Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for a cigar smoker in your life, or buying yourself what you need to protect celebratory cigars, you’re in the right place. In this curated cigar gift guide, you’ll find smoke-friendly stocking stuffers, cigar accessories, affordable portable humidors that double as cigar gift bags, and more. Browse below to see what’s lighting cigar smokers’ fires this holiday season.
#1 The Obvious (But Reliable) Choice for Cigar Lovers: Fine Cigars
We almost feel silly pitching this in a gift guide. However, we’re cigar lovers ourselves, and if you asked us our preferred present waiting under the tree, we’d have to be honest: Give us the good stuff!
Admittedly, it can be challenging hunting through different types of cigars for a good one, especially if you don’t share this hobby with your aficionado. In these cases, we recommend visiting a reputable local tobacconist. (Click here to find a premium cigar store near you.)
Tell the cigar retailer how much you want to spend and anything you know about your giftee’s preferences (i.e., he likes Dominicans; she prefers maduros; they’ve been talking non-stop about Arturo Fuente’s Don Carlos, etc.).
Alternatively, we can point you in the direction of this best-of cigars list, written by the industry experts at Cigar Aficionado. It’s a recent “who’s who” of great cigars right now.
When is the best time to visit a cigar store? ➡️ Some tips for shopping for cigars.
#2 Give Year-long Cigar Care with Boveda
Cigars must be stored at an ideal environment of between 65% and 72% relative humidity (RH). Otherwise, those fine cigars will degrade and dry out—or, worse yet, absorb too much moisture and get moldy. The easiest way to store cigars is with Boveda, the inventor, patent holder, and global leader in 2-way humidity control products. Boveda automatically preserves cigars at a consistent, precise moisture level and is the industry standard for humidity packs. The cigar lover in your life deserves no less!
➡️ Once you buy cigars, present them to a cigar lover in:
- A DOUBLE-DUTY CIGAR GIFT BAG—the Boveda Humidor Bag, which is a durable airtight bag specially designed for cigars. Depending on how many cigars you’re gifting, it’s available in three sizes here and comes preloaded with Boveda. Plus, a Boveda Humidor Bag is a gift that keeps on giving—the reusable bag preserves sticks for an entire year and makes for a handy travel cigar case or extra humidor for overflow smokes. (NOW THAT’S A GREAT CIGAR GIFT!)
- A TUPPERDOR—a fancy cigar term for a new plastic storage container that’s powered by Boveda to protect cigars. Get a single standard Boveda 69% RH here to slip in the tupperdor with the cigars. Then add some flair to your holiday cigar gift, include this four pack of Boveda refills.
#3 A Quality Cigar Cutter
If that special someone on your list burns through cigars fairly consistently, a new cigar cutter makes a great gift. Cheaper quality cutters can dull within a year, whereas high-quality cutters have a roughly two-year lifespan or longer. Ideally, choose a stainless-steel cutter that glides evenly and supports at least a 64-ring gauge cigar. Bonus points if the cutter has a warranty, so your cigar lover no longer has to revolve through two-dollar cutters. Colibri and Xikar make excellent options.
And we’d be remiss if we didn’t plug Boveda’s own (and very well-reviewed) cigar cutter.
#4 Personal Touches
Let’s say you want to get them an ashtray, a leather cigar holder or a dedicated cigar lighter. However, you’re worried that it’s too utilitarian. (Gifting someone an ashtray is like what you’d give your dad… in the 1950s). In these cases, consider personalizing a cigar accessory.
Customize a cigar gift with initials, a name, or even a mantra. Sites like Etsy have countless options for personalization. It’s a small but effective way to turn a “standard” cigar gift into a meaningful keepsake.
After the holiday hustle and bustle has passed, a cigar smoker can design his/her own handmade hardwood humidor under the tutelage of craftsman, Ed Sallee of Waxing Moon Humidors.
#5 Wood Humidor Upgrade plus a Starter Kit
A quality humidor is to a cigar lover what a hard-wearing suitcase is to a world traveler: an indispensable piece of equipment to store, organize, and protect precious belongings. At its best, it isn’t just a vessel; it’s a sophisticated, well-made, and impressive possession in its own right. The best humidors are crafted from hardwood and are lined with Spanish cedar. Since quality massively varies, consult with a knowledgeable tobacconist to shop for a new humidor. Remember to include a Starter Kit for Humidors, which comes with everything a cigar lover needs to season a new wood humidor and preserve cigars for months.
TIP: When shopping for new cigar storage, AVOID A GLASS-TOPPED HUMIDOR, which looks like a good way to showcase cigars BUT LEAKS MOISTURE LIKE A SIEVE.
How to tell if you’re buying a good cigar humidor. ➡️ Some tips for shopping for humidors.
A quality well-seasoned humidor is to a cigar lover what a hard-wearing suitcase is to a world traveler: an indispensable piece of equipment.
#6 Cigar Travel Memoir + Personal Cigar Podcast Episode
Looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience for a cigar smoker? Arrange a bespoke cigar podcast recording as a guest of lifestyle journalist Nick Hammond. Nick authored Around The World In 80 Cigars – The Travels of an Epicure. Couple the personal cigar episode with signed copy of his book—secure both here.
In the cigar travel memoir, readers tag along with Nick on cigar adventures across the planet. Weird and wonderful cigar travels take the smoker to Havana; the African plains; Borneo rainforests; Japanese Alps; et al. Your cigar lover not a reader? Around The World In 80 Cigars – The Travels of an Epicure is now available here as an audiobook.
Bonus: Gimmicks, Gags and Assorted Cigar Gadgets
There are many other cigar-focused gift lists on the internet. Mostly gimmicks finds, albeit fun ones. We saw plaques with cheeky old chestnuts like, “If heaven doesn’t have cigars, I’m not going.” We saw Scotch glasses with built-in cigar rests. We saw countless tobacco accessories, including folding ashtrays, ostensibly made from whisky barrels or other macho woods. We even found cigar-scented candles and cigar socks.
At the end of the day, you know your loved one best. If they’d get the most mileage from functional, useful gifts, we recommend sticking to sticks and cigar care accessories. On the other hand, if the cigar lover in your life doesn’t take themselves too seriously, go for the zany.
We hope you enjoyed our rundown of the best gifts for cigar lovers. Remember Boveda always make a fantastic gift for the cigar smoker in your life. Pretty much every aficionado in the world uses Boveda to preserve cigars.
Happy holidays, and best of luck in your search!
