Sticks for the smoking non-BOTL

[unaslob]

We’ve all done it.  Brought a bunch of nice sticks to an event or you’re having people over. In an orgasm of poor planning, you grab a bunch of great sticks you might smoke but aren’t sure, high on a plan for a good time. Load up travel humidor and away you go. For true BOTL- I’ll share just about anything. I know they get it, respect the stick and the process of acquiring, storing, aging. I enjoy having them smoke a truly great stick. 

It's the smoking non-smokers that get ya. Too many times cleaning up and find a bunch of quarter smoked sticks that you aged for 5 years that cost ya 50+/stick. I’ve learned but still learning. So the question is what do you keep around for the smoking non-BTOL? I have found they will enjoy something simple, small and little sweet flavor. Have a box of Drew estate blondie for that reason.  

[El Presidente]

I use quality Monte 4 or MOFOH Robusto Trinity. They work, don't really break the bank and I am not perturbed if people smoke half. 

I did this last Saturday at my birthday bash. Yes, there were Siglo VI, CORO and premiums on offer to mates who LOVE cigars. However for those who will have one cigar a year (if that), then they are thrilled just to partake in the group experience. 

[riderpride]

I usually roll with Oliva Serie V or G or a Mille Fleur or a PC as El Pres does of some sort if they're not smokers. Good enough for me with company and no worries if anything gets tossed.

Cheers!

[SirVantes]

Here’s a left field option - Cuaba. It’s flavourful enough, not too challenging on the palate, and the perfecto shape would be interesting to the uninitiated (and a conversation starter). 

[Li Bai]

I usually offer NCs like Flor de Oliva or Super Partagas, depending on what I have on hand.

I was at a party a few years back and a good friend of mine, true botl, had brought a couple Senadores with him. I was REALLY eager to try those but I fell asleep (too many Negronis that night with a couple glasses of old-school absinthe sent me to bed early). Woke up in the morning to find the Senadores (the one I should have smoked) half-smoked in the ashtray 🥲

Quelle indignité!

[LordAnubis]

Depends. I wholehearted absolutely always recommend quintero for weddings and such. They have a nice gold and red band that says habana on it for those who just take a pic with a cigar then ditch it.

A member here once posted something interesting. Not sure if he used to do it or was just suggesting. You tell the person if they take the cigar it’s free if they smoke 3/4 of it. Anything less it’ll cost you 40 bucks. A pretty good plan I say. 

[unaslob]

On 2/21/2025 at 2:33 PM, El Presidente said:

I use quality Monte 4 or MOFOH Robusto Trinity. They work, don't really break the bank and I am not perturbed if people smoke half. 

I did this last Saturday at my birthday bash. Yes, there were Siglo VI, CORO and premiums on offer to mates who LOVE cigars. However for those who will have one cigar a year (if that), then they are thrilled just to partake in the group experience. 

I keep the Fat Fundys around for the golf course. Great smoke, sturdy to take course abuse and ppl love 'em. Sold out...hopefully restock soon.

On 2/21/2025 at 9:17 PM, SirVantes said:

Here’s a left field option - Cuaba. It’s flavourful enough, not too challenging on the palate, and the perfecto shape would be interesting to the uninitiated (and a conversation starter). 

This is a good idea. I’ve been looking for a reason to pick some of these up. 

[HenryMartin]

I like experimenting with non-BOTL over the years, to gauge what works best most often. I like the idea of getting people into the hobby and I am sure FOH feel the same way. I tried to share Nicaraguans in the past but not to good result, I think because of its high intensity or perhaps its the pairing with whiskey or wine at gatherings that's well suited to Cubans. I have shared Davidoff as well which works but not too impressive, perhaps due to its subtlety that requires a more experienced palate. I have always received great response from sharing Jose Piedra that I always stock for this purpose and perhaps it is the best marca I have found for these occasions because its does give a credible glimpse of Cubans, if only a whiff. But what is interesting is that I have also always received good feedback from sharing Villigers, the most premium ones they have, of course.  

[Grimlock]

For non-smokers, when they come over I have provided a mild cheap option (HC White Robustos) and a short smoke flavored option (Sweet Jane). I can't remember ever offering a Cuban to a non-smoker outside of a Cohiba short and a Hoyo Du Maire (I was told it was too strong...). My youngest son on occasion will come out for a smoke and I've given him Fuente sun grown and Anejo. He prefers the sun grown. 

[LaoFan]

I've had too many buddies smoke a quarter of a gem and leave soldiers behind. Now., they're getting the snicklefritz.

[Lucas Buck]

Used to be PLPC as they are approachable, easy smoking and were cheap. Now usually custom rolls or JLP. 

[Ruggerpgh99]

I will always share my best stuff with my closest mates, that I know appreciate it, and enjoy it. For the rest, I have a rotation of NC La Gloria Cubanas (Glorias, Serie R, etc.) NC Punch Elites, and rare corojo, Alec Bradley Magic Toast, and a few others that I can get for around 2 bucks a stick. They are all fine smokes, but not spectacular, I don't care if they don't get finished, and it may help some people get into the hobby so I have more friends to talk for way too long about cigars. 

[DaBoot]

I offer a good non-Cuban for a reason:

1) they quality is better, the burn is straight, no issues with construction.

[Ken Gargett]

On 2/21/2025 at 2:33 PM, El Presidente said:

I use quality Monte 4 or MOFOH Robusto Trinity. They work, don't really break the bank and I am not perturbed if people smoke half. 

I did this last Saturday at my birthday bash. Yes, there were Siglo VI, CORO and premiums on offer to mates who LOVE cigars. However for those who will have one cigar a year (if that), then they are thrilled just to partake in the group experience. 

and i was honoured to be able to share those sig VIs and Coros etc with your friends.