Most beginners start with the wrong cigar.
Too strong. Too harsh. Burns uneven. Tastes like peppery cardboard.
A lot of people try a cigar or two, don’t love it, and assume cigars just aren’t for them.
But most of the time, it’s not cigars. It’s the cigar they picked.
Each year, we look at the top 100 cigars that were most popular at Atlantic Cigar Co. From that list, we ask our most experienced staff to pick the cigars they believe are best suited for beginners.
Here are the winners for 2025. Ten cigars that are smooth, approachable, and consistently win people over.
And if you want a little guidance on choosing a cigar as a beginner, we’ve added some helpful pointers after the list.
1. Oliva Connecticut Reserve Robusto
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Shape: Robusto
Size: 5 x 50
Strength: Mild
Color: Colorado Claro
Binder / Filler: Nicaragua / Nicaragua
Wrapper Type: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Smoking Time: 40 - 45 Minutes
There’s a reason this one shows up in beginner recommendations again and again. Oliva knows how to make a mellow cigar feel interesting, and this blend does exactly that. The profile leans creamy and lightly nutty with soft touches of cedar. It stays clean and mellow the whole way through.
A laid-back cigar for mornings when you want something easy and welcoming.
2. Spanish Galleon Classic Robusto
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Shape: Robusto
Size: 5 x 54
Strength: Mild - Medium
Color: Colorado Claro
Binder / Filler: Dominican Habano / Dominican Republic, Nicaragua
Wrapper Type: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Smoking Time: 40 - 45 minutes
This feels like the kind of cigar someone hands you and says, “Trust me.” It has that gentle Dominican smoothness with a little extra character from the Nicaraguan filler. Flavors drift through cream, warm hay, and toasted bread. It’s steady, calm, and never pushes too hard.
Great choice when you want something dependable without spending a lot.
3. Montecristo White Label Especial No. 3
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Shape: Corona
Size: 5 1/2 x 44
Strength: Mild - Medium
Color: Colorado Claro
Binder / Filler: Nicaragua / Dominican Republic, Nicaragua
Wrapper Type: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Smoking Time: 30 - 45 Minutes
A refined cigar that doesn’t need to show off. The slim corona size lets the blend shine in a subtle, elegant way. Expect silky cream, light vanilla touches, and soft woods. It’s the type of cigar that teaches beginners what finesse tastes like.
Makes a perfect companion for a slow walk or an unhurried afternoon.
4. New World Connecticut by AJ Fernandez Robusto
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Shape: Robusto
Size: 5 x 50
Strength: Mild - Medium
Color: Colorado Claro
Binder / Filler: San Andres / Nicaragua, Brazil
Wrapper Type: Connecticut Shade
Smoking Time: 40 - 45 Minutes
AJ is known for bold creations, but this blend shows his softer side. It’s relaxed and creamy, but with enough personality underneath to keep things interesting. You’ll pick up mild nuts, a light sweetness, and a subtle sprinkle of white pepper. Nothing pushes too far.
A smart pick for beginners who want mild flavor with a little spark of adventure.
5. Romeo y Julieta 1875 Bully
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Shape: Robusto
Size: 5 x 50
Strength: Mild - Medium
Color: Colorado
Binder / Filler: Dominican Republic / Dominican Republic
Wrapper Type: Indonesian Sumatra
Smoking Time: 40 - 45 Minutes
A crowd-pleaser with a long history. The Bully has been a starter cigar for decades because it feels familiar even when it’s your first time.
The Indonesian wrapper brings soft earth, a touch of toast, and just a hint of floral sweetness. It has more character than many mild cigars, which is why people remember it.
A good cigar to share with someone who’s also just getting into the hobby.
Perdomo 10th Anniversary Champagne Robusto
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Shape: Robusto
Size: 5 x 54
Strength: Mild - Medium
Color: Colorado Claro
Binder / Filler: Nicaragua / Nicaragua
Wrapper Type: Connecticut Shade
Smoking Time: 45 - 50 Minutes
This is one of those cigars that instantly feels silky and polished. Perdomo has a gift for creamy blends, and the Champagne line nails the balance. Expect cream, honey, and mild cedar with a mellow sweetness that lingers on the finish.
A great celebration cigar for beginners. Birthday, new job, day off. It fits the moment.
7. Charter Oak Shade Petite Corona
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Shape: Corona
Size: 5 1/4 x 42
Strength: Mild - Medium
Color: Colorado Claro
Binder / Filler: Nicaragua / Nicaragua
Wrapper Type: Connecticut Shade
Smoking Time: 30 - 45 Minutes
Small size, big charm. This cigar proves you don’t need a massive vitola to enjoy a flavorful, beginner-friendly smoke. Flavors are creamy and bready with a soft touch of nutmeg. It’s short, simple, and very satisfying.
Ideal for days when you only have twenty or thirty minutes but want something worthwhile.
8. Aladino Connecticut Robusto
Country of Origin: Honduras
Shape: Robusto
Size: 5 x 50
Strength: Mild
Color: Colorado Claro
Binder / Filler: Honduras / Honduras
Wrapper Type: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Smoking Time: 40 - 45 Minutes
The Eiroa family knows Honduran tobacco better than almost anyone, and it shows here. This cigar has a clean, honest flavor that feels natural from the first puff. Look for cream, light woods, and a balanced nuttiness. It’s mild without being dull.
A great choice when you want a cigar that won’t fight for attention, just accompany you quietly.
9. Macanudo Café Hyde Park
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Shape: Robusto
Size: 5.50 x 49
Strength: Mild
Color: Claro
Binder / Filler: Mexico / Dominican Republic
Wrapper Type: Connecticut Shade
Smoking Time: 40 - 45 Minutes
If cigars had training wheels, this would be them. The Hyde Park is famously mellow and incredibly easy to enjoy, which is why so many smokers start here. Its profile is mild and buttery with hints of sweet grass and soft cedar. It’s welcoming in every way.
Best enjoyed when you simply want to relax without thinking about what you’re smoking.
10. Camacho Connecticut Robusto
Country of Origin: Honduras
Shape: Robusto
Size: 5 x 50
Strength: Mild - Medium
Color: Colorado Claro
Binder / Filler: Honduras / Honduras, Dominican Republic
Wrapper Type: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Smoking Time: 40 - 50 Minutes
Camacho usually plays loud, but this one is more of a smooth handshake. It keeps some of that Camacho richness, just softened for the beginner crowd. You’ll notice creamy notes, light pepper, and a small citrusy brightness that keeps it lively.
Perfect for anyone who wants something gentle but not shy.
What does cigar strength really mean?
Cigar strength refers to how much nicotine the blend delivers, not how strong the flavors are.
This is important for beginners because strength affects how your body feels during the smoke.
A cigar can taste rich and still be mild in strength, while another can taste mellow but deliver a stronger nicotine kick. Beginners usually enjoy cigars more when the nicotine stays light, allowing them to focus on taste and pacing before exploring stronger blends later on. If you want to explore more mellow options, our guide to the Top 7 Best Tasting Mellow and Mild Cigars is a great place to look.
Which wrappers are best for beginners?
Connecticut wrapper varieties are ideal for beginners because they deliver soft mellow flavors without harshness.
They let new smokers ease in while still giving the cigar character.
Connecticut Shade is creamy and gentle, Ecuadorian Connecticut offers slightly more flavor and aroma, and Indonesian Sumatra stays mild with a touch of sweetness. These wrappers help beginners get a feel for flavor before moving into darker, earthier styles.
What size should a beginner cigar be?
Beginners should choose cigars in the Robusto or Corona range because they offer a comfortable thirty to fifty minute smoke.
These sizes are easy to handle and give you enough time to enjoy the cigar at a comfortable pace.
A Robusto or Corona lets you settle into the flavor without committing to a long smoke. The proportions make the draw steady, the burn consistent, and the overall experience calm and straightforward. As you get more familiar with your preferences, you can try larger sizes and longer smokes.
If you want to learn more about choosing cigars by size and shape, our guide to The Best Cigar Shapes for Beginners covers it in more detail.
Why does construction matter so much?
Construction determines how easily a cigar burns and draws, which makes a huge difference for beginners.
A well rolled cigar allows you to relax and taste the blend without constant relighting or burn issues.
Poor construction can lead to tunneling, canoeing, or tight draws, all of which distract from the flavor.
Do beginners need a humidor right away?
Beginners do not need a humidor immediately, especially if they only have a few cigars.
Cigars should be kept at a relative humidity between 65 - 70%. A plastic bag with a Boveda pack works for short term storage.
A small desktop humidor becomes worthwhile once you begin buying more than you smoke. If you want to see how humidity affects cigars in the long term, our Cigar Humidity Guide covers the essentials.
What is the easiest way to cut and light a cigar?
The simplest method is to use a straight cutter, clip the cap, and light the cigar slowly with a butane lighter.
This keeps the flavors clean and helps the cigar burn evenly.
Hold the cigar at a 45 degree angle, toast the foot gently, rotate the cigar, and take your time. A steady light sets you up for a quality smoke. You can find step by step help in our guides How to Cut a Cigar and How to Light a Cigar.
How do I smoke a cigar properly?
The easiest way to smoke a cigar properly is to take slow, relaxed puffs and enjoy the flavor without inhaling the smoke.
You’re not trying to fill your lungs. You’re just tasting what the blend has to offer.
Let the cigar rest between puffs so it burns cool. Hold the smoke in your mouth for a moment, notice what you taste, then let it drift out. A gentle rotation keeps the burn even, and pacing yourself keeps the cigar tasting good from start to finish.
If you want a simple walk-through from start to finish, our guide How to Smoke a Cigar lays it out in a beginner friendly way. And, don't forget about Proper Cigar Etiquette.
How can I track the flavors I taste?
The easiest way to track the flavors you taste is by using a cigar journal.
A simple journal helps you remember what you enjoyed, what didn’t work for you, and how your palate changes over time.
How can beginners try a variety of cigars?
The best way for beginners to try a variety of cigars is by starting with samplers that cater to beginners.
Samplers let you explore different strengths, wrappers, and brands without committing to full boxes.
About the Author:
The Atlantic Cigar Staff is a team of seasoned cigar aficionados with over 25 years of experience. As part of the Atlantic Cigar family for decades, our experts know cigars inside out. We share our passion for premium, handmade cigars with enthusiasts worldwide. Our friendly and knowledgeable team guides both seasoned smokers and curious newcomers to the perfect smoke. We're always eager to share our love of cigars with you.