Buying cigars for someone else is tricky. Pick too strong and it sits in a drawer; pick too plain and it feels like an afterthought. The good news is you don't need to be a cigar smoker to get it right - you just need to know a little about the person and set a budget.
This guide walks you through how to choose, then gives gift picks at three price levels, from a single good stick to a box-worthy premium. Every cigar below is for adults 19+.
Start with three questions
Before you look at brands, think about who you're buying for:
- How often do they smoke? A newer or occasional smoker will enjoy something mild to medium. A regular can handle a full-bodied Nicaraguan.
- How much time do they have? Short smokes like coronas and cigarillos suit a quick break. A robusto takes about an hour, and a toro or torpedo is for a long evening.
- Do they like Cuban cigars? Some people only smoke Habanos. Others love the bolder flavour of Nicaraguan and Dominican cigars. If you're not sure, ask what's on the band of their last cigar.
Our cigar basics guide explains sizes, strength and wrappers if any of these terms are new.
Under $25: a great single cigar
A single premium cigar makes a thoughtful add-on to a card or bottle, or a nice thank-you.
- Liga Privada Papas Fritas - a 4½ x 44 smoke with a dark Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. A taste of a cult brand in a short format.
- Diesel Whiskey Row Robusto - its binder is aged in bourbon barrels, so it's an easy pick for a whisky lover.
- Romeo y Julieta Mille Fleurs - a classic Cuban petit corona with cedar and light spice. A safe choice for someone who likes Habanos.
- Joya de Nicaragua Clásico Medio Siglo Toro - a 6 x 50 toro from one of Nicaragua's oldest factories, good for a slow evening.
- Nica Rustica Short Robusto - an earthy maduro made by Drew Estate in Estelí, for someone who likes bold and rustic.
- Macanudo M Coffee Belicoso - smooth and mild with a coffee aroma, ideal if they're new to cigars.
$25 to $40: a premium smoke to remember
These are the cigars people save for a celebration. Two or three make a great gift on their own.
- Oliva Serie V Melanio - an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper over Nicaraguan Jalapa filler. Rich and refined. The Melanio Maduro Figurado is the darker, sweeter take.
- My Father The Judge Grand Robusto - a box-pressed 5 x 60 that's strong but balanced. Made for a regular smoker.
- My Father Le Bijou Torpedo - a full-bodied Nicaraguan puro with a Habano Oscuro wrapper. "Le Bijou" means "the jewel."
- E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic - an all-Nicaraguan box-pressed robusto with a reddish colorado wrapper. It looks as good as it smokes.
- Oliva Serie V Double Robusto - a bigger-ring Serie V for someone who already loves the line.
Want more on these brands? Read our Oliva and My Father guide.
$60 and up: Cuban packs for a big occasion
A 20-pack of Cuban minis is a gift that lasts for weeks of short smokes. Each one is quick enough for a coffee break.
- Cohiba Club 20 Pk - the most famous name in Cuban cigars, in a small, smooth format.
- Montecristo Mini 20 Pk - medium-bodied with cedar and cocoa notes.
- Partagás Mini 20 Pk - earthier and a little bolder than the other two.
Not sure which one? Our Cuban cigarillos comparison breaks down the differences.
Add something useful
A small accessory turns a cigar into a complete gift. A Maven Sabre Triple Jet Lighter lights a thick cigar evenly, and Boveda Humidity Packs keep cigars fresh if they don't own a humidor. Add a Premium Ashtray for the patio and they're set. Our cigar storage guide covers how to keep a gift fresh until it's smoked.
Gift tips
- When in doubt, go medium. It suits most smokers.
- Two different cigars beat two of the same - they can compare.
- Buy close to the date, or store them in a sealed bag with a humidity pack.
- Everyone receiving or picking up the gift must be 19+.
Shop cigar gifts in Vancouver
Browse the full cigar collection online, or drop by Tobacconist & Vape, a franchised Express News store at 140 - 2741 E Hastings St, Vancouver, where every stick is kept in our walk-in humidor. Order before 5 PM for same-day delivery between 6 PM and 7 PM to Vancouver, Burnaby and parts of North Vancouver - free over $60. You must be 19+, and ID is checked at pickup and delivery.