Very few of us can devote unlimited resources to our cigar indulgences. For some, this means limiting ourselves to one or two cigars a week and for others it means limiting how much we pay for our cigars. However, many of like to smoke daily and do not want to sacrifice quality of the cigars just for this luxury. Fortunately, there are a number of alternative smokes out there that meet the criteria of being an everyday smoke in terms of cost and quality. On DogWatch Cigar Radio we regularly include a segment on what we call Value Smokes. As mentioned, these cigars meet our criteria for cost (under $4 per stick) and quality (they still provide a pleasurable experience).

One alternative is to search the store brand bundles for suitable smokes. Unfortunately, this is a tedious and frustrating experience as many of these low cost , no name bundles are quite tasteless or just plain bad.

A better alternative is to search out those special smokes that carry both a value price and reasonable flavor profile.

One of my favorites in this genre is the American Stogies Break Time Petite Corona. This 4.5 x 40 is available for just over $2 per stick and is an excellent fit for those instances when you have limited time to enjoy a cigar or may be facing a situation that has the potential to interrupt you smoking pleasure. For example, when I get in the car on a Saturday or Sunday to go shopping and running errands with my wife, I never know for sure how long I will have to smoke before we get to the first destination that requires me to exit the vehicle. The reason for this predicament is that I do not know where we are going until I am told by my wife, and she usually waits until we are in the car to give me such directions. I am OK with this as it relieves me of significant responsibility in making such decisions and allows me to focus on the cigar and driving. Two things I enjoy. But back to the cigars.

The American Stogie Break Time is inexpensive enough that I don’t mind if I have to leave it only half-smoked and yet tastes good enough for me too enjoy all the way to the end.

Another of the outstanding value selections available come from Gispert (just under $3 a stick), Oliva Serie G (between $3 and $4 per stick), Sabor Cubana ($4 a stick), JML 1902 (about $3 per cigar) and Occidental Reserve (between $2 and $3 per vitola).

I would be remiss if I did not mention the cigar that my podcast partner Dale just loves, the Famous Smoke Nicaragua 3000. Not my favorite smoke but many people enjoy this cigar at about $2 per stick.

Many other options are available but this should give you a quick idea of what you can get for $4 or less per cigar in today’s market.

Enjoy