Disclaimer:

My apologies to whoever wrote this article. It wasn’t me. I copied this article from somewhere, and for the life of me, I can’t remember where. If it was you, let me know so I can give you the credit. Otherwise, please enjoy and maybe learn something.

Suggestions From a “Professional Cigar Smoker”

Since it would take up too much space, I can’t list every good mild and medium-bodied cigar available. So, without turning this post into a commercial, here’s a line-up of 8 that I’ve recommended for beginners over the years with a good share of success.

Arturo Fuente 858 Cigars
Carlos Torano 1916
Gispert
Gran Habano # 1
Macanudo Estate Reserve
Nirvana by Drew Estate
Perdomo 10th Anniversary Champagne
Rocky Patel American Market Selection

Seek and Ye Shall Find

You can start with one of the above, or maybe you’ll find something else. If you like your first cigar, you may want to return to it or, more than likely, you’ll want to try something else. For this reason, I would also recommend starting with a sampler that has a mix of mild and medium cigars. Samplers are a great way to discover your first cigar, for one, because of the variety of cigars in the pack, and secondly because you have a better chance at finding the right cigar for you until you’re ready to move on; maybe even more than one in the pack will satisfy you enough to buy a box. Moreover, part of the fun of discovering the wonderful world of premium cigars is trying new and different blends.

A Trendy Business

As a new cigar smoker you should note that the cigar business is also a trendy one. Recently, plump, extra-wide-body cigars have become all the rage, while about five years ago Lanceros (long, skinny cigars) were in vogue, and for the better part of the last 14 years, manufacturers have been making stronger and more complex cigars. Lately, as I’ve spoken to cigar smokers who have been partaking for decades, I find that many of them have tired of the heavy stuff and are returning to milder cigars. Even the great Don Pepin has just released Don Pepin Connecticut selection, a mild Nicaraguan cigar with an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper. I don’t think those cigar smokers are going to give up their Liga Privada No.9’s, Alec Bradley Prensados, Ashton ESG’s, or Oliva Serie V’s anytime soon, but you can be pretty sure the majority of them started out just like you!