Cuban cigars have long been prized by cigar smokers for their excellent quality. In fact, many believe that Cuban cigars are the best in the world. If you’re thinking about trying a Cuban cigar, there are a few things you should know first. In this blog post, we’ll cover everything from the history of Cuban cigars to how to properly store and smoke them.
A Brief History of Cuban Cigars
Cuban cigars have a long and storied history. The first record of tobacco cultivation on the island dates back to 1559, when Spanish settlers planted tobacco seeds brought over from South America. By the early 1700s, cigar production had become an important industry in Cuba.
Cigars continued to grow in popularity, and by the 1800s, Cuba was the world’s leading producer of cigars. The first half of the 20th century was a golden age for Cuban cigars, with many famous brands—such as Cohiba, Montecristo, and Romeo y Julieta—being founded during this time.
The rise of communist leader Fidel Castro in 1959 led to a decline in the Cuban cigar industry. Many cigar manufacturers left Cuba during this time, relocating to other countries such as the Dominican Republic and Honduras. However, the embargo placed on Cuba by the United States in 1962 made it illegal for American citizens to purchase Cuban cigars.
This changed in 2016, when President Barack Obama lifted some of the restrictions on trade with Cuba. As a result, Cuban cigars are once again available for purchase in the United States.
How to Store & Smoke Your Cuban Cigar
Now that you know a little bit about the history of Cuban cigars, let’s talk about how to store and smoke them. First things first: you’ll need to purchase a humidor. A humidor is a special box that helps keep your cigars fresh by maintaining a consistent level of humidity. Ideally, your humidor should be kept at 65-70% humidity and 70-72 degrees Fahrenheit.
When it comes time to actually smoke your cigar, there are a few things you’ll need: a cutter, lighter, and ashtray. Cut your cigar using a sharp cutter—preferably one made specifically for cutting cigars. Then light your cigar with a butane lighter or wooden match; avoid using regular paper matches, as these can impart undesirable flavors onto your cigar. Finally, find a sturdy ashtray—preferably one with a wide bowl so that your cigar doesn’t tip over easily.
To smoke your cigar, hold it between your thumb and forefinger and take slow puffs while rotating the cigar so that it evenly burns. Avoid inhaling the smoke; simply allow it to enter your mouth and then exhale slowly through your nose. When you’re finished smoking, gently tap off any excess ash from your cigar into the ashtray before setting it down.
Cuban cigars are renowned for their excellent quality—but if you’re thinking about trying one (or if you’ve already picked up a few), there are a few things you should know first about storage, smoking techniques, etcetera. In this blog post we covered everything from the history of Cuban cigars to how best to enjoy them today; hopefully this has whetted your appetite for giving these fine cigars a try! Thanks for reading!