THIS WEBSITE CONTAINS IMAGES OF TOBACCO. PLEASE LEAVE NOW IF YOU ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 18 YEARS OLD. PLEASE NOTE WE DO NOT SHIP TOBACCO PRODUCTS TO THE USA OR THE EUROPEAN UNION.
Confirm Age & Enter SitePunch Cigars have been producing popular cigars for over 170 years. It hasn’t always been easy. From the Wall Street Crash to the US Embargo, this venerable brand of cigar has persevered.
Join us as we delve into the rich history of these cigars to see how they came to be the brand we know and adore today.
If you’re interested in trying Punch cigars or are looking to buy cigars online, make sure to visit our store for a vast range of only the best Cuban cigars.
The brand Punch was first registered in 1840 and received its name from the renowned character from the hit European puppet show, Punch and Judy. Much like it’s namesake, Punch Cigars gained particular popularity in Great Britain.
In 1874, the brand was bought by Luis Corujo before being bought again ten years later by Manuel López Fernández. If this names sounds at all familiar, it’ll be because boxes and bands of Punch cigars still bear this name today
The business was sold once again in 1924 to Esperanza Valle Comas who maintained ownership for five years until the Stock Market Crash in 1929.
Following the events of October 29, 1929, also known as ‘Black Tuesday’ or ‘The Wall Street Crash’, the Punch brand faced financial hardships and was forced to be sold again.
It was acquired in 1930 by the company Fernández, Palicio y Cía. Under new ownership, the Punch brand thrived, becoming one of the company’s headlining cigar marques alongside Belinda, La Escepción, and Hoyo de Monterrey.
Despite all this, the brand maintained its popularity among British cigar smokers.
In 1960, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed an embargo on trade between the United States and Cuba. This was in response to Cuba nationalising American-owned Cuban oil refineries without compensation.
This embargo still remains in place today.
Following this embargo, Fernando Palicio had no choice but to sell the cigar lines to Villazon & Co. who continued to make the Punch cigars, along with Hoyo de Monterrey, and Belinda, with Honduran tobacco for the American market.
Punch continues to produce popular and, in some cases, sought after cigars today. They also produce machine-made cigarillos.
With Punch cigars you can expect a rich and full-flavoured smoke, particularly by the final third. Flavours such as nutty or earthy dark tobacco are complemented beautifully by a caramel-like sweetness.
Punch cigars tend to have a blend of traditional British flavours such as oak and a natural earthiness, so it’s no wonder they’ve remained so popular among British cigar smokers.
Punch cigars are full-bodied cigars that tend to range between medium to full strength. Because of this, Punch cigars are best suited to the more seasoned cigar smokers who know what they want.
However, if you’re new to cigars or only smoke on occasion, you can still enjoy a Punch cigar, so long as you go for one that isn’t overwhelmingly strong.
If you are new to smoking and you’re not sure where to begin, why not read our articles on the best cigars for beginners?
For a brand that’s been going for as long as Punch has, it goes without saying that they’ve produced some fabulous cigars in their time.
Here are some of our personal favourites.
The Punch Short de Punch Cigar is a short, but fat smoke and is the brand’s first ever 50-ring-gauge cigar. It was announced at the Habanos festival in 2019.
This cigar falls between the petit robusto and traditional robusto size in terms of length and is wrapped in a corojo wrapper. It offers a medium strength smoke.
The Punch Punch Cigar Turbo offers a medium strength smoke with coffee overtones and a hint of chocolate.
This fantastic cigar has a corojo wrapper and it’s earthy flavours openly mix with an aroma of musk and leather for a quality smoke.
The Punch Double Coronas Cigar is a pleasurable and lengthy smoke which may burn for over 90 minutes. This is a strong cigar without being aggressive with excellent draw and combustion which may suit less seasoned smokers.
With aromos of wood and earth to start slowly giving way to touches of honey, this cigar is the perfect choice for fans of Punch cigars.
The Punch brand has endured for 170 years and needless to say it is going to be around for many more to come. They may not be for everyone, but any cigar aficionado would be a fool not to give Punch cigars a try.
For more information on quality cigar brands or to find your perfect smoke, visit our website.
As a cigar lover in the UK, you may take for granted the relative ease at which you can enjoy a delicious smoke from a Cuban cigar.
Things are a little trickier for aficionados across the pond, where Cuban cigars are actually illegal.
But why are Cuban cigars illegal in the US? We explore the history behind this decision and how the rules regarding Cuban cigars have changed in recent years.
The reason that Cuban cigars are illegal in the United States is down to the trade embargo that was put in place between the US and Cuba in February 1962.
The embargo was established under John F. Kennedy’s leadership, and it put a stop to all imports from Cuba.
This was done as a way of taking a stand against Fidel Castro’s Communist regime and attempting to weaken his power during the Cold War.
Sixty years on, and the embargo remains in place.
When Castro took charge, he began to nationalise the industries, including the production of cigars. Tobacco-growing farmland and cigar-making factories were seized, and brands fell under the control of the government.
All cigar operations now run through the Cuban state tobacco company, Cubatabaco. Cubatabaco owns Habanos S.A., who control the promotion, distribution and exportation of Cuban cigars around the world.
With their farmland taken from their control, many leaders in the Cuban tobacco industry fled the country and started their tobacco plantations and factories again in new locations, such as Central America and Miami.
Over ten years later, a landmark legal case allowed for the original Cuban owners to sell non-Cuban versions of their cigars under the original brand name they had created in Cuba.
This is why there are sometimes two cigar brands with the same name – such as Montecristo, Partagas and Romeo y Julieta.
Despite having the same name and both offering cigars, there isn’t really competition between the brands due to rules established during the case. The parallel brands can only be sold in the United States, where Cuban cigars aren’t allowed to be sold. The cigars also cannot contain Cuban tobacco due to the embargo.
Therefore, as they can only be sold in the US where Cuba can’t trade, Cuba doesn’t lose out on cigar sales from the existence of these brands.
Under his administration, President Obama made steps to repair relations with Cuba by easing some of the restrictions on Cuban cigars entering the United States.
Until 2020, Americans could bring up to 100 cigars or four boxes of cigars back from Cuba duty-free in their baggage, as long as they were for personal use and not for commercial purposes.
However, unfortunately for cigar lovers in the States, President Trump made the regulations much stricter in September 2020. Now, you are unable to return to the United States with alcohol or tobacco acquired in Cuba, even if it is a gift or for personal use.
Loopholes have also been considered, as you are also unable to bring Cuban products back into America from other countries. For example, you couldn’t go on holiday, buy some Cuban cigars in the UK and then take them home.
However, if you really crave a Cuban cigar, then you can always travel to Cuba and enjoy them while over there!
Luckily for cigar smokers in the UK, it is pretty easy to get your hands on a Cuban smoke. Cuban cigars are imported and distributed to cigar shops in the UK through Hunters & Frankau, who help check the quality of the received goods to ensure they are suitable for sale.
Here at Havana House, you can find a wide range of Cuban cigars to enjoy. Which will be your favourite?
Padrón Cigars are one of the most desired cigars available. It’s far from uncommon to hear the words: “that was one of the best smokes I’ve ever had” after the last draw of their Padrón Cigar has been taken.
Although smoking is a very personal subject matter, and we all have a very different palate, there has been some debate over whether a Padrón cigar is worth the price – and the answer is almost always yes, yes they are.
If you are looking to add to your growing collection and would like to buy cigars online then we highly recommend you take a look at our impressive selection of cigars. We also offer an array of delicious drinks, such as cognac, whisky and brandy, among many more.
Padrón Cigars were founded by a Cuban by the name of José Orlando Padrón on September the 8th, 1964 in Miami, Florida.
The company is recognised for having an eye for detail and observing the process of each cigar, controlling the entire production from the growing of the tobacco all the way through to the distribution.
Padrón Cigars are recognised as one of the world’s most luxurious cigar brands. Originally only 200 cigars were rolled a day, each costing $62, which is a surprising notion considering Padrón Cigars are one of the most prestigious makers of premium cigars.
They are said to offer such an indulgent experience due to their excellent blend, providing each puff with a balanced, almost earthy flavour such as cedar and coffee.
The story of Padrón Cigars dates back to the mid-1800s. Dámaso Padrón, José Orlando’s grandfather, immigrated from the Canary Islands, off the coast of Spain, and travelled to Cuba. He worked the fields of a tobacco farm in Pinar del Rio.
After a while of settling in and saving up some money, the family were able to buy a small farm. Together, they cultivated tobacco and spent their money on extending their farm, eventually adding a factory to the town of Piloto. Piloto is where the name Piloto Cigars originate, the official name of Padrón Cigars.
José Orlando was born in 1926, hence the 1926 line of cigars, and he worked in the family business. By 1961, the family farm was nationalised by the Castro regime. José left Cuba and travelled through Spain and New York, eventually settling in Miami in 1962.
Piloto Cigars were founded in 1964, which is where the line 1964 inherited its name from. On the company’s website, José Orlando shares the story of ‘el martillito’, also known as ‘little hammer’, which explains how Padrón cigars came to be:
“In 1962, I arrived in Miami, an unknown city in a foreign land. I had to start from zero,” José Orlando is quoted as saying “At first, I received $60 monthly, as Government aid given to Cuban refugees. I was 36 years old, strong, and in good health. Every time I cashed that check, I felt like a burden on the country that had taken me in. For many days, I looked for a job and could not find one.”
From this experience, José was ignited with a fierce determination to support his family and use his expertise within the cigar industry to open his own business.
To start his business, he needed a way to earn money, so his friend asked if he had a hand at carpentry, to which José said he did, so his friend gave him a little hammer to put to good use.
This little hammer allowed José to save $600, and with that, Padrón Cigars opened in 1964. The hammer has become an ingrained story that lives within the heart of the company.
Jorge Padrón, the president of Padrón Cigars, explains that “the hammer has a deep and special meaning for the Padrón family,” he later goes on to say that the hammer signifies “tenacity, integrity perseverance, loyalty, commitment to quality, and much more” which are seen throughout the companies skilful eye for detail, resulting in their quality cigars.
When the company was first founded in 1964, José had only one roller, who produced around 200 cigars a day in Miami. The initial cigars were originally made of a Connecticut Broadleaf tobacco, which was limited in comparison to what José was working within Cuba.
José was contacted by a Nicaraguan tobacco company, and they agreed that José would tour the tobacco fields on Jalapa Valley in Nicaragua. By 1967 the company made use of the Nicaraguan tobacco and incorporated it into their production process, which in turn became so popular it was difficult to meet their customer’s demands.
In 1970, the company moved to Esteli, Nicaragua, which was currently in the midst of the nascent Sandinista revolution. By 1978, the company had established itself but was burnt down due to the ongoings of the civil war.
Luckily another factory was founded across the border in Honduras. As the revolution unfolded, the socialist Sandinistas party were victorious. Padrón cigars suffered at their expense. Business was interrupted until José Orlando met with the government and was assured that there would be no further interruptions.
The production of Padrón Cigars continued to encounter issues when the US embargo halted the trade of Nicaraguan products in 1985. Within the first five days of the embargo taking effect, José was forced to move production to Honduras, as well as pushing as many of his cigars as possible over to Tampa. The embargo came to an end in 1990 when the Sandinistas lost the elections.
Between Miami and Esteli, José would move freely between the two. His faith in his tobacco business was firmly rooted within Nicaragua and it was beginning to gain more momentum. He opened another factory in Esteli in 2003, twice the size of its predecessors.
The new factory was the 17th addition to Padrón’s empire in Esteli, which totalled more than 75,000 square feet. It was predominantly dedicated to the storage of around six years of cigar production, or equivalent to more than 25 million cigars.
Through all of the strife and turmoil that the Padrón Cigar company encountered, José Orlando never once took his eye off his values- or cigars. His fierce determination carried him through many disastrous occasions.
Throughout José’s entire career he has always practised the same quality assurance method for his cured tobacco. He determines it by sticking his face into the leaf and deeply inhaling its fragrance, which has been proven to be an effective method by all of us who adore the luxuriant draw of a Padrón Cigar.
There is no doubt that each and every Padrón cigar has a clear consistency and complexity to it, which is evident in their products being awarded the Cigar of The Year three times by Cigar Aficionado, as well as consistently being rated in the top 25.
Padrón cigars are available in four series and an array of vitolas:
• Padrón
• 1964 Anniversary
• 1926 Series
• Padrón Family Reserve
All but the Padrón cigar line are box-pressed. Occasionally you will encounter one of Padrón’s special made releases that will commemorate a special family date or event.
Most recently, Padrón cigars shared the ‘Dámaso’ line, which is in honour of Dámaso Padrón, the first of the Padrón’s to arrive in Cuba. The limited production cigar is described as round, mild and flavourful.
For more information regarding the rich and illustrious history of cigars, you can find more on our blog, which is filled with helpful advice and fascinating facts!
Cigars have long had connections to the military, with generals, troops and government leaders known to enjoy a stogie or two.
Naturally, working in a military-environment is going to be a high-stress job, so smoking a cigar offers the perfect way to relax and unwind for some.
We take a look at some military legends from around the world who have been known to enjoy the aroma and flavour of a good smoke.
First, we will take a look at some influential political figures with connections to the military who are known for smoking cigars.
Even when thinking about cigar smoking in general, Winston Churchill is likely to spring to mind. As Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Churchill was in charge of the decisions on the use of the armed forces, most notably during World War II.
Interestingly enough, Churchill discovered his own love for cigars while serving as an officer himself. In 1895, Churchill was sent to Cuba during the Cuban War of Independence. Churchill did not experience any combat though, instead he spent his days in Cuba enjoying the delights of Cuban cigars and fruit!
As Prime Minister, Churchill was frequently photographed with a cigar in hand. It is estimated that he smoked somewhere around 200,000 cigars in his lifetime; which is around 8 per day! His love for cigars was so great that the now-famous Churchill vitola was named after him.
The 18th President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant, was the Union general during the Civil War.
Known for his love of cigars, Grant is reported to have smoked around 20 cigars a day. This number was said to increase as the conflict continued – and who can blame him, it must have been a stressful time! It is even reported that he smoked cigars during battle.
He died in 1885, at the age of 63, from throat cancer – perhaps a repercussion of a 20-a-day cigar habit!
Starting off as the leader of the rebel army during the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro became the President of Cuba, and as such, the leader of the Cuban military.
The Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces became a key part of the nationalisation of Cuba, with military officers overseeing aspects of the economic sectors.
Part of this was the nationalisation of the cigar industry, which saw huge changes for the cigar world, with many brands relocating to the Dominican Republic or Nicaragua. New cigar brands in Cuba were also developed for Castro, including the now-beloved Cohiba cigar!
There are several instances of organisations that promote the enjoyment of cigar smoking within the military. Here are a few examples.
Operation Deployed was set up by Robert Barr in 2014 as a US military care package program. Since then he had sent out more than 5,000 cigars to troops in Afghanistan and the Middle East.
Wanting to send a bit of luxury to the troops, Operation Deployed send boxes of 50 or 100 cigars, as well as other premium goods. Barr says that the cigars sent are usually Ashton cigars or E.P. Carrillos.
When new deployments arrive, Operation Deployed send over a special welcome care package that contains cigars, a torch lighter, chocolate bars and dried beef strips!
A similar concept to Operation Deployed, Cigars for Warriors also send out cigars and luxury goods to the American troops in combat zones. Instead of sending them as a care package, Cigars for Warriors works on a by-request basis.
US service members can request to receive a shipment of between 30 and 50 cigars. The cigars are funded by donations from charity events and from premium cigar companies.
Despite attempts to ban smoking in the military, the “Tali-Banned Cigar Aficionado Club” was founded by troops in Afghanistan in 2009. The name refers to the Taliban’s ban on smoking.
The military cigar club offered troops the chance to bond over a good smoke. Since the initial club was created, several more clubs have been established in different military bases.
The cigars enjoyed at the club are sent in packages from family and friends, or donated by the organisations mentioned above!
It is clear that many members of the military enjoy smoking cigars. We share some stories of legendary veterans, many of which have shared their story with Cigar Aficionado magazine.
Cigars aside, Richard Overton is a bit of a legend, as he was the oldest verified surviving US World War II veteran and oldest man in the United States! He died in 2018 at the age of 112 years and 230 days.
During World War II, Overton served in the all-black 1887th Engineer Aviation Battalion. He fought in a number of battles, including the battle of Iwo Jima.
He began smoking cigars in 1924, at the age of 18 and claims to have smoked around 12 a day – even when he was over 100!
General Tommy Franks is an Army veteran who was Commander of the United States Central Command. Franks oversaw operations in 25 countries, including the US invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Speaking to Cigar Aficionado in 2003, Franks revealed that he had over 20 humidors in his home – we wonder how many he has now!
Franks also recalled a special moment in which he and other Central Command commanders sat together and smoked cigars in one of Saddam Hussein’s palaces in Baghdad!
Image Credit: MorganC316 under CC BY-SA 3.0
In 2020 one of the world’s most famous cigar brands celebrated their 85th anniversary. Although Montecristo was established in 1930, a younger brand in comparison to others, the influence of the Montecristo should not be underestimated.
Some will claim the torpedo shaped Montecristo No.2 to be the most impressive cigar of all time. Although, we’ll leave that for you to decide. Here at Havana House, our stock offers a range of Montecristo cigars available to purchase.
Below we’re going to be discussing several facts that any Montecristo aficionado needs know about.
H. Upmann, founded in 1844, is one of the oldest cigar companies that are still in production. After only a year of creating Montecristo, Alonso Menendez created the Garcia Y Cia company and went on to purchase the H. Upmann brand.
The productions of Montecristo were relocated to the H. Upmann factory, where it still remains. They became the largest Havana factory rolling out Montecristo and H. Upmann cigars with over 1,100 workers.
A box of Montecristo B cigars, which were discontinued in the 1980s, were once sold for £6,500 at a Christie’s auction, even though the box was only partially filled. That amounts to each cigar being worth £216.
The brand has also discontinued other cigars from its range. The Montecristo No. 6 and Montecristo No. 7 were also discontinued, both in 1998. We wonder how much they could fetch at auction!
In 1960, the Menendez family lost the brand to the Cuban nationalisation of the cigar industry. After leaving Cuba with barely two pennies to rub together, Benjamin Menendez opened Compania Insular Tabacalera S.A. in the Canary Islands in 1961.
He created a new version of the Montecristo, called Montecruz, with his father helping as an investor of the company. The almost twin copy of Montecristo became one of the best selling cigars available in the United States, where the Cuban original could not be sold.
In 1970, a lawsuit between Menendez and a small group of Cuban cigar importers Faver, Coe and Gregg, became a hallmark which transcended into establishing the right of the cigar makers in exile. This allowed them to market their version of their brand that was originally Cuban.
The Montecristo No. 4 is a petit corona, it only measures at 5 1/8 inches long. This incredibly popular cigar is of surprisingly delectable and high quality considering the quantities and numerous factories they are produced in.
Originally, Montecristo No. 4 was the most popular cigar, although they have since been surpassed by Partagás serie D No. 4. A Montecristo No. 4 can still be enjoyed and will always be a fond favourite. A more than safe bet when you are not sure what cigar to choose.
Alexandre Dumas, père novel ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ inspired the name Montecristo.
It is said to have been a rather popular choice among the torcedores, cigar rollers, at the factory. Some say the workers would routinely request the novel to be read to them while working in the old factory.
You can browse our fine range of Cuban cigars, including our selection of Montecristo. We’re sure you’ll find what you’re looking for here, at Havana House, whether it’s intended as a gift for a fellow aficionado or a treat for yourself.
Cohiba cigars are one of the best-loved brands of Cuban cigars. The Cohiba brand name has become synonymous with luxury, quality and flavour. Anyone who gets to smoke one of these cigars is in for a real treat!
Whether Cohiba has already firmly established themselves as your favourite cigar brand, or you’re just starting to investigate this brand to discover which Cohiba cigar to buy, we have compiled some fun facts about this fascinating brand!
We’ll start with the name – Cohiba – which is the word for ‘tobacco’ in Taíno. Taíno is the native language of the indigenous Arawak people in Cuba, that was spoken on the island before the Spanish colonised Cuba.
Cohiba originated as a private brand, with cigars created especially for Fidel Castro. At the time, the only Cohiba cigar that was made was the Lancero, measuring 7 ½ inches x 38 ring gauge.
The only way to get your hands on a Cohiba was if Castro had given you a box as a diplomatic gift. As such, these cigars were largely restricted to heads of state and dignitaries.
Cohiba cigars had an air of mystery as a brand that wasn’t publically available, and every cigar lover wanted a taste! Luckily, the brand started to become commercially available in 1982. However, for the first few years, Cohiba cigars were only available to buy in Spain.
At this time, the brand produced three sizes of cigars for sale to the public. This included a Lancero, known as Laguito No. 1; a Corona Especial, known as Laguito No. 2; and a Panetela, known as Laguito No. 3.
The cigar brand became globally available in 1989. At this point, Cohiba branched into some larger sizes, including the Robusto and Esplendido, as well as the tiny proportioned Exquisito cigar.
Cohibas are the most expensive cigars in the world, in terms of regular production series. It is not unusual to find single Cohiba cigars in their standard production series being sold for £40-50. Cigars in the Behike range are far more expensive, with a single stogie costing between £130-150!
Cohiba is this price for a reason, and that is the superior quality and standards that go into creating these premium smokes. If you find a cheaper than usual Cuban Cohiba, it is more than likely a fake.
The Cohiba brand now contains four collections, that they call ‘series’. This includes The La Línea Clásica Series (aka the core line), The La Línea 1492 Series (aka the Siglo Series), The Maduro 5 Series and The Behike Series.
As well as this, Cohiba have released three Edición Limitada cigars and two special releases.
Of these, the Behike line is considered the most prestigious, and are seen as being the very top of the Cohiba portfolio. They are also the most expensive!
Competing brand Davidoff started out as a Cuban brand before they relocated to the Dominican Republic following the nationalisation of Cuban cigar companies.
With Davidoff out of the picture, there was a gap in the Cuban cigar market for cigars of certain sizes. To fill this gap, the Linea 1492 or Siglo Series range came out. Four of the six cigars in this series match sizes of cigars that were produced by Davidoff.
Of course, the tobacco is grown in Cuba, but we don’t know which farms Cohiba use for their cigars. All people know is that the farms used are located in Pinar del Rio.
There is a great demand for Cohiba cigars, and as such a sought-after and expensive luxury item, there is, unfortunately, a huge industry of fake cigars.
Cohiba cigars are counterfeited more than any type of cigar brand in the world.
Avoiding fake cigars is important. They are often made of subpar tobacco, swept off the factory floors and rolled without the rigorous standards and checks that come with a genuine smoke. Tobacco swept from the floor could contain any amount of hair, bugs and rodent droppings, making fake cigars unsafe, as well as providing a greatly inferior smoking experience.
To combat this, the brand has produced advanced packaging and branding to beat counterfeiters and make it easier to identify a genuine Cohiba cigar. Cohiba cigars now feature bands with anti-counterfeit holograms from top to bottom, as well as special gold embossments, making them harder to replicate.
As the years go by, the boundaries for cigar ring gauge sizes are continually pushed by cigar manufacturers. In 2016, in celebration of Cohiba’s 50th anniversary, the brand released Cuba’s first 60 ring gauge cigar that was commercially available.
The Cohiba 50 cigars were 7 inches long by 60 ring gauge. The special cigars were only available in Elie Bleu humidors that each contained 50 of the commemorative cigars. These humidors were all sold at auction.
Cohiba are an incredible brand with a rich and fascinating history. While these fun facts give us a great insight into the brand, we think the best way to get to know Cohiba is by trying out their premium smokes.
Here at Havana House, we have an extensive collection of Cohiba cigars, including the Cohiba Behike range and limited edition cigars. Check out our full range today and discover the true beauty of Cohiba for yourself!
Whilst selecting from the endless options available when it comes to being able to buy cigars online, it can be difficult to settle for one particular choice. Each offers an array of inherent intensity and character, due to the artisanal beauty of the individually bound cigars.
Being the hallmark for tobacconists to this day, the Davidoff Cigar’s history is as rich as the experience of smoking one itself.
Every cigar offers a different note that can whisper oak, aged musk and vanilla bean. Others may pose a sweet and spicy finish. Each profile and preference subjective to your palate, that fits like a fine tailored suit.
A Davidoff Cigar is one that most should experience. Especially when his philosophy is still as strong as it was in 1947, the beginning of his synonymous status symbol with ‘the good life’. Undeniably a premium Swiss brand, with a wide array of tobaccos from Nicaragua, Brazil, Mexico and the Dominican Republic.
Zino Davidoff’s story begins in 1906 as the son of a cigar salesman in Kyiv, Ukraine. From a family who blended tobaccos, it’s hardly surprising he made such an impression on the industry. At the age of five, his family had decided to set up shop in Switzerland and move to Geneva – opening the infamous tobacco store.
Fleeing the political turmoil of Russia, the new life of the Davidoff’s was wonderful. He and his siblings received a promising education in Geneva and were economically well off.
But once Zino’s education had ended, he was inspired to search for more secrets of the tobacco trade, and set off to travel to Argentina and Brazil.
By the time he had reached nineteen, Zino had immersed himself in the culture and cultivation of tobacco during his travels through Latin America. He had spent his time wisely, working and studying abroad.
Once he had returned to Geneva, he had already created new blends and ways in which to store tobacco.
His ingenious innovations of the industry did not stop there. He invented the very first desktop humidor, which allowed cigars to be properly stored at home, changing the entirety of the cigar industry.
By 1929, Zino Davidoff had taken over the family business, his heart set on continuing to learn and be engrossed in the industry. The once originally modest family-owned tobacconist soon became a haven for wealthy cigar smokers across the globe.
Due to the neutrality of Switzerland’s standpoint, they had been spared the havoc of World War II, unlike the rest of Europe. This aided their success as they may have only been a small shop, they were a prosperous one at that.
A couple of years after the launch of the first Davidoff cigars, Zino Davidoff had decided in 1970, it was time to sell the store to the Mac Oettinger company. Paying more than one million dollars for the shop. Until his death in 1994, Zino decided to stay on as an ambassador.
Thanks to the great success of marketing the Hoyo de Monterrey Chateaux series in the Davidoff Shop, in 1967, Cubatabaco approached Zino and offered him the idea of a cigar in his family name. This formed the foundation of a historic combination.
The Davidoff cigar had captured connoisseurs’ attention. Said to be similar to the Cohiba, its difference was defined by its lighter wrapper and smoother smoke.
By far the best and most respectable part of this story, is Zino Davidoff’s concern with the growth in demand. This is because he wanted to maintain quality and consistency throughout production.
A true mark of craftmanship, a famous line of Davidoff was due to his denial of being a salesman, and always referring to himself an advisor. His high value for his customers can still be experienced through smoking his cigars.
By 1968, the first productions of the Davidoff cigars were discontinued with Hoyo de Monterrey Label and relaunched by the Chateaux series. Which began to be exclusively made for the Davidoff brand.
Unfortunately, Davidoffs relationships with Cuba began to deteriorate. Fueled by disputes of ownership and the rights to the brand name. During these disputes, in August 1989, it all went up in smoke when Zino pubically burnt over one hundred thousand Davidoff cigars.
By 1991, the Cuban production of Davidoff cigars had officially stopped, and Davidoff moved production to the Dominican Republic.
The Max Oettiger company that had taken over the Davidoff tobacconist were one of the first that imported Cuban cigars in Europe, primarily supplying to France, Germany and Switzerland.
Although it was considered at the time as an extortionate price to pay one million for such a small shop, it has since been made evident that with the rise of demand for Davidoff cigars, it was a worthy investment to make.
The Aristocrat is the flagship cigar of the Davidoff Winston Churchill line, and appropriately, is a Churchill vitola. It is a complex cigar filled with subtle flavours and sophisticated aromas.
The Robusto Intenso started out as a limited edition smoke in 2005, but its popularity has brought the cigar back as a 2020 Limited Edition. The cigar is made up of a selection of beautifully aged and blended tobaccos for a harmonious smoke.
From the Davidoff Winston Churchill line, the Belicoso will satisfy any appetite for aromatic and oak flavours that blend with coffee and cocoa.
A whole new experience when it comes to any other Davidoff cigar. Lasting twenty minutes, it may give the impression of being short but it sure is intense. As they say, big things really do come in small packages.
Smoking cigars has long been seen as a symbol of power, and this is no better expressed than by the long list of political figures renowned for their love of a good stogie.
We take a look at some of the key political figures who have become known for their appreciation of cigars.
When you think of cigars and politics, then it’s more than likely you’ll think of Winston Churchill.
It is undeniable that this man loved his smokes – it is estimated that he smoked 200,000 cigars in his lifetime! That works out at around eight cigars per day. He imported cigars over from Cuba, and had a room at his Chartwell Manor residence stocked up with 4,000 cigars.
Churchill’s love of cigars was sparked by a visit to Cuba, where he was working as a journalist and discovered a taste for fine Cuban cigars. As Prime Minister, Churchill was rarely photographed without a cigar in hand or mouth, and so became renowned as an iconic cigar smoker.
The former Prime Minister’s love for cigars has even led to Romeo y Julieta, his favourite brand, to create the Churchill vitola. The Churchill cigar is seven inches long with a 47 ring gauge.
Churchill had a number of quirks relating to his cigar smoking. For one, he did not take much notice of cigar etiquette, instead opting for his own methods of smoking. Rather than using a cigar cutter, he would prepare a cigar by moistening the end and then making a hole with an extra-long match. He would also often use a candle to relight the cigar if it went out.
Despite his love of cigars, he rarely actually finished a cigar, instead choosing to smoke half and then discard the rest in an ashtray. During later life, these discarded cigars were given to the gardener at his home to use as pipe tobacco!
JFK – the 35th President of the United States – is another politician famous for his love of cigars.
Kennedy was the President responsible for introducing the embargo between Cuba and the United States. Despite his love for Cuban cigars, this embargo prevented Cuban exports, leading to Cuban cigars being widely unavailable in the States.
Knowing of the embargo, Kennedy made a request while in Cuba for his Head of Press, Pierre Salinger, to find “a lot of cigars” to bring back as a secret stash for him to smoke after imports were made impossible.
He made a specific request for 1000 Petit Upmanns, which were his favourite smoke. Luckily, 1,200 of these cigars were sourced for the President. However, unfortunately, it is very unlikely he managed to smoke all of these as he was famously shot dead the following year.
One of the most influential figures in the world of cigars, Fidel Castro was the Cuban leader responsible for nationalising Cuba’s cigar industry.
Castro is said to have started smoking at the age of fifteen when his father introduced him to the smokes, and he continued smoking until the age of 59. He quit smoking after 44 years as he wanted to be an example to his country after warnings about the risks of smoking.
Throughout Castro’s life, there were numerous attempts to assassinate him. This included him being given a cigar that would have exploded when lit, as well as being given a cigar that had been poisoned with botulinum toxin.
Castro’s favourite smokes came from the brand Cohiba. Established in 1966, Cohiba was initially created as a limited production brand exclusively for Castro. As well as being smoked by Castro himself, these Cohiba cigars would be given as diplomatic gifts.
A box of 50 Cohiba Lanceros, which had been signed by Castro, sold at auction for £12,000 at a charity dinner in 1993.
There are many more famous cigar smokers that we have covered in previous posts – why not check out some of our favourites:
Renowned for their quality and long-associated with power and money, cigars have been a strong part of popular culture for many years. From plot devices in films to being spotted between the lips of the elite, cigars have long had a place in the cultural spotlight.
While other methods of smoking, such as cigarettes, have taken a turn in popularity in recent years, with it often associated as a negative habit, cigars have retained their status on screen, and are commonly used to denote power.
We take a look at the role of the cigar in popular culture, and a few of the places you may have spotted these beloved smokes!
Cigars are often considered a high-class item. While cigarettes can be picked up at your local supermarket, to get a quality cigar you’ll be looking at visiting a dedicated cigar vendor, such as Havana House. This feeling of exclusivity adds to the allure of the cigar.
With this comes a connection to power. Cigars are typically more expensive than other forms of smoking, and so in the past quality Cuban cigars would be associated with rich and powerful people.
As such, cigars have come to be used to signify power and wealth in films – which is why they are so often smoked by the likes of political figures, villains and crime bosses in the movies (and in real life!).
With smoking being a much bigger part of culture in the past, there are many famous cigar smokers from decades past. This includes popular figures from literature, stage and screen, including Alfred Hitchcock, Mark Twain and Groucho Marx.
In addition, cigars were popular with many political figures, such as JFK, Fidel Castro and Winston Churchill. Churchill loved cigars so much that a famous vitola, Churchill, was created and named after him!
As well as this, many biopics of Churchill have been created, such as ‘Darkest Hour’ (2017), each depicting him puffing on his favourite cigars and reintroducing these smokes to the screen!
Discover more about our favourite cigar-smoking icons:
Arnold Schwarzenegger is one of the most famous examples, regularly frequenting the cover of Cigar Aficionado magazine and sneaking cigars into some of his films, including Predator (1987). Other actors like Danny DeVito, Whoopi Goldberg and Jack Nicholson are all known for loving cigars too.
More recently, younger celebrities have also taken sharing their love of cigars, with singer Nick Jonas being the youngest ever person to hold a cigar on the cover of Cigar Aficionado in 2019, at the age of 27.
From being commonplace on screen in older films to being used as a symbol of celebration or power in more modern movies, there are many great examples of cigars being shown on screen.
For clips of all these great cigar scenes and more, check out our previous blog on cigars in films:
Cigars have also been seen in many music videos, particularly those in the rap genre. For example, real-life cigar smoker JAY-Z is seen smoking a cigar in several of his videos, including ‘Show Me What You Got’ and ‘Big Pimpin’’. Likewise, Nas smokes a cigar throughout his video for ‘Can’t Forget About You’.
While often associated with men, there are many female cigar smokers too, including Shakira and Rihanna, who each enjoy a cigar in the music video for ‘Can’t Remember to Forget You’.
As a great example of cigars being used in popular culture to signify power, Taylor Swift ‘smokes’ a cigar while dressed as a businessman as a way to establish dominance in her video for “The Man”. See the second slide of the above Instagram post.
There are plenty more examples of cigars being spotted in film, television and other forms of popular culture – is there a moment that springs to mind for you? Let us know your favourite cigar moments in popular culture by leaving a comment below or sharing it with us on social media!
Since 1962, an embargo has been in place for trade between Cuba and the United States. With Cuban cigars being such a key export for the country, cigar lovers in the US have been unable to legally get their hands on a Cuban smoke, unless they leave the country.
We take a look at the history of the embargo, how it has impacted the Cuban cigar industry and the future of Cuba’s relationship with the United States.
When Fidel Castro rose to power, he began to nationalise much of the countries industry – including the cigar industry. Before the 1960s, much of Cuba’s economy and resources were under US control. By nationalising Cuba’s industry, this power was taken away from the US without any benefit.
In addition to this, Castro’s ties to the Soviet Union and communism put America at unease, and so a trade embargo was put in place with the aim to collapse Cuba’s government.
You can discover more about the history of Cuban cigars in our Cigar Country Spotlight blog!
Despite occurring sixty years ago, the embargo is largely still in place today. While some restrictions were eased by President Obama in 2015, American cigar smokers are still only able to travel to Cuba to enjoy their Cuban smoke, and may only bring back 100 cigars duty-free, up to the maximum value of $800.
While an embargo is in place between the US and Cuba, Cuban cigars have long been widely available in the rest of the world, particularly Europe. In fact, the British company, Imperial Tobacco, hold the rights to distribute Cuban cigars around the world.
This means that even if the trade embargo between America and Cuba is dropped, America may not regain control of the distribution of the cigars.
Despite the trade embargo, Cuban cigars remain one of the most popular cigars around the world. Brands that operate under Cubatabaco and Habanos SA are typically revered as being the best around and are often seen as luxury goods.
While Cuban cigars are undoubtedly excellent smokes, it could be said that there is an element of the ‘forbidden fruit’ about these brands though, which adds to their appeal.
The fact that Americans are unable to legally buy these smokes may make them more desirable, and there have been many attempts made to smuggle them into the States. So, in some ways, it can be argued that the embargo has only added to the allure of these cigars, and thus boosted sales.
However, there is also the negative side of the embargo, which allowed for competitors to rise up in rival countries.
For example, following the revolution and nationalisation of Cuban cigar factories, many cigar producers fled to the likes of the Dominican Republic to set up production again.
With the embargo banning the import of Cuban cigars, cigar lovers in America then turned to the likes of the Dominican Republic for their cigar needs, taking the business away from Cuba.
When the Cuban revolution took place, with Cuba taking back control of many “American-owned” assets, it is estimated that the monetary worth of these assets is in the range of $6 billion.
Cuba is required, by law, to repay this sum before the trade embargo can be lifted; however, it is very unlikely that this would take place, as it could make the US seem weak.
However, some argue that the embargo is outdated and unnecessary, and could actually be causing more harm than good to the US economy. This is because the embargo goes both ways, with Cuba unable to access many American goods. It is, therefore, estimated that the embargo costs the US economy between $1.2 and $4.8 billion each year in lost trade.
Luckily, here in the UK, Cuban cigars are readily available in our stores and online. Check out the range we have here at Havana House to get inspired!
Plus, you’ll get the inside scoop on information, latest products, our biggest savings and more!
