How to choose your first cigar
Cigario editorial · updated 1 October 2026
Your first cigar does not need to be expensive, large or famous. It needs to be well stored, draw comfortably and be gentle enough that you notice the flavor instead of the nicotine. Here is everything that actually matters, in the order you will need it.
- Start with a mild to medium Robusto or Corona.
- Buy from a shop that keeps its cigars in a walk-in humidor.
- Plan 45–60 quiet minutes and have a glass of water.
- Do not inhale. Take a slow puff every 30–60 seconds.
- Write down three things you noticed. That is your first tasting note.
What a cigar is made of
A premium cigar is built from three kinds of tobacco leaf. The filler is the blend in the middle and gives most of the strength and body. The binder is a tougher leaf that holds the filler together. The wrapper is the fine outer leaf you see; it shapes the look, the first aroma on your lips and a good part of the flavor.
The filler carries most of the strength, the wrapper much of the aroma and look.
The rounded end you cut is the head, closed with a small round piece of leaf called the cap. The open end you light is the foot. The paper ring is the band, which tells you the brand and line. Knowing these words makes every shop conversation and every guide easier.
Strength is not flavor
These two get mixed up all the time. Strength is about nicotine and body: how heavy the cigar feels. Flavor is what you taste: cedar, coffee, cream, pepper, cocoa, nuts or earth. A cigar can be full of flavor and still gentle, and a strong cigar can taste quite simple.
A good first cigar sits low on strength and in the middle on flavor.
For a first cigar, look for mild to medium strength with clear, friendly flavors such as cedar, cream, nuts or light coffee. Many Dominican cigars and lighter Nicaraguan blends fit well. Do not judge strength by color alone: a dark Maduro wrapper is often sweeter and richer, but not automatically stronger.
Pick a size you have time for
The format of a cigar is called its vitola. It is written as length × ring gauge, where ring gauge is the diameter in 64ths of an inch. Size changes how long you smoke, how warm the smoke feels and how the flavor develops.
Where to buy, and what to ask
A good tobacconist is the best shortcut. Look for a shop with a walk-in humidor or well-kept cabinets, and tell them honestly that it is your first cigar. These questions get you a useful answer quickly:
- How strong is it? Ask for mild to medium.
- What does it taste like? Listen for cedar, cream, nuts or coffee.
- How long does it take? Aim for 45–60 minutes.
- How has it been stored? The answer should be "in the humidor".
- What would you smoke after it? A good shop will happily plan your next step.
You can also browse the Cigario catalog by format and origin, and read community ratings before you visit the shop.
Check the cigar before you buy
What you need
- A sharp double-blade cutter. A clean cut matters more than an expensive one.
- A butane lighter or long wooden matches. Avoid petrol lighters and candles, which add their own smell.
- A glass of water. It refreshes the palate. Coffee or a drink can come later.
- An ashtray and a calm spot. Outdoors in the shade or a good lounge. Wind makes the cigar burn hot and uneven.
- 45–60 minutes. Nobody waiting for you is the most underrated accessory.
Your first cigar, step by step
Beginner mistakes
- Choose mild to medium for your first few cigars.
- Smoke slowly and sip water in between.
- Smoke after a meal, not on an empty stomach.
- Stop when it stops being pleasant.
- Buying the biggest or strongest cigar in the shop.
- Inhaling the smoke like a cigarette.
- Puffing quickly to keep it lit.
- Judging the whole cigar by the first few puffs.
Write your first note
You do not need fancy tasting words. Write down the exact cigar and size, how it drew, how evenly it burned, how strong it felt and three things you tasted. After five or six cigars you will start to see what you like, and that is the moment cigars become really fun.
Keep your notes in the Cigario appLog your cigars, rate them on a 0–5 scale and see your own flavor profile grow.Get the app ›Frequently asked questions
Should I inhale cigar smoke?
No. Cigar smoke is meant to be tasted in the mouth and let out. Inhaling makes the experience harsh and much stronger.
How long does a first cigar take?
A Robusto or Corona usually takes 35–55 minutes when smoked at a relaxed pace.
Do I need a humidor for one cigar?
No. If you smoke it within a day or two, keep it in its cellophane in a cool, shaded place. A humidor matters once you keep cigars for longer. See the humidor guide.
Can I relight a cigar that went out?
Yes, within an hour or so. Gently blow through it to push out stale smoke, knock off the loose ash, then toast and relight.
Is a Cuban cigar the best first cigar?
Not necessarily. Many Cuban cigars are medium to full, and quality depends on the cigar and its storage. A well-kept mild Dominican or Nicaraguan cigar is often the easier start.
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