Like any new hobby, knowing where to begin when it comes to cigar smoking can sometimes be a little daunting. If you have decided you would like to join the wonderful world of cigar smoking, then one of the biggest hurdles can be deciding which cigar is the right one to make your first time enjoyable! As this is such an important yet difficult decision, we have put together our guide to the top ten cigars perfectly suited to new smokers.
As a newcomer, you probably won’t be fully aware of what makes a great starter cigar. It can be difficult to know what to look for when selecting what to begin with, and with so many brands, wrappers, colours, smells and sizes, trying to make a decision unaided can prove a little overwhelming. However, it is all of these factors that make a cigar so special and luxurious, and over time, you will learn not only to differentiate between them but also which ones are your favourites!
To help you get started on your stogie journey, we have put together what we consider to be the top ten cigars for smokers new to the cigar world!
Starting Lighter
Made solely from tobacco, cigars tend to be significantly stronger than what you may be used to from cigarettes or pipes. Rather than jumping straight into the deep end, it is important to start off with a light and mild yet flavourful stogie, which is perfect for beginners, such as the ones below.
Cohiba Siglo I Cigar
The Cohiba Siglo I Cigar was introduced in 1992 to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Colombus’ discovery of the New World!
The Cohiba Siglo I cigar itself is a tiny Corona and is very similar in taste to the other coronas in the Siglo line. The Siglo I’s flavour profile consists of a creamy sweetness, to begin with, followed by coffee bean and mocha flavours with a medium tobacco taste.
Montecristo No.3 Cigar
Montecristo is a premium cigar brand with some truly exceptional cigars on offer in its collection. The No.2 is often considered to be the world’s best cigar, and the No. 4 is a best seller around the world, so the Montecristo No. 3 is certainly in good company.
While Montecristo is generally more tailored to the experienced cigar fan, the Montecristo No. 3 is one of the milder stogies in their range. These cigars guarantee a good draw and burn evenly, making it an uncomplicated smoke, with great coffee flavours.
Davidoff Winston Churchill Petit Panetela The Raconteur Cigar
The Davidoff Winston Churchill Petit Panetela The Raconteur Cigar can be enjoyed in around 20 minutes, making this a short smoke ideal for newcomers as well as time-restricted seasoned pros. As a Petit Panetela, it is a shorter and thinner format that makes a great choice for newbies.
The cigar has a smooth and creamy texture, with soft notes of cedar, light spice, and a touch of sweetness to start. As it progresses, notes of earth, coffee, and cream develop, with the flavours evolving gently, offering a sophisticated smoking experience.
The draw is smooth and the burn even, allowing for a leisurely and satisfying smoke, perfect for new cigar smokers, as it won’t give you any trouble.
Juliany Corojo Corona Cigar
A budget-friendly option for those who don’t want to splash out when trying cigars for the first time, the Juliany Corojo Corona Cigar is a fantastic choice for both novice smokers and aficionados alike. With a short smoke time, mild strength, and fresh taste, these are ideal for new cigar smokers.
ADVentura The Explorer Short Robusto Cigar
An exclusive to Havana House in the UK, the ADVentura The Explorer Short Robusto is an exciting blend that offers notes of spice and chocolate, with an overall sweetness. The Dominican and Ecuadorian tobaccos that are used in this cigar have been aged for between 5 and 7 years, developing a well-rounded flavour. The cigar has a medium-bodied strength, which gives it an approachable yet satisfying depth, that makes it suitable for both novice smokers and seasoned connoisseurs alike.
Partagas Petit Corona Especiales Cigar
The Partagas Petit Corona Especiales packs a mighty punch and a delicious flavour profile that is a great cigar to light up in the early evening with a good cup of coffee.
Partagas are loved the world over, as not only does the brand produce an exquisite range of well-blended and complex cigars, but the founder, Jaime Partagas, is responsible for developing the maturation method of tobacco that has been adopted by most Cuban cigar brands today!
H. Upmann Half Corona Cigar
When you’re just starting out with cigars, you probably don’t want to be dedicating hours of your time to a smoke – you want something short and sweet to test the waters!
The H. Upmann Half Corona is the perfect one for this, taking only around 30 minutes to smoke from start to finish. Within this shorter cigar is a well-balanced and flavourful smoke.
You’ll start with sweet, floral notes that offer creamy hints, which develop into coffee notes as you smoke it. It is complex, with a great draw, making it a fantastic smoke for new and experienced smokers alike.
Montecristo Open J Cigar
A fresh, light and gentle cigar, the Montecristo Open J Cigar is a fine option for those seeking a beginner’s smoke from one of the best Cuban cigar brands. Montecristo is typically known for punchier, bold and strong smokes, so this medium-strength option offers a gentler experience for novice smokers. Measuring only 4 3/8″ x 38, this will be a quicker smoke, which can be appreciated by newer smokers.
Punch Petit Coronations Tubos Cigar
The Punch Petit Coronations cigar is mild in flavour and strength, with woody and fruity notes present throughout. It is a delightful smoke for all experiences, but its mildness makes it perfectly suited to beginners.
Camacho Machitos Orange Connecticut Cigar
This beautiful little cigar is the perfect smoke for when time is of the essence, featuring a Connecticut wrapper and a blend of Dominican and Honduran long-fillers that give way to flavours of spice, cedar and vanilla.
The Camacho Machitos Orange Connecticut Cigars have the exact blends as their larger counterparts and are available in Connecticut, Corojo, and Criollo. Pick up a pack and take them on your next weekend away – we personally take them on our camping trips, and as the weather warms up, there’s no excuse for you not to do the same!
You can buy all of these cigars for beginners online here at Havana House, or check out more of our recommended cigars for the start of your cigar journey here. Need help with how to smoke your first cigars? Check out our guide to cigars for beginners:
