If you're new to smoking cigars and want to find just the right brand for you, there are some simple steps you can follow to make the process easier. You'll want a brand of cigars that soothes you, awakens your senses with an aroma you love, and makes you look and feel sophisticated without breaking the bank.

Consider Cigar Flavor

Think about your own tastes and what you love to eat and drink. Are you a tea or coffee drinker? Do you enjoy spicy or peppery foods, or a mild flavor? If you enjoy drinking strong, black coffee, then a robust cigar will likely satisfy you. If you prefer flavored tea, you might enjoy a creamy, light cigar brand.

Some cigars have a spicy, cedar-like taste while others are either smooth or bitter. Some cigars have a somewhat salty taste due to the minerals in the soil or from being grown or processed in salty air near the sea. Some have a sweet flavor because of artificial sweetening of the tobacco or a leaf that has higher sugar content than usual.

When and How Long Will You Smoke?

The next thing to consider is when you will smoke cigars and how long you want to smoke. Will you smoke after meals, on the golf course, or while lounging at home? Some cigars will burn for an hour while others may last only 30 minutes or less. Choose the length and thickness (ring size) of your cigars according to the time you plan to spend smoking.

As you shop for cigars, you'll become familiar with the various styles available. The styles indicate the length and thickness. For example, a Lonsdale cigar is about 6 inches long and has a ring size of 44 (44/64 of an inch). A Churchill cigar, however, is around 6.75 inches with a ring size from 48 to 52. Other longer cigar styles to look for include Torpedo, Double Corona, Panatela, Gigante, Presidente, Immensa, Belicoso, and Toro. Shorter styles (from 4 1/2 inches to 5 1/2 inches) include Corona, Petite Corona, Robusto, Rothschild, and Petite Belicoso.

Discover Your Favorite Brand

To save time and money, go online to read reviews and descriptions of various cigar brands. Narrow your search to a few that seem to fit your style, and start with these. Cigars can be costly, so you'll want to find a brand with a taste you enjoy and the size you need that fits your budget. For a mild cigar, opt for cigars with a Connecticut wrapper. Wrappers from areas such as Sumatra produce a bit stronger smoke.

A great way to try several brands at once is to order a cigar sampler. These are readily available online at affordable prices so you can easily sample several cigars of high quality without ordering entire sets. Also, look for an online retailer that offers cigar accessories. This will save time and you'll be able to combine shipping fees when ordering multiple items from the same store. Some cigar accessories you might need as a beginner include cigar lighters, a cigar humidor, a cigar cutter, a cigar ashtray, a hygrometer, and a bullet punch.

Shopping around for that perfect smoke may take a little effort, but your search will soon render a magnificent cigar experience you've always wanted!