New to Cigars? A Beginner’s Guide to Finding Your First Favorites

Getting into cigars can feel a little overwhelming. With so many brands, sizes, wrappers, strengths, and price points to choose from, how do you know where to start?

The good news? You don’t need to be an expert or spend a fortune to enjoy a great cigar.

Whether you’re interested in trying your first cigar, building a small humidor, or finding an everyday smoke, there are plenty of quality options that make exploring cigars approachable and affordable.

At LM Cigars, we believe discovering cigars should be enjoyable, not intimidating. Here’s what every beginner should know before buying cigars online.

1. Start With a Cigar That Matches Your Taste

One of the first things you’ll notice when shopping for cigars is that they come in different strengths, typically described as smooth (mild), medium, or full-bodied.

While strength and flavor aren’t exactly the same thing, understanding these categories can help you narrow down your options.

Smooth Cigars: Often a popular starting point for beginners, these cigars tend to offer approachable flavors such as cream, cedar, nuts, and subtle sweetness. Connecticut-wrapped cigars are frequently found in this category.

Medium-Bodied Cigars: These offer a little more richness and complexity without necessarily being overpowering. You might notice notes of coffee, toasted nuts, earth, or spice.

Full-Bodied Cigars: Often more intense in flavor, these cigars may feature stronger notes of pepper, dark chocolate, espresso, and earth.

If you’re just starting out, a smooth or medium-bodied cigar is often a comfortable place to begin. As you explore different blends, you’ll develop a better understanding of what you enjoy. There are also strength variants that fall between these, like Smooth – Medium and Medium -Full.

And remember, a stronger cigar isn’t necessarily a better cigar. It’s all about personal preference.

2. You Don’t Have to Spend a Lot to Enjoy a Good Cigar

One of the biggest misconceptions among new cigar smokers is that expensive cigars are automatically better.

While some premium cigars command higher prices because of their tobacco, aging, craftsmanship, or limited production, there are plenty of affordable cigars that deliver an enjoyable smoking experience.

In fact, starting with value-oriented brands is a smart way to explore different styles without making a major investment.

A few brands worth getting to know include:

Luis Martinez: A historic cigar brand with approachable, value-focused offerings. A great name to explore if you’re looking for traditional cigar flavors without a premium price tag.

Quorum: Known for its accessible pricing and straightforward blends, Quorum is a popular option for smokers looking for everyday value.

Factory Throwouts: These cigars offer a no-frills approach, making them worth considering for smokers who prioritize price and a casual smoking experience.

Brick House: For beginners interested in exploring more premium-style cigars while still keeping value in mind, Brick House cigars by J.C. Newman Cigar Co. offers a range of well-regarded blends.

The goal isn’t to find the most expensive cigar on the shelf. It’s to discover one you enjoy enough to smoke again.

3. Understand Cigar Sizes Before You Buy

Cigars come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, but you don’t need to memorize every term before making your first purchase.

Three common sizes you’ll encounter are:

• Robusto: Typically around 5 inches long with a thicker ring gauge. A popular, manageable size for exploring different blends.
• Toro: Usually around 6 inches long, offering a longer smoking experience than many robustos.
• Churchill: A longer cigar, traditionally around 7 inches, suited to occasions when you have more time to relax.

For beginners, a robusto is often a practical starting point. It’s a popular format, widely available across brands, and generally requires less time than larger cigars.

Keep in mind that smoking time depends on more than size alone. Construction, tobacco blend, and how quickly you smoke all play a role.

4. Cigar Samplers Are One of the Best Ways to Learn What You Like

If you’re new to cigars, buying an entire box of something you’ve never tried probably isn’t the best first move.

That’s where cigar samplers come in.

Samplers let you explore different brands, blends, and flavor profiles without committing to a full box. They’re also an excellent way to compare cigars side by side and begin identifying your preferences.

For example, you might discover that you prefer a smooth Connecticut wrapper in the afternoon but enjoy a richer maduro blend after dinner.

At LM Cigars, our cigar sampler collection offers a convenient way to experiment.

If you’re curious about richer tobacco flavors, the Luis Martinez Maduro Selection Sampler is one option worth exploring. Or, if you’d like to experience several different blends from an established premium manufacturer, the Ashton 5-Cigar Assortment offers another introduction.

Trying a variety of cigars is often more valuable than buying a large quantity of just one.

5. Learn a Few Cigar Basics Before Lighting Up

You don’t need an elaborate collection of accessories to get started, but understanding a few fundamentals can make your first experience more enjoyable.

Cutting Your Cigar

Most premium handmade cigars have a closed cap that needs to be cut before smoking. A simple guillotine-style cigar cutter is a great starting tool. Make a clean cut near the cap without removing too much of the wrapper. A brand we carry and enjoy at LM Cigars is Xikar. 

Lighting Your Cigar

Use a butane lighter or wooden matches to toast the foot of the cigar evenly before taking your first puff. Rotate the cigar as you light it to encourage an even burn. Checkout Colibri and Jetline to find a style you might like.

Take Your Time

Cigars are meant to be enjoyed slowly. Puffing too frequently can make a cigar burn hot and taste harsh.

Unlike cigarettes, cigar smoke is generally drawn into the mouth to appreciate the flavor rather than intentionally inhaled.

Store Your Cigars Properly

If you plan to keep cigars for more than a short period, proper storage matters. A humidor or a suitable airtight container with a cigar-specific humidity pack from Boveda can help maintain their condition.

You don’t need an expensive humidor on day one, but you should avoid letting your cigars dry out.

6. Once You Find a Favorite, Look for Bundles and Deals

After trying a few different cigars, you’ll probably start noticing which brands and blends you return to most often.

That’s when shopping for value becomes even easier.

Instead of purchasing individual cigars every time, consider buying bundles or boxes to lower your average cost per cigar. Bundles can be particularly useful for smokers who enjoy having a dependable everyday option available.

It’s also worth watching for weekly cigar deals at LM Cigars – you can sign up for emails or text messages for weekly notifications about shopping. Promotions can provide an opportunity to stock up on familiar favorites or try something new at a more approachable price.

At LM Cigars, we offer a curated selection of value and premium cigars, along with weekly deals that help customers get more out of their cigar budget.

Your Cigar Journey Starts With Finding What You Enjoy

Getting into cigars doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.

Start with approachable blends, experiment with different sizes and wrappers, try a sampler before committing to a box, and pay attention to the flavors you enjoy.

Over time, you’ll develop your own preferences, discover favorite brands, and learn what makes a cigar worth buying again.

And you might find that some of your favorite cigars are also among the most affordable.

Ready to explore? Visit LM Cigars to browse our selection of value cigars, premium brands, and cigar samplers, and find something that fits your taste and budget.