a young friend is graduating from law school, he smokes cigars.... i'd like to find a good box of cigars and send to him... i'm not aware of any particular brand that he smokes and there's no way to ask anone his preferences.... whats a good gift cigar for $150/box???

Here is a great combo IMHO:

Cigars: http://www.thompsoncigar.com/p...4/c/8336/pc/8335.uts

Lighter: http://www.thompsoncigar.com/p...0/c/8409/pc/8406.uts

With shipping it should be close to $150. If you elect to buy a box of cigars, I'd recommend going with a Churchill size. The following brands are excellent:

H.Upmann
Macanudo
Padron
Cohiba
Punch
Don Diego

Padron 6000 in either natural or maduro wrapper. Google it and you'll get many hits.

Arturo Fuente maduro in a Churchill. Medium smoke, so it's not too strong if he likes milder, and not so weak that it's bland if he likes stronger. This is what I got to hand out when my son was born.

Ashton VSG Maduro in the larger sizes...

Rich

Just curious ISS, but around here, the Ashton cigars are fairly high priced (in the teens for one stick). Can ya'll get a box for $150 up there?

La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero Chisels are right at your price point.

It may be the most consistently good smoke I've ever had.

George

Try Abnersworld.com, I occasionally enjoy their specials. As to what kind the fellow likes, I'd suggest you find out, aficionados are known to be picky.

have someone ask him for a few cigar bands for a kids collection then you can see what he likes .

Boxes of ten.

I gift myself one a week, if I have been a good boy.

Nothing beats a sunny afternoon on the deck with a really good cigar and Glenfiddich or good Tequila.

Rich
DRSS

** MACANUDO **
Madero wrapper

PAPI

quote:

Originally posted by daniel77:
Arturo Fuente maduro in a Churchill. Medium smoke, so it's not too strong if he likes milder, and not so weak that it's bland if he likes stronger. This is what I got to hand out when my son was born.

+1 Good smoke and not too expensive.

jimatcat - kudos regarding your thoughtfulness.

There is wisdom in some sleuthing regarding your friend's proclivities.

However, in the spirit of William Cowper's poem, "The Task" (1785): "Variety is the very spice of life, That gives it all its flavor."


-How about a sampler of several of the previously offered brands?

At about $45US for 10 premium cigars, here's a gift that keeps giving:

http://www.jrcigars.com/index....igars&brand=samplers ...
Specifically, the DOMINICAN CONNOISSEUR COLLECTION looks great.

One could spring for $13 or more per puro... but for the same $150, the humidor could be well-stocked to help him struggle through those budding billable hours.

There are nice options here, too: http://www.cigar.com/cigars/createSampler.asp

Being one who tends to enjoy quality AND quantity, I find that one is often able to save a few $ per stick online...

However, there is something to be said for supporting your friendly local tobacconist as well.

In my opinion...forget the "box of cigars". Gift him $150 worth of finer cigars. You can buy cigar boxes for a few bucks. Heck, they might even hand you a box.

My latest favorite is the Liga Privada No 9

I will second getting him 150 worth of really good cigars versus a box at 150. Most of the cigars I would say are really stand out smokes are going to put you over the 150 mark. Not that there aren't good smokes for that range, but I consider them everyday smokes (I don't smoke everyday, but "normal" day smokes for me have to be affordable).

What they like does matter, some cigars are stronger than others, some are mild. Usually a guy that likes medium to heavy will still enjoy mild, and there are some on the heavier side that are so smooth that even guys that like mild cigars like them.

Now my memory is too bad for me to remember all the great cigars, but I will say these I really liked.

-Padron 40th anniversary maduro (and padron's in general tend to be good cigars)
-The VSG as mentioned is a great cigar.
-Liga Privada T-52 is great. They also have a T-9. They make a Flying Pig that is basically a T-9 in a perfecto shape (my fave shape), they're limited so he might like that you took the trouble. incidentally you can get these for under 150 a box I think, since they're a box of 10
-I like the Camacho 11-18 triple maduro, however some find this too strong


off top of my head I remember those as being ones I'd "treat" myself to. remember in CA I pay more if I don't order them so where you are they may be more affordable.

Others I think bear mentioning are the La Traviata (I think by CAO), the Nub (Habano wrapper).

I don't personally like any Torano's that I've tried.

Red

Hey jimatcat –

Please announce your friend’s graduation so that we can “fire one up” in his honor…

-And let us know how you gift him.

I think I’m as excited about this event as your future Legal Beagle.

had an Ashton VSG (the big one) this afternoon, and saluted your friend with that and the first bottle of applejack out of my new still.

cheers,

Rich

Consider two top-of-the-line cigars in a nice leather storage case. A friend sent me such a gift when I was deployed in '91. I don't recall the cigars, but still have the case and it brings back good memories.

I believe Badger Matt has THE best answer. Put his monogram on the 3-4 cigar leather case and he will think you and your kindness, AND the occasion for years and years to come.

Rich