|
|
|
| |
History
The
evolution of handmade cigars
The year was 1492.
Christopher Columbus not only discovered a New World, but a wonderful
new enjoyment that is delighting connoisseurs throughout the entire
world to this day: Tobacco.
From tobacco, came the cigar, and with it the unprecedented popularity
that spread throughout Europe and the United States, attracting presidents,
kings, generals, gentlemen, and a fair number of women. In fact, in
1900 an estimated four out of five men in the U.S. were cigar smokers.
|
|
|
| |
Cuba led the way in the cigar industry. Early in the 16th century,
Cuban peasants became tobacco growers. Later, the cigar became the
country's national symbol and the Havana cigar became recognized
as the world's finest.
The take-over by Fidel Castro and the subsequent U.S. embargo were
the start of events that began to challenge Havana's supremacy in
the world of cigars. Former Cuban cigar-makers took their skills
and seeds to the Caribbean, Dominican Republic, Honduras and Mexico
and began producing high-quality premium and super-premium cigars
for the American public.
Today, the pure pleasures of the premium cigar are all the rage.
Cigars handmade by experts from a choice blend of top-quality tobaccos
and aged to perfection are referred to as premium cigars.
The Dominican Republic alone produces almost half of the hand-made
cigars sold in the U.S.
Cigar smoking has burgeoned. Celebrities, industry leaders, politicians,
sophisticated women and men are seen at dinners and at smoking clubs
enjoying luxury cigars. The cigar is alive and well, and here to
stay.
|
|
|
