[scottm12]

Party short

[Bri Fi]

Whatever I have that I don’t care to smoke. I had a whole box of Davidoff Millennium toros and petit Coronas that I just couldn’t get into. So I gifted them and my friends loved them. 

[Connoisseur Kim]

I think any great Cuban Petit Coronas and Petit Robustos; Corona Extras and Robustos; Coronas and Grand Coronas (or Robusto Extras) will suffice for those who're new to cigars since I too began to fell in love with CCs after I had Cohiba Siglo II Tubo and I believe that these CC sizes are beginner friendly ones IMHO.

[Hoepssa]

 

Some aged cuban from my freezer. 

Monte 4 or Galanes are my pick. 

[99call]

At the moment RG panatellas extra are at a nice price point

[SirVantes]

Connoisseur #1 for non-connoisseurs, obviously. 
But seriously, looks like a “real cigar”, flavours that can be picked up by the inexperienced, relatively affordable, and I’m happy to smoke the same and avoid the “you get the cheapie” look. 

[Tunkat92]

Seems like Monte 4’s and PSD4 are a hit to friends that smoke cigars but aren’t connoisseurs. 

[Zaphod42]

As far as Cubans go either a Monte 3 or 4. For NC a Padron 2000 or 3000. You just can’t go wrong with either.

[RDB]

It’s got to be something small, as most newbies find they have had enough after 20-30 mins, and of course fairly light in body. RG Perlas at the moment? 

[Balto]

RyJ Mille Fleur or no. 2

[GoodStix]

  On 3/11/2023 at 5:19 PM, RDB said:

It’s got to be something small, as most newbies find they have had enough after 20-30 mins

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Yep.  I'll offer both du Depute and Monte 4 and let them choose.  They usually choose the smaller du Depute.

[joeypots]

First I give the cigars that friends who aren't connoisseurs gave me. 😇

[BoliDan]

Partagas mille fleurs or RyJ no. 2

[pohlmad]

I have had huge success with Juan Lopez No 1 and No 2!

[NSXCIGAR]

Wow, lots of people giving away $15-20 cigars to people who can't tell the difference. Maybe I'd give a Hoyo Epi or JL to someone 2 years ago but not with these prices. 

The only Hoyo I'd give to a novice is Palmas Extra. 

[Rhinoww]

When they were $5/stick the party shorts were great. 
that was in the before times. 
Now I’m pulling out NC sticks from the NC Tupperdore. Pretty much anything there. Still have 70 plus sticks in there.  Frankly folks need to demonstrate that they can smoke an entire stick and enjoy it before they are getting Cuban tobacco here. 
If folks are known to smoke an entire cigar, and are friends, I’ll usually share what I’m smoking. Also depends how many are over. I picked up a bundle of J-O Corona Gordas that will  be sharing w cigar smokers during the NCAA tournament. But I have been smoking a lot of J-O lately. Less painful than the $30 replacement cost on many banded sticks. 
I used to give a lot of great cigars away. Not so much anymore. It’s not like I’m splitting a $60 bottle of wine with my buddies every time I see them. Same for the cigars. 

[Ford2112]

Guantanamera