looking for cigar suggestions, bachelor party..

[ryno]

first of all, i appreciate in advance your input. from only 10 minutes of browsing this forum, i can tell that this is a wonderful community.

i am a novice cigar smoker, but have had the fortune of enjoying a nice Cuban a handful of times and appreciate a great smoke.

i am handling cigars for a close friends bachelor party coming up. a handful of the guys would appreciate a high quality cigar, but most of the party wouldn't know a fine cigar if it slapped them in the face.

that being said, i'd rather keep the cost around $5 per cigar. i think it would make sense to suggest something with smooth flavor, isn't too harsh, and burns nicely.

anything come to mind? i can visit a local cigar bar to sample what you suggest and report back. thanks again for your help!

ryan

[basil]

El Rey de Mundo robusto oscuro is a great cigar for around $4.

Arturo Fuente 858s are nice too - @ $6

I'm a noob here too (and relatively, to cigars) - there's folks here that'll have some excellent suggestions.

Welcome to CS.

[BigMacFU]

I'd buy a box of Gran Habanos through an on-line vendor or a box of Punch Champions from an on-line vendor. Check out www.jrcigars.com for the Punch, check out www.cheapercigars.com for the Gran Habanos (get the Corojo #5 Robustos). Or, I could send you a box of my local cigar shops cigars, they are of good quality (other members can vouch for them) and not too expensive, you can also order those on-line at www.lcgcigars.com. Get the maduros.

That's the way I'd roll.

[grand cru no 2]

I'd buy a box of Gran Habanos through an on-line vendor or a box of Punch Champions from an on-line vendor. Check out www.jrcigars.com for the Punch, check out www.cheapercigars.com for the Gran Habanos (get the Corojo #5 Robustos). Or, I could send you a box of my local cigar shops cigars, they are of good quality (other members can vouch for them) and not too expensive, you can also order those on-line at www.lcgcigars.com. Get the maduros.

That's the way I'd roll.

Man, I've been smoking alot of those lately. Great smokes! But, I think they may be a little strong for a group of novice cigar smokers or "social smokers". I'd go with the black label Gran Habanos, still flavorful, but a bit more mild.

[MMAB]

You guys are annihilating this poor guy with heavy hitters!

Yes, ALL excellent smokes but a bit too strong for novice smokers IMHO.

My picks for this crowd would be: (all in a natural wrap)

Romeo y Julieta Vintage series (ooops! a bit more than $5 a smoke)

Macanudo

Arturo Fuente

Leon Jimenez

La Aurora

Montesino

La Unica

CAO Gold series

Gurkha Expedition series

Punch (Champions are nice for a short smoke - Try Chateau L's for a big-ass smoke)

A few of these might run you a bit more than $5 a stick - Splurge!

Have fun!

[ryno]

guys, thanks million for the tips thus far. i went to the local Tinder Box to get the owners input before i had even seen all the replies.

At the owners suggestion, i walked out with the following samples..

- St. Luis Rey Reserva Especial
$3.50..... smoked it in the car on the way home
perfect size, not too big. (don't want to torture the non-smokers with a 2 hour cigar!)
nice ash, mild enough .. didn't knock my socks off. price is right.

- Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real
$5.00 ... this was his top suggestion. said its an all around winner

- Olivia Grand Maduro $3.50

- Aiello Nicaragua $3.75

I will take all of your suggestions and sample the smokes i have in hand. keep the advice coming, you guys are great!

ryan

[basil]

Man, I've been smoking alot of those lately. Great smokes! But, I think they may be a little strong for a group of novice cigar smokers or "social smokers". I'd go with the black label Gran Habanos, still flavorful, but a bit more mild.

I like these too - red or green labels either one. Haven't tried the blacks. It's a big bachelor party kind o' cigar though - can't go wrong with them.

[TN_CIGAR_MAN]

I'd stick with a milder cigar from a well known manufacturer. You don't want to look like a schmuck in front of your buddies.

CAO Gold

Macanudo

[8-5-8]

Arturo Fuente 898s are nice too - @ $6

AF makes the 8-5-8, Aston, Partargas, and Macanudo have an 898. 8-9-8 also refers to how some cigars come stacked in the box.

8-5-8's are one of my personal favs as the price is nice, and the quality is superb. Yes, I have had better, but at around $6 a stick, I have a hard time finding a better smoke for the $$$

[hex1848]

You can't go wrong with a box of Carlos Torano 1959 Exodus Toro's. Very nice presentation, and one of the best domestic smokes I have had.

[Baron Porthos]

I second the Carlos Torano 1959 exodus Gold. There is also a silver
Cheapest I've seen them is at : http://www.superiorcigars.com/
I have never ordered from them so I can't speak to quality or customer service

[Roham]

[QUOTE=hex1848]You can't go wrong with a box of Carlos Torano 1959 Exodus Toro's. Very nice presentation, and one of the best domestic smokes I have had.[/QUote}

I can atest to the quality and customer service of these link, it's worth the price difference if anything.

And welcome to the board

[SuperChuck]

I second the Arturo Fuente 8-5-8s... They're a really great cigar for the price.

If you want to go the segregation route, you could get a box of inexpensive seconds (I recommend Rolys) for the non-smokers and pick up something like AF Hemingways or CAO Brazilias for the more experienced smokers...

That would keep you at $5/stick, but with a higher-end smoke for those who will appreciate it.