Wedding Cigar Help.

[Ahi Ka]

With the exception of homegrown stogies, I haven’t purchased any cigars in a long time. I used to enjoy guantanamera and Quintero y hnos.

one of my wife’s best friends is getting married and I’ve been landed with the job of supplying cigars for the bridal party as a surprise.

since cigars are exempt from the import restrictions to NZ, I’m thinking of ordering some from SPC. I’ll still have to pay roughly $50us in duty per 50g.

wondering if anyone can give some recommendations for what I should look at? It’s a bit overwhelming looking at all the options, and to be fair, I think they are wanting the cigars more for looks and a bit of fun. There is only a couple of them which would have smoked one in the last year.

cheers

 

[onestrangeone]

Since taste is subjective that’s a tough ask. The only suggestions I can make are based on what I like,
For really good budget smokes have a look at Curivari and Blackbird these are highly underrated and smoke well above their price point, most are med bodied and full flavored.
the Rojas Street tacos are another med/full that won’t break the bank.
Black Label Trading Co, Deliverance Porcelain is a very smooth, slightly stronger smoke.
if you want to splurge a bit you can’t go wrong with Padron

 

[daveinlax]

I work in a cigar shop and we get guys in every week looking for a box to bring to the wedding. We usually point them in a mild to medium that’s not to big. I usually recommend the Ashton. It’s good quality moderately priced and not so strong as to get anyone sick. The white band is a nice touch too.

 

[FALaholic]

Whole heartedly endorse Romeo Y Julieta Capulet 80th Anniversary. Reasonably priced smooth and tasteful.

I think its verboten to link to a non-sponsoring vendor, but they’re pretty popular at most online shops.

 

[J-Evverrett]

I’d say anything in the mild range would be fine. Free cigars are free cigars. And at a celebration, people consume anything free quite readily lol.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

I would consider buying a bundle of CI Knock-Offs that are unbanded. There are several that are mild to medium and will cost less than your import tax. Then custom print some bands with the couple's names and affix yourself to make a memorable keepsake.

 

[Bamfdor]

Are the cigars for the women or the men? You mentioned bridal party and just want to make sure before giving a recommendation.

 

[OzPiper]

Oliva and Padron are my 2 go-to brands for quality and value.

If most of the party are non- or occasional smokers, you probably don't want anything bigger than a corona gorda or a robusto size.

 

[Ahi Ka]

Awesome feedback so far. Appreciate it. And the cigars are mainly for the groomsmen…but ironically the bride and one of her friends are the smokers.

i should add that anything has to be available from SPC as I will be using their super saver shipping option

 

[mso489]

Weddings are emotional festivals and people tend to over eat and drink. Plus, people who have never smoked a cigar before will light one up, so you or a friend might give a little low key instruction, and offer help with a cigar cutter (not letting any beginner do this themselves) and maybe remove the band for them.

By all means, at whatever price level, go with the mild end of the spectrum. Inexperienced drinkers and smokers, plus others who are over-emotional and/or elderly, may be having trouble keeping down their food.

But it is a fine gesture to offer cigars. The real cigar smokers will thoroughly enjoy it, a nice surprise, even if they usually smoke the nicotine monsters. I haven't often been offered a courtesy cigar, so I remember the experiences well.

 

[weezell]

I would consider these...

Arturo Fuente: Curly Head Deluxe Natural Cigars... ? ?​

 

[elessar]

I work in a cigar shop and we get guys in every week looking for a box to bring to the wedding. We usually point them in a mild to medium that’s not to big. I usually recommend the Ashton. It’s good quality moderately priced and not so strong as to get anyone sick. The white band is a nice touch too.

A great recommendation. And if you're the Dave I think you are, in the shop I think you are referring to, your recommendations to me have always been excellent.

 

[Ahi Ka]

So two other questions.

Roughly How much does a single stick weigh? Obvious that this will vary depending on the length and ring gauge - just thinking along the lines of duty tax

also, do any brands come in metal boxes? I tried searching SPC but couldn’t pull anything up.

 

[spicy_boiii]

Since weight is a factor, and because special occasion cigar smokers don't finish what they start, may I suggest Padron 2000 or 3000.

 

[Hillcrest]

So two other questions.

Roughly How much does a single stick weigh? Obvious that this will vary depending on the length and ring gauge - just thinking along the lines of duty tax

also, do any brands come in metal boxes? I tried searching SPC but couldn’t pull anything up.

One website says:
So you have to translate 25 oz plus box to grams : 708.7381 grams. That can't be right can it ??

Sounds cost prohibitive. Is their a cigar store nearby that could provide the needed supplies ?

ARTURO FUENTE CURLY HEAD DELUXE NATURAL -​

Weight, 1 oz. Brand. Arturo Fuente. Size. 6 1/2 x 43. Quantity. BOX OF 25. Strength. Medium-Mild. Country of Origin. Dominican Republic. Connecticut Wrapper.

 

[Hillcrest]

If you search New Zealand Cigar dealers you will find an online retailer. They have a drop down menu of cigars under $35.00 each ... Yes that $35.00 for one cigar in New Zealand. Most run in 20-25 dollar range.
I would try there rather than try to import cigars and deal with bureaucrats and paperwork.

 

[Ahi Ka]

Yeah I’m familiar with the online retailer canteros, they are essentially the only tobacconist in my country now.

since cigars are exempt from the import legislation, I can literally order them from SPC, and then get sent a bill. This works out quite a lot cheaper than buying locally.

I’ll start looking through the options you guys have suggested. Really appreciate that help

 

[Hillcrest]

Yeah I’m familiar with the online retailer canteros, they are essentially the only tobacconist in my country now.

since cigars are exempt from the import legislation, I can literally order them from SPC, and then get sent a bill. This works out quite a lot cheaper than buying locally.

I’ll start looking through the options you guys have suggested. Really appreciate that help

In that case I second the recommendation of any cigar made by Arturo Fuente ... they are mild to medium and tastier made in Dominican republic. Maybe write to them and have them sponsor the wedding as a cigar smoker event ! Nicaragua and other countries tend to be stronger, spicier and more peppery to me ... as with everything else its a matter of personal preference ! Good Luck. Best wishes ! Maybe have them print "Don't Do It !" on the wrapper !!

 

[Ahi Ka]

I just did a rough cost comparison using a 25 box of the AF curly head deluxe.

to purchase these locally I’d be looking at $650us.

to get from SPC, with shipping and duty I’m looking around $250us. (I used an average of 4g per stick)

 

[Hillcrest]

I just did a rough cost comparison using a 25 box of the AF curly head deluxe.

to purchase these locally I’d be looking at $650us.

to get from SPC, with shipping and duty I’m looking around $250us. (I used an average of 4g per stick)

"Confirm Purchase" !!! ?