As with any hobby or passion, you have to start somewhere. Preferably with the “training wheels” still attached and a safety helmet securely slapped on. Fortunately for cigar smokers, things like seat belts and beginner permits aren’t required to enjoy some of the world’s finest tobacco crops. All you need is an interest in cigar culture and a little extra cash for a stogie or two.
Entering a walk-in humidor for the first time can be just as intimidating as awe-inspiring. There’s just so much to see, smell, study, and smoke that it’s impossible to know where to begin. Lucky for you, the cigar specialists at Klaro Cigars are here to help.
Everyone has their own unique cigar smoking preferences. So when it comes time to select the perfect mild cigar type, understanding precisely what you are about to get yourself into is extremely important.
We’ve been there, smoked that, and thoroughly appreciated the best that cigar manufacturers have to offer, while eliminating sub-par stogies from our roster. The following eleven cigar options are all personal favorites, each of which can be found within the milder end of the Klaro Cigars portfolio. San Cristobal Elegancia Corona.
1. San Cristobal Elegancia Corona
Starting us off is a straw-colored cigar that verges on medium strength territory but retains milder undertones throughout. Nutty and a bit on the “café au lait” side flavor-wise, San Cristobal’s Elegancia Corona stays in the mild-medium end of the cigar spectrum from the moment it is torch-lit, all the way until its Nicaraguan long-filler tobacco leaves go out.
Mildly spiced and beautifully balanced, this premium cigar blend from the Garcia Family is an outstanding introductory smoke for beginners who are in search of a stick that’s a bit on the adventurous end.
As with many of the cigars on today’s list, the Connecticut-seed cigar wrapper leaf that encompasses the San Cristobal Elegancia Corona is of Ecuadorian descent. Peppery and tart, with a fat dash of bready toast tossed in for good measure, the Corona size of the Elegancia Natural offers a cigar flavor profile that hits a 3.5-4 on the potency scale and holds it there quite nicely.
Stogie Specs
Shape: Corona
Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut Shade-Grown
Wrapper Shade: Natural
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Origin: Nicaragua
Strength: Mild-Medium
Length: 5.5-inches
Ring Gauge: 46
Smoke Time: 45 minutes
2. Perdomo 10th Anniversary Champagne Super Toro
The Perdomo Reserve 10th Anniversary Champagne is a brilliant premium cigar blend that relies upon tobaccos that have been aged no fewer than six years. Adding further flavor to the mix is the tobacco’s bourbon barrel-aging process, where each cigar wrapper gets stuffed inside a repurposed whiskey cask. Long considered a Perdomo family secret, this process gave Nicholas Perdomo, Sr. reason to refer to any product utilizing these bourbon-infused leaves as the “champagne” of cigar wrappers.
The “Super Toro” version of the Perdomo Reserve Champagne 10th Anniversary is a Churchill cigar size and has long been a staff favorite here at Klaro Cigars. Copious amounts of cream, vanilla, toasted tannins, and pecan-like underpinnings can all be detected alongside the sweetness imparted by the tobacco leaves.
Aromatic and mild in cigar flavor, strength, and body, the Perdomo Reserve Champagne 10th Anniversary earns its spot for its cigar flavor profile as one of the best mild smokes ever mass-produced.
Stogie Specs
Shape: Churchill
Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut Shade-Grown
Wrapper Shade: Natural
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Origin: Nicaragua
Strength: Mild
Length: 7-inches
Ring Gauge: 54
Smoke Time: 60-90 minutes
3. Macanudo Café Prince Philip
Macanudo’s line of natural leaf “Café” cigars are about as readily available and well respected as it gets, and there’s a reason for that. This premium cigar blend has been heralded for not only being one of the most popular cigars in American history, but because it is a masterpiece when it comes to all things mellow.
Smooth and ultra-soft, this shade-grown staple of the cigar biz is widely revered as the Stella Artois lager of stogies. Mild, crisp, clean, and wildly refreshing, the long (yet somewhat slender) Macanudo Café Prince Philip has gone on to garner a hefty roster of rave reviews for its velvety nuttiness, including a 90-point rating from Cigar Aficionado.
Stogie Specs
Shape: Churchill
Wrapper: Connecticut Shade-Grown
Wrapper Shade: Natural
Binder: Mexican San Andrean
Filler: Mexican, Dominican Piloto Cubano
Origin: Dominican Republic
Strength: Mild
Length: 7.5-inches
Ring Gauge: 49
Smoke Time: 60-90 minutes
4. Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur EC Epicure
Unlike many of the other stogies on today’s mild cigar cheat sheet, Hoyo de Monterrey’s Excalibur EC Epicure sports a shade-grown Connecticut wrapper that is 100% grown within the state bearing its name.
Complex yet mild, the natural leaf-wrapped version of the Excalibur is prized for being one of the more tannin-forward cedar-aged Honduran cigars of all time. That doesn’t mean it’s going to be a total tree sap flavor-bomb, though. There’s zero bitter astringencies or harshness to be felt here.
Also, due to being constructed under the watchful eye of none other than master blender Estello Padron at the Villazon Factory in Honduras, you know that quality control is going to be on point.
Speaking of quality, the Excalibur line relies upon the top 10% of all Nicaraguan and Honduran tobacco for its contents, making it one of the most moderately priced top-tier cigars on the market. Mild yet slightly peppery, with a fat dash of toast and light roast coffee, the Excalibur EC Epicure is truly a must-try cigar smoking experience.
Stogie Specs
Shape: Robusto
Wrapper: U.S. Connecticut Shade-Grown
Wrapper Shade: Colorado Claro
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: Dominican Republic, Honduran, Nicaraguan
Origin: Honduras
Strength: Mild-Medium
Length: 5.25-inches
Ring Gauge: 50
Smoke Time: 60 minutes
5. Montecristo No. 2 Classic
Arguably the most recognizable (and popular) figurado cigar type of all time, the Montecristo No. 2 Classic is a staple for fans of milder tobacco. Born in Cuba, but reimagined in the Dominican Republic, the No. 2 is the perfect companion to any occasion outside of skydiving and snorkeling.
With warm spice, coffee, and nutty notes, this mild-to-medium cigar offers both complexity and cleanliness within every puff. It is this balance that makes the Montecristo brand’s original line of “classic” cigars so popular with fledgling tobacco enthusiasts and seasoned smokers alike.
Altadis U.S.A. currently produces a dozen different forms of Montecristo cigar type, with the traditional No. 2 retaining its place as a clear crowd favorite. So give that tapered cap a snip with your metal cigar cutter and fire its foot up with your favorite torch lighter, because this is one cigar everyone needs to experience at least once in their lives.
Tobacco Nerd Note: It was a 1972 lawsuit between Montecristo’s heir and owner, Benjamin Menendez, and a Cuban importing company that revolutionized cigar distribution and branding within the United States. The case was Menendez v. Faber, Coe, and Gregg Inc., and the plaintiff was an importer of Cuban cigars that had issues with the Montecristo name being used for promoting the non-Cuban cigar type and bearing a similar likeness. In a landmark ruling, the court favored Menendez, making it legal for exiled cigar manufacturers to produce and market their variant of the brand(s) they once handcrafted in Cuba.
Stogie Specs
Shape: Torpedo
Wrapper: U.S. Connecticut Shade
Wrapper Shade: Natural
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Origin: Dominican Republic
Strength: Mild
Length: 6 ⅛-inches
Ring Gauge: 52
Smoke Time: 60-90 minutes
6. Foundation Cigar Company Highclere Castle Edwardian Corona
Hand-rolled in Esteli, Nicaragua, the Highclere Castle Edwardian Corona from Foundation Cigar Company is another one of those lesser-known cigars that deserves a spot on the must-smoke mild stogie list. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Foundation Cigar Company, note that this brand crafts cigars from seed to cigar box, with tobacco fermentation and finished cigar aging operations requiring no fewer than 2-3 years of mellowing.
Although it may rely upon the familiar Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade cigar wrapper that fans of milder smokes adore, the innards of the Highclere Castle Edwardian Corona are what make it so memorable.
Foundation relies upon both Criollo and Corojo tobaccos from the volcanic-rich soils of Jalapa and the island of Ometepe for the Edwardian version of its Highclere Castle line. A binder produced exclusively from darker Brazilian Mata Fina tobacco is also utilized, which is complemented by a proprietary hybrid seed unique to Foundation cigars called “Nicadan.”
The result is a complex yet silky-smooth cigar boasting mild nuances of citrus, spice, light leather, and toasted marshmallow.
Tobacco Nerd Note: Founded by master blender, Nicholas Melillo, Foundation Cigar Company has grown into one of the greatest boutique cigar brands the world has ever seen. Outside of making outstanding hand-rolled cigars, transparency and agricultural responsibility remain a core part of this Nicaraguan-based brand’s daily operations. This fact is exemplified in Foundation Cigar Company’s 11-minute “Seed-2-Cigar” time-lapse video, which spans an entire year’s worth of cigar production.
Stogie Specs
Shape: Corona
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade
Wrapper Shade: Natural
Binder: Brazilian Mata Fina
Filler: Nicaragua
Origin: Nicaragua
Strength: Mild
Length: 5 ½-inches
Ring Gauge: 46
Smoke Time: 45 minutes
7. Ashton Classic 898
Born out of necessity, the Ashton Classic came into fruition as a response to the great American “cigar boom” of the 1990s. But unlike countless other stogies from that short-lived lovefest, the Ashton Classic has stood the test of time as one of the best mild cigars to ever be blended.
Baking spices, citrus, cedar, biscuit, and caramel can all be detected, as the Ashton Classic 898 retains a gorgeous ash throughout its burn. Immaculately constructed, this mild cigar produces copious amounts of rich smoke and a buttery finish that leaves you craving more.
Consistently rated at 90-points by the likes of Cigar Aficionado, the Ashton Classic is a solid go-to cigar for those in search of a milder cigar flavor profile. Oh, and as for the “898” name, that stands for how many cigars are included within each row of the cigar box.
Stogie Specs
Shape: Lonsdale
Wrapper: U.S. Connecticut Shade
Wrapper Shade: Natural
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Origin: Dominican Republic
Strength: Mild
Length: 6.5-inches
Ring Gauge: 44
Smoke Time: 45-60 minutes
8. AVO Classic No. 2
We like to refer to the Avo Classic No. 2 as “the crème brûlée of cigars,” and for good reason. Relying heavily upon Dominican tobacco that’s been aged for no fewer than 25 years, every smoke in the Classic line from Avo comes cloaked in a sun-grown Ecuadorian Connecticut leaf cigar wrapper.
Don’t let that darker Colorado Claro wrapper fool you though, for this is still very much a mild-to-medium strength cigar. The 6 x 50 toro size is a particularly solid smoke, as it is not too big or too small, and comes loaded with toasty undertones and a creamy sweetness that is unique unto itself. This makes the AVO Classic No. 2 the ultimate gateway cigar for those looking for a smoking experience that sits squarely between mild and medium.
Be sure to read our full Klaro Cigars expert review of the Avo Classic No. 2, as this unique jazz-influenced opus truly is an exceptional smoke.
Stogie Specs
Shape: Toro
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Sun-Grown
Wrapper Shade: Colorado Claro
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Origin: Dominican Republic
Strength: Mild
Length: 6-inches
Ring Gauge: 50
Smoke Time: 45-60 minutes
9. AJ Fernandez San Lotano Requiem Connecticut Churchill
AJ Fernandez has long been recognized for his medium and full cigars, but his San Lotano Requiem Connecticut premium cigar blend takes a far more subtle approach.
The tobacco within this lush Churchill is a particularly tasty blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican long-filler leaves, which are held in place by a balanced Honduran binder, and then encapsulated by a supple Ecuadorian Connecticut shade-grown wrapper.
Tree nuts and wood tannins, as well as stone fruits and buttery cream are all tasting notes that define this resplendent mild-to-medium intro cigar. A real winner for beginner smokers and those looking to pair a milder cigar with a coffee or vintage spirit.
Stogie Specs
Shape: Churchill
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade
Wrapper Shade: Natural
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Nicaragua, Dominican Republic
Origin: Nicaragua
Strength: Mild-Medium
Length: 7-inches
Ring Gauge: 52
Smoke Time: 60-90 minutes
10. DBL Amarillo Toro
Created by Francisco Almonte, a man who has been handling cigar tobacco since the age of 7, the Dominican Big Leaguer (DBL) Amarillo Toro is one of those boutique cigars that deserves its time in the limelight.
Tutored by two of the world’s most famous cigars makers (Carlos Fuente of Arturo Fuente and Litto Gomez of La Flor Dominicana), Almonte’s skills as a master blender are second to none, and the Amarillo line is a prime example of this fact.
DBL first put its name on the map with this U.S. Connecticut shade-wrapped cigar years ago and has seen great success since. Bursting with nuances of buttered toast, vanilla, and dried fruits, the DBL Amarillo is one of the most flavorful shade-grown-wrapped cigars on the market.
Furthermore, the Amarillo's Dominican binder and filler hail from the boutique cigar brand’s neighboring farm, as well as a splash of Brazilian Mata Fina tobacco for a little extra flavor. Just note that due to its 56 ring gauge, the Toro version of this cigar is a bit of a mouthful.
Stogie Specs
Shape: Toro
Wrapper: U.S. Connecticut Shade
Wrapper Shade: Natural
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican and Brazilian Mata Fina
Origin: Dominican Republic
Strength: Mild
Length: 5.88-inches
Ring Gauge: 56
Smoke Time: 60-90 minutes
11. Oscar 2012 Connecticut Torpedo
Oscar Valladares Tobacco & Co. is a Honduran operation that first emerged on the cigar-smoking scene just over a decade back, and has been racking-up recognition ever since.
The 2012 line by Oscar Vallarades is of particular interest, as it celebrates the brand’s emergence on the cigar market via an anniversary smoke that fans of mild tobacco are sure to adore. Blended with elegance and smoothness in mind, the Oscar 2012 Connecticut Torpedo features a blend of aged Nicaraguan and Honduran long-filler tobaccos.
And while the binder is also of Honduran stock, it is the fact that the Connecticut cigar wrapper also hails from this country that makes it a standout. Mellow, but far from boring, this cedar-rich cigar is one of those lesser-known offerings that proves that the underdog still has the upper claw.
Stogie Specs
Shape: Figurado
Wrapper: Honduran Connecticut Shade
Wrapper Shade: Natural
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Honduras, Nicaragua
Origin: Honduras
Strength: Mild
Length: 6-inches
Ring Gauge: 52
Smoke Time: 60-90 minutes
Parting Puffs
No matter what stage of your cigar smoking journey you might be in, there is always a time and a place for a mild cigar. May it be a mellow weekend, a relaxing afternoon, or the beginning of a love affair with the tobacco leaf, there’s a subtle smoking experience for every occasion and level of cigar enthusiast.
One of the primary reasons why we started the Klaro Cigars Monthly Cigar Subscription Service was to provide the average cigar smoker’s palate (and pocketbook) with an experience that is guaranteed to be on point.
No more guesswork as to whether or not the cigar you just purchased is going to be right up your alley. Each cigar in this monthly subscription is carefully curated around your tastes, which if you happen to be new to the premium cigar smorgasbord, more than likely has the word “mild” affixed to its list of descriptors somewhere.