Best Cigars for Beginners 2024

What are the best cigars for a beginner?

Like many other new cigar smokers, you may find yourself asking, “What are the best cigars for a beginner like me?”  Not knowing which cigar to pick from the seemingly endless amount of choices that are out there can be overwhelming to a new cigar smoker.

The choices can seem never-ending…  You have all of the different cigar manufacturers with all of their different cigar lines.  Then on top of that, you have all of the variations that are in the different cigar lines – different wrappers, shapes, and sizes.  The options can truly be mind-boggling if you do not know what you are looking for.

That is why I created this list.  It is a specific list of cigars that the beginner can smoke and experience not a variety of wrappers and fillers and their associated tastes and flavors.  However, it also exposes a new smoker to a variety of manufacturers.  After smoking these five cigars, a beginner should start getting a good feel for their likes and dislikes and be able to choose their next cigars with more confidence.

The Criteria

Cost

As a beginner, I am not going to recommend that you go out and spend $30+ limited production high-end cigar. Nor am I going recommend that you buy a $1 cheap cigar that tastes like rolled up grass clippings. A cigar that is in the $7-$12 range is a great place to start.

Size

A cigar that somewhere in the size of a robusto or corona (approximately 5×50 ) I find is the best for beginners. It is not so big that it is overwhelming and takes a long time to smoke. A cigar of this size should take about an hour to smoke

Construction

A cigar’s construction plays a major role in how enjoyable it is to smoke it (especially for a beginner). A cigar with an easy draw, that burns evenly and whose wrapper doesn’t unravel as you smoke it, is a must for the best smoking experience.

Availability

What good is a list of recommended cigars if you cannot find them? The cigars in this list are ones that you should be able to find almost any online or B&M cigar retailer.  A cigar that is widely available is great for a beginner.

Flavor

A good cigar for a beginner should have a good consistent flavor. Nothing too overly complex, not something that tastes like hot air. Appreciating a cigar with more complex flavors is something that develops over time.

Strength

In order to make a new smoker’s experience the most enjoyable, it is best to start with cigars that are in the mild to medium range. A cigar that is too strong, with too much a kick from nicotine can send a beginner running for the bathroom. Unless you want to spend some time “praying to the porcelain god”, stay away from the stronger cigars at first.

And finally….. the cigars

Based on the criteria above, below is my list of the 5 best cigars for beginners.  With that in mind, these cigars are not solely for beginners.  Even the most seasoned cigar smoker would enjoy any one of these cigars and has most like smoked one or more of them in the past.

Romeo y Julieta 1875 Bully

I can recommend this one from my experience as a beginner.  It is one of the first cigars that I smoked.   The Romeo y Julieta 1875 is a solid tasty smoke. Unlike some cigars, you will find this one stays consistent and flavorful all the way to end.  This makes the entire experience that much more enjoyable.   With a good consistent flavor with just a little hint of spice, this cigar is a great smoke for the beginner.

Arturo Fuente 858 Maduro

For me the Arturo Fuente 858 Maduro ticks all of the boxes.  It is a great example of what a Maduro cigar should be.  A slight sweetness, lots of thick white smoke and a smooth nutty and leathery flavor.  In general, you cannot go wrong with a cigar from Arturo Fuente and the 858 Maduro is a prime example of this.  It is one of the best bang for the buck cigars out there today.

Rocky Patel Vintage 1992

While Rocky Patel makes many great cigars, the Vintage 1992 is one of the best.  Great construction that results in a good draw and an even burn makes this cigar a pleasure to smoke.  Adding to this, a consistent creamy flavor and touch of sweetness that any smoker can appreciate.   The Vintage ’92 is a great introduction to the Rocky Patel line.  It will leave you wanting to smoke more of what Rocky has out there.

Oliva Serie G

If you are looking for a cigar that has a mellower flavor as one of your first smokes, then look no further.  The Olive Serie G delivers a smooth mellow flavor along with a consistent burn, which makes it a great cigar for beginners.  While this cigar will not know your socks off, it is a great smoke that does not disappoint.

PADRON 2000

Padron is another cigar manufacturer that makes many great and high-end cigars.  The Padron 2000 natural is a great starting point in their lineup.  It’s smooth earthy flavor and a consistent draw will make you want to smoke these cigars on a regular basis.  For this reason, Padron is another brand that has some very loyal smokers.  After you try one, you may become one also.

Have you tried any of these cigars yet?  What did you think?

What cigars would you recommend to a beginner?
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Seth

Hi, I’m Seth. I am a husband, a father, a grandfather and a cigar smoker. I have been smoking cigars for over 28 years and I am here to share with you what I have learned about this hobby. And hopefully help you avoid some the mistakes I have made along the way.