The History of Cigars

Stogie, stick, puro, or even sikar. There are many words cigar lovers use to refer to the beloved treats they enjoy, but it is, for all intents and purposes, a roll of fermented tobacco usually wrapped in a tobacco leaf. They are a simple, one-ingredient delight that many around the world enjoy and if you appreciate them as much as me, I encourage you to read further as we explore the historical journey of cigars from ancient times to the present day.

The Early Days

There is archaeological evidence that suggests humans have been using tobacco as far back as 12,300 years ago. Where do you ask? The same place where most of the good stuff comes today. South America. Tobacco had many uses to the Pre-Columbian Americans including medical treatment for physical conditions, religious ceremonies, and even as a pain killer. Smoking tobacco blended with other local leaves was a common practice of these early people to treat conditions such as the common cold and tuberculosis. As for religious use, to this day it is common for indigenous people to use it in sweat lodges and pipe ceremonies and is often offered as a gift when seeking guidance from spiritual elders. But who was the first person to rollup tobacco leaves into the cigar we recognize today? It’s not quite clear but it is widely thought to have been an ancient Mayan. This is largely due to the discovery of a Mayan ceramic pot in Guatemala depicting people smoking tobacco leaves tied together with a string.

Tobacco Takes Europe by Storm

For the larger part of Europe’s history, tobacco was non-existent, being as unfamiliar as a song played for the first time. It was only when one of Christopher Columbus’ expeditions led him to Cuba, was the practice observed among the Tiano people. When the Spaniards partook in smoking tobacco themselves, they were often reprimanded by their superiors as the act was frowned upon. Perhaps it was because it was used in spiritual practices that didn’t align with the Christian nation, or maybe the act just seemed unnatural. Nevertheless, they got over it and in 1528, tobacco was introduced to Europe. It became widely popular and the main product fueling colonization in short time.

Cigar Production in Europe

At this point in history the cigar that we know today didn’t exist just yet. While the indigenous peoples of the Americas were smoking tobacco for many years, the closest thing to a cigar was a bit more primitive consisting of twisted up, dried tobacco rolled in leaves. It was only in the 18th century when the Spanish and Portuguese started importing the precious tobacco to Europe did small factories arise and give birth to the cigar we know today. It didn’t take long for the demand for higher quality cigars to take hold and it was quickly discovered that the ones made in Cuba were superior. This is largely due to the Caribbean climate being ideal for crafting them. Another factor was the Cuban natives were good at it, I mean they’ve been growing, handling, and smoking the stuff for generations. To that point, nearly 400 factories were created in Cuba to supply Europe with the quality cigars they desired.

Cigars in the New World

Cigars likely first appeared in the American Colonies in the mid-1700s when Israel Putnam, a historical military officer returned from Cuba with a selection of cigars and a great deal of Cuban tobacco seeds. Surprisingly enough, they weren’t all that popular at first. In fact, it would take another 100 years for cigars to catch on in North America with individual brands popping up around the time of the Civil War. The introduction to these individual brands also gave birth to the cigar band that we see on virtually all cigars today. The bands served two purposes. Not only did they allow smokers to differentiate between different brands, but it protected them from staining their white gloves. Yes, at this time in history, cigars could only be afforded by the elite. Just like the case with Europe, it was quickly discovered that the Cuban sticks were superior so to protect their products, Cuba developed several seals of their own guaranteeing the country of origin and even registered 18 names including “Cuba and “Habano” by 1959.

The Beginning of Cigar Culture in the US

In the mid-1800s, cigar manufacturing ramped up in the US. The difference now was, it was top-quality stuff. This is largely due to the influx up Cubans fleeing their country for Florida during the 10 Years’ War. Among those who fled were cigar makers who quickly set up operations to manufacture cigars. JFK’s embargo against the importation of Cuban cigars in 1962 further bolstered the demand for American made cigars and while the embargo was technically lifted 50 years later, Cuban sticks are still illegal to sell and only allowed to be brought back for personal consumption. Fast forward to today, Ybor City (just outside of Tampa) is considered the cigar capital of the US and I’m so thankful to live less than an hour away.

Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the US now had virtually an endless supply of quality sticks made by world-class cigar manufacturers. Cigars made their way into American culture as symbol of luxury, class, and decadence. Famous cigar smokers included Mark Twain, George Burns, Babe Ruth, and Earnest Hemingway who Arturo Fuente famously named a cigar after. This cigar culture continues today with modern celebrities such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Jordan, and Jack Nicholson. The appreciation of cigars has transcended borders, being enjoyed by Einstein and Winston Churchill who was always photographed with a cigar in his mouth.

Cigar Culture Today

We arrive, finally, at our present day where cigar culture has only increased. Cigar consumption has over doubled today and has given rise to local cigar lounges and various new product lines. Manufactures have come up with innovative blends of tobacco catering to the modern smoker while still retaining their classic sticks that people like me tend to enjoy the most. From mild to full bodied, sweet to spicey, there is a cigar on the market that can suit anyone’s pallet.

Alas, we’ve arrived at the end of our journey through the fascinating history of cigars. We’ve discussed the early roots of tobacco use and production, how the cigar evolved over the years, and how it became prominent in our culture.  If you enjoy cigars as much as me, I welcome you to explore Cigar Whiz further by reading through the blogs and looking at product recommendations. After that, we hope to have earned the right to be a trusted resource for your cigar smoking needs.