The first step does not always have to be the hardest – not when you’re enjoying a cigar. VILLIGER’s range of brands and formats not only caters to seasoned aficionadas and aficionados, but also beginners. In this blog post, we will introduce the ten best cigars VILLIGER offers for beginners.
Want to get the most out of your smoke? Selecting the right cigar is only half the story; you also need to know how to handle it correctly. Don’t fret! We will briefly cover it and provide you with links to detailed articles.
Cigars for beginners: formats, origin, flavors
We recommend beginners to stick to shorter formats with a diameter of at least 12 mm, i.e., Robusto or Corona, since short and slim cigars tend to be more intense and bitter. Large cigars develop more aroma and volume. Moreover, the shorter smoking time allows newcomers to get used to the cigar experience slowly.
Strong and spicy tobacco blends can be overwhelming for beginners. The Dominican Republic is known for mild-bodied cigars. Earthy flavors, notes of wood and coffee are relaxing, making them ideal for beginners entering the world of cigars.
3 tips for beginners
After you’ve chosen the right cigar, there are a couple of things to keep in mind to avoid mistakes.
- Use a punch cutter to cut your cigar. Punching a cigar creates an opening at its head, which permits a crumble-free smoking experience. For more tips and tools for cutting a cigar, see our blog how to cut a cigar: Tips and tools.
- The purpose of smoking a cigar is to take the time to enjoy it. So, do not draw on your cigar too often or too hard because the tobacco will burn too hot and develop a bitter flavor.
- A cigar gets stronger and more bitter towards its end. We suggest that beginners not smoke the last third to avoid ruining the enjoyment of their first cigar experience.
For more cigar tips for beginners, check the article “First cigar – what to consider” and our guide on cigar etiquette.
4 classic cigars
We selected ten recommendations for beginners and divided them into three groups. The list starts with four Robustos.
VILLIGER 1492 Robusto
The VILLIGER 1492 Robusto was created as a homage to Christopher Columbus, who discovered tobacco, among other things, during his exploration of the New World and brought it back to Europe. Aromas of wood, nut, and toast create a cigar with a lightly fruity flavor. It is a mild, perfectly balanced cigar that burns evenly, offering 45 minutes of the most refined indulgence. These Robustos are 126 mm long and come in practical packs of 3 or 20.
- Strength: 2/5
- Length: 126 mm
- Diameter: 20 mm
- Smoking time: 45 min
- Origin: Dominican Republic
- Pack of 3 and pack of 20
VILLA DOMINICANA Robusto
The VILLA DOMINICANA Robusto is an aromatic cigar. As its name implies, it is made with filler leaves from the Dominican Republic. An Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper gives this Robusto its prevailing flavor. At a strength of 2 out of 5, the VILLA DOMINICANA Robusto is a mild cigar, notable for its woody notes.
- Strength: 2/5
- Length: 127 mm
- Diameter: 19.10 mm
- Smoking time: 45 min
- Origin: Dominican Republic
- Pack of 3
CORTEZ Robusto
The CORTEZ Robusto has a strength of 1 out of 5, making it the mildest cigar on this list. It tastes sweet with a hint of cream and creates a moderate amount of smoke. CORTEZ cigars dispense with elaborate packaging, making them ideal for price-conscious connoisseurs looking for a light flavor and a mild body.
- Strength: 1/5
- Length: 127 mm
- Diameter: 20 mm
- Smoking time: 45 min
- Origin: Dominican Republic
- Pack of 25
Shop CORTEZ Robusto
DOMINICO Robusto
The mild to medium strength of the DOMINICO Robusto makes it the perfect cigar for beginners. This cigar affords a harmonious aroma of earthy wood and grass notes. Along with hints of sweet spices, this Robusto draws and burns perfectly, offering an unbeatable value for money.
- Strength: 2/5
- Length: 127 mm
- Diameter: 20 mm
- Smoking time: 45 min
- Origin: Dominican Republic
- Pack of 10
Shop DOMINICO Robusto
3 cigars for when you’re short on time
Smoking your first cigar can quickly become an overwhelming experience. That is why we are recommending three short smokes to help you get started.
BOCK Short Robusto
At a diameter of 19.8 mm and a length of 108 mm, the BOCK Short Robusto has the same diameter but is significantly shorter than classic Robustos. This mild BOCK has an excellent draw. Moreover, with its perfectly rounded selection of spices, wood, and roast aromas, this cigar is ideal for aficionados and newcomers alike.
- Strength: 2/5
- Length: 108 mm
- Diameter: 19.80 mm
- Smoking time: 25 min
- Origin: Dominican Republic
- Box of 20
Shop BOCK Short Robusto
VILLIGER 1492 Perla
The VILLIGER 1492 Perla tends towards a milder but exceedingly pleasant smoke. Slightly sweet and perfectly balanced, this cigar delights aficionadas and aficionados with aromas of wood, nuts, and toast. A pleasantly low draw resistance makes the Perla the perfect choice for beginners.
- Strength: 2/5
- Length: 102 mm
- Diameter: 15.90 mm
- Smoking time: 20 min
- Origin: Dominican Republic
- Box of 20
Shop VILLIGER 1492 Perla
DOMINICO Perla
The DOMINICO Perla is soft with an earthy flavor. The light-to-medium-strength cigar reveals hints of hay during the roughly 20-minute smoke. The earthy tones and subtle sweetness ensure that beginners, in particular, get to experience an enjoyable smoke.
- Strength: 2/5
- Length: 102 mm
- Diameter: 15.8 mm
- Smoking time: 20 min
- Origin: Dominican Republic
- Pack of 10
Shop DOMINICO Perla
Two special cigars
Finally, we would like to recommend beginners two of our special cigars.
CORRIDA DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Robusto+
The CORRIDA DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Robusto+ is made from mild tobaccos that were aged for an unusually long period. As a result, this cigar boasts full yet finely balanced aromas. This subtle, wonderfully mild cigar with a pleasant natural sweetness takes beginners on a 50-minute journey to the Dominican Republic.
- Strength: 2/5
- Length: 127 mm
- Diameter: 22.20 mm
- Smoking time: 50 min
- Origin: Dominican Republic
- Box of 20
Shop CORRIDA DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Robusto+
BOCK Corona
At 152 mm, the BOCK Corona is the longest cigar on our list, and, at 60 minutes, it also takes the longest to smoke. The mildness and excellent draw of this cigar make it ideal for beginners and connoisseurs alike. The selection of pleasant wood, spices, and roast aromas creates a perfectly rounded smoke.
- Strength: 2/5
- Length: 152 mm
- Diameter: 17 mm
- Smoking time: 60 min
- Origin: Dominican Republic
- Box of 20
Shop BOCK Corona
It’s a matter of taste.
Like chocolate or wine, the mildness and aromas of cigars are a matter of personal preference. That is why we encourage beginners to try a wide variety of cigar formats, flavors and strengths. We also suggest you seek advice in tobacco lounges or shops – this is especially helpful for beginners. Are you looking for assistance online? Our cigar butler helps you select suitable cigars based on various criteria. It prompts you to select the type of smoker, desired strength, smoking time, occasion, and a wide variety of flavors. It then provides you with a helpful selection of suitable cigars based on your preferences. Click here to take a look at the VILLIGER Cigar Butler.