The best first cigar is mild to medium in strength, well made and not too big: a Connecticut-wrapped robusto is the classic place to start. At Cremo, that means the Reserva de Oro, Grandeur or a Connecticut Factory Select bundle, or the five-cigar Variety Pack if you want to compare blends before you settle on one.
This guide explains how to choose your first cigar, how to cut, light and smoke it, and which Cremo cigars to try first. Cigars are for adults 21 and over.
How to choose your first cigar
- Start mild to medium. Strength comes mostly from the filler tobaccos inside the cigar. A mild or medium-bodied cigar lets you taste the tobacco without being overwhelmed.
- Look at the wrapper. The outer leaf shapes much of the flavor. Connecticut wrappers are light in color and usually smooth and creamy; Habano wrappers are richer and spicier; Maduro wrappers are dark, sweet and often fuller.
- Pick a manageable size. A robusto (about 5 inches long, 50 ring gauge) is a shorter smoke than a toro (about 6 inches, 52 ring gauge). Most Cremo cigars come in both.
- Buy a few singles or a sampler first. Try two or three different blends before you buy a box or a bundle of one.
- Choose hand-rolled, long-filler cigars. They burn more evenly and taste more consistent than machine-made cigars. Read how handmade and machine-made cigars differ.
Cremo cigars to try first
| Cigar | Body | Wrapper | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Factory Select | Light | Connecticut | A creamy draw with cedar, toasted nuts and a natural sweetness; an everyday cigar sold in bundles of 15, 25 or 50 |
| Reserva de Oro | Medium | Connecticut | Cedar, cream and toasted almond with hints of pepper and cocoa; Cuban-seed Dominican tobacco |
| Grandeur | Medium | Ecuadorian Connecticut | Smooth and creamy: cedar, sweet cream, toasted bread and roasted nuts; Toro size only |
| Variety Pack | Mixed | Mixed | Five cigars in Cremo’s original Miami blends, to compare strengths and flavors |
Cremo Reserva de Oro
- Wrapper
- Connecticut
- Strength
- Light-Medium
- Flavor Profile
- Silky smooth with espresso & dark cocoa
From $10
Shop NowCremo Grandeur
- Wrapper
- Connecticut
- Strength
- Medium
- Flavor Profile
- Sweet chocolate & hay notes
From $18
Shop Now
Connecticut Factory Select
StrengthA smooth, creamy profile with cedar, toasted nuts, and natural sweetness.
- Sizes
- Toro, Robusto
- Quantity
- 15, 25, 50
- Price
- From $105.00
Experience Cremo’s original Miami blends in one premium variety pack.
- Sizes
- Robusto, Toro
- Price
- From $45.00
Ready for more body? The Habano Factory Select bundle is medium-bodied with spice, cedar and roasted nuts, and Cremo 1896 is medium to full with cocoa, espresso and toasted wood.
How to cut and light a cigar
- Cut only the cap. Use a sharp guillotine cutter or a punch and take off just the rounded cap at the head, so the wrapper does not unravel.
- Toast the foot. Hold a wooden match or a butane lighter just below the open end without touching it, and rotate the cigar until the edge glows evenly.
- Draw gently while you light. Turn the cigar as you take slow puffs so it burns evenly. Avoid candles and petrol lighters, which taint the taste.
How to smoke your first cigar
- Do not inhale. Draw the smoke into your mouth, taste it and let it go.
- Slow down. A puff every minute or so keeps the cigar cool. Smoking too fast makes it hot and bitter.
- Leave the ash. Let it fall when it is ready instead of tapping constantly, and put the cigar down when you are done; it goes out on its own.
- Pair it simply. Coffee, water or a favorite drink works well alongside a mild cigar.
How to store cigars
Keep cigars in a humidor at 65–70% humidity and around 70°F (21°C), away from sunlight and strong smells. If you buy a bundle, see how to store cigar bundles.
Learn at the factory
The easiest way to learn is with a roller beside you. At the Cremo factory in Little Havana, Miami, you can roll your own cigar with a Cuban master roller or try a cigar and coffee degustation with a cigar sommelier. In Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, Tabacalera Cremo offers a factory tour and a rolling class.
Want a new cigar every month?
The Cremo cigar club sends 4, 8 or 10 hand-rolled cigars a month in Robusto, Toro or a mix, with Connecticut, Habano, Maduro or variety wrappers, so you can explore at your own pace.
