Here's a brief summary of some of the cigars we recommend for new smokers as well as smokers unfamiliar with the many brands, various sizes, shapes and regional characteristics of Cuban cigars.

Many people ask for milder to medium-body cigars. While very few Cuban cigars can be described as "mild", there are huge differences in body and strength among the many brands, ranging from lighter-coloured medium-bodied cigars to the high-end powerhouses which many big-name brands are famous for.

Keep in mind that it's usually difficult to determine exactly what a particular individual may be looking for in a cigar because of the huge variety of distinctive flavours and characteristics available. Tastes may vary and be influenced by many factors. Like wine tasting, usually one "acquire's" a basic pallette - the ability to distinguish and identify basic flavours - and with experience, is able to expand and vastly improve this ability, and hence the enjoyment of the cigar experience.

Generally, larger cigars have more elaborate blends and therefore have greater potential for flavour complexity, depth and aging. Often the larger the cigar is, the milder it is, but this is not always the case. A good starting point for beginners is often the medium sizes rather than the smaller ones, as smaller ones are often actually stronger and more intense, with less depth and flavour.

Each brand has its own unique characteristics, particular flavours and specialized blends which make it famous, making it difficult to recommend any one cigar - eventually you'll want to try them all and then decide which are your favorites. And of course, tasting is ultimately the only method of determining preference - no one can tell someone else what to like or what's "better" in a cigar.

With these points in mind, here are some brands which are very popular and of mild-to-medium strength, which I'm sure will be enjoyable to any aspiring aficionado.

The brand new  Guantanamera  brand has just been released, and it's reported to be the ultimate Cuban cigar for beginning smokers, or anyone who appreciates a very mild and light bodied cigar. Guantanamera's originate from the Vuelta Arriba region and are very competitively priced.

The Corona Grandes are packaged in crystal tubes and are available both in boxes of 10 and individually. The Decimos and Compay's are cello-wrapped and also available by box of 10 and individually. Puritos are ONLY available in packs of 5.

Another mild-to-medium and extremely popular brand is Jose L. Piedra, originally made only for domestic consumption in Cuba. They are machine-bunched and hand-finished, and are very competitively priced. All Piedra's are considered mild to medium in body, with a mild draw - but they have plenty of flavour, and have often been compared to an 'inexpensive' Montecristo No. 4, with unmistakable roasted coffee notes.

The Montecristo No. 4 is the most popular cigar in the world, and is the standard by which other Cuban cigars are judged. They have a unique characteristic spicy flavour, and taste "like a Cuban cigar should". They cost just under $13 US each.

As a side note, my personal favorite cigar is a Montecristo 'A', which is an extra-large sized, specialized and very high-end cigar - it retails for about $48 US - but dollar for dollar, it is wonderfully constructed, and by any standard is a fantastic smoke. Mild, with an undescribably subtle flavour and a long, stable finish, this is a cigar with superior balance.

Fonseca Cosacos are very popular, especially for less-experienced smokers, offering a milder but very flavourful cigar.
Same goes for J. Cano (La Flor de Cano) - they are machine-made, or machine-bunched and hand-finished. These cigars both are lower priced, mild, flavourful, very consistent in value and very popular.

Many sizes in the Hoyo de Monterrey line are decidedly lighter and milder. The larger ones especially have the more complex flavours, (however the "extra-large" ones generally are not for beginners). Good recommendations are the Churchill, (mild and nutty), the Corona, Le Hoyo des Dieux, and Le Hoyo du Prince. Generally these cigars are of medium body and fairly full-flavoured with nutty and spicy notes, and a leathery finish.

Partagas is also a top brand featuring a great many shapes and sizes. Most of the larger ones are quite full-flavoured, but they all seem to have the wonderful characteristic Partagas coffee and chocolate notes. The smaller, and especially the hand-made sizes are good bets and very good value: Mille Fleurs HM, Super Partagas HM, Petit Corona Especiale HF, Petit Corona, Corona. Aristocrat, Londres en Cedro.

H. Upmann is one of the top seven brands in popularity. Just about any vitola (shape and size) of this brand is delicious, from the smaller and machine-made shapes to the larger sizes. Upmann cigars have a very smooth, consistent flavour and characteristic 'leather' notes on the palette.

Romeo y Julieta's are one of the most famous and delicious Cuban cigars, and feature many different shapes, sizes and blends. The less expensive (but hand-made) smaller sizes, such as Regalias de Londres and Mille Fleurs, are both good value and rich and earthy. For something a little higher-end, definitely try any of the Cedros Deluxe's (No.'s 1, 2 or 3) or Deluxe Tubos - a little pricier, but well worth the cost, and certainly these cigars are among the most popular and consistent of any cigar on the market. These, along with the Romeo pyramid shapes (ie., the Belicoso and the No. 2) are more fully-flavoured (meaning they get stronger as they get shorter), and are also extremely popular.

The Churchill size in most brands is usually mild and rich, and the Romeo Churchill is a standard for the Churchill size - smooth, medium strength, delicious.

Diplomaticos are well-balanced cigars and can be enjoyed by any level of cigar smoker. Mostly in medium-to-larger sizes, they have a characteristically elegant, mild and subtle flavour especially at the start, with lots of nutty notes. The No. 2 (pyramid) will become quite strong towards the end, despite initially showing mild characteristics, but generally they have nutty flavours and a balanced finish.

One of the most popular and best-valued smaller cigars is the Rafael Gonzalez Panetela Extra at about $4 US each. These hand-made but inexpensive cigars give a glimpse of what a larger or more sophisticated cigar could be like, at a fraction of the cost.
After that, be sure to try some other sizes in the Rafael Gonzalez line - they all have delicious rich coffee overtones.
Ramon Allones are another lesser known and underrated brand - although some sizes can be quite strong, the Small Club Coronas are extremely popular.

Another inexpensive but surprisingly good cigar is the Los Statos De Luxe Selectos (hand-finished). Individually wrapped in cedar, these cigars have their own unique blend of toast and light spice flavours, with very consistent quality and balance for their price range, which is around $6.50 US.

Vegueros cigars are delicious and underrated - and for a while, were the very best value in Habanos. Unfortunately, the low prices (due to older stock which was discounted), have substantially increased since this stock ran out, and new cigars are being produced and brought in. We do still have one size, the Seoane (the smallest one), which is still available at the old price, for a limited time until they also run out. They have been quietly ageing for years, giving them a wonderful complexity usually only found in higher end cigars. They tend to be more toward an "herbal" flavour, and closer to medium strength rather than mild.

This list is by no means complete - in fact, we've only just scratched the surface when it comes to mild-to-medium bodied cigars. More adventurous explorers will definitely want to try offerings from La Gloria Cubana (a longtime favorite for many, with an exquisitely unique taste), Vegas Robaina (has spicy, burnt orange notes), San Luis Rey (another mild-to-medium taste treat), and El Rey del Mundo (featuring the extremely popular Robusto size Choix Supreme). Cuaba is a higher-end cigar which is quite mild, and all sizes feature the Figurado shape, reminiscent of the traditional Solomon shape.

If you would like only a few cigars to try, or a sample mix, no problem - just call us at 1-604-682-4427 (our store hours are 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM Pacific time, every day), or order online, by email, or fax. We can ship any number of singles or boxes, and delivery to the US is guaranteed.

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© 2008 by CubanBest
346  Water  Street   Vancouver  BC  Canada  V6B 1B6
1-604-682-4427