Havana to Tokyo, USA to the UK, cigars are still cigars. I once heard “Cigars are the great equalizer, kings and commoners, politicians and voters, CEOs and janitors—all united under the love for cigars.” But what is it that exactly unites us all? What is cigar culture? Are we all really united by cigars, by the love of the same hobby, the same beloved commodity?
Throughout history, cigars have been smoked by different types of people. We believe that early Mayans smoked cigars for both religious and medicinal purposes. We know that U.S Grant smoked cigars because of a lucky circumstance. A photographer took a picture of him smoking a celebratory stick after the battle of Vicksburg, so fans sent him over 1000 boxes of cigars. Charles Spurgeon smoked cigars because he believed the Bible gave him the liberty to do this hobby he loved so much. And we’ve all heard the famous speech from Arnold Schwarzenegger saying he smokes cigars because he is a “stud.”
Did you notice anything about the people I listed above? The Mayans were an ancient civilization that disappeared around 1000 A.D. Grant was a Union general in the Civil War and our 18th president. Charles Spurgeon was an 1800’s theologian and preacher. And Arnold Schwarzenegger is a current day actor. There are hundreds of celebrities who smoke cigars. There are thousands of average Joe’s like you and I who smoke cigars. We might not have anything else in common other than the love of the leaf, but that is all we need to really be united. I heard a pastor say “A Christian, a Muslim, a Jew, and an atheist all walk into a cigar lounge. They talk, they laugh, and they smoke. It’s not a joke. It’s just what you see in the cigar lounge.” Because that’s what cigar culture is, mutual respect garnered by common hobby.
What is cigar culture? Cigar culture is leaving religion, race, and creed at the door. To me, it is forgetting about economic status, gender, and sexuality. It is discussing religion and politics with respect. John Galsworthy once said, “By the cigars they smoke, and the composers they listen to, you shall know the texture of men’s souls.” I interpret that quote as cigars start the best conversations and through those conversations, you get to know the character of a man.
Cigar culture is more than just being equal and having good discussions, cigar culture is also generosity. I can’t name how many times I have mentioned “I’ve always wanted to try that smoke” and someone has given me the cigar. A very recent instance was at a local lounge and I mentioned how I’ve wanted to try the EPC encore black, but didn’t make it to my shop fast enough to buy one. Another gentleman who I had never met before pulls one out of his travel humidor and gives it to me. I had no idea that he had one. He wasn’t even in the conversation, but he overheard it and gave it to me. Point in case, cigar culture is generous.
Finally, I also think cigar culture shares wisdom and knowledge. One of my favorite things to do is go to a new lounge by myself and eavesdrop. I never insert myself in the conversations, but I love listening to the conversations being had around me. Tell the fathers that you’re about to become a father and they will give the best advice you can imagine. I have heard conversations between two strangers about spouses, infidelity, bad finances, good finances, and everything in between. There was no judgment, simply advice and wisdom shared. I have also seen new cigar smokers walk into lounges with no idea of what they’re doing, but the people in the lounge gather around the new smoker and help them understand what they’re doing. They offer advice on how to properly cut the cigar, how to properly light it and how to properly smoke it.
Cigar culture is more than just being equal and having good discussions, cigar culture is also generosity.
Are we all really united under cigars? I would personally like to think yes. I myself have smoked with people from other countries, other religions, other races, other sexual orientations, and other genders. I’m going to wrap this up with a true story from my time in Poland.
In 2019 I visited Warsaw, Poland for a month. I became a regular at this hostel bar called Patchwork. I became friends with a Korean student named Lee studying international journalism in a foreign exchange program and with another man named Thiago. Thiago was the Brazilian bartender who left his homeland to see the world. One day towards the end of my time in Poland after the bar closed, Thiago pulls out three cigars. I have no idea if they were Cuban. I have no idea if they were Nicaraguan. I have no idea what they were, but they were what we smoked. Some jokes were told that will definitely never leave that bar, stories were told, and a strong friendship was formed. Our backgrounds, races, religions and politics be damned. We were men first and as men we connected over our cigars.
United under cigars? I like to think so. I like to think that as the door to the cigar lounge opens, prejudices and hate are left outside. What’s your favorite cigar story? Can you relate? Have any additional things you love about cigar lounges? Drop those below, and remember everyone, the answer is ALWAYS To Cigar.
Logan Huddleston
Hello, my name is Logan Huddleston. I own and operate To Cigar, which provides cigar and alcohol content on all major social media platforms. My goal is to connect with and engage other GenZers to help them fall in love with cigars and cigar culture. I do reviews, memes, recipes, pairings, pretty much anything that connects with my audience. Most nights, I can be found with a cigar in one hand and a good drink in the other. Life brings us many questions, but I’m fond of saying, the answer is always To Cigar!