I need to suggest a cigar for a very wealthy man. I've known him for many years and know his wealth is far beyond any concern for price. He smokes around 5-6 every day himself. He wants to find a signature cigar for himself, and one he can give (by the box) as a special gift. He is not interested in Cubans, but enjoys full bodied cigars as long as they aren't harsh. He wants a cigar that meets these criteria:

- Absolute top quality
- Medium/full or full bodied
- A larger ring gauge, length not too important
- Rarely seen in the marketplace
- Somewhat rare, but available here or in Europe
- Something that few of his colleagues will have seen/smoked
- Hopefully, although it is med/full or full bodied, be smokable by most (not harsh)
- Not so rare that he couldn't smoke them regularly, and are available in enough quantity to keep his humidors in multiple homes/locations well stocked continually

He has the resources to acquire a large quantity to meet his needs even if he must have them bought from multiple sources anywhere in the world. Primarily because of his prominence, his dealings with govt officials, and the desire to give them as gifts, he will not accept Cubans for his "signature cigar".

He wants to smoke this cigar almost exclusively, so it will become a sort of trade mark for him among his friends/colleagues (he likes things that few people have). He wants them unique enough that if a box arrives, the receipient will know where it came from.

He is serious about this, so no Bad Frogs suggestions please.

He is a very picky man, known to have sent a plane to Europe to bring back a specific brand of pickles.

So far I'm thinking of suggesting Cohiba Triangulos, knowing he has smoked these and they fit his profile.

Anyone have another suggestion?

Tuck

Ashton VSG

Thanks Pablo, now you're talking a stick I love, just not sure they'd meet his "fairly rare and not seen much" requirement. Tuck

How about the ESG then?

http://www.cigarsinternational.com/prodDisp.asp?item=CB-Y3A7260-M&cat=76&page=all 

AF Anejo Shark

Gurkha HMR

Does anyone else think the guy being described is a wanker and a poser? If he knew cigars well enough to make one his "signature" and impress the elitist circles with them, he wouldn't be asking this question. No offense to the poster, but the guy sounds like a gigantic arsehole. Besides, I share my favorite top shelf cigar with the guy and he goes out, buys every one in sight, drives up the price, and I'm left to smoke the every day stuff...every day?

Sorry, I don't have much time for people who take themselves too seriously, and I'm not about to help some wanker empty the market of my favorite once in a while cigar. When someone is on an ego trip, I'll wait for the next bus, thanks.

A couple quick points:
1. It's my impression that the best of the non-Cuban cigars are primarily sold here in the US. Being able to go elsewhere in the world won't do him much good.

2. Most people don't smoke cigars, and very few know more than a few brands. He could pick AF Hemingway as his signature cigar and have few people recognize it unless he tried to hand them out at cigarfest or RTDA. I know people who know cigars because I hang out on this site and used to hang out in cigar stores, but, unless he's giving them away to friends like that, you've got a 99% chance that his friends don't know anything about the cigar industry.

Other options: La Aurora 100 Anos or Preferidos tubos. Can't go wrong there. PAM is always a favorite, too.

Of course, if he's really that loaded, have him buy Cusano and ensure they extend the Xclusivo line. I'm sure I'd appreciate it.

I'm sorry, it must just be because I'm still not feeling well. My suggestion?

White Owl Pineapple Tubo.


Now if the guy wanted to offer a finder's fee, say of ten boxes of cigars that he's about to empty the markets of, that'd be a different story. Otherwise, he can have two of something that are the only ones in existence in the whole world. One is on my right hand, the other on my left (with apologies to Roman)

‹^› ‹(•¿•)› ‹^›

I forgot to address some of the criteria, especially "anyone receiving a box will know who sent it" - if you really want this, you have two options:

1. have him produce his own bands and slap them on someone else's cigars.

2. contact Perdomo, RP, or another company directly and have them blend a cigar and design a label specifically for him.

Then again, pacman does have a point.

If I were this guy I would just contact a manufacturer and have a batch made to order as a custom smoke. I would name them after me, of course, and have my smiling face on the band. Actually I would want a picture of me with Arnie S.'s body holding up the world like Atlas. Then after they were produced I would bring a wad of cash and some cigars over to that snotty cigar and lifestyle review magazine and demand a good review of the new smoke.

Of course I am not this guy--and hope never to be him.


:-)

D.C Max

Diamond Crown maduro

Padron 40 Anniv.

ESG

Casa Fuente

-Mark

I say contact Gurkha and have them roll a special line just for him....

I'd suggest the CAO Maricon.

It goes well with European pickles.

Tell the guy to just buy some nice cigars and not be such a ****.

Pac speaks the truth.

This quote comes to mind when I think about this guy;

"I-I-I know what you're gonna say son. When two halves is gone there's nuthin' left - and you're right. It's a little ol' worm who wasn't there. Two nuthins is nuthin'. That's mathematics son. You can argue with me but you can't argue with figures. Two half nuthins is a whole nuthin'."

If I wanted a signature cigar, and money was no object, then I would contact one of the many excellent tobacco houses, and have them make me my own blend, with my own band, with my own special designed signature box...

Taste in cigars is subjective.......I'd hate to pass out cigars that someone else won't smoke.

Maybe since the guy has a source for rare European pickles, he should just adopt those as his "signature pickle".

All his friends would say, "Uh Oh......here he comes........he has PICKLES!!!!!!......Oh Boy.....I sure hope he gives us some of his signature pickles!!"


This reminds me........I'm getting low on caviar.....I think I'll have some flown in from Russia.

Are you serious ????????


Going with pac & Andy 100% on comments.

^ careful Ram,

I hear this guy doesn't own a shpo and reports twice daily. Shpo owners protect him!!

Tuck, I would think Davidoff fits most of that criteria. Limited distribution, smooth, mild cigar for those who don't smoke much, mille edition if he prefers a little stronger smoke. Many peers would recognize the name, but not have smoked many davidoffs, if any.