Best Cigars to Give as a Gift: A Curated Selection

A cigar is one of the most considered presents you can give: personal, lasting and quietly generous. But if you do not smoke yourself, the wall of brands, vitolas and prices can be daunting. This guide solves that. We have hand-picked the best cigars for a gift across every recipient and occasion, from a first premium smoke for a newcomer to a serious limited edition for the seasoned collector, with the lighters, cutters and humidors that turn a single cigar into a complete present. Every cigar below is chosen by our buyers at Chaveta for how well it gives, not merely how well it smokes, so you can shop with confidence even if you have never lit one yourself. For the principles behind a thoughtful gift, our companion guide on how to buy cigars as a gift is the perfect place to start. These are, of course, adult products.

How we chose the best cigars for a gift

The best cigars to give as a gift balance prestige, broad appeal and giftability. We looked for names a recipient will recognise and be pleased to receive, a flavour profile that suits the occasion rather than only the connoisseur, and presentation that feels like an occasion in itself. We have spread our picks across budgets and across both Cuba and the New World, and we have flagged where an accessory completes the gesture. Where a cigar arrives in a beautiful box or a slide-lid cabinet, all the better; the unboxing is part of the present.

For the newcomer or occasional smoker

1. Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial

If your recipient is new to cigars or smokes only now and then, you want something forgiving, elegant and unmistakably Cuban. The Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial is exactly that: a thicker robusto of light, refined character with gentle cedar, honey and a soft creaminess that never overwhelms. Hoyo built its reputation on approachable smokes, and this is one of the most charming in the marque. It rewards a slow, unhurried hour without demanding any prior experience, which makes it an ideal first impression. Presented in a polished slide-lid box, it also looks the part on a desk or shelf. For a beginner, gentleness is generosity, and few Cubans extend it more graciously than this one. Pair it with our guide to the best Cuban cigars for beginners if you want to add a note about where to go next.

In brief: mild · Cuba · robusto. Shop the Hoyo Epicure Especial →

2. Davidoff Grand Cru Robusto

For a recipient with refined taste who may not yet be a committed cigar smoker, Davidoff is the gift that speaks for itself. The Grand Cru Robusto is the house at its most polished: a mild, supremely clean Dominican smoke with delicate notes of cream, dried fruit and toasted cereal, built around the precision Zino Davidoff made his life's work. It is light enough to flatter a newcomer's palate, yet the Davidoff name carries genuine prestige, so the gift feels considered rather than ordinary. The construction is faultless, the draw effortless. This is the cigar to give someone who appreciates fine things in general but has not necessarily smoked many cigars. To add a little story to the card, our piece on the legacy of Zino Davidoff is a lovely accompaniment. Explore the wider range in our Davidoff collection.

In brief: mild · Dominican Republic · robusto. Shop the Davidoff Grand Cru →

3. Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story

A small cigar can make a wonderful gift, and the Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story is among the most beloved in the world. This little perfecto, with its tapered head and rounded foot, delivers a medium-bodied half hour of cedar, sweet spice and a touch of cocoa that punches far above its size. It is a brilliant choice for a recipient who is short on time or new to the ritual, and at a friendly price it lets you give a small handful rather than a single stick. The Fuente family's craftsmanship is renowned, and the Hemingway line is its calling card. Tuck two or three into a case for a gift that feels both generous and personal. For more on the dynasty behind it, see the Arturo Fuente story, or browse the full Arturo Fuente collection.

In brief: medium · Dominican Republic · perfecto. Shop the Hemingway Short Story →

For the cigar lover

4. Cohiba Robustos

When you want a gift that says you went all out, few names carry the weight of Cohiba, and the Robustos is the icon of the marque. This is a medium to full Cuban of remarkable refinement: grassy, honeyed and faintly spiced, with the distinctive Cohiba character that comes from its specially fermented leaf. It is a smoke to be savoured over a long, leisurely hour, ideally with a glass of something fine. For an established enthusiast, receiving a Cohiba Robustos is always a moment, and the elegant lacquered box only adds to the sense of occasion. It is the quintessential luxury cigar gift: instantly recognised, universally admired and genuinely superb to smoke. If your recipient already has favourites, our guide to the best Cohiba cigars helps you choose within the range.

In brief: medium–full · Cuba · robusto. Shop the Cohiba Robustos →

5. Montecristo No. 2

The Montecristo No. 2 is perhaps the most famous torpedo in the world, and for good reason. Its tapered head concentrates the smoke beautifully, delivering Montecristo's signature blend of cocoa, coffee and a refined tang over a generous hour. Medium in body and impeccably balanced, it is a smoke that pleases both newcomers and veterans, which makes it a reassuring choice for someone whose tastes you do not know precisely. The Montecristo name needs no introduction, and the No. 2 is its flagship. At an accessible price for such a celebrated cigar, it also lets you give a small box without a daunting outlay. To help your recipient navigate the marque, point them to our guide to the best Montecristo cigars.

In brief: medium · Cuba · pirámide (torpedo). Shop the Montecristo No. 2 →

6. Trinidad Reyes

For a gift with a touch of intrigue, Trinidad makes an inspired choice. Once reserved as a diplomatic gift and unavailable to the public, the marque retains an air of exclusivity that delights those in the know. The Reyes is one of its smallest vitolas: a short, elegant smoke of medium-bodied character with cedar, dried fruit and a subtle floral sweetness. It runs to a leisurely half hour or so, making it perfect for a recipient who wants quality without a long commitment. The slim format and refined profile suit an afternoon coffee or an aperitif beautifully. Give the Reyes to a smoker who already knows the household names and would relish something a little more storied.

In brief: medium · Cuba · short vitola. Shop the Trinidad Reyes →

7. Romeo y Julieta Wide Churchills

Sir Winston Churchill lent his name to a vitola through this very marque, and the Wide Churchills is a thoroughly modern take on that heritage: a thicker format offering a long, satisfying smoke with notes of cedar, leather and a gentle sweet spice. Mild to medium in body, it is approachable enough to suit a wide range of palates while still feeling substantial and generous in the hand. This is a brilliant all-rounder of a gift, equally at home with a confirmed enthusiast or a recipient who enjoys an occasional cigar on a special evening. The ample ring gauge makes for a cool, easy draw over a full hour or more. Pair it with a celebratory drink for a complete experience.

In brief: mild–medium · Cuba · wide churchill. Shop the Wide Churchills →

For the connoisseur and the milestone gift

8. Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 Reserva Cosecha 2012

For a landmark birthday, a retirement or a thank-you that needs to land, an aged reserva makes an exceptional gift. This Epicure No. 2 Reserva is built from a single 2012 harvest, matured for years before rolling, which deepens Hoyo de Monterrey's famously elegant style into something richer and more harmonious. Expect smooth cedar, light honey, a touch of dried fruit and the polished sweetness that only time confers, all in the much-loved robusto format. Presented in a handsome numbered box, it carries genuine collector appeal — a cigar a serious smoker will instantly recognise as something special, made rarer still by the limited nature of a cosecha release. To explain why ageing matters, our piece on the art of ageing cigars makes a thoughtful inclusion.

In brief: medium · Cuba · robusto (reserva). Shop the Hoyo Epicure No. 2 Reserva →

9. Ramón Allones Allones No. 2 Edición Limitada 2019

The serious collector wants something they cannot simply buy off the shelf, and an Edición Limitada delivers exactly that. The Ramón Allones Allones No. 2 EL 2019 pairs the marque's famously rich, full-bodied character with the darker, aged wrapper that defines a limited release. Expect concentrated notes of espresso, dark chocolate, leather and earth, with the power and complexity that experienced palates crave. Presented in a box of ten, it is a substantial, prestigious gift for a once-in-a-while occasion, and one that may well be cellared and savoured over years. For a recipient who lives for the limited drops, this is a true prize. Browse our full limited editions for more rarities of this calibre.

In brief: full · Cuba · edición limitada (box of 10). Shop the Ramón Allones EL 2019 →

10. Cohiba Maduro 5 Secretos

For the recipient who loves a dark, indulgent smoke, the Cohiba Maduro 5 line is a gift of real distinction. The Secretos is its smallest format, a short smoke offering a concentrated half hour of the Maduro 5's signature richness: dark chocolate, coffee, sweet spice and a velvety depth from the long-aged maduro wrapper. It carries the prestige of the Cohiba name with the added character that the maduro process brings, making it a sophisticated choice for an experienced smoker. Presented in a box of twenty-five, it is a generous gift for someone who will appreciate every leaf. To explain what makes that dark wrapper special, see our guide to cigar wrappers.

In brief: medium–full · Cuba · secretos (box of 25). Shop the Cohiba Maduro 5 Secretos →

Accessories to complete the gift

The surest way to make a cigar gift feel complete, especially for a recipient who is new to the ritual, is to pair it with the tools to enjoy it properly. A good lighter and cutter transform a single cigar into a full kit; a humidor or Boveda pack lets them keep what you have given in perfect condition. For someone who travels, or simply wants to keep a few cigars in good order, the Xikar travel humidor holds up to five cigars in a crush-proof case and pairs neatly with a Boveda mounting plate for fuss-free humidity. To understand why storage matters, share our guide on how to store cigars, and explore the full range in our cigar gifts and humidors collections.

11. La Casa del Habano Cutter and Lighter Set

If you want the easiest possible complete gift, a matched cutter and lighter set is the answer. The La Casa del Habano set brings together a clean-cutting guillotine and a reliable flame in a single, elegant presentation, branded with one of the most respected names in the Cuban cigar world. It removes all guesswork for a recipient who does not yet own the basics, and it pairs beautifully with any of the cigars above to create a thoughtful, self-contained present. For a first-time smoker in particular, giving the tools alongside the cigar is what turns a nice gesture into a genuinely useful one. New to the ritual themselves? Our guide on how to cut, light and smoke a cigar properly makes the perfect card insert. See more options in our cutters collection.

In brief: accessory · cutter and lighter set. Shop the LCDH set →

12. Xikar Forte Single Lighter

A quality lighter is a gift that gets used for years, and Xikar has built its name on dependable, well-engineered flames. The Forte Single is a refined torch lighter with a single, powerful jet that lights a cigar evenly and quickly, even outdoors. Its solid build and clean lines make it feel like a proper object rather than a disposable, and Xikar's reputation for reliability means it will not let your recipient down at the moment of lighting up. Pair it with one of the cigars above, or add it to a humidor for the keen smoker who has everything but a lighter they actually love. Browse more options in our lighters collection.

In brief: accessory · single-jet torch lighter. Shop the Xikar Forte →

Frequently asked questions

What are the best cigars to give as a gift if the recipient is a beginner?

Choose something mild, well-made and recognisable. The Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial and the Davidoff Grand Cru Robusto are both gentle and elegant, while the Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story offers a shorter smoke at a friendly price. Pairing any of these with a cutter and lighter set makes the gift complete for someone who does not yet own the basics.

How much should I spend on a cigar gift?

There is a fine cigar at almost every budget. A single celebrated smoke such as the Montecristo No. 2 makes an accessible treat, while a flagship like the Cohiba Robustos sits a step above. For a milestone, a limited edition or aged reserva paired with a quality accessory makes a memorable present. Spend according to the occasion and the recipient's experience.

Do I need to give accessories with a cigar gift?

Not always, but they greatly improve the gift, especially for a newer smoker. A cutter and lighter let your recipient enjoy the cigar immediately, while a humidor or a Boveda pack keeps any cigars they own in good condition. Our cigar gifts collection brings cigars and accessories together for easy, complete presents.

Cuban or New World cigars for a gift?

Both make excellent gifts. Cuban marques like Cohiba and Montecristo carry unmatched name recognition and prestige, while New World makers such as Davidoff and Arturo Fuente, both based in the Dominican Republic, offer flawless construction and approachable flavour. If you are unsure which suits your recipient, our guide to Cuban versus New World cigars explains the difference.