The beginning.

Your warriors over in either sandbox need down time. Being that one of the best ways to  decpmpress and relax is a cold beer, the NEXT best thing  in hell is a cigar.

These are great for everyone (known to cure illness……….ok maybe not) but they are great for warriors to smoke at the end of the day, or special occasion while deployed.

WHO-

Everyone smoke cigars. Especially my 90 yr old grand mother. If they don’t smoke stoags, they probably dip and then you can just substitute dip for cigar through all this.

WHAT

Cigars come ia all sorts of flavors and strengths. A Maduro will kick your butt if you are not use to smoking them. A mediaum or lighter colored cigar is better for the 9 yr olds out there starting to smoke cigars J Kidding.

WHEN

Cigars are great for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

WHERE

You can get cigars from numerous places. Some will ship direcly to the warrior in the sand box with a special msg from you. (www.cigar international.com does this.

Otherwise you can go into your local cigar shop, tell the meat behind the counter what your doing and get a discount if he is a descent guy. Then put them in a zip lock back and ship away in a strong box.

WHY

C’mon haven’t you been listening?

OK, if you have questions put them in this forum. If you are experienced on shipping stoags to troops, put your lessons here as well.

Well we are waiting!!!!

Great timing!  My husband and I are putting together a box of cigars for OUR MARINES.  He bought a nice Colibri lighter to send along, but I understand we must ship it empty.  Is butane readily available?  I had looked at some 15 cigar samplers from Rocky Patel, but unfortunately they (CI) are sold out.    Could you suggest other good cigars (size/shape, also) that would rate an OORAH?  We want 'em to be really happy!  Seriously, they deserve something to look forward to after a successful mission.  It's the least we can do. 

Thanks for your help...and especially for your service!   It's great to have you on the forum!

Brenda

Nice to see you, Gary!

I have been buying our local cigar store's "specials", unlabeled, inexpensive, basically whatever brand/flavor the cigar store has gotten a "deal" on.  They are all in the $1.50-$2.50 range.  I like to tuck one in each box, but from looking at the range of cigars available (I had no idea! LOL), I realize these probably fall into the "cheap cigar" class.  Since the cigars are sort of an "extra" to what I am actually sending, to buy more expensive cigars would impact my overall budget.   I am hoping that because they do come from a cigar dealer, even the cheap ones would be better than an over-the-counter smoke shop brand?  (The dealer assures me that is true, but his job is to sell cigars, even the cheap ones, right?) 

My question:  Is no cigar better than one of these "cheap cigars"?   Or is one $4-range cigar in every other box preferrable to a $2 cigar in every box?

Thanks! 

Great job guys!  I would recommend zippo lighters for a couple reasons. 1) they are cheaper and 2) they will have fluid over in the sandbox at exchanges to fill them. Expensive cigar lighters are nice but buy them a zippo lighterand then spend the extra cash on some stoags

Note: a zippo lighter or unit coin is like gold in Iraq. You could probably get a T-72 tank for a zippo!!!!

 Cigars come in a wide price range but as the old saying goes.......you get what you pay for.  A cigar in the 4-5 dollar range is great. You can spend up to $20 for a Rocky Patel Anv. cigar but I bet the warriors would enjoy any $5 stoag like a Padron 3000 or CAO Amazon (one of my favorites) that wont break your bank!

If you support a unit perhaps look at send a box. A box can run from $30-$150 depending on the quality of stoags. This way one warrior can pass them out to his buddies.

Gary,

Thanks for your input!  We'll send a couple Zippos along. 

Also, the Rocky Patel sampler bundles are back in stock.  I'll send along one of those and then purchase a box per your suggestion.  We're supporting 70 Marines so a box is a MUST.  Will check into the CAO Amazons.

Thanks again...

Brenda

Hi, Gary,

I'm waiting on my first order from CI to arrive tomorrow.  I was finally able to order the Rocky Patel samplers..40 cigars for $99.  That seemed like a good deal so I ordered 80 cigars total.  The CAO Amazons are still on backorder for 2-3 wks., but I'll order a box of those to make my Marines really happy!    The weekly special is 10 CAO Cx2 Robusto and 10 Partagas Naturales for $59.95.  I'm just learning about good cigars...what do you think about these?

For those ordering cigars for your Warriors, CI seems to be a great choice!  Quick confirmation of your order and shipping, followed shortly by e-mail confirmation of shipping and tracking info.  Also, they send you weekly specials via e-mail.  Of course, we'll need your expert opinion, Gary, on some of the "deals". 

Thanks for helping us out!

Brenda 

Cuban Crafters is one of my favorite places to get stoags from and sending a humidor already full of cigars is a great way to send cigars to warriors. Great job.

For those warriors in theater who are reading this and don’t have a humidor, try using a ammo can. Wash it out so the resign doesn’t ruin your cigars and most importantly poison YOU! The trick will be to leave a damp piece of cloth in there with your stoags and make sure you crack the seal every couple of days because the seal is so tight Ive had cigars actually mold (in the bad way) because the seal wasn’t broken for a week or so.

Thanks Gary!!!

Talk about a fountain of knowledge!!!  I was opposed to this whole idea at first because I'm "one of those" non-smokers. But, honestly, I like the smell of a good cigar...but, back on task here, I decided "What the heck!!??!!!" These warriors need nothing more than somthing that will provide them a few minutes of relaxation and if a cigar provides that for them then I'm all for it.

And now I know better how and where to shop!!!

Thanks again...and ALWAYS thank ou for your service!!

Reta

What is the best way to pack the matches?  How many are legal to send at one time?  Have you ever had Garcia Vega Crystal?  My brother in law smokes them and they smell really good.  He said they are only $5-$6 for a box of three, but they are hard to find.

Thanks for the info and by the way all your years of service.  Are you overseas right now?

VickiV