Have you ever wondered what it would be like to light a cigar? We understand your curiosity, but let us introduce this guide to you beforehand you get to actually smoke it. Here, we will share tips on how do you spot the best cigars for beginners.
If you opt for just whichever cigar, you won’t get that exceptional savor you expect. Many of us have always fancied the idea of being Tony Montana. If this is you, the following lines will teach you everything you need to know before you fire it up.
What Makes a Cigar?
Starting with the basics, here’s what makes a cigar:
- Size and shape,
- Body and strength,
- Wrapper leaf, binder, and filler tobacco.
1. Size and Shape
Have you ever visited a tobacco shop? Then you have certainly noticed various sizes and shapes of cigars. However, even if you haven’t seen any of these live, you can look up for different sizes of cigars online and you’ll see what we are talking about here.
The length (in inches) and ring gauge (the width of the cigar) are the two measurements that categorize cigars. Cigar connoisseurs are familiar with the most common names that indicate these measurements. Although there is always some room left for minor exceptions, the following cigars make a standard in the industry:
- Robusto 5-inch x 50 ring gauge,
- Corona 5.5-inch x 42 ring gauge,
- Toro 6-inch, x 50 ring gauge,
- Churchill 7-inch x 78 ring gauge.
2. Body and Strength
Different cigar strengths and bodies make a significant contrast between various types. The body refers to the intensity and depth of flavor of a cigar. You can choose between mild, medium, and full-bodied ones. As you can already guess, mild varieties are watered down, unlike full-bodied cigars that give you a more burnt feel in the mouth.
Yet, this is also a matter of the cigar strength. The higher the nicotine content of a cigar – the stronger the feel. As a beginner, we recommend lower-in-nicotine cigars. You can easily upgrade over time as you would be getting used to the feel.
3. Wrapper Leaf, Binder, and Filler
In the end, the typical structure of a cigar (wrapper, binder, and filler tobacco) allows you to have a great experience. A binder holds the lose Filler tobacco in place and a wrapper leaf bunches them all together.
Some cigars include multiple wrapper leaves, filler tobaccos, and binders from different regions and countries. These cigars feature a unique blend than ones made of components from a single region.
Mild Cigars Are The Best Cigars For Beginners
Just like we mentioned already, a mild cigar makes a great option for the very start of your journey. You can experiment with different brands until you find a taste that seems the most pleasurable and work your way up from there.
Some people get back to mild cigars after medium ones, others level up from medium to full-bodied types. Why mild cigars? These hit most people’s tolerance level and boast lower doses of nicotine. Also, it lowers the chances of dealing with negative effects of nicotine (although you can’t escape some).
Starting your journey with a full-bodied cigar will probably make you never want to light up another one. No doubt, this is a massive turn off to many. Smoking a cigar should relax and satisfy you. A mild cigar can provide a truly pleasurable experience for any beginner. No doubt, you will be a bit overwhelmed with your first try, but we want to make sure it all goes smoothly as much as possible.
How to Identify a Mild Cigar?
It would be best to ask your Tobacconist about light wrappers or let them make a suggestion. Another important thing is to avoid small ring gauges. The smaller the ring – the stronger the cigar. If you want to avoid the burning feeling in your mouth, opt for a larger ring gauge. Also, larger rings require some technique to be fully enjoyable and you will need some time to gain skill.
Summary
You are a step away from your first smoke. This can be either a great or an awful experience – it’s up to you. We wanted to make a point mild cigars are the best cigars for beginners. You, as an end consumer, decide what’s the best, but the honest truth is – leave those flavorful and strong cigars for later and make a steady way up from mild to full-bodied if you want to get the most out of this adventure.
