If you’re gift-shopping for a cigar aficionado friend, it can feel like a tall order to make the right choice. The gift should be special and unique, but should also be the kind of cigar that you can rely on to deliver a great smoking experience. With that in mind, you’ll find some recommendations below – plus some tips on how to choose a top-notch cigar. 

What if you’re having a hard time finding what you’re looking for at a regular cigar shop? Maybe you should buy cigars online from an online cigar store like Renegade Cigars. Shopping for cigars online often comes with more choices, which is great if you’re determined to get the absolute best.

#1: Davidoff Winston Churchill Late Hour

Winston Churchill was known for his love of cigars, and this namesake product definitely lives up to his reputation. The wrapper is an Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro, and it’s both picturesque and aromatic. The binder is a Mexican Negro San Andres, and the fillers are Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos. Since some of the fillers were left to age in barrels that previously held single-malt Scotch, the cigar has a singular depth of flavor. The smoke is intense, imparting powerful flavors from start to finish. Even though this cigar is complex enough to impress any aficionado, it’s also approachable enough for beginners who appreciate the finer things in life. The flavor profile includes notes of wood, pepper, dried fruit, roasted cocoa, and spice.

#2: Oliva Serie V Double Robusto

The Oliva brand isn’t necessarily known for full-bodied cigars, but the Serie V Double Robusto is an exception. The special fermentation method used for this cigar brings out the intense aromas of the tobacco, a Nicaraguan triple leaf from the Jalapa region. The recipient of this cigar won’t just enjoy the flavor, though; they’ll also love its luxurious appearance. The Ecuadorian Habano wrapper makes an excellent first impression, and doesn’t disappoint once the cigar is actually lit. 

This cigar was named “Eighth Best Cigar of 2016” by Cigar Aficionado, so you know it’s a top-shelf product. The flavor profile includes peppery, spicy notes, as well as almonds, roasted coffee, cedar, and dark chocolate.

#3: La Flor Dominicana Andalusian Bull

Here’s another cigar that has received a high recommendation from Cigar Aficionado, in the form of a 96/100 rating. From its flawless construction to its elegant blend of aromas, everything about this cigar is impressive. It’s made with an Ecuadorian Corojo wrapper, and tobaccos from the Dominican Republic. 

The strength is somewhere between medium- and full-bodied, with a complex and aromatic flavor profile. Although it’s a strong cigar with plenty of character, it’s still elegant as well. You’ll detect notes of cream and wood, along with aromas of honey, dark chocolate, and leather. This is the type of cigar that deserves your full attention when smoking it.

#4: Rocky Patel White Label

This cigar was made with excellence in mind. Rocky Patel is known for producing consistently good cigars, but this particular offering was meant to outdo them all. It’s made with a US Connecticut Shade Wrapper, and tobaccos from Honduras and Nicaragua. Select tobaccos used in this cigar were aged up to 10 years, which adds to its overall complexity. The flavor profile includes notes of earth, white pepper, cream, sweet wood, and citrus. The flavors start out very balanced, but the second half of the cigar features a distinct creaminess that steals the spotlight.

#5 My Father Le Bijou 1922

This cigar was released in 2008 by Jaime Garcia, in honor of his father José Pépin Garcia. It’s both full-bodied and rich, thanks to the Habana Oscuro wrapper and Nicaraguan tobacco. Cigar Aficionado gave the Le Bijou 1922 a rating of 97/100, so you know that it’s sure to make an amazing gift. As a Nicaraguan puro, this cigar offers the characteristic notes of pepper that most Nicaraguan tobaccos have, plus spice, cream, and bitter chocolate. 

How to choose the right cigar

Cigars are available from thousands of different makers, ranging from cheap to unbelievably expensive. They’re made with different tobaccos, wrappers, blends, fermentation techniques, etc. So how do you know you’re choosing the right one? Here are the main criteria to consider when choosing a cigar.

• Aroma and taste

These two factors should be at the top of the list, since they’re arguably the most important for ensuring that you (or the recipient) actually enjoy the cigar. It’s possible to look past a cigar that’s too strong, or not your favorite shape, but nobody will enjoy a cigar that simply tastes bad to them. 

Cigars often have tasting notes that are just as varied and complex as the flavor profiles for fine wines. They can be predominantly creamy, or have dominant notes of pepper and spice. They can be oaky and nutty, or sweet and citrusy. If you’re getting cigars as a gift, you might want to find out what your friend likes before committing to a purchase.

• Strength

You’ll often hear cigars described as “medium-bodied” or “full-bodied”, a way to evaluate the intensity of the aromas. Again, this can be compared to fine wine – some people like the more robust options, while others find them acrid and overpowering. A cigar’s strength isn’t an indicator of its quality, by the way; it’s just a descriptor of one of the cigar’s key characteristics.

• Price

It’s possible to find truly excellent cigars at almost any price point; you can even find premium handmade options starting at $2 a pop. For a more extravagant gift, cigars that cost $30 and up offer an unforgettable smoking experience. If you’re looking for more reasonably priced options, a budget of $5 to $15 per cigar will give you all the quality cigars you could ask for.

The takeaway

Buying cigars, especially for a gift, can seem intimidating. The good news is, it doesn’t have to be. With the right recommendations and some expert advice, you’ll have the perfect cigars wrapped up and ready to go before you know it.