How to Buy Cigars as a Gift

If you don't smoke cigars yourself, buying them as a gift is genuinely hard. The vocabulary is foreign, the prices vary wildly, and getting it wrong means handing someone a box they will be too polite to enjoy. Here is the working framework — built around four questions to answer before you buy.

Question 1: Do they smoke cigars regularly, or occasionally?

This is the most important question. A regular smoker has preferences, a humidor, a routine. An occasional smoker wants a quality cigar for a particular evening — wedding, birthday, deal closed.

• Regular smoker: aim for premium quality in a format they probably don't buy themselves. A box of Davidoff Aniversario No. 3 or a limited edition is the right register.
• Occasional smoker: three or four single cigars in different blends is a better gift than a box. They get variety and freshness. Browse our Single Cigars collection.

Question 2: Do they like Cuban cigars or New World cigars?

Cuban cigars (Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, etc.) are heritage products with an earthier, more old-world profile. New World cigars (Davidoff, Arturo Fuente, Perdomo, Plasencia) are typically more refined or more powerful, depending on the brand.

If you don't know which they prefer, look at what they have at home. A humidor with mostly red, gold and brown bands suggests Cuban. A humidor full of variety suggests they enjoy both — go with a premium New World gift, which has wider acceptance. We cover the broader differences in our wrapper guide.

Question 3: What is their preferred size?

A person who smokes a Robusto on a weeknight will not enjoy receiving a Churchill — they don't have the 90 minutes to give it. Conversely, a Churchill smoker handed a Petit Corona will feel short-changed.

If you can, sneak a glance at their humidor. The size you see most often is the size they like. If you can't, default to the Robusto — it's the most universally appreciated format and works for any occasion. Read more in our cigar sizes guide.

Question 4: What is your budget?

Premium cigar prices vary by an order of magnitude. As a rough guide:

• Under €30 per cigar: very good non-Cuban premium. Davidoff Signature, Arturo Fuente Don Carlos, Oliva Serie V, much of the Perdomo range.
• €30–€80 per cigar: serious premium. Davidoff Aniversario, Plasencia Alma Fuerte, most Cohiba and Montecristo sizes, Arturo Fuente's premium lines.
• €80+ per cigar: luxury or scarcity. OpusX, Cohiba Gran Reserva, Davidoff Late Hour, limited editions.

The accessory gift

Often the best cigar-related gift is not a cigar at all. A serious cigar smoker accumulates cigars; what they often don't get around to upgrading is the kit around them. Consider:

• A quality cutter, like the Xikar Xi3.
• A premium lighter, like the S.T. Dupont Ligne 2.
• A travel humidor — surprisingly few smokers own one and they're a delight when you have one.

Browse our full accessories selection.

The fail-safe option

If you really can't answer any of the four questions, a curated gift selection is the way to go. Our Cigar Gifts collection includes bundles assembled specifically for the occasion — they cover a range of formats and styles, arrive presented properly, and almost never disappoint.

For pairing the gift with the right drink, see our guides on whisky, cognac and rum.