Churchill
Introduction:
Winston Churchill, a towering figure of 20th-century politics, was known for his love of cigars. His preference for fine tobacco and the famous brands he favored have become legendary. In fact, Churchill’s name has been associated with cigars that bear his name, like the Romeo y Julieta Churchill cigar – one of the most iconic in the world of smoking.
Early Years:
Churchill’s fondness for cigars was born during his time in Havana, Cuba, in 1885, where he was introduced to the pleasures of smoking while serving as a correspondent for the Daily Graphic newspaper. He wrote enthusiastic letters home about the exotic flavors and aromas of Cuban tobacco, kicking off a lifelong love affair with cigars that would last until his death in 1965.
The Rise of the Churchill Cigar:
Churchill was a loyal devotee of Romeo y Julieta cigars, a long-standing brand that was founded in Cuba in the late 19th century. However, it is unclear when the Churchill name first appeared on a Romeo y Julieta cigar. Some sources claim it was in the 1940s when a sizeable, chunky cigar first emerged, while others suggest that it wasn’t until the 1950s that the Churchill name first appeared on Romeo y Julieta cigars. Nevertheless, the cigar's impressive length and girth - measuring between 6.5 to 7 inches long with a ring gauge of 47 to 50 - owes its name to Sir Winston Churchill, a British statesman who served two separate periods as the country’s Prime Minister in the early 20th century.
Churchill and his Cigars:
Churchill’s love of cigars was well-known and documented throughout his life. It was said that he would smoke between 8 to 10 cigars a day, and he was known to have said that he believed cigars to be one of the pleasures of life that should be enjoyed and not denied. In fact, Churchill was known to carry a personal humidor stocked with cigars wherever he went, even to wartime conferences, parliament, and on cruises around the Mediterranean.
Legacy:
The connection between Winston Churchill and cigars is as enduring as the memory of the man himself. Fittingly, a number of brands have honored Churchill by naming a cigar after him. Among them, the Romeo y Julieta Churchill is probably the most well-known - and still enjoyed by cigar enthusiasts around the globe today.
Conclusion:
Winston Churchill will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most significant figures in modern history. However, his cigar-smoking habit has also contributed to his status as a cultural icon. His passion for fine tobacco inspired him to popularize the Romeo y Julieta Churchill cigar, which remains a symbol of great taste and sophistication in the world of smoking. Churchill's legacy as a statesman has been secured, but so too has his legacy as one of history's great cigar lovers.