Your first cigars should be smooth, easy to like and not too expensive to experiment with. These ten are the ones we point new smokers to most, from sweet and aromatic to classic mild and creamy. Which one was your first?
10. Acid Kuba Kuba
Infused with a blend of botanicals, so it smells sweet before you even light it. Made by Drew Estate, a company that started out in a tiny kiosk in the World Trade Center. Acid Kuba Kuba
9. Gurkha White Rascal
A smooth vanilla cigar from Gurkha's Cafe Tabac line. Good if you want something sweet and easy. Gurkha White Rascal Robusto
8. CAO Gold
Creamy and mild, with an Ecuador Connecticut shade wrapper. CAO is the founder's initials: Cano A. Ozgener, who started out working on meerschaum pipes in his Nashville garage. CAO Gold Churchill
7. Perdomo Bourbon Barrel Aged Connecticut
The Connecticut wrapper is aged for six years and then spends about six more months in bourbon barrels, so you get a sweet bourbon note without pouring a drink. Perdomo BBA Connecticut Robusto
6. H. Upmann The Banker
A tribute to Hermann Upmann, the banker whose name has been on cigars since 1844. The five-pack is an easy way to try it. The Banker Daytrader Toro, pack of 5
5. Rocky Patel Vintage 1990
Rocky Patel was an entertainment lawyer in Los Angeles before he made a single cigar. The Vintage 1990 Robusto made Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 in 2004. Rocky Patel Vintage 1990 Torpedo
4. Oliva Nub Connecticut
Short and thick on purpose: Nub is blended to hit its sweet spot from the first puff, which makes it a good choice when you do not have two hours. Nub Connecticut 354 · all Nub
3. Montecristo White
Creamy and mild to medium, with an Ecuador Connecticut wrapper. The Montecristo name comes from the novel The Count of Monte Cristo. Montecristo White Robusto Grande Tubo
2. Skyline Connecticut
Toasted almond and vanilla up front, with a little white pepper at the halfway mark. Sold as singles or by the box. Skyline Connecticut Toro
1. Macanudo Cafe
The classic first cigar. By the early 1990s, Macanudo was the best-selling premium cigar label in the United States. The Hampton Court comes in a cedar-lined tube. Macanudo Cafe Hampton Court
A few tips for your first cigars
Start with a shorter size like a robusto, smoke slowly, and do not inhale. If a cigar feels too strong, set it down and have something sweet to drink. Stop by Toro Cigars in Oakland Park, FL and we will help you pick, or shop online.
