Getting Into Cigars: Five Tips for New Smokers

From Creekside Podcast Ep. 042: Top 5 Things You NEED To Know Before Getting Into Cigars, aired Feb 02, 2026. Recorded at Creekside Cigar Co. in Maineville, Ohio.

On this Creekside Podcast, Dave, Conner, and Josh share lessons they wish they had known when they started smoking cigars. Their conversation ranges from basic cigar terminology and choosing a first smoke to cutting, lighting, and figuring out what you actually enjoy. The crew also talks about the people and slower moments that make cigars more than a product to pick from a shelf.

What should a beginner know before smoking a cigar?

Start with the simplest practical reminder: don’t inhale. The crew points out that cigars are different from cigarettes, and that new smokers accustomed to inhaling may need to approach the experience differently. If you are unsure where to begin, say so when you visit a cigar shop. The hosts describe plenty of customers who have only smoked a few cigars and want help choosing one. Asking questions is part of getting started, not something to be embarrassed about.

They also recommend thinking about the size and pace of your first cigar. A smaller format such as a corona or petite corona gives you a shorter smoke than a larger cigar, which can make the experience less tiring. Some beginners may prefer a mild cigar, and the crew suggests avoiding a very large, heavy smoke as a first choice, especially on an empty stomach. But they don’t treat a light wrapper as a rule for beginners. A cigar’s appearance alone doesn’t tell you exactly how strong or flavorful it will be.

What does Maduro mean on a cigar?

One of the terminology lessons in the conversation is that Maduro is not a tobacco leaf variety. The hosts describe it as a fermentation process or classification, while terms such as Connecticut, Habano, and Corojo are commonly used to refer to wrapper types. That distinction can help make a humidor’s labels less confusing when you are starting out.

The crew also cautions against assuming that a darker cigar is automatically stronger or spicier. They describe seeing dark cigars that are medium-bodied and sweet, as well as lighter-looking cigars that are quite strong. In other words, color can be a clue, but it isn’t a reliable shortcut to the whole smoking experience. Ask about the cigar’s character and strength rather than choosing by wrapper shade alone.

How do you find cigars you actually like?

The hosts’ central advice is to find what suits your own palate instead of treating anyone else’s recommendations as a rule. Their preferences differ, and the conversation includes an honest blind-tasting reaction: one host enjoyed a cigar, while another decided it wasn’t for him. That kind of difference is normal. A cigar that gets praise from a reviewer, shop employee, or friend may still not be your favorite.

Recommendations can still help, especially when they build on something you already liked. The crew suggests saving a cigar band or noting the name so you can ask for something similar on a later visit. They also encourage beginners to stay open to different styles rather than assuming they have to work through a fixed ladder from Connecticut to darker cigars. If a cigar appeals to you, whether because of its flavor or simply its look, that is a perfectly reasonable place to start.

Price is another point where personal preference matters. The hosts stress that an expensive cigar is not automatically a better experience, and that there are enjoyable options at lower price points. You don’t need to make a large purchase to explore the hobby. Try cigars at a comfortable budget and let your own experience guide what you buy next.

How should you cut and light a cigar?

A good first smoke can be affected by how you prepare it. For a straight cut, the crew advises taking care not to remove too much from the cigar’s head; keep the cut above the cap. Cutting too far down can damage the cigar, so a small, controlled cut is a better starting point than chopping off a large section.

They also recommend taking your time when lighting. Rather than immediately scorching the foot, toast it patiently and let the cigar catch evenly. One host favors a soft-flame lighter for this approach and describes the goal as warming the foot rather than turning the tip black in a hurry. The general lesson is simple: a little patience at the start can help you settle into the cigar instead of rushing straight to the first puff.

Key takeaways

• Don’t inhale. Cigars are approached differently from cigarettes.
• Start at a manageable pace. A smaller format can mean a shorter, less tiring smoke.
• Don’t judge strength by color alone. Wrapper appearance doesn’t tell the whole story.
• Follow your own palate and budget. Recommendations are useful, but your preferences are what count.
• Cut carefully and light patiently. Keep the cut above the cap and take time to toast the foot.

Cigars from this episode

• Dunbarton Sobremesa Brûlée: Identified as the blind-tasting cigar; one host noted its sweet tip and said it was not for him.
• Nat Sherman Metropolitan Host: Mentioned as the other possible sweet-tipped cigar during the blind-tasting guesses.
• Espinosa Crema Rústica: One host recalled its bread-and-butter impression as an early memorable cigar.
• Perdomo Champagne Toro: One host named it as the first cigar he intentionally bought at a cigar shop.
• Rocky Patel Decade: Mentioned among the cigars one host smoked regularly early in his cigar journey.
• Rocky Patel 1990: Mentioned among the cigars one host smoked regularly early in his cigar journey.
• Onyx: One host recalled it as his first cigar, describing it as dark and strong.
• Camacho: One host described it as an early favorite and recalled its yellow-and-black box.
• Liga Privada No. 9 Corona Gorda: One host recalled it as a cigar that made a strong impression when he was starting out.
• Montecristo White: Mentioned as a cigar one host loved when he was getting into cigars.

Shop, smoke and listen with Creekside

• Shop the cigars from this episode
• Join the Creekside Cigar Club for boutique cigars picked by our crew every month
• Visit our cigar lounge at 1381 US-22, Maineville, OH, open seven days a week
• Subscribe to the Creekside Podcast on YouTube and catch every episode