Cigar tobacco is mainly grown in the South-American colonies, countries such as Brazil, Cuba and Mexico, as well as the Philippines and the Canary Islands of Spain. It wasn't until the infamous explorer, Christopher Columbus, encountered cigars for the first time on the island of Hispaniola in the fifteenth century that they became introduced to England.
In England, cigar smoking has always been associated to the upper classes, men of power and financial position. Take a look at historical figures such as King Edward VII, Sigmund Freud and Winston Churchill, as well as celebrities such as George Burns, Mark Twain and Bill Cosby, and you will find that they all enjoyed a cigar or several every now and then. For example, Winston Churchill was rarely seen without a cigar in his hand, so much so that a brand was actually named in his honour.
You could go as far as to say that smoking a cigar is a male rite of passage; an act that just has be done, like managing your first ever pint in a public place. It was only a century ago that men retired to their smoking rooms after dinner on a daily basis. You can still see some of these rooms in famous old restaurants and hotels to this day.
Of course, as time has moved on and we have become more aware to the perils of smoking, cigars have become less and less favourable. This has only really been in the last decade or so as even in the 1980s and 1990s, the American and European media portrayed cigar smoking as a trendy habit and certainly not a health risk. Nowadays, cigar smoking is saved to celebrate special occasions only, not purely because of the health implications, but also because of the sheer cost.
If you want to experience a little of what it was like to be a gentleman one hundred years ago then why not head on down to the lavish Cigar Snug at private members' club, Home House in Portman Square, London, next month. Enjoy an indulgent evening in a warm, comfortable and relaxed 'smoking room,' where a cheroot afficionado will guide you through the world of Cohiba, Montecristo, Partagas, Trinidad, Bolivar, Hoyo de Monterrey, and Santa Damiana. The luxury Cognac, Hennessey XO will be served alongside the cigars for a real sense of the high-life.
In England, cigar smoking has always been associated to the upper classes, men of power and financial position. Take a look at historical figures such as King Edward VII, Sigmund Freud and Winston Churchill, as well as celebrities such as George Burns, Mark Twain and Bill Cosby, and you will find that they all enjoyed a cigar or several every now and then. For example, Winston Churchill was rarely seen without a cigar in his hand, so much so that a brand was actually named in his honour.
You could go as far as to say that smoking a cigar is a male rite of passage; an act that just has be done, like managing your first ever pint in a public place. It was only a century ago that men retired to their smoking rooms after dinner on a daily basis. You can still see some of these rooms in famous old restaurants and hotels to this day.
Of course, as time has moved on and we have become more aware to the perils of smoking, cigars have become less and less favourable. This has only really been in the last decade or so as even in the 1980s and 1990s, the American and European media portrayed cigar smoking as a trendy habit and certainly not a health risk. Nowadays, cigar smoking is saved to celebrate special occasions only, not purely because of the health implications, but also because of the sheer cost.
If you want to experience a little of what it was like to be a gentleman one hundred years ago then why not head on down to the lavish Cigar Snug at private members' club, Home House in Portman Square, London, next month. Enjoy an indulgent evening in a warm, comfortable and relaxed 'smoking room,' where a cheroot afficionado will guide you through the world of Cohiba, Montecristo, Partagas, Trinidad, Bolivar, Hoyo de Monterrey, and Santa Damiana. The luxury Cognac, Hennessey XO will be served alongside the cigars for a real sense of the high-life.
About the Author:
Home House is an exclusive social club for people from all walks of life, which is part of its uniqueness. Quite unlike many other exclusive venues in London, Home House is a place to relax or the perfect spot for a working day. Home House also hosts London's best Cigar Evenings.
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