Explore how to choose your first cigar with confidence. From understanding cigar strength and size to discovering the best Cuban and New World cigars for beginners, our guide helps you find your perfect first smoke at Simply Cigars.
Begin Your Journey into the World of Cigars
Choosing your first cigar should be a pleasure, not a puzzle. Cigars embody craftsmanship, patience, and tradition — whether you’re celebrating a milestone or indulging in quiet relaxation. Understanding the basics helps ensure your first experience is smooth, balanced, and memorable.
Understanding Strength and Size
Every cigar has its personality, defined by strength, size, and flavour.
- Strength: Begin with mild or medium-bodied cigars. These offer subtle notes of cedar, cream, and spice, allowing your palate to adjust gradually.
- Size: A Robusto or Corona is ideal for beginners, offering a satisfying 30–45-minute smoke that showcases flavour transitions without overcommitting.
Match Your Cigar to the Moment
Your first cigar should complement the occasion. Lighter cigars suit daytime or social smoking, while richer, medium-bodied blends pair beautifully with coffee, rum, or whisky after dinner.
Take your time lighting the cigar — toast the foot evenly, draw gently, and savour the aroma. Cigars are for tasting, not inhaling.
Recommended First Cigars at Simply Cigars
Here are some excellent cigars for beginners, including both Cuban, New World and International Machine-Made options, available from Simply Cigars.
Cuban Classics
- Romeo y Julieta No.2 Tubed – Single Cigar
Smooth and aromatic with creamy cedar notes. Perfect for beginners, elegantly presented in a protective aluminium tube. - Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Robusto – Single Cigar
Mild yet full of flavour, offering light honey and wood tones in a shorter format ideal for relaxed sessions. - Montecristo No.4 – Single Cigar
The best-selling Cuban cigar worldwide. Medium-bodied with flavours of cocoa, spice, and coffee — the next step in your cigar journey. - Quintero Favoritos – Single Cigar
A robust yet approachable Havana with earthy, nutty undertones — excellent value for authentic Cuban craftsmanship.
New World Selections
- Oliva Serie G Robusto – Single Cigar (Nicaragua)
A Nicaraguan gem offering a mild-to-medium body with notes of toasted nuts, coffee, and sweet spice. Smooth, well-constructed, and ideal for beginners. - Alec Bradley Black Market Toro – Single Cigar (Honduras)
A beautifully balanced smoke with creamy chocolate and pepper tones. Offers more complexity without overpowering the palate. - Flor de Oliva Robusto – Single Cigar (Nicaragua)
Affordable, hand-rolled, and dependable. A mellow introduction to New World flavour with gentle sweetness and wood notes. - Plasencia Alma Fuerte – Single Cigar (Nicaragua)
For when you’re ready for more flavour complexity: rich, complex Nicaraguan blend with cocoa, leather, spice. Great for developing your taste further (Also in the UK best-selling list). - Ritmeester Royal Dutch Elites – Pack of 5 Cigars
Convenient and consistently smooth. A quick, easy smoke perfect for casual enjoyment or travel.
Low-Cost Machine-Made Cigars
For those seeking an affordable, everyday option, machine-made cigars provide consistent quality and great value without the premium price of hand-rolled blends. Ideal for casual smoking, travel, or relaxed moments when convenience matters most.
- Charatan Corona Machine Made – Single Cigar
A smooth and reliable smoke with mild flavours and an even burn. Perfect for an easy, everyday cigar that maintains classic character at a low cost. - Charatan Senorita – Single Cigar
Smaller in size but full of gentle, aromatic flavour. A quick and satisfying option for those who prefer a lighter, shorter smoke. - Dutch Blend Mini Cigarillos – Single Cigar or Pack Format
Compact, flavourful, and affordable. Ideal for beginners or anyone looking for a convenient cigarillo with consistent taste and smooth draw.
These cigars provide an approachable introduction to cigar smoking, offering dependable quality and value for money — perfect for everyday enjoyment or relaxed occasions.
Developing Your Taste
As you explore different blends, you’ll begin to recognise the regional nuances that define your preferences.
- Experiment Gradually: Try cigars from various origins — Cuban, Nicaraguan, Dominican, and Honduran — to find your preferred style.
- Store Correctly: Use a humidor or humidified bag to preserve freshness and flavour.
- Pair Thoughtfully: Match mild cigars with coffee or white rum, and medium cigars with whisky, port, or espresso.
Your First Cigar Awaits
Choosing your first cigar is an experience to savour. Start with quality, embrace variety, and enjoy discovering what makes the cigar world so captivating.
Explore our full range of cigars at Simply Cigars and find your perfect first smoke today.