Top 10 Cigars for Beginners — Expert Picks from Hanover MD
New to cigars? Our Hanover MD experts break down the best beginner-friendly cigars by flavor, strength, and price to help you find your perfect first smoke.
Getting Started with Cigars
Choosing your first cigar can be overwhelming — walk into any humidor and you'll see hundreds of options across dozens of brands. At Cigar and Smoke Shop in Hanover, Maryland, our staff helps first-time cigar smokers every day. Here are our top recommendations for beginners.
What Makes a Good Beginner Cigar?
Before diving into our list, here's what to look for:
Our Top 10 Picks
1. Macanudo Café
The gold standard for beginners. Smooth, creamy, with hints of cedar and nuts. The Connecticut Shade wrapper delivers a consistently mild experience. Available in several sizes — we recommend the Hyde Park or Portofino.
2. Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story
A perfecto shape that's easy to handle and finishes in about 30 minutes. Medium-mild with sweet, woody notes. One of the most beloved cigars in our humidor.
3. Padron 2000 (Natural)
The Natural version offers a mild-to-medium experience with rich earthy flavors. Padron is known for incredible construction, so you'll get a perfect draw every time.
4. Ashton Classic
Elegant, mild, and well-balanced. Dominican filler with a silky Connecticut wrapper. If you like smooth, creamy flavors, this is your cigar.
5. Romeo y Julieta 1875
A classic brand with a mild-medium profile. Notes of cedar, leather, and a touch of sweetness. Great value for the quality.
6. Oliva Connecticut Reserve
Smooth and buttery with a gorgeous golden wrapper. The Robusto size is perfect for a 45-minute introduction to premium cigars.
7. Montecristo White
Clean, refined, and incredibly smooth. The White Label is Montecristo's mildest offering — perfect for someone transitioning from zero cigar experience.
8. La Gloria Cubana Esteli
A step up in complexity while remaining approachable. You'll taste cocoa, coffee, and spice without being overwhelmed.
9. CAO Flathead V554
For the beginner who wants something with a bit more personality. Box-pressed shape, medium body, with flavors of oak and espresso.
10. Perdomo Champagne 10th Anniversary
Aged Connecticut wrapper over Nicaraguan filler. Incredibly smooth with vanilla and cream notes. This feels like a $20 cigar but costs half that.
Tips for Your First Cigar
Visit Us
Come to Cigar and Smoke Shop at Arundel Mills Mall and let our staff guide you through your first cigar selection. We carry all of these brands and many more. Our temperature- and humidity-controlled humidor ensures every cigar is stored perfectly.
10% off for military, police, fire/EMS, and mall employees.
Visit Cigar and Smoke Shop
Arundel Mills Mall, Suite 334, Hanover, MD 21076
