We recently put out our Holiday recommendations for gifting cigars to friends and family, but one thing that’s missing from the conversation is how to give the perfect cigar gift. Let’s discuss everything from selecting the right cigar for the right person to ensuring the cigar(s) are safely presented for the big day.

How to Choose the Perfect Cigar

Choosing the perfect cigar is a thoughtful process that requires consideration of the recipient's preferences, tastes, and the occasion. Being mindful while choosing which cigar to gift someone shows not only your understanding of their smoking preferences but also your desire to offer a personalized and meaningful experience.

Understanding their level of cigar expertise is crucial. Some individuals are seasoned cigar aficionados while others may be relatively new to the world of cigars. For the former, a cigar from a top-shelf brand like Davidoff, Arturo Fuente, or Padrón may be the ideal choice because of how sought after they are. For the latter, a more approachable and milder cigar might be a better fit, allowing them to ease into the world of cigar appreciation without overwhelming their palate.

Consider the flavor profile that the recipient enjoys. Cigars come in a variety of blends and strengths, ranging from mild and creamy to bold and spicy to funky and earthy. Some individuals may prefer the rich and complex notes of a full-bodied cigar, while others may gravitate towards the smoother and more subtle nuances of a milder blend. Since the goal of gifting cigars is to provide an experience, understanding their preferences goes a long way towards ensuring the perfect experience.

If possible, gather information discreetly about your recipient's preferences. The more you know, the more impactful the gift will be. And if you know that he or she likes a certain brand or cigar, you can always email us for recommendations at [email protected].

When in doubt, you can never go wrong with gifting a cigar sampler. We love putting them together because there’s always something for everyone and there’s a great chance that your aficionado will find something nostalgic as well as exotic in one of our sampler packs.

How to Gift Cigars

Once you’ve selected the perfect cigar gift, you’ll want to preserve it until the day your enthusiast can open it. Here are a few rules of thumb when it comes to gifting cigars – specifically for Christmas:

Humidity Control: It’s important to have a plan for humidification before wrapping any cigars for the Christmas tree because cigars require a specific level of humidity to maintain their oils and flavor. Always ensure that your gift survives by placing a humidification device such as a Boveda pack inside the packaging. This helps regulate the humidity and prevents the cigars from drying out or becoming overly moist. If you received your cigars from us, the Boveda pack will be inside our Small Batch bags or fastened to the box with plastic wrap. I'd recommend gift wrapping your packages just like we shipped them to you.

Tubos: If you ordered tubos (tubes) for your cigar enthusiast, there’s no need to do anything special for humidification! Tubos make excellent stocking stuffers as well because they’re crush resistant. They’ll remain humidified inside the tube until the big day as long as they are placed in cool location out of the sun and away from heat sources. If your recipient asks how to store them in their humidors, I personally remove the cap and take any cedar out of the tube. This allows the cigar to acclimate to your humidor’s humidity levels and removing the cedar reduces chances for mold.

Cool Storage: Avoid placing cigar gifts near heat sources or in direct sunlight. Excessive heat can cause the tobacco to expand or sweat, affecting the draw and flavor of the cigars. Find a cool and shaded spot under the Christmas tree to maintain a consistent temperature and your cigar enthusiast will thank you.