The Cigar Czar has selected a few of his favorite cigars that should appeal to most Mainstream Cigar Smokers. However, which cigar you like the best is a matter of your own personal preferences. You are encouraged to sample a large variety of cigars before deciding on your own favorites.
- 601 Blue Maduro. A box pressed Nicaraguan puro made by EO Brands, which merged with Rocky Patel in 2010. This cigar was rated #6 in the world by Cigar Aficionado Magazine for 2009. Price is about $7 to $8 for a single Torpedo.
- Ashton Heritage Puro Sol. Made in the Dominican Republic with Dominican sun-grown filler tobaccos and a Cameroon wrapper. Rated #10 in the world by Cigar Aficionado Magazine in 2008. A single cigar in the Double Corona size is priced between $10 and $11.
- Oliva Serie V Ligero: A full bodied Nicaraguan cigar that is perfectly balanced and very smooth. Rated #5 by Cigar Aficionado in 2009, and #4 in 2007. Recommend a larger size such as the Double Toro, which is priced between $7 and $8 for a single cigar.
- St. Luis Rey Rothchilde. An Altadis cigar made in Honduras with a blend of tobaccos from several countries, including Peru. This is a great value-priced cigar at only $3 to $4 per single cigar. Best in the Rothchilde size.
The Best Cigars for Beginners are mild and mild-to-medium cigars that will not overpower your palate. Start with some of the following mild cigars, then move up to the above list when you are ready for something more. The below list should at least help you get started in choosing from more than 1,500 national brands available on the U.S. market today.
- Baccarat. A mild-to-medium cigar made by Camacho with a touch of sweetness on the cap. Very enjoyable for first third of the cigar, but then can start to become a little harsh. Price is about $5 for a single in the Luchadore size.
- Casa Torano. A mild-to-medium cigar with lots of flavor, by Torano Family Cigars. Price is about $5 for a single cigar in the Robusto size. For a less expensive alternative, try the Torano Brigade, recently introduced in 2010. Cost is about $3 per cigar.
- Macanudo. A mild-to-medium cigar from General Cigar that is still considered to be the benchmark for comparing milder cigars. A Macanudo Cafe in the Corona size is priced at about $6 for a single cigar.
- Vega Fina. This is one of the mildest cigars on the market. If you think this cigar is too strong, you should not be a cigar smoker. Price is about $4 for a single in the Corona size.
The cigars enjoyed by many Hard-Core Cigar Smokers can be power and/or spice bombs that could make a beginner sick, or at least somewhat dizzy. There is really no need to recommend any cigars to this hard-core group, since they all know what they like at this point in their cigar careers. However, here are some cigars that most mainstream cigar smokers, and especially beginners, should avoid - at least until they are ready to move up to the next level.
- Berger & Argenti Entubar
- La Gloria Cubana Artesanos de Tabaqueros
- Rocky Patel 15th Anniversary