This situation doesn’t come up too often, but when it does sometimes things get lost in translation and you‘re not sure what to do. You get Invited to a wedding, perhaps as a best man or just a loyal friend to help him or her out. It’s time for you to provide part of the festivities by choosing which cigars to bring for friends and family. Today there is a humongous selection of cigars on the table, and it’s up to you to find the perfect balance to satisfy as many of the guests as possible.
In my opinion if you are reading this you are probably never going to be chosen for this task, or you may just choose to bring your own cigars for your own enjoyment. Odds are the majority of the guests prefer no smoking or if they do only a handful want a premium cigar for this venue. Culture evolves over time however and cigars are becoming a more popular commodity among the young people, so maybe you have been chosen for this task. Either way you have to make a choice or two on what to bring and set a budget so you’re not wasting too much cash. What do you do?
Well, the first thing I would do is try to find out some more information. How many guests will be at this wedding? What type of food and libations will be available? Are there any current invitees that smoke cigars and if so what do they like? How much are you budgeting for this task? When do you bring the cigars how will they be dispersed; do you leave them on the table with a small set of instructions or do you personally cut and/or light each one for the guests? Which cigars will best suit the mood, and the smoking time for this special occasion? Will the venue be held indoor or outdoors?
These are some of the questions you will often have to address when choosing the right cigars. Once you establish as much of this information as possible, it’s time to head to your local shop or online store and make a decision. Below is a list of a few cigars that I believe should accommodate most of the decision making for you and hopefully have a more memorable wedding.
1. Rocky Patel Catch 22 Connecticut Rothchild (4.5x50)
I chose this cigar for a few reasons; it’s inexpensive so it’s budget conscience at less than 5 dollars per cigar. The size is complimentary to accommodate the smoking time of most guests, roughly around 35-40 min. And last it has an attractive looking cigar with a beautiful light blue and cream colored band that matches the decor of most weddings. The blend of this cigar is not really known, but it is rolled in Honduras and has a Connecticut Shade wrapper. This profile is designed to satisfy both novice and aficionado palettes alike with creaminess and a mellow texture of smoke. You can view the cigar on Rocky Patel’s website here. https://v.gd/Jh8nWG
2. Vicarious Blue Label Torpedo by TreJ Cigars (6.5x52)
This cigar is a little different from the other smokes because it’s a relatively boutique brand compared to the others. TreJ Cigars is a brand based in Southwest Ohio and is founded by three guys named Jay Clark, John Johnson, and Jerry Garrett (hence the name TreJ). I know Jerry personally and is solely responsible for my discovery of this amazing brand. It’s vitola is a torpedo 6.5x52 stick that provides loads of flavor and is perfect to satisfy your wedding companions. It uses an Ecuadorian Corojo wrapper, Dominican Olor binder, and filler from DR, Honduras, and Columbia. A multinational blend that provides both finesse and flavor without the harshness. It’s a conversation starter, a tremendous bargain, and a pleasant experience all rolled into one. You can check them out here http://destyy.com/wMVuP0 and put your zip code in the “Where to Buy“ link on the top of the page. Buy a couple boxes of these for your wedding or just for yourself, you’ll be a hero either way.
3. San Cristobal Elegancia Corona (5.5x46)
I choose this cigar as a potential candidate because of similar reasons from the Rocky Patel Catch 22, but it’s a step up in flavor, presentation, and price. The flavors in this cigar come from its Connecticut Seed wrapper grown in Ecuador and binder and filler from Nicaragua. Its profile is designed for some creaminess and a mild to medium body smoke, but with hints of spice and earthiness. If you have a more upper class wedding venue and want to add some elegance to your guests, grab a box of these. You can find them online at around $6.50 per cigar or about $150 for a box of 25. Plenty to pass around for you and your guests. It’s vitola and presentation make a great compliment to any occasion, especially a wedding.
4. Ashton Cabinet Selection No. 8 Churchill (7x49)
If you are attending a wedding with some panache and you have a more liberal budget to spend on higher quality smokes, I recommend you splurge on a box or two of these Ashton Cabinet Selection Churchills. A classic vitola for the guests who want to have a little extra time to spend with friends and family and entertainment. This cigar has a Connecticut Shade wrapper, and binder and filler from the Dominican Republic. The name of this cigar may sound intimidating, but don’t let that scare you. It’s a medium bodied smoke with rich notes of cedar wood, earthy tones, and a touch of white pepper zing on the retrohale. Coming in at roughly 12 dollars per cigar it’s a bit more than usual, but this is a special occasion and like us, you and your guests enjoy the finer things in life.
5. 1502 Emerald Perfecto (6.5x52)
This brand is another classic favorites of mine for several reasons. I love boutique brands because of there smaller batch sizes in production, the blenders and developers can focus more on the quality of the cigar rather than the quantity. The derivation of the brand 1502 is explained here https://is.gd/LTl5fX. Enrique Sanchez is the founder of this brand under his parent company Global Premium Cigars. This Emerald Line is one of three main extensions of his core lines that pay homage to the people of Nicaragua when Christopher Columbus discovered jewels and gold when he landed in Nicaragua in the year 1502; The Emerald, the Ruby, and Black Gold. The flavor profiles of each is unique depending on your taste preferences and strength you want to enjoy. Emerald is the first line and I chose this line because it’s more of a beginners profile. It’s a safer assumption for wedding guests to be more novices than experts in the world of premium cigars. This Emerald Perfecto is a beautiful and unique shape compared to the other Parejo, or straight sided, vitolas mentioned. This line carries a harmonious blend of Corojo Habano de Nicaragua, long fillers from San Andres – Mexico and fields from Estelí and Condega in Nicaragua. Notes of citrus, leather, and nuts permeate from the smoke and into your nostrils. Yet Another fantastic cigar by one of the most passionate cigar makers I know, Enrique Sanchez. Like Enrique says, It’s not a cigar, it’s a 1502.
Well these are only a few select choices I came up with, however there is a myriad of choices remaining in the world of premium cigars for special occasions such as weddings. My opinion is not the only one that matters, I would love to hear about whI have have cigars you think work best and why. If you have had success with cigars at a wedding, tell us about it! Share your thoughts on twitter or instagram @CigarTipsters. Thanks for reading!