Best Cigars for Beginners in Lebanon (and How to Smoke Your First One)

Your first cigar should be a pleasure, not a challenge. The good news is that you don't need to know much to pick a good one. Here is what to look for, our favourite beginner cigars, and how to enjoy your first smoke.

What makes a good first cigar?

• Mild or medium strength. A strong cigar can feel heavy if you are not used to it. Every cigar on our website now shows its strength (Mild, Medium, Full) right under the name.
• A medium size. A robusto (about 12 cm long) takes around 45 minutes to an hour. It's long enough to enjoy and short enough not to get tired of it.
• A smooth wrapper. Light-coloured wrappers such as Connecticut are usually creamy and gentle. Darker Maduro wrappers are richer and a little sweeter.

Our best cigars for beginners

• E.P. Carrillo New Wave Connecticut (Mild, $11): smooth and creamy, one of the best first cigars you can try.
• La Aurora Sampler Pack ($48): 4 cigars with 4 different wrappers. The easiest way to find out what you like.
• Umnum Cañonazo (Medium, $6.5): a great-value Nicaraguan cigar if you want to try something a little richer.
• Brick House Teaser Natural (Medium, $10.5): a short cigar, perfect when you only have 20 to 30 minutes.
• Toscano Stilnovo (Mild, box of 3): small, smooth Italian cigars, nice to share with friends.

You can browse all our mild and medium cigars in the New Smokers Selection.

How to smoke your first cigar

1. Cut it. Cut a small piece (2 to 3 mm) from the closed end with a cigar cutter. Cut too much and the wrapper can come apart.
2. Toast the foot. Hold the open end just above the flame, without touching it, and turn the cigar slowly until the edge glows evenly. A torch lighter or a long match works best.
3. Light it. Put the cigar in your mouth and draw gently while turning it over the flame.
4. Don't inhale. Cigar smoke is tasted in the mouth, like wine. Take a puff about once a minute and enjoy the flavour.
5. Leave the ash. You don't need to tap it often. Let it fall naturally into the ashtray.
6. Finish slowly. When you reach the band or the taste gets bitter, simply put the cigar down in the ashtray and let it go out on its own.

Keep your cigars fresh

Cigars dry out quickly in the open air, especially in Lebanon's summer. Keep them in their box or cellophane, or better, in a humidor. For one or two cigars on the go, a MAX travel case protects them perfectly.

Want someone to guide you?

Join our Cigar Training for Beginners, or simply message us on WhatsApp at +961 71 181 119. Tell us what you like (coffee, chocolate, spice, something light) and we will recommend the right cigar. Delivery all over Lebanon, cash on delivery.