The allure of smoking cigars extends beyond mere indulgence; for over a century, they have symbolised suave sophistication and elegance. From the cigar’s rich history in Mesoamerican Mayan culture, where “sikar” meant “to smoke rolled tobacco leaves,” to the Spanish “cigarro” and the English “cigar,” cigars continue to captivate connoisseurs worldwide. The artistry behind each cigar—curating naturally grown tobacco leaves, cultivating distinctive sweet or spicy aromas, and crafting captivating shades of brown—showcases the enduring creativity and craftsmanship of master cigar makers.
The origins of cigars remain somewhat obscure, but they can be traced back to the Indigenous peoples of South America and the Caribbean, particularly the Mayans of Mesoamerica. The Mayans were known to roll tobacco leaves into cylindrical cheroots, the predecessors of the modern cigar. Initially, only the Mayans smoked these ‘sikars’, but the practice eventually spread across South America and the Caribbean before European colonisation.
When Spanish and Portuguese sailors encountered the Indigenous Taino people of Cuba in 1492, they adopted the practice of smoking rolled tobacco. Christopher Columbus introduced tobacco to Europe in the late fifteenth century. The smoking of these early cigars quickly spread from the Spanish and Portuguese conquistadors to the Iberian Peninsula and throughout Europe. Sir Walter Raleigh’s voyages further popularised tobacco smoking in Great Britain.
By the mid-sixteenth century, tobacco smoking had become widespread in Europe, leading to the establishment of tobacco plantations in the New World. The Spanish began cultivating tobacco for cigars on Hispaniola in 1531, and by 1542, the first cigar factory was established in Cuba. The Cuban cigar, El Habano, became renowned for its strong yet subtle flavours and is synonymous with Cuban culture.
By the end of the nineteenth century, the allure of cigars had grown so immense that poet Rudyard Kipling was inspired to write a poem dedicated to his love for them. In “The Betrothed” (1886), he penned an ode to his courtship with the captivating cigar:
“And a woman is only a woman, but a good Cigar is a Smoke.
Light me another Cuba—I hold to my first-sworn vows.”
The Royal Rendezvous
Initially denounced by Philip II of Spain and James I of England for their “evil effect”, cigars eventually symbolised the very nobility that once rejected them. European monarchs like King Edward VII of England and King Alfonso XIII of Spain were avid cigar enthusiasts. King Edward VII’s famous proclamation, “Gentlemen, you may smoke,” upon ascending to the throne, is often credited with popularising cigar smoking among the elite. Their patronage elevated the status of cigars, inspiring the bourgeoisie to follow suit.
The Art of Selection
Cigars are measured by length and ring gauge, the latter being the cigar’s diameter in 64ths of an inch. While popular sizes include the Robusto, Belicoso, Corona, and Churchill, popular shapes include Parejos, Pyramids, and Perfectos—with each shape and size offering a distinct smoking experience. The shape and size of a cigar abundantly affect how its flavours are perceived. For instance, a large Presidente cigar will have a different taste and texture from a small Corona, even with the same tobacco blend. Smaller cigars emphasise the wrapper’s flavour—the outermost portion of a cigar, while larger ones emphasise the filler—the innermost portion.
Icons of Indulgence
-
Cohiba
Though the Cohiba label offers two distinctly different cigars, the Cuban Cohibas inculcate some of the finest cigar tobacco cultivated in Cuba. The tobacco for Cohiba is selected from the finest Vegas Finas de Primera in the San Luis and San Juan y Martinez zones of the Vuelta Abajo region of Pinar del Río Province. Created for Fidel Castro and his inner circle in the Communist Party of Cuba and the Cuban government, it became a go-to among the Cuban diplomatic circles.
-
Montecristo
Named after The Count of Monte Cristo, written by Alexandre Dumas, the Montecristo is another of those classic cigar labels that emerged from Cuba. The Montecristo No. 2 cigar is considered a classic. But it is the Montecristo No. 4 cigar, which is at the top of the charts. The Montecristo No. 4 was the preferred premium cigar of Argentine revolutionary leader Ernesto “Che” Guevara.
-
Padron
Carefully cultivated and curated by three generations of the Padrόn family under the leadership of José O. Padrón and Jorge Padrón, these cigars have earned a stellar reputation for their rich, resplendent, full-bodied flavours. The label’s Padron 1964 Anniversary Series is highly sought after.
-
Arturo Fuente
Established by Arturo Fuente, Sr., in 1912 in West Tampa, Florida, it emerged as one of the most critically acclaimed makers of premium cigars outside of Cuba. This Dominican brand is synonymous with quality that has become quintessential to it. The Fuente Fuente OpusX stands out, known for its rich yet rare tobacco.
-
Davidoff
Davidoff cigars are synonymous with premium and prestige. Their cigars are crafted to deliver rarified, refined flavours, with the Davidoff Grand Cru series being particularly popular.
