Perdomo Lot 23. Worked on me and a couple of other people I know.

5 Vegas Gold also, mild yet still a lot of flavor. My wife loved it.
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A third vote for the Macanoodle. All I've had are very well made, good burn, nice taste.
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I'm going to suggest a slightly different approach. Instead of a mild cigar, I would offer them something medium to full bodied, but still smooth. My reasoning is that new smokers tend to favor maduros and stronger cigars. I know in my case, it wasn't until I had been smoking a while that I learned to appreciate the refined subtlety of a good mild cigar.

just be careful not to get anything harsh. I'd recommend a PAM but that's a little pricey for a first-timer.
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Just give him a Thompson's Tampa and a kick in the nuts... That's how I got started!!!

It's all up hill from there!!!:-)
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What? No Arganese?


Who are you and what have you done with MOBD?
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oohh I always forget how good these are.

and cheap!
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Cuesta Rey Centenario would be my choice.
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CAO Gold gets my vote! Cheap and a great mild!
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I'm with JBailey, the Rocky Patel Edge Lite is a perfect first time smoke. I got my start on NC Romeos. Most of their lineup is rather mild-med with decent flavor. Matter of fact I had one this summer for the first time in prob a year or two and I really enjoyed it. Much more than I expected to. That said, those Edge Lites are my fav Edge, and a very good $5-6 smoke.

Mike
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:-) I had Macanudos and the like. I attribute the fact that I never got into cigar smoking until late in life to this unfortunate turn of events. A standard Padron pushed me down the slope. :-)
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The cusano 18 double connecticut is a great mild smoke in my book. Also consider a ryj reservea real. Both are cream bombs to me.
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man ur making me wanna smoke my cusano 18
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Which did you enjoy more, Darrell? :-)
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Punch


London


Club


Maduro


:-)
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Regular Ashton line may not be the right one for him. He likes hoppy beer so it may be too light and the price point is on the high side. My thought was a Padron in the 1000 series.
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my first was a padron 1964 anniv. Principe (natural)
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I usually go for a Padron 2000 or Londres when I'm hosting rookie smokers. Great flavor but hopefully won't make them turn green. And I really like 'em too so I always have them in the Vino
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Thanks everyone for suggestions. Got many ideas now. I think for the first one I will try with a mild. If it doesn't work, at least he probably won't be sick and I can try with a more medium body next which I'm taking notes on for ideas. I actually have a RyJ Reserva Real in my tupperdor that I might break out and smoke tomorrow to give me a idea on if that might be a good way to go. I've been meaning to get around to trying it anyways as I've been sticking with the fuller body stuff and need to diversify myself:-) Feel free to keep them coming.
Thanks
-John
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There have been lots of good suggestions for cigars. I am partial to something like the Perdomo Lot 23, a Padron 3000 Maduro, or a Macanudo Portofino.

Regardless of what cigar you choose, I would recommend a less expensive cigar for a first timer -- you don't want them to think that they have to spend a lot of money in order to enjoy a good cigar.

:-)
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Give him a Litto Gomez Chisel to show your superiority, then act the benevolent savior with a Macanudo, and mentor him up the strength chain from there. Then he's all yours.
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