The cigar band is the ubiquitous piece of paper that rings the cigar and makes it a lot easier when you reach into your humidor to identify what you are smoking. Yet, shrouded in mystery, Cigar bands have remained the center of debate among cigar aficionados and trophy collectors. So when did the cigar band evolve from a tiny strip of paper to a blaring work of art?

When Did Cigar Bands First Appear?

The stylish look of cigar bands serves an efficient purpose. The rumor was that it began at the behest of Catherine the Great. The band was considered a way to prevent her from getting her fingers dirty while smoking. England supposedly reinforced the notion of cleanliness and bands. However, cigarettes, snuff, and pipe tobacco were far more prevalent – and dirtier.

Cigar Bands Were Calling Cards

The origin of cigar bands was a more practical purpose, solved by a German immigrant to Cuba named Gustave Bock. In the early 1800s, Cuban cigars were top-rated in Europe. However, these trophy cigars cost nearly 15 times the most available cigars made in Germany. Because of the cost disparity, counterfeit Cuban cigars flourished. So Bock, who had his factory, wrapped a paper band around every cigar with his signature. By the mid-1800s, every Cuban factory did the same.

Cigar Bands Get Fancy

The early 1900s saw the rise of cigar band art. Collecting cigar bands became a hobby, with cigar stores proudly displaying ornate albums. They became a prized commodity as they grew more ornate and intricately detailed. Cigar companies created different cigar bands and even offered collected cigar bands in trade-in programs like the old S and H Green Stamps, where you could trade bands for dining ware or furniture. However, once the Great Depression hit, cigars dropped out of favor, as did the elaborate, expensive bands.

History Repeats Itself

When the renewed rise and subsequent mania for Cuban cigars hit in the late 1990s, counterfeit cigars became popular again. Two of the most sought-after brands of cigars, Cohiba and Padron, introduced a unique identification system underneath the bands to prevent copycats. Other companies frequently change the band design to guard against counterfeiting. As the competition for shelf space in cigar stores heated up, larger, more ornate bands have become the norm. Gorgeous designs on cigars like Fuente’s Opus X or La Sirena’s Ocean serve as their billboards.

Leave the Band On, or Take It Off?

The band has become almost the entire cigar on some cigars! In some lounges, folks like to keep the band on to advertise (show off) what they are smoking. It is always best to remove the band when you light them. It shouldn’t affect the taste, but it can affect how they burn — especially on the more prominent labels. Be careful removing the band so you don’t tear the wrapper. Usually, it’s best to light the cigar and let it heat up. That should loosen the glue and allow it to peel off much easier. The cigar band is the easiest way of identifying your prized smokes in your humidor. Just don’t use them as the sole methodology for buying new cigars!

Photo credit: Pixabay | GPC33

Few things in the cigar world are as galvanizing as the box-pressed cigar. Unlike the ubiquitous, traditional round cigars, box-pressed cigars are rectangular in shape. They have inspired love-hate relationships among avid smokers. They can also be found in the best cigar lounges around the country and usually accompanied by a heated debate.

The History of the Box-Pressed Cigar

LeBron James sported a box-pressed cigar in a social media post and unfamiliar fans clamored to know what he was smoking. He responded that he has smoked these cigars forever. Forever, as it turned out, traces back to the 1959 pre-embargo Cuban cigars. The specific shape allowed for maximum storage and packing inside the cigar boxes. This also prevented potential damage from rolling around in the box during transportation by ship.

How are Box-Pressed Cigars Made?

Box-pressed cigars are cigars that begin like traditional round cigars – Parejos. Producers pack them into a traditional box while the cigars are still moist and malleable. The box receives gradual pressure from a hand-cranked press until the cigars form into a rectangular shape. Trunk pressing is more labor-intensive and involves rotating the cigar every twelve hours to form its shape. They are difficult to replicate, but offer practicality; trophy cigars can’t roll off tables when lit!

When Did They Become Popular?

During the big, U.S. cigar boom of the 1990s, Padron launched the box-pressed Padron 1964 Anniversary Series cigar. Padron created it as a special blend to celebrate the 30^th anniversary of the company’s founding but intended it as a limited release. It was a blockbuster release for Padron, and immediately beloved by trophy collectors. Other producers immediately followed suit, offering various sizes and shapes.

Cutting and Lighting

One complaint is the difficulty in cutting a box-pressed cigar. Because of the shape, most traditional cutters won’t work. A guillotine works for some box-pressed cigars due to their traditional tapered torpedo shape. But for a large gauge, true square cigar, traditional cigar scissors, or a punch is the preferred method. It is important that the cigars are stored properly because the cap can crack very easily if too much pressure is applied when using the punch. Additionally, when lighting them, they need to be rotated completely to ensure an even burn.

Do They Taste Differently?

They may look different, but all that really matters is taste. The square shape typically leads to a slower, cooler burn, releasing more flavors when compared to traditional cigars. Your lips don’t create a seal when inhaling. Instead, your mouth draws air in with it, along with more flavor for your palate. It’s similar to the way you taste wine. Like any good cigar, it’s all about the producer’s attention to quality control.

Box-Pressed Cigars are in Fashion

While the debate rages among cigar smokers, top producers have all answered back, contributing to the square cigar lifestyle. Oliva, Fuente, My Father, La Aroma de Cuba, and Rocky Patel all produce box-pressed cigars that have scored highly in Cigar Aficionado. Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr., has been spotted smoking the My Father Le Bijou 1922 while on set. Kevin Hart has sported a square Rocky Patel in a recent fashion shoot in California. It’s just another example of why one size doesn’t always fit all when it comes to cigars.

Photo credit: Padron/padron.com