It can be overwhelming to choose the right cigar as a beginner. So we’ll show you our list of the best cigars for beginners. They have their own unique identity that different cigar smokers will love.
Whether you’re a cigar aficionado or this will be your first cigar, we guarantee you will find a good cigar for yourself on this list.
Best Cigars for Beginners
Don’t have time to read through? Check out our summary table below for our brief description and recommendations for the beginner cigar smoker / new cigar smoker.
- Ashton Aged Maduro No. 10 Robusto
Our Recommendation! – The tasting notes are chocolate, maple, and black pepper – perfect for any cigar enthusiast - Montecristo Classic Robusto
Best Mild Cigar! a classic series of a cigar. It has some of the best blends - La Flor Dominicana Air Bender Valiente
Ecuador Habano wrapper with slightly more strength - Olivia Serie O Toro Tubo
Smooth, mild, and mellow – perfect for celebrations or special occasions - Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Corona
Slightly sweet and dressed in a silky-smooth Connecticut wrapper
Getting Started
Before we get into our list, let’s get a little background on cigars. This information is particularly helpful for beginner cigar smokers so they can get recommendations.
Cigar Strength
Cigar strength is generally based on the amount of nicotine found in the tobacco leaves. The strength of the cigar is categorized as mild, medium, or bold.
We recommend that new cigar smokers start with a milder cigar. Experienced cigar smokers tend to like strong cigars with bold flavors, but new smokers could find these bold cigars to be harsh and heavy.
Don’t worry – milder cigars are still high quality cigars! Even for the experienced cigar smoker!
Cigar Shape
Cigars come in all different shapes and sizes. Some of the shapes you’ll commonly see around include: Corona cigars, Churchill cigars, Robusto cigars, etc.
This article is meant for beginners, so we won’t dive into each of the cigar shapes. But if you want to learn more, Havana House has a great article that is a Guide to Cigar Shapes and Sizes with helpful graphics and information.
Cigar Size
Cigar sizes are measured by two dimensions – length and ring gauge (circumference). In general, a cigar’s size is independent of its strength and intensity. However, we’ve found that new cigar smokers usually prefer a smaller cigar when starting out.
Long and large cigars typically burn slowly and will last for a long time. On the other hand, small cigars typically don’t burn as long, which is actually a good thing for beginners.
A new smoker usually has a hard time finishing a cigar from start to finish, so starting with a smaller size can make the entire experience more enjoyable.
Cigar Flavor
Cigar flavor is defined by three categories: light, medium, or full. These flavors may be sweet, salty, sour, or bitter.
A full-flavored cigar has brighter and more noticeable flavors, while a light cigar has a more subtle profile.
Full-bodied cigars are usually more fragrant, which is a good tip if you’re checking out cigars in person.
You’ll have to try a few out to see what your preference in flavor is. It is entirely possible to like a cigar that is mild in strength (nicotine) but full in flavor.
Best Cigars for Beginners Online
We’ve compiled a list of cigars that you can order online so that you can test them out and see what you like.
It can be intimidating walking into a cigar shop. So, order these cigars below, give them a try, and next time you go into a shop, you’ll be able to speak knowledgeably about what you like and are looking for.
Remember, a quality cigar doesn’t mean an expensive cigar. On the contrary, all of these cigars are high-quality and reasonably priced so that you can get the best bang for your buck.
If it’s your first time smoking a cigar, make sure you’ve got the basics down before you light one of these up.
Ashton Aged Maduro No. 10 Robusto
This Ashton cigar can be a tremendous addition to a peaceful evening. It is a great cigar that is versatile, exquisite, and mouthwatering. When you have it in silence, it fills your solitary hours with a million gracious images.
It has a Connecticut wrap type and medium strength.
Believe it or not, it is also one of the highly sought-after cigars in the world. People know about it and love to buy it, mainly because of its rich, hearty flavors and sweetness.
It is a perfect choice for those beginner cigar fans who are looking for luxury.
Montecristo Classic Robusto
When it comes to classic cigars, nothing beats Montecristo Classic Robusto. You don’t just smoke it with your mouth. They say smoke it with your eyes and spirit.
We have recommended this classic cigar to many novices, and they love it.
You feel the full flavors of it from the moment you light it. Moreover, it is premium and handmade. It makes you feel like a lavish person.
This cigar is a great option if you want to experience warm spice flavors that are mellow in strength.
La Flor Dominicana Air Bender Valiente
People who smoke a fine cigar like the La Flor Dominicana Air Bender Valiente have good taste. It provides notes of coffee with a touch of cocoa powder and honey.
Though it is strong, it is still very smooth and flavorful. In addition, the nutty, rich flavor provides a natural and earthy taste as you’re smoking it.
This cigar is an excellent choice for anyone new to premium cigars. It provides an exceptional smoking experience that keeps you fastened to your chair.
This cigar is made in the Dominican Republic. It is beautifully balanced and luxuriously full-bodied.
Note this cigar is meant for beginners who are ready to take the next step. Relative to the others listed in this article, this cigar is stronger, more full-bodied, and larger and longer.
Olivia Serie O Toro Tubo
With its mellow Ecuador Habano wrap, this premium cigar brings a host of flavors for beginners. It has an easy-going profile and smoothness that make you feel like you are celebrating in tranquility on some island. The size is Toro with medium strength.
It is also one of the most well-known cigars in the world.
You often find it on the list of smokers. The manufacturers dressed it in a silky, sun-grown wrap that makes it look more expensive.
It is also travel-friendly and great for weekend gateways.
Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Corona
As they say, only fine cigars are worth smoking; Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Corona is one of them. It is beginner-friendly, and it is designed according to its flavor profile.
It has a 44-ring gauge and 5-1/2 length; the shape is Parejo.
This cigar’s strength is medium with a natural, sweet flavor, making this cigar suitable for beginners.
You experience a woodsy flavor and a delicate aroma from this cigar as well.
Honorable Mentions
A few other honorable cigar manufacturers that we didn’t mention in our list but are known for making some of the best cigars in the world:
- Arturo Fuente: A high-class manufacturer that packages their cigars beautifully wrapped and makes their cigars even nicer to smoke. They make great a great medium-bodied cigar.
- Macanudo Cafe: Known for their Connecticut shade wrapper, Macanudo Cafe uses Dominican and Mexican fillers. They make a few mild cigars that are worth trying out.
- Drew Estate: A great company for any cigar smoker. This company uses tobacco from Nicaragua making it a Nicaraguan cigar. Their Undercrown Shade Cigar has a wonderful medium-bodied smoke that is perfect for beginners who like the taste.
Recommendation: Best Cigars for Beginners
Smoking cigars can be a fun and relaxing hobby. If you’re new to cigar smoking, this list of the best cigars for beginners will help get you started. In fact, our recommendation is to try all of these!
They’re all profiled for beginners but have been crafted to appeal to nearly everyone. The best way to find out what you like is to try a few different brands and styles.
If you have to choose only one, we recommend Ashton Aged Maduro No. 10 Robusto. It is famous because of its tantalizing aromas but is still mild to medium in strength.
If you know you’ll need something mild, then we recommend the Montecristo Classic Robusto. It’s smooth and mellow, which is perfect if you’re new to cigars.
All of these are a great introduction to the world of cigars. But remember, there are thousands of different types of cigars out there! So, once you have an idea of what you like, head to your nearest cigar shop to get more recommendations.
Remember – finding the right cigar is all about personal preference! The important thing as a beginner is to be open-minded. Trying out new cigars is part of the entire experience.
Go get started!