When standard gifts are not enough
Executive cigar gifts exist for the moments when the relationship demands something beyond a branded box. A board member who joined your advisory committee. A partner who referred the deal that defined your quarter. A CEO who approved the contract your team spent 8 months closing. These recipients can tell the difference between a $50 gift and a $300 one, and the difference matters because it communicates how seriously you value the relationship.
The executive tier at Design My Cigar starts at the Padron 1964 Anniversary Maduro at $22 per cigar and scales up through laser-engraved humidors and curated multi-cigar sets. Every element -- the cigar, the box, the band, the note card -- is selected to create a gift that feels personally assembled rather than mass-produced.
The Executive Cigar Collection
Padrón 1964 Anniversary Maduro
$22Flavor: Cocoa, coffee, sweet cedar, leather
The Padron 1964 Anniversary Maduro at $22 per cigar is the cigar that cigar publications call the benchmark without hyperbole. Box-pressed construction, sun-grown Maduro wrapper, aged Nicaraguan long filler. Ninety minutes of cocoa, coffee, sweet cedar, and leather. Cigar-savvy recipients will immediately recognize the caliber. This is the default cigar for all executive gift sets unless the recipient has a known preference for something different.
The Award Winner — For Cigar ConnoisseursOliva Serie V Melanio
$16Flavor: Dark chocolate, toasted nuts, espresso
The Oliva Serie V Melanio at $16 is a multiple Cigar of the Year winner. Include it alongside the Padron in a curated multi-cigar set to offer variety. The Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper and Nicaraguan puro blend deliver dark chocolate and espresso waves that appeal to experienced smokers. At $4 less than the Padron, it lets you add a third or fourth cigar to the set without exceeding budget.
The Exclusive — Only From Design My CigarTheodora Gordo
$18Flavor: Rich earth, dark cocoa, subtle spice
The Theodora Gordo at $18 is our house blend, available exclusively through Design My Cigar. Including it in an executive set adds genuine exclusivity: the recipient cannot buy this cigar at any retail shop. The 60 ring gauge Maduro is bold and complex, with rich dark cocoa and subtle spice. Use it as the third cigar in a curated set to show breadth and personalization.
Executive packaging
Executive packaging is the first thing the recipient touches. It sets the tone before they see the cigars inside. Every option below is designed to arrive presentation-ready with no additional assembly.
5-cigar laser-engraved cedar box
$28 per box
Five cigars in a hinged Spanish cedar box with laser-engraved lid. Felt-lined interior. Branded ribbon tie. Engraving options: recipient name, company logo, event name and date, or a custom message up to 40 characters. The most popular executive gift format for deal closings and partner appreciation.
10-cigar desktop humidor
$85 per humidor
Ten cigars in a lacquered desktop humidor with Spanish cedar lining, analog hygrometer, and humidification element. Laser-engraved company logo or recipient name on the lid. Functions as permanent cigar storage long after the gift cigars are smoked. The premier choice for board members, C-suite, and VIP partners.
Curated 3-cigar tasting set
$15 per box (plus cigar cost)
Three different cigars in a rigid branded box with individual cigar descriptions printed on a tasting card. Includes flavor notes, strength ratings, and pairing suggestions. Best for recipients who enjoy exploring different cigars. Pair Padron 1964 plus Oliva Serie V Melanio plus Theodora Gordo for a full spectrum from medium to full body.
Personal touches
The details that separate an executive gift from a corporate gift are the personal elements. These are the extras that tell the recipient this was assembled for them specifically.
Handwritten note card
$3 each
Premium card stock, hand-written message. For sets of 10 or fewer, we can write a unique message per recipient. Provide the text and we handle the rest.
Custom band with recipient name
Included in band design
Each cigar band can include the recipient's name alongside your company logo or monogram. Individual name personalization at no extra cost.
Cigar cutter or lighter
$12 to $45 each
Add a branded Xikar cutter or single-flame lighter to the set. Laser-engraved with your logo or the recipient's initials. Functional accessories that extend the gift's lifespan.
Tasting card
$2 each
A printed card describing each cigar in the set: name, origin, strength, flavor notes, and suggested pairing. Helps the recipient choose the right cigar for the right moment.
Use cases
Deal closings
Present a 5-cigar engraved cedar box at the signing table. The cigar becomes part of the ceremony, and the box sits on the recipient's desk as a permanent reminder of the partnership.
Board member gifts
Annual board gifts in 10-cigar humidors with the company logo. Ship to each board member's home address in December. No invoice included.
Partner appreciation
A curated tasting set sent after a successful joint venture or referral. The tasting card personalizes the experience and shows you selected each cigar deliberately.
Retirement and milestones
A 10-cigar humidor engraved with the retiree's name and years of service. Include a handwritten note from the CEO. A gift that honors the relationship, not just the milestone.
Speaker and keynote gifts
Thank keynote speakers and panelists with a 3 or 5-cigar set presented backstage. Compact enough to travel home. More memorable than a gift card.
Investor and LP relations
Quarterly fund updates paired with a seasonal cigar gift. Positions the fund as thoughtful and relationship-oriented. Stored templates make reorders frictionless.
Example set pricing
All prices include custom band design and hand-banding. Shipping via FedEx overnight averages $45 to $95 per destination. Volume discounts available for 10 or more identical sets.
Frequently asked questions
What makes executive cigar gifts different from standard corporate cigars?
Executive gifts use prestige-tier cigars ($22 per cigar and above), premium packaging (laser-engraved humidors, felt-lined presentation boxes), and personal touches (handwritten note cards, custom engraving). The total gift value typically ranges from $150 to $500 per recipient. These are not bulk conference giveaways -- they are one-to-one relationship investments.
Can you engrave the recipient's name on the humidor?
Yes. Laser engraving is available on all cedar and wood humidors. You can engrave the recipient's name, initials, company logo, or a custom message. Engraving is included in the humidor price. Provide the engraving text at the time of order.
Do you offer handwritten note cards?
Yes. For executive gift orders, we include handwritten note cards on premium stock at $3 each. Provide the message text and we hand-write each card individually. For orders of 10 or fewer, we can write a personalized message per recipient.
How do you ship executive cigar gifts safely?
Executive gifts ship in double-walled corrugated boxes with custom foam inserts, Boveda 69 percent humidity packs, and cold packs during summer months. Overnight FedEx with adult signature required. Tracking confirmation sent same day. We guarantee arrival in presentation-ready condition.
Can you ship directly to the recipient with no invoice?
Yes. All executive gift shipments are sent without pricing information. The recipient sees only the branded packaging, the cigar set, and the note card. We never include invoices, packing slips with prices, or any materials that reveal the cost.
Build your executive set
Tell us about the recipient, the occasion, and your budget at info@designmycigar.com or call (201) 250-4376. We will curate a set recommendation and return a written quote within 24 hours. For logo branding, see our custom logo cigars page. For recurring gifting programs, see client appreciation cigars.