How Many Cigars Should a Beginner Buy? Start Small
How many cigars should a beginner buy? Start with a few singles, not a box — build your taste first. A simple plan for your first cigar purchase.
The short answer
Start with three to five singles, each a different brand, size, or strength. That's enough to compare and find what you like without spending much or committing to a flavor you haven't tried. Buy a box only once you've found a cigar you genuinely love.
Cigar strength — mild to full
Strength is about body and nicotine, not flavor — a dark cigar isn't always strong. Beginners usually start mild and work up.
You've decided to try cigars, you're at the shop or browsing online, and the obvious question hits: do you grab a box to "get started," or just a couple? It's tempting to stock up — but the honest answer to how many cigars should a beginner buy is not many. A few singles will teach you more about your own taste than a full box ever could, and they'll save you from committing to a cigar you haven't even tried yet.
Here's a simple plan for your first purchase, and why starting small is the smarter move.
How many cigars should a beginner buy? Three to five singles
Buy three to five single cigars, each one different — a different brand, size, or strength. That's the sweet spot. It's enough variety to actually compare and start noticing what you like, but small enough that you're not out much money and you're not stuck with 20 of something that doesn't suit you.
Think of it like ordering a flight at a brewery instead of committing to a keg. You're tasting to learn, not stocking a cellar.
Why not just buy a box?
A box is usually 20 to 25 of the same cigar. That's a wonderful thing once you've found a cigar you love — but a real gamble before you have. Two reasons to hold off:
- Your taste isn't set yet. Most beginners' preferences shift fast in the first month or two. The full-bodied stick you think you'll love might overwhelm you; the mild one you almost skipped might become your go-to.
- A box you don't like is a box you're stuck with. That "great deal" stops being a deal the moment the cigars sit unsmoked.
Boxes are usually cheaper per cigar, and that saving is real — but it only counts if you actually enjoy what's inside. Build the taste first, then let a box of a proven favorite be your reward.
How to choose your first few
Pick for variety and forgiveness, not strength. A practical starter set:
- A couple of mild to medium cigars — a light-tan Connecticut wrapper usually signals a gentler smoke.
- One slightly bolder stick to taste the difference, without going full-bodied on day one.
- A comfortable size like a Robusto — long enough to enjoy, short enough that you won't feel committed to an hour.
Our best cigars for beginners list is built for exactly this, and the cigar strength guide helps you read a cigar's intensity before you buy. If you're unsure in the shop, just tell the staff you're new and want something mild — they'll point you right.
You don't need a humidor yet
A common worry stops beginners from buying small: won't a few cigars dry out before I get to them? Not if you store them simply. You don't need a humidor for three to five sticks — a sealed container with a two-way humidity pack keeps them fresh for weeks. Here's how to store cigars without a humidor. And because you're only buying a handful at a time, you'll likely smoke them before storage is even a question.
Build taste before bulk
The real win of starting small is what you learn. Smoke your few singles a little apart, pay attention, and note what happened — strength, a flavor or two you noticed, whether you'd buy it again. That record is how you graduate from guessing to knowing. The Casa DNC app makes this easy: log each cigar, rate it, and jot a quick note, so by the time you're ready for a box you'll know exactly which cigar deserves the shelf. Keeping a simple cigar journal turns five singles into a real sense of your own palate.
Then, when one cigar keeps winning, buy the box. That's the moment bulk makes sense — and per-cigar pricing finally works in your favor.
A quick first-purchase plan
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Buy 3–5 different singles |
| 2 | Lean mild to medium, comfortable size |
| 3 | Store simply — sealed box + humidity pack |
| 4 | Smoke a little apart; note what you liked |
| 5 | Buy a box only once a favorite emerges |
The takeaway
So, how many cigars should a beginner buy? Three to five singles, each different — not a box. Build your taste first, store them simply, and keep track of what works. When a clear favorite emerges, that's when a box becomes a smart buy. Start small, learn fast, and you'll spend your money on cigars you actually love.
Frequently asked questions
- How many cigars should a beginner buy?
- Start with three to five singles, each a different brand, size, or strength. That's enough to compare and find what you like without spending much or committing to a flavor you haven't tried. Buy a box only once you've found a cigar you genuinely love.
- Should a beginner buy a box of cigars?
- Not at first. A box is usually 20–25 of the same cigar, so if it turns out not to suit you, you're stuck with a lot of it. Buy singles until you've smoked enough to know your taste, then a box of a proven favorite becomes a smart, cheaper-per-cigar buy.
- Is it cheaper to buy cigars by the box?
- Per cigar, usually yes — boxes often cost less than buying the same sticks individually. But that saving only matters if you like the cigar. For a beginner still learning their palate, a few singles you'll actually enjoy beat a discounted box you won't.
- How do I store cigars before I own a humidor?
- You don't need a humidor for a few cigars. A sealed container with a two-way humidity pack keeps them fresh for weeks or months. Most shops also keep cigars humidified, so buying a few at a time means you can smoke them before they ever dry out.
- What kinds of cigars should a beginner buy first?
- Choose mild to medium cigars in a comfortable size like a Robusto, and pick a few different ones so you can compare. A light-tan Connecticut wrapper usually signals a gentler smoke, which is forgiving for a first cigar. The goal is variety, not quantity.
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