Expert: James Yee - 9/3/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi there, I'm a new cigar enthusiast but my problem is that i don't know where to start. there is no reputable tobacconist where i live that i can go to for advice and i was just wondering if you could give me some tips on some mild cigars to get me started.

thanks, dustin

ANSWER: Hi Dustin,

I would be happy to answer any questions that you may have on cigars and cigar smoking.  I'm not sure what you would like to know so what ever questions you have, please feel free to just ask.  

You can also search my question archive for past discussions with other smokers that have asked me cigar-related questions.

Regards,
James

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: hi, i was wondering which brands to start off with.i still want a premium cigar but i dont want it to be too strong for me. so what is a mild premium brand cigar that i can start off with?

Answer
Hi Dustin,

I'm not sure if you have access to Cuban cigars so I'll list both mild Cuban and non-Cuban cigar brands for you.

Here are some mild non-Cuban cigar brands:

Ashton
Macanudo
Onyx
Avo/Avo Domaine
Padron (ie: 2000/3000)
Davidoff
Dunhill
Punch Gran Cru
Cuesta Ray
Don Tomas
Montecristo
Don Diego

For Cuban cigars, many brands are medium to full bodied but there are indeed some mild cigar brands available:

Saint Luis Rey
El Rey du Mundo
Guantanamera
Jose Piedra
Romeo y Julieta (mild to medium)
Vegas Robaina (mild to medium)
H. Upmann (mild to medium)

The smoke from a single cigar can be pretty thick and heavy so if you're just starting out, it's best to try smaller cigars first and slowly progress to larger cigars.  This way, you're less likely to get annoyed by strength and volume of the cigar smoke.  Start out with petit coronas and coronas and just get used to the cigar smoke and flavour of the cigars.  When you feel ready, move up to larger cigars such as robustos, churchills and lonsdales.  Finally, when you're ready to progress again, move to double coronas, gran coronas, torpedoes and piramides.

Also, when starting out, it's always best to not inhale.  (Inhaling cigar smoke is often reserved for extremely experienced smokers with strong stomachs.)

Hopes this answers your question. If you have anymore questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.

Regards,
James