Thread: Cigars for first timers...

Alright aficionados, here is my dilemma.

This Saturday is my wedding and I had always envisioned the night before my wedding as sitting out on my deck, smoking stogies with my friends. Now, I run in to trouble here as, alas, two of my groomsmen don't smoke, at all. My best man and I however, do enjoy a good smoke. So I had thought I'd pick up a couple of cigars for the non-smokers in case they wind up feeling left out. So, my question (at last) is if anyone knows of a decent cigar I can grab that will be mild enough in flavour and strength to not sicken an absolute first timer?

Also, not to sound like a cheap bastard, but, well, this wedding has cost me a pretty penny and funds are a little... reduced so sub 10 bucks a piece is preferred.

Oh, also, yes I am Canadian, so Cuban smokes are available. Sweet, sweet communist smokes...

Monte Cristo makes some nice, smooth cigars. Also, you might want to try for smaller sized cigars for your non-smoking friends. Too much nicotine is quite unpleasant.

As long as they don't inhale, it won't be a big deal almost no matter the cigar.

I have had my first three cigars ever this month, I very much enjoyed the Montecristo Churchill I had for my first cigar.

Since you're looking to do this the inexpensive route, I'd stay away from the Cuban Montecristos. Go to your cigar store and see if you can get a Por Larranaga Petite Corona or a Ramon Allones Special Selection (both are Cubans). Both are medium body and won't overpower them, but are very flavorful.

Oh, and congrats.

From my experience, it's easiest when smoking your first cigar to have something fairly small (half corona - corona, at biggest), and preferably medium to light bodied. My first few cigars (all Cuban too - I love living in a country with no embargo!) were Romeo Y Julieta No 3, 2, and 1 (as I got more used to smoking them), a Punch, a Bolivar, an H. Uppmann, and something random my friend brought back from overseas, all Corona sized. The Uppmann and R.Y.J would be my recommendation, based on my taste.

I personally prefer the Dominican Cohiba carona. Vary smooth, mild cigar. The Cohiba Black is also a good cigar IMHO. This with a couple of fingers of brandy,mmm. I think I'll have one right now.

CAO Gold is a great cigar. Very mild and flavorful, within your price range. Cigar Review: CAO Gold Toro Review |

Quintero Londres. Cuban, mild flavour, 40 ring, hand made, under $ 7.00 CDN.

You won't be embarassed.

CAO Cameroon. I really like them, and a lot of my friends who don't smoke cigars have enjoyed them as well.

And congrats on the wedding! Mine is going to be a week from yours (July 3rd). Can't wait to enjoy some stogies with my buddies as well. Cubans for me and my friends who enjoy cigars, and probably some CAO cameroons for the rest