Cigar History Archives - Page 6 of 7

Jack Nicholson Movies and His Love for Cigars

Posted on June 14, 2020 by Staff

Regarding true Hollywood royalty, few stars garner instant recognition simply by mentioning their first name. “Marty” for Martin Scorsese, “Bobby” for Robert De Niro, and of course, “Jack” for Jack Nicholson. Nicholson has three Oscars, multiple Golden Globes, floor seats for Lakers games, and ownership of some of Hollywood’s most memorable lines ever uttered. You can’t spell Nicholson without “I-C-O-N.” By the way, the man LOVES his cigars, and you’ll often see them in Jack Nicholson’s movies, too.

Here’s Johnny!

In the beginning, Jack Nicholson was a cigarette smoker. However, he eventually had an epiphany and decided it was best to replace one bad habit with one slightly better practice and converted to cigars. He grew up in Asbury Park, New Jersey, surrounded by “wise guys “who played cards and favored Muriel’s and White Owls. However, in 1973 he played a petty officer who devoured Cuban cigars in the movie “The Last Detail.” And a love affair was born. However, it wasn’t until the early 1990s that he made the full-time switch to cigars, all because of golf. A fresh cigar on the fifth hole became a ritual, and it’s been only cigars since.

Art Imitates Life

There is no shortage of characters that Jack has played who enjoy cigars. Those cigars aren’t as much a prop but an extension of the character itself. As Colonel Jessup in “A Few Good Men,” his military rank has been upgraded since the “Last Detail.” The gruff, cigar-chomping exterior wouldn’t be the same without the cigars. He has maintained that he never came anywhere near the 15 cigars a day that George Burns was rumored to have smoked but has gotten close to those numbers by smoking between takes and during filming. He is also notoriously generous with his cigars on set.

What Does an Icon Smoke?

In 1973, while filming “The Last Detail,” his character only smoked Cuban Cigars. Almost 50 years later, Jack’s opinion of Cuban cigars hasn’t changed. “They are simply the best.” When it was still difficult to bring cigars into the States, he took advantage of film locations in Canada to stock his home humidor with some trophies.

He reportedly says, “I read a lot. I may not be an expert on a given subject, but I can hold a conversation on just about everything.” That knowledge extends to cigar-making, even down to opinions on what regions in Cuba grow the best tobacco. His go-to cigar? Romeo y Julieta, Cohiba Robustos, or Montecristo. From Cuba. He has occasionally favored Macanudo Maduros from the Dominican Republic, but none compare to his favorite Cubans.

Jack Nicholson is a Perfectionist

In every role he has played, Jack Nicholson’s movies have always reflected a complete focus on effort. It stems from an inherent desire for Nicholson to perfect his craft. That same dedication to perfection even extends to the way he lights his cigars. He is a firm believer in a method that famed director Roman Polanski taught him; running a flame around the entire edge of the cigar. Then, when lighting the entire tip, blow out initially, then inhale. It’s the only way to lock in the flavor, and it makes a difference! So who are we to argue with an icon like Jack Nicholson?

Photo Credit: “Jack Nicholson signing autographs at a ceremony for Dennis Hopper to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,” by Angela George (Cropped 2019 by LeeGer), Wikimedia Commons license CC BY-SA 3.0

Rise of the Best Mexican Cigars

Posted on May 31, 2020 by Staff

When pressed to name where the best cigars come from, the almost unanimous response is Cuba. Nicaragua is usually a fairly close second, followed by the Dominican Republic. Mexico typically doesn’t immediately jump to mind. That has been changing over the last several years. The cigar industry in Mexico is recognizing a true renaissance. Much of this is due to enhanced measures focused on quality control. Well-established producers recognize the fine quality that Mexican-grown tobacco can provide. If you enjoy Maduro cigars, chances are you have smoked some of the best Mexican cigars made with the jet black San Andres Negro wrapper from Mexico.

A Rich History of the Best Mexican Cigars

The San Andres valley is the most notable area for quality Mexican cigar production. This area has a rich history of growing tobacco dating back to the ancient Mayans.

In 1880, the Turrent family arrived in the San Andreas Valley. Here, the soil is rich in volcanic ash and offers one of the best places for growing tobacco in Mexico and along the Gulf Coast. It was here the Mexican tobacco Industry was born. Te-Amo cigars were established 80 years later. They became the leading brand of some of the best Mexican cigars. The casual cigar enthusiast has loved Te-Amo cigars for years. They treasure these cigars for their smooth blend and wallet-friendly price.

Beyond the Working Man’s Cigar

Te-Amo cigars enjoyed a reputation as a working man’s cigar. This is because they are affordable and have a growing ubiquity at deli counters, especially in New York City. Yet, the Turrent family still makes them. The Turrent family maintains a careful eye on the quality of the tobacco that goes into the cigars.

Many fine producers such as Partagas and Romeo Y Julieta recognize the quality and potential of Mexican tobacco. They use Mexican wrappers and filler in some of their cigars. Mexican cigar makers want to be more than an everyman cigar. Their focus is on premium trophy cigars. They often blend their Mexican tobacco with Nicaraguan, Cuban, or Dominican seed.

The Best Mexican Cigars

The Turrent family has been making cigars for five generations in Mexico under the Te-Amo brand. So, they launched their own family label of premium cigars and named it Casa Turrent. The line that bears the family name aims to produce a premium brand Mexican cigar with attention to detail and the rich history of Mexican tobacco.

Of the roughly 400,000 kilos of tobacco produced in Mexico, 60% finds its way into well-known brands. A strong selection process allows the finest leaves to find their way into Casa Turrent. The Casa Turrent line has been received favorably by reviewers and aficionados since its release. That’s particularly true of its box-pressed line, which is compared favorably to Padron.

Smoke Local Cigars on Vacation!

Numerous stories circulate about tourists getting ripped off in places like Cabo San Lucas and Cancun with counterfeit Cuban cigars. Why not smoke locally? If there’s one thing any aficionado can’t argue with, it’s the quality and freshness of Turrent cigars. Turrent Cigars wants you to lavish every moment of your premium smoke. So, they also offer many high-end lounges — Casas, to suit your pleasure. Here, you can kick back and relax. Bask in the comfort of a premium local cigar and some equally indulgent house-made tequila to pair with them. Can’t make it to Mexico? Soak up the rich local tradition at home and enjoy one of the best Mexican cigars available!

photo credit: commons

Cigars and Baseball: A Beautiful Combination

Posted on April 26, 2020 by Staff

Baseball has always been America’s favorite pastime. The leisurely, thoughtful pace of the game made cigars the perfect companion to the sport. Going back to the late 1800s when baseball first began, players often smoked cigars while they were in the middle of a game. Almost one hundred and fifty years later, cigars and baseball are still enjoyed by players and fans alike. There’s even a team called the Atlanta Cigars, an amateur men’s baseball team that features former and future major league baseball players.

Cigars and Baseball Cards

Antique baseball cards were always sponsored by major tobacco producers. The famed “T-206” set from 1909 featured a Honus Wagner card that has sold for millions of dollars at auction. Cigar boxes frequently featured prominent players.

White Owl Invincible Cigars which were created around the same time as baseball, was roundly endorsed by none other than Babe Ruth. Every time you bought a pack of Worch Cigars, you could send in a coupon for a card from the set they created. So, you might say that cigars and baseball have been a perfect pair since the dawn of the game.

Sultans of Swat

Babe Ruth was one of the most famous players ever to smoke cigars. Yet, he also knew how to roll them and often stepped up to the plate with one. In a way, cigars and baseball were and still are much like Spinach to Popeye.

Some of the most notable home run hitters were big-time cigar fans. Roger Maris once held the single-season home run record. Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Gary Sheffield, and David “Big Papi“ Ortiz all hit the long ball and also loved cigars. Sheffield and Ortiz even have their own lines. Sammy Sosa loved Fuente Opus X so much, that Carlos Fuente Jr. made baseball bat-sized cigars for him.

World Champions

It’s not just the power hitters who are big fans of cigars. Jack McKeon, who won the World Series in 2003 managing the Marlins, has been smoking cigars since 1949. The story is that he’s such a big fan that if you were looking for him in the clubhouse, you only had to follow the cigar smoke!

Legendary manager Joe Torre knows a thing or two about winning and victory cigars! He has smoked plenty of victory cigars after the game but has said his real joy is smoking one before the game to relax and focus. When the San Francisco Giants went on their World Series-winning run in 2010, 2012, and 2014, the players were all rewarded with cigars during the celebration.

The celebrations following the Red Sox 2018 win were legendary. Let’s just say there an excess of cigars and champagne played a major role that day. It’s very possible that a few Big Papi Cigars were enjoyed that night.

Enjoy Cigars and Baseball on Opening Day

The average time of a baseball game has stretched to more than three hours. While you can’t enjoy cigars and baseball at the stadium, you can light up a good smoke and watch the game at home or your favorite cigar lounge. Three hours is enough time for two cigars and a few cocktails to pair with them.

Extra innings? Sounds like a bonus smoke to us! You have to choose your lineup carefully. We like to start the game with a nice mellow smoke to get through the first several innings. Then, follow that by a real, full-throttled closer to properly end the game. However you pick your lineup, you can’t go wrong when you’re enjoying two of America’s favorite past times.

Photo Credit: Thompson Cigar

Babe Ruth and a Roaring Cigar Lifestyle

Posted on March 15, 2020 by Staff

The Great Bambino. The Sultan of Swat. The King of Swing enjoyed a roaring cigar lifestyle. I speak, of course, of legendary baseball player Babe Ruth.

Born in 1895, Ruth played for 22 seasons. Between the years 1919 to 1935, he hit over 700 home runs and became a baseball icon—more than that, a legend.

The King of Swing: Babe Ruth

There is something about baseball that goes deep into the American psyche. No other professional sports have lasted as long in this country. But, of course, no other sports have inspired so many movies, TV shows, and books. When you look at a baseball game today, you can see the game’s depth. The players wear uniforms that look nothing like those of other athletes. The stadiums bounce with old-fashioned carols. And it’s all surrounded by more than a century of history. A history which, for many, began with Babe Ruth.

Ruth was the perfect candidate during the ideal time. He became so famous he actually propelled the sport. Mischievous and hard-living, Ruth got most of his home runs during the “roaring” 20s. It was a time that some deemed “excessive,” but it was perfect for Ruth.

Unlike most star players today, health and fitness were always far from Ruth’s mind. In-between innings or waiting to get up to bat, Ruth would eat hot dogs, sip on beer, and smoke cigars. At night he would stay out late having fun with women. Yet, he still would manage to be up the next day, cracking balls down left field.

When Ruth played for the Yankees, managers discovered they had to have the Great Bambino room with rookies or unimportant players. Why? Because Ruth would stay up so late and make so much raucous that he’d keep up with whoever was rooming with him. So, it was better for the team if rookies had to deal with that than other star players to keep the team playing its best.

The Good Life

Babe Ruth’s fame grew, and it eclipsed the likes of other star athletes like Jack Dempsey. So, too, did Ruth’s enjoyment of luxuries like good whiskey and great cigars. In New York, he often stayed at the opulent Ansonia Hotel. He’d show up waving to photographers in his giant 12-cylinder Packard with a cigar in his mouth and a girl on his arm.

His reputation and love of cigars were renowned. So, while in Boston playing for the Red Sox, he received an opportunity to invest in a small, local cigar company. Ruth enthusiastically agreed. The company capitalized on the player’s likeness by putting a picture of him on each of their cigars. Sales went through the roof.

If only a hot dog vendor had approached Ruth, he likely would have been happy to endorse that product, too. Instead, he was famous for eating six or more hot dogs during a single game. Back then, this was a lot. How our diets relate to our health was less evident in the 1920s. Considering Ruth’s devil-may-care attitude, it’s possible that knowledge wouldn’t have made a difference. Ruth liked what he liked. And, he was performing better than any baseball player while indulging his “vices,” or, as he would call them, the joys of life.

Teammate Jimmy Reese described Ruth’s eating by saying, “He’d eat two ham steaks at breakfast, have a snack before the game, and then ask for the ‘bi.’ If he struck out three times, he’d say, ‘I’ll get even tomorrow; don’t worry about that.’ “

A “bi” was a bicarbonate soda, something people used to drink for indigestion. Ruth, as it turns out, was human after all. A fact which, for many adoring fans, would first come to light when he died of cancer in 1948.

Babe Ruth’s Cigars

Babe Ruth enjoyed smoking his own cigars. He, in his own words, smoked them until he was “blue in the face.” Still, the Bambino seemed to enjoy that they were his more than anything. Ruth preferred larger, more expensive cigars like Cubans.

Ruth had reportedly traveled to Havana on more than one occasion to bring stockpiles of the famous cigars back to the U.S.

He was almost always smoking. Whether it was cigars, cigarettes, or even pipes. Usually, though, in public, he would stick to cigars as he preferred the image. He would put on a red dressing gown and slippers for parties, most of which he hosted in expansive hotel rooms before lighting up large 60-cent cigars. That was very expensive at the time. His teammate, the pitcher Waite Hoyt, said Ruth looked like “the Admiration Cigar trademark.”

All this large living came to a head during the 1922 season when Ruth played less than stellar. The Yankees failed, and Ruth was devastated for the first time in his career. Although not bad, Ruth’s season was unacceptable by his own standards. And it was such a big public ordeal that New York City’s mayor, Jimmy Walker, weighed in on the matter. He said Ruth had let down all the great city’s “dirty-faced kids.” While that might seem harsh, it lit a fire under the Bambino’s iconic butt.

Ruth practiced harder than ever. He was going to hit balls and exercise. Ruth even made significant cuts to his eating and late-night partying. According to records, though, he never stopped smoking cigars. Those were not merely a part of his image; they were also a part of his life.

Ruth returned more potent than ever and had some of the most productive years of his career. He was hitting an average of over 50 home runs per season every year from 1926 through 1931.

Robert Kahn described Ruth best. He said Ruth was “Somebody who wanted to drink up all the ale in New York and not let a cocktail waitress pass by untouched. He was a huge, excessive, barely believable fellow.”

Photo credit: “Babe Ruth cph.3b14910” cropped from “Babe Ruth and Tommy Gibbons Before the Start of the Yankee-Athletic Game at the Polo Grounds,” Public Domain, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, LC-USZ62-67435

Conor McGregor: Do Fighters Smoke Cigars?

Posted on March 8, 2020 by Staff

There is at least one modern fighter who seems the perfect fit for the cigar-smoking lifestyle: Conor McGregor, among several others. Of course, cigars and cigar smoking were long associated with professional fighting. Not so much inside the ring as outside it. Still, there have been many great fighters who also enjoyed the occasional cigar. Today, though, seeing a boxer or UFC fighter smoking a cigar anywhere outside of a post-fight victory celebration seems like an oddity.

Conor McGregor

If you don’t know who Conor McGregor is, you must have been hiding for the past few years. Conor McGregor, also called the “Notorious” Conor McGregor, is just that: Famous for breaking the rules and breaking noses.

Starting his career in the UFC, McGregor grew up and trained in Ireland before coming onto the scene. It’s no secret that the Irish love fighting—boxing or otherwise. So Irish people in the UK and the United States were thrilled to have a fellow Irishman in the ring getting wins.

McGregor’s most famous fight came when he faced one of the greatest boxers of all time, Floyd Mayweather. There were long discussions about an epic showdown between an MMA fighter and a traditional Western boxer. That dream came to life in 2017 when McGregor and Mayweather faced off. In the end, Mayweather won by decision. However, according to reports, McGregor celebrated anyway by publicly smoking a massive cigar.

The answer, then, is that, like many athletes, Conor McGregor does indulge in the occasional cigar. But, unlike some of the following fighters, he is far from an aficionado.

Cigar-Smoking Fighters Like Conor McGregor

John L. Sullivan

Like Conor McGregor, John L. Sullivan is a boxer of Irish descent. Born in Massachusetts in 1858, Sullivan, known as “The Boston Strong Boy,” stood 5′ 10″ and weighed over 210 pounds.

Sullivan was known for many things, including having only one loss in his 44 fights. He was an athlete and first left school to pursue baseball. Then, Sullivan started boxing when he realized he was more suited to what we now call “combat” sports.

Sullivan had a legendary cigar habit. Some reports suggest he smoked dozens of sticks daily. While the exact amount remains unclear, Sullivan advocated for cigars, among other things. He stated, “My whole life is guided by nature … I believe there is such a thing as a man overworking himself and becoming stale.” That is why Sullivan advocated everything from drinking to playing late-night cards, pool, and, of course, smoking cigars. Sullivan always said he didn’t need more than 8 to 10 weeks to train for a prizefight. But, then, that was it. He’d step into the ring and destroy his opponents.

“Gentleman” Jim Corbett

“Gentleman” Jim Corbett was another tremendous American boxer from the late 19th Century. He was the first boxer to defeat John L. Sullivan in 1892. Some say Corbett had an advantage in the match because of the new, adopted “Queensberry” rules. Yet, no one who saw the first match left disappointed.

The Queensberry rules concern the ring’s size and how professional fighters should conduct themselves. For example, under the Queensberry rules, fighters cannot “wrap up” in the way they are often used to.

The match between Corbett and Sulivan went an astonishing 21 rounds. That was when fights continued until someone got knocked out or gave up. The fight between Corbett and Sullivan was an extravaganza, and some 3,500 people attended it. Most newspapers across the country reported on it as well.

When out of the ring, gentleman Jim Corbett smoked so many cigars that he had some named after him. Today, cigars have gone away from the ring, but they remain popular outside of it.

Joe Frazier

Joe Frazier is an exciting fighter like Conor McGregor. But, although Frazier defeated Ali, the pantheon of great fighters overlooked him. Of course, this isn’t true of those who follow the sport of fighting. But, among the public, his name registers far lower than, say, Ali.

Many considered Frazier an undersized heavyweight champion. Standing at just under six feet, Joe was both short and light. But he made up for his stature with incredible skill and tenacity in the ring. That, plus, he was one of the best-conditioned fighters to ever step into the ring. Often Frazier would wear his opponents down round after round, waiting for his time to strike. Back then, his nickname was “Smokin’ Joe.”

Today, Joe Frazier has become quite the cigar aficionado, and you’ll often see him holding a Ghurka cigar.

Jake LaMotta

Jake LaMotta gained fame in the movie “Raging Bull,” in which Robert DiNero plays LaMotta. As the film title suggests, LaMotta’s nickname was the “Raging Bull.” Although, some people called him the “Bronx Bull” because he fought like a bull. LaMotta chased his opponents around the ring and ate punch after punch to get on the inside and inflict bodily damage. As a result, LaMotta won many of his fights with vicious body shots.

Outside of the ring, LaMotta was to New York Italians what Sullivan was to Irish Bostonians. Both men liked smoking cigars and rarely went without one in hand at public events.

Jack Johnson

The first significant black boxer in American history was Jack Johnson. He fought an incredible 91 times during his career, with only 11 losses to his 35 wins by knockout. Johnson had a massive 74-inch reach that he used to keep opponents outside until he was ready to strike.

Fans came to know him as the Galveston Giant, and he was definitely fond of giant cigars. Although his favorite brand varied, one thing is sure: the “Giant” loved his cigars.

Rocky Marciano

Finally, we arrive at the famed Italian-American boxer known today as the real “Italian Stallion.” He was considered a fighter on whom the “Rocky” movies were based. But that’s not true, although Marciano certainly inspired Sylvester Stallone on some level. The fact is that during his time in the ring, Marciano was known as “The Brockton Blockbuster” because he fought out of Brockton, Massachusetts. Anyway, Rocky Marciano, Conor McGregor, and other fighters on this list loved the occasional cigar as well as they did a good fight.

Photo credit: “Conor McGregor 2019,” by BMF BMF, Wikimedia Commons license CC BY-SA 4.0.

Best Cigar Movie Scenes of All Time

Posted on March 1, 2020 by Staff

Cigars are on one side of the movie screen almost as often as popcorn is on the other. And why not? They are a useful dramatic tool for heroes and villains in countless great films. Here are some of the best cigar movie scenes of all time.

Best Cigar Movie Scenes

1. “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.”

Sergio Leone’s spaghetti western masterpiece, “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,” features several cigar-smoking characters. The most famous is the “Man with no Name,” played by Clint Eastwood. Many people who’ve seen “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” assume that Eastwood’s character must have a name. They think, “I must have just missed it,” but on second viewing, they notice that he does not.

The decision not to give Eastwood’s iconic character a name was a conscious one by Director Leone. Instead, the director sought to make “the man with no name” represent a Western archetype: the stoic, laconic anti-hero. It was the perfect part for Eastwood. And it was perfect in the movie’s famous scene where the three main characters (the “good” guy, the “bad” guy, and the “ugly” guy) stare each other down. While the others may appear nervous, Eastwood merely chews on his skinny cigar. Then, he stares down at his opponents until … Draw!

Eastwood also smokes a cigar in another of Leone’s famous Westerns, “A Few Dollars More.” While that is a great movie, “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” will forever remain our favorite, and that is why we chose it as one of the best cigar movie scenes.

2. “Scarface”

Al Pacino’s “Scarface” doesn’t have a single dramatic scene accentuating his cigar-smoking. Instead, throughout the film, he is chewing on a very large (presumably Cuban) cigar. Perhaps the most poignant scene featuring a cigar is when Tony Montana (Pacino’s character) is sitting in a gigantic, opulent bubble bath, chewing on a cigar while arguing with his wife, who, like him, is spiraling out of control.

Originally rated “X” and written by a young Oliver Stone, “Scarface” had to battle its way into theaters. In the end, the controversy over the film helped it. Audiences lined up to hear Al Pacino deliver yet another of his famous lines: “Say hello to my little friend!”

One little-known fact about “Scarface” is that Robert Di Nero first tapped the role. It’s unclear what happened, but the deal fell through, and the part went to Pacino. If anyone other than Pacino could have played Tony Montana, it would’ve been Di Nero. We can all be thankful that, in the end, it was Pacino who played the notorious part.

3. “Predator”

The 1987 movie Predator was a box office smash starring an A-team of cigar-smoking actors. Among them is the aficionado himself: Arnold Schwarzenegger. Few things are more remarkable than Arnold chomping on a cigar while wielding a giant machine gun and hunting an invisible alien sporting dreadlocks. Audiences agreed.

Aside from Arnold, former NFL player, and Apollo Creed actor Carl Weathers was on set. He joked that he would wait for other actors to leave before using the on-set gym to act like his physique was “all-natural.”

4. “Spiderman”

J.K. Simmons played newspaper editor J. Jonah Jameson in the “Spiderman” movie starring Tobey Maguire. While history has not been kind to the Maguire, “Spiderman” remains unscathed. The cigar-munching actor, played by J.K. Simmons, was the perfect fast-talking editor. Simmons is the epitome of an old-fashion newsman who goes about his business with wit and aggression. Yet, in the end, he also proves he has the integrity to back it up. Moreover, he does all this without leaving the reach of one of his beloved cigars and a tumbler of whiskey.

5. “Wall Street.”

Not all sunshine and rainbows, and not every character on our list can be an excellent guy. Gordon Gekko is the god of the ‘Yuppies’ who first emerged in the 1987 movie “Wall Street.” Gekko, the antagonist in Charlie Sheen’s Bud Fox, delivered the famous line, “Greed is good.” That phrase encapsulated an entire generation of wealth seekers and status climbers.

Gekko has taste, connections, women, money, and more. In other words, he has everything the young Bud Fox desires. The movie centers on why Gekko, the “villain,” wants more. Sheen’s character, Fox, can’t understand why Gekko continues to make sleazy, cut-throat decisions. After all, Gekko already has more money than he knows what to do with. Fox doesn’t understand Gekko, and Gekko certainly does not understand Fox. It’s a cat-and-mouse tale with shoulder pads, dollar signs, and those gigantic 1980s cell phones.

6. “American Psycho.”

Our next cigar-loving villain is Christian Bale’s character, Patrick Bateman. Bateman, like Gekko, represented much of what some thought was wrong with the 1980s. Wealth-seeking was particularly potent on Wall Street and in other financial centers. The Bateman character exaggerates to insane extremes. Meanwhile, he goes on a murderous tear throughout the city while smiling, laughing, and enjoying an expensive cigar.

7. “Independence Day.”

Although “Independence Day” dishes up a nice helping of cheese, there’s no denying the movie is enjoyable and contains one of the best cigar movie scenes. It also features one of the best cigar moments in cinematic history.

Will Smith’s character and Jeff Goldblum are on a mission to destroy an alien ship. Smith’s cigar-loving character turns to Goldblum and shares a victory cigar saying they will smoke together after completing their task and landing safely back on Earth. However, during their mission, things worsen (gasp). The two characters end up lighting their cigars in space! In the history of cigars, that was certainly a first.

Photo credit: “Eli Wallach and Antonio Casale in ‘The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,’” by Produzioni Europee Associate, Wikimedia Commons Public Doman CC0 1.0

How Churchill Cigars Became Churchills

Posted on February 16, 2020 by Staff

Churchills, or Churchill cigars, are almost as well-known as Cubans. Naturally, the Churchills are named after famed WW2 Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. But it wasn’t always this way. It used to be that old Winston smoked ‘Clemenceaus’. So, when did that change, and why?

What are the Churchill Cigars?

Churchills are large cigars measuring between 6.75 and 7 inches long and have a 48-50 ring gauge. Over the past few decades, some cigar makers have introduced short, wide, and petite varieties of the famed cigar. But, these are not true Churchills.

Winston Churchill’s Smoking

Winston Churchill visited Cuba for a few months in 1895, shortly after graduating from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. While there, he fell in love with one of the country’s most popular products: cigars.

Sometimes, he smoked other brands. Yet, there were two, distinct Cuban brands that Churchill fancied. One was Romeo y Julieta. The other was the La Aroma de Cuba cigars. For the remainder of his life, Churchill received shipments of his prized Cuban cigars. Some came from his family while others came from his friends and associates. Many dealers from Havana also shipped him some of his prized smokes. This helped ensure Churchill was well-supplied with premium sticks at all times, even if those times included a crisis or war. This arrangement was especially appreciated during WW2 when they were very hard for him to come by.

It’s no secret that Churchill was a voracious cigar smoker. Rumor suggests that his average consumption was roughly 10 cigars daily. In fact, James J. Fox, the famed London cigar shop, has records of Churchill’s purchases, which tally hundreds of thousands of sticks. One record revealed Churchill bought over 1,300 cigars during a six-month period. That was back in 1964, the year before he died.

Fox, by the way, was not the only store selling him cigars. It goes without saying that Churchill spent an exceptional amount of money on cigars. One of his private secretaries once remarked that he got used to the idea that Churchill’s weekly cigar habit often amounted to more money than his monthly salary.

Churchill’s love of smoking soared to new heights when he requested the Royal Air force construct a special mask for him. The mask enabled him to smoke at 15,000 feet above the ground. He claimed that he couldn’t fly without it. The Royal Navy was happy to construct the device, which worked. And, Churchill used it on more than one occasion.

Although Churchill had his clear favorites, he often considered his budget, to a degree, before buying his cigars. He bought many brands at a time and stored them all in a storage room at his Kent estate. The room held up to 4,000 sticks, all meticulously labeled and categorized. In spite of this, he did not leave many of his beloved cigars behind when he died. He did, however, leave a silver ashtray, his favorite, in fact.

Churchill’s Image

During WW2, photographs of Churchill wearing a bowler hat with a cigar tucked between his lips began circulating. It didn’t take long for this photograph to reach the levels of fame. In fact, once the photographic image popularized Churchill’s signature appearance, it was hard to separate the man from the trademark image. This continued throughout the ebb and flow of his political career.

At one point during his career, Churchill was depicted in a political cartoon. The depiction showed him attacking his opponents with a Tommy gun. The British political cartoonist dubbed him as “Cigarface” after a Hollywood movie with a similar title. The people, however, loved the idea of Churchill as a rebel who stood up to Hitler. The reality of the fictitious idea wasn’t too far off, either.

Churchill was certainly hard-smoking and his drinking habits almost matched those of his smoking. Perhaps, the most remarkable thing about this was that he almost never appeared drunk. When asked how he managed to stay sober in spite of drinking enough alcohol to put other men on the floor, Churchill wry replied, “Practice.” Many world leaders of that time and afterward were able to get away with, and even benefited from, such public images. FDR was no exception. Neither was John F. Kennedy.

Churchill and his cigars remain indelibly connected today, more than 50 years after his death. Several companies manufacture and market these branded cigars and their accessories. In fact, Churchill memorabilia also offer profitable market opportunities. In fact, a collector in Palm Beach, Florida paid a whopping $12,000 in 2017 — for a partially smoked cigar that belonged to Winston Churchill.

When Churchill Cigars Became Churchills

But the question remains: When did Churchills become Churchills? The history here is somewhat murky. There are stories that Winston Churchill visited the Romeo y Julieta company while in Cuba, but little evidence for this exists. Odds are, Churchill actually had little to do with his favorite cigars taking on his namesake. Although, he would have been delighted by it.

What appears to have happened is this. Soon after, Churchill’s three businessmen: David Knight, John Croley, and Robert approached the Churchill family. They ask if they could use his name on a Romeo y Julieta cigar. When this took place is uncertain. But it was most likely while Churchill himself was still alive. This comes as a surprise to those who know Churchill. That’s because he was always protective over potential exploitation of his name for commercial reasons. When it came to his favorite cigars, though, he was willing to make an exception.

The Romeo y Julieta company soon renamed their Clemenceaus cigars as Churchills in honor of their favorite customer.

Why Churchill Smoked

Although renowned for his steadfast leadership, Churchill suffered periods of uncertainty throughout his life. This included severe depressions he called his black dog moods.

Churchill often turned to his cigars to ease the mounting pressure that weighed on his shoulders. In his book “Thoughts and Adventures,” Churchill recalled his parent’s early attempt to curb his smoking habit.

“How can I tell that the soothing influence of tobacco upon my nervous system may not have enabled me to comfort myself with calm and courtesy in some awkward personal encounter or negotiation, or carried me serenely through some critical hours of anxious waiting? How can I tell that my temper would have been as sweet or my companionship as agreeable if I had abjured from my youth the goddess nicotine?”

— Winston Churchill, on why he was unable or unwilling to quit smoking

It’s hard to argue with that logic. In the end, Churchill died in 1965 still relative, mentally sharp at the ripe old age of 90.

Photo credit: Romeo y Julieta Cigars

The Cigar Smoking World Championship

Posted on February 9, 2020 by Staff

“The Cigar Smoking World Championship was born out of the true passion of cigars combined with the beauty of the moments spent sharing this passion with like-minded people from all over the World.”

— CSWCWorld.com

The cigar-smoking competition has been ongoing for nine years now and counting. You’ll find the best talent in the industry there. The goal? Smoke your cigar as slowly as possible, as this turns out; the slower, the better. Most recently, more than 250 of the world’s best cigar enthusiasts attended the event. Talk about a lot of smoke! You might think this event was going to be one where anger and competitiveness bring out the worst in people. The opposite is true.

The true gentleman and the camaraderie of the sport radiate from everyone. Win or lose, contenders and fellow cigar aficionados laugh and have a jolly ol’ time. The prizes consist of loser cigars, which are no losing matter, to the grand prize! A trophy and the title of Grand Champion serve as the awards. Also, the champion receives a custom Cueryo y Sobrinos Swiss watch. The winner also gets a 24-hour cruise aboard a mega yacht. By itself, the cruise value climbs over $80,000 per day. And there is much, much more.

How Smoking Competitions Work

The competition is like any sport but compared to the Olympics. People from across the world come together as one collective group with a passion for cigar smoking! The competition is real. It’s fierce. It’s truly a sport of competition. Despite the competition, it’s easy to root for one another, hoping people succeed (but not as much as you hope to win.) Training is standard as well. As fellow cigar smokers know, it’s challenging to make a cigar last and have the physical stamina to keep from letting the smoke get to us. The world record is 3 hours, 52 minutes, and 55 seconds for a single cigar. The community comes closer together by training together, traveling, and having a smoke with a friend.

The Passion for Cigar Smoking

As cigar smokers, we often overlook the passion behind what we do when we light up. We must share our love. Young people are smoking more cigars and need mentorship on the correct way to light up, which cigars to smoke, and smoking etiquette. Let’s pass our knowledge on to them so we can keep the tradition of cigar smoking going.

“The more I smoke cigars, the more experienced I become with the Leaf. The more I realize that cigar smoking is as much (and perhaps more) about the people with whom you experience these cigars than it is the flavors you connote.”

— Tony from Vice Lounge Online.

Let’s keep the camaraderie of smoking cigars going, but make sure to bring extra smokes to share with the ones we love!

Photo credit: Pixabay | Ben_Kerckx

History of Cigars: Central America to Cigar City

Posted on January 27, 2020 by Staff

Can you imagine what it was like to smoke the first stick in the history of cigars? Not one of the crude creations of rolled tobacco burned by ancient Mayans in Central America. The first actual cigar. A cigar brimming with rich Cuban tobacco. A cigar meticulously cultivated and wrapped with care in fragrant tobacco leaves.

The first actual cigar ever smoked may well have been on the bow of a ship heading back to Europe after a trip to the New World. Then, with one spark of a match came the first puff of one of life’s greatest pleasures. Sit back in your chair and put your legs up. Then, fire up your next stick and take a moment to appreciate where those delicate, packed leaves came from. Consider also how many years it took to craft the ideal cigar.

A Brief History of Cigars

It was October 12, 1492. Two men who sailed with Christopher Columbus came upon Cubans smoking tobacco wrapped in plantain leaves. Columbus returned to Europe with his discovery. Thankfully, the Europeans devised a much better idea: use tobacco leaves as the wrapper.

Spain then commissioned many cigar factories in Cuba, and the cigar industry was born. This refinement of the cigar wrapper was the turning point preceding the cigars we know and love today. But the world would still have to wait for the creation of the finest sticks.

Around 1640, the first U.S. high-quality tobacco for cigars was grown in Windsor, Connecticut. But America had to wait another 122 years for the finest tobacco seeds to arrive from Cuba. Finally, thanks to the never-ending conflicts between Spain and England, an English officer found himself in Havana during a siege.

When the siege ended, the first Cuban cigar smuggler brought home roughly 30,000 cigars. That was enough seed to start growing in a new climate. Tobacco’s popularity soared throughout Europe and the colonies. They all demanded one thing: Havanas.

In 1804, Cuba imported over a million pounds of American leaf for use as a wrapper, much of it from Connecticut. Next, the United States began importing Cuban tobacco. Then, production ramped up as iconic brands like Montecristo, Hoyo de Monterrey, and Partagas came into existence. Finally, as Spanish conflicts continued to rage across Cuba, cigar operations started to shift.

In 1868 during the Ten Year’s War, operations moved from Havana to Key West. And in 1885, operations moved again, this time to the Tampa area. As others followed the migration, Tampa gained the name “Cigar City.” By 1890, there were an estimated 3,500 cigar factories in the U.S. In 1920, an estimated eight billion cigars were packed, rolled, and enjoyed.

Castro and the Embargo

Fast forward to 1959. Fidel Castro nationalized the cigar industry in Cuba. By 1961, the Cohiba brand was born, a cigar meant only for Castro and VIPs. But an American embargo on Cuban products shook the industry. It wasn’t until the 1990s that the new cigar boom took place. Cigar Aficionado launched in 1992, and the cigar lifestyle was reborn.

Today, standards have never been higher, and the quality of cigars is more robust than ever. It’s wistful to imagine smoking the first cigar on the bow of a great ship. But there has never been a better time than the present to fire up the latest creation in the history of cigars.

Photo credit: Pixabay | 16692474

20 Things Premium Cigar Smokers Should Know

Posted on January 19, 2020 by Staff

It’s the 20’s again, what better time to learn a thing or two about your favorite pastime of lighting up, sitting back, and smoking a premium cigar. Here are 20 things every cigar smoker should know in 2020.

1. Cigars Size Matters

There are two things that matter when it comes to a cigar’s size: length, which is given in inches, and “ring gauge,” a designation of a cigar’s diameter broken into sixty-fourths of an inch. A cigar with a 44-ring gauge, for example, is 44/64 of an inch in diameter.

2. What Makes a Premium Cigar?

There is a distinct, definable difference between premium and non-premium cigars. Premium cigars are premium for good reason. It’s not just the quality of tobacco they are made with. It’s also how they are made. Unlike many mass-market cigars, premium smokes are handmade. Cigar manufacturers also use 100% long-filler tobaccos as part of their ingredients. That means that the internal leaves run the entire length of the cigar.

3. How are Premium Cigars Made?

Cigars can be made by either hand or machine. A premium cigar is made by hand while your typical, low-end, gas-station cigar is typically made by a machine.

4. What are Cigar “Bodies”?

Cigars come in three basic bodies: Mild, medium, or full. However, these designations have little to do with the strength of the cigar and more to do with its fullness. The fullness of a cigar refers to the depth of its flavor, not its strength. And, the fuller and the darker the cigar, the deeper the flavor. Consequently, a milder or lighter cigar has a milder taste.

5. Why do Tobacco Leaves Matter?

Tobacco leaves are to cigars what grapes are to wine: They account for almost everything! The cigars body, its taste, its look, and its cost are all influenced by the type of tobacco leaves used.

6. How Should You Store a Premium Cigar?

Cigars are made from natural ingredients (i.e. tobacco leaves). So, it’s reasonable to suggest that they are vulnerable to decay. Cigar tobacco can last for years if you store them properly. The right temperature and humidity levels matter.

It’s best to store your cigars in conditions that match their location or origin. Consider the mild temperatures of a Caribbean island as a good example. The temperature and humidity are nearly constant. The best temperatures for your cigars are what you would find in the shade of these regions. You can expect to maintain a goal temperature range of 62- to 72-degrees Fahrenheit.

That said, many cigar fans will work hard to keep their cigars at 70 degrees year-round.

7. Cigar-Country Stereotypes

Good cigars use tobacco from different places, often, that includes more than one place as well. Each place and type of tobacco lends a unique flavor to the cigars produced there. Cigars from the Dominican Republic, for example, offer a mild-to-medium-bodied flavor. Alternatively, if you’re looking for something stronger or bolder, then you might choose a cigar from Cuba or Nicaragua.

The country of origin for cigars has nothing to do with stereotyping. One is not better quality or flavor than another. So, ditch the stereotypes and, instead, consider your own preferences for a good smoke when making your purchasing decisions.

8. What Makes Cuban Cigars so Good?

Cuban cigars are unique in that, unlike other cigars, they use 100% Cuban-grown tobacco. The available spectrum of flavor is limited by this. As such, this puts a limit on the types of Cubans you can buy as they are all made from tobacco grown in a relatively similar region.

9. How Do You Cut Your Cigar?

Before you light up, you’ll need to clip the end of your cigar. A cigar ‘clipper’ or ‘cutter’ offers the best way to do this. You can also use a knife (although doing so can be difficult) or, of course, your teeth. A proper clipper, however, is far and away the best way to cut your cigar.

10. What is the Best Type of Beginner Cigar?

When you are new to cigars you need to test out your palate—which, in most cases—means sticking to lighter, mild flavors and smaller half-corona sizes for at least your first few times smoking.

11. How Do You Light Your Cigar?

You’ve got a lot of options here, but among long-time cigar smokers, torch lighters are typically preferred. Wooden matches probably come in at a close second—though they do take some skill to work with and may not, therefore, be suitable for beginners.

Regardless of the kind of lighter or match your use, when lighting a cigar, you should start by holding it in your hands. Place the tip above the flame. Do not stick the cigar directly into the flame as it may ruin the flavor. Before putting the cigar in your mouth, burn the end of it. This “primes” the tobacco. Then, spin it as you light it. This ensures an even burn. Once you see an orange glow, you’re ready to smoke!

12. What are the Most Common Types of Premium Cigars?

Some of the most popular types of cigars are:

Corona
Churchill
Belicoso
Lonsdale
Robusto
Panetela

13. How are Tobacco Plants Grown?

Tobacco seeds are small (a thousand of them can fit in a thimble) and pretty high-maintenance. Once planted, cigar tobacco plants need approximately eight hours of sunlight each day.

14. What Does Christopher Columbus Have to Do with Cigars?

In 1492, Christopher Columbus first landed on the island known today as Cuba. There the natives introduced him to tobacco which he proceeded to take back to Europe with him when he eventually returned.

15. Why Do You Need a Humidor?

Cigar humidor typically uses Spanish cedar which should be kiln-dried to stop the sap from bleeding. If properly stored a premium cigar can last a lifetime.

16. Do Premium Cigars Age like Wine?

Cigars are what’s called a ‘nonvintage’ industry. That means cigar manufacturers try to ensure consistency in their cigar offerings and taste from one year to the next. Consistency is key.

While over time, the flavor of the cigar model changes slightly. Yet, it’s not enough for most non-experts to notice.

17. Should I Inhale My Cigar Smoke?

Cigar tobacco is usually much stronger than cigarettes and you should NOT inhale. Instead, keep the smoke in your mouth for a few seconds and then simply blow it out. It’s always best to do this while enjoying a nice drink or a meal.

18. How Do You Enjoy a Great Cigar?

Your cheeks, not your lungs, are what matter when it comes to enjoying a cigar. When you draw on a good cigar let the smoke hang a bit before you exhale giving your palate some stimulation from the smoke. This is how you properly “taste” a cigar.

19. Can I Buy Cuban Cigars in the United States?

The United States’ import ban on Cuban goods, including cigars, has only been lifted for personal consumption. That means shops in the U.S. can’t legally sell Cubans, but if you’re in Cuba you can buy them for your own personal use.

20. How Can You Spot a Fake Cuban Cigar?

Just by looking at a Cuban, it can be difficult to tell whether it is real or fake. Generally, you can tell fairly easily after as and after you smoke it, but by then you may have already made the mistake of buying a fake cigar! What you can do is look for a stamp of authenticity which the Cuban government ensures is on every cigar and second ask to see the box from which the cigars came—dealers selling fake Cubans will often times not have the proper box to go along with their cigars, the is a major red flag!

There you have it, 20 things for cigar lovers to know in 2020. Happy smoking!