Starting your cigar journey should feel enjoyable and relaxed, not overpowering or intimidating. One of the most common mistakes new cigar smokers make is choosing cigars that are too strong, too peppery, or too large, which can overwhelm the palate and mask the pleasure of the ritual.
At The Smoking Jacket, we guide beginners toward cigars that are mild to light in strength and well-balanced. Below are our Top 12 Cigars for New Cigar Smokers, all available at thesmokingjacket.co.uk, and all chosen specifically for their smoothness, reliability, and approachability.
Strength: Mild
Often considered the gold standard for beginners, this cigar is refined, elegant, and impeccably made. Expect cream, toasted almonds, light cedar and subtle sweetness, with a flawless draw and burn.
Best time to smoke: Morning or early afternoon.
Strength: Light to Medium
A Cuban classic that remains soft, aromatic and approachable. Flavours of cream, honey, gentle wood and light florals make this a consistently smooth experience.
Best time to smoke: Late afternoon or early evening.
Buy Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2
Strength: Light
Designed specifically to be easier and lighter than traditional Montecristos. Expect soft cocoa, cedar and subtle sweetness in a manageable, short format.
Best time to smoke: Daytime or outdoors.
Strength: Mild
One of the gentlest Cuban cigars available. Flavours lean toward cream, biscuit, light caramel and soft wood, making it ideal for beginners exploring Cuban profiles.
Best time to smoke: Mid-day or after a light meal.
Buy Por Larrañaga Petit Corona
Strength: Light
Elegant and refined, with a buttery texture and subtle citrus sweetness, light spice and cream. A fantastic modern Cuban for newer palates.
Best time to smoke: Afternoon with coffee or Champagne.
Strength: Mild to Medium
Smooth and expressive without being heavy. Expect cream, dried fruit, gentle spice and soft wood, evolving gradually throughout the smoke.
Best time to smoke: Early evening, social settings.
Strength: Light to Medium
A compact cigar with excellent balance. Delivers cedar, light cocoa, cream and subtle spice, without overwhelming strength.
Best time to smoke: When time is limited but quality matters.
Strength: Mild
Elegant, slender and refined. Expect cream, light wood, white pepper and gentle sweetness, with impeccable construction.
Best time to smoke: Morning or early afternoon.
Buy Davidoff Winston Churchill Petit Panatela (Raconteur)
Strength: Mild
A superb introduction to New World cigars. The Claro wrapper delivers sweet cream, hay, toasted nuts and soft vanilla, with excellent consistency.
Best time to smoke: Daytime or early evening.
Buy Casa Turrent 1880 Claro Double Robusto
Strength: Mild
Small, smooth and unintimidating. Flavours of soft cocoa, cream and gentle sweetness make this ideal for beginners or short smoking moments.
Best time to smoke: Anytime you want a short, easy smoke.
Strength: Mild
A superb entry-level Nicaraguan cigar. Smooth and creamy with notes of light cedar, toasted nuts and subtle sweetness, offering New World flavour without strength or aggression.
Best time to smoke: Afternoon or early evening.
Buy Joya de Nicaragua Clásico Selección B
Strength: Mild
One of the best value mild cigars available. Expect soft wood, light cocoa and gentle creaminess, making it an excellent everyday cigar for those just starting out.
Best time to smoke: Casual daytime smoking.
If you’re new to cigars, keep these simple guidelines in mind:
Choose mild or light cigars
Avoid overly large formats initially
Smoke slowly (one puff every 60–90 seconds)
Eat beforehand to avoid nicotine discomfort
Store cigars at 65–70% humidity
Our team is always happy to guide you—online or in-store.
Cigar enjoyment is about relaxation, not endurance. Starting with the right cigars makes all the difference.
Every cigar on this list is:
Beginner-approved
Mild and approachable
Stored in our London humidors
Available to add directly to your basket
Take your time, smoke slowly, and enjoy discovering what you like!
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Recommendations for light to medium cigars, perfect for beginners who are just starting their journey.
Brands such as Quail d'Orsay, Davidoff, Joya de Nicaragua, Oliva and El Rey del Mundo are beautifully light yet flavourful.
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