|
|
This is photograph MH 26392 from the collections of the Imperial War Museums.
Not many people can claim to have had a cigar vitola named after them. In fact, only one man is so iconic as to have warranted such an homage: Sir Winston Churchill. Britain's former Prime Minister was rarely seen without a stick between his teeth, and his love for cigars is well known and celebrated across the industry.
Those who worked for Churchill or spent ample time in his presence have shared many a cigar-related tale about the great Englishman. Some of the most notable stories include his wife making a special bib for him to wear in bed so as not to burn holes in his silk pajamas (which often happened to his suits); having a flight suit specially altered, allowing him to smoke during a long trip in an unpressurized cabin; and King George VI poking fun at a ceramic jug made into Churchill's likeness, remarking that the angle of the carved cigar was positioned at too low of an angle.
It was in Cuba that Churchill fell in love with cigars. Seeking to witness war firsthand, the young English soldier traveled to the caribbean island in 1895 with fellow officer Reginald Barnes to observe the Cuban war for independence against the Spanish empire. Upon arrival, however, the two men were stood up by their Spanish contact. Though Churchill and Barnes would later join Spanish forces and even be involved in several skirmishes, the pair spent the first few days of the trip checked into a hotel, gorging themselves on the island's most notable, local riches: oranges and cigars. Churchill brought his newfound love of cigars back with him when he eventually returned to England, smoking between 8 and 10 a day, and his estate in Kent, Chartwell Manor, housed his collection of some 3,000 to 4,000 cigars.
Churchill's Estate, Chartwell Manor, in Kent.
Since taking to cigars while in Cuba, Sir Winston remained faithful to Cubans as his favorites, with Romeo y Julieta and La Aroma de Cuba being his most preferred brands. Both companies started in the late 1800s, and each boasts a proud Cuban heritage. They still continue to thrive within the cigar industry, too — thanks in no small part to José "Pepín" Garcia, who revived the La Aroma de Cuba brand. Fittingly, the two brands also feature a Churchill vitola in honor of their most renowned patron.
Churchill's smoking process is also of note. It's well documented, and while not incredibly eccentric, it was certainly novel. Churchill often received cigar cutters as gifts, but he actually preferred to punch each cigar's cap with the end of a match. Most unique, however, was the use of what he dubbed a "bellybando" — a strip of paper encircling the cigar's binder, secured by a dab of glue. These "bellybandos" were an innovation of Churchill's own design that helped to keep the caps from becoming too wet and fraying, especially since the former Prime Minister had a penchant for chewing on his cigars. The "bellybandos" also mitigated Churchill's nicotine intake as his mouth didn't make direct contact with the tobacco, conveniently enabling him to enjoy more sticks throughout the day.
When Churchill put his mind to something, he did it to the fullest. Whether it be as inconsequential as smoking cigars or as monumental as leading a country through a World War, Sir Winston devoted all of himself to his duties and passions. As the great man's birthday approaches on November 30, he's remembered long after his 90 years of life — for his leadership, tenacity, and of course, for his cigar smoking.
Churchill on the east bank of the Rhine, south of Wesel. 25 March 1945.
Sources:
- Welsh, Peter | "A Gentleman of History" | Linda Evangelista, Autumn 1995
- Budanovic, Nikola | "Winston Churchill Was Such A Passionate Smoker, He Asked That His Oxygen Mask For High Altitude Flights Be Customized To Fit A Cigar" | War History Online, Dec 2017
- Dadson, David | "Complete History of La Aroma De Cuba Cigars" | Online Cigar Shop, May 2015
You may also enjoy:
Comments
Great article, Truett.
Fun to read article Written in an extremely light but knowledgeable manner. Thank you