Beginning Cigar Smoking


What Cigar should I try if I am a new Cigar Smoker?

I am asked this question a lot here at MySideOfTheBar so I thought it may be a good time to put down some of my thoughts on the subject. 

First and foremost, Cigar Smoking should be fun so do not worry a lot about being an expert. We all started somewhere. The Cigar community is a great bunch of individuals, organizations and companies that are very willing to assist and educate you on the subject.

Second, educate yourself using the many resources available:

Read up on the subject on the internet and the trade publications. My favorite reads are the Cigar Snob and Cigar Magazine.  I learned early on that some of the more popular magazines on Cigars seem to have a correlation between the advertisements and the ratings (you can draw your own conclusion).

Blogs are also an excellent resource for beginners. I write for one (SmokesAndBooze) where we review lots of products including Cigars. We are just average Joes who enjoy Cigars as a hobby so the reviews are what you get as we have no ties to any of the companies. You will find most blogs are like this.

One other resource I have recently discovered is The CigarStation, which is a internet radio station devoted to good music as well as being a wealth of information on Cigars. The Cigar Station is also available via an App for most smart phones and on TuneIn.

Third, find a Cigar Shop nearest you and attend Cigar Events. Most shops have monthly events hosted by different Cigar Vendors that allow you to sample their wares (for a small fee) and generally have either a rep or in many cases the actually owner of the company.  Once you attend a few events you will meet some great individuals who are always willing to discussion Cigars and lend assistance to beginners.

Finally, I would recommend starting with a light wrapper cigar and one of a smaller size. By choosing a lighter wrapper and a smaller length and ring size will allow you to sample many different varieties and not invest a lot of time and money in your sticks. And while I do not like the idea of judging a book by it’s cover, this old adage is mostly true when it comes to Cigars. The lighter wrapper will most likely be a milder smoking Cigar.

Here are a few recommendations as a beginner to try, and all are sticks I have tried:

Oliva Series O
Kensington Connecticut Reserve Chateau - by Alec Bradley
Macanudo Ascot Cafe
HC Series Connecticut Shade

A Couple of Helpful Links

The Cigar Mag's Beginners Guide
The Cigar Hut Cigar FAQ

Following the above should get  you started in the world of Smoking Cigars and lead to many a relaxing evening at a Cigar lounge or Patio near you.

Cheers
The  Professor

Two Warnings:
1.       Make no mistake about it, there are health concerns with smoking Cigars
2.       Prepare to be addicted and spend some money ;) 








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