1992, a famous year in the cigar business to many enthusiasts. Maybe not as famous as the year 1962, the year of the trade embargo with Cuba, but famous for the exact opposite reason. 1992 was the year that started the “Cigar Boom” as it would be known. It was a year that saw the consumption of cigars in the U.S. begin to climb dramatically. We saw the first edition of Cigar Aficionado, a magazine that not only continues on today, but is partially credited with the start of the cigar boom. And it was the beginning for many new manufacturers to join the fray, some that would survive the bust and many that would not. The Cigar Boom continued on for many years, reaching its zenith in 1996, a year that saw some 230 million cigars imported into the U.S. Between 1992 and 1997, the cigar industry saw a growth of over 100% in this market and demand greatly outpaced supply for much of this time period. Many manufacturers could not produce product fast enough due to raw material shortages because of the time it takes to produce a cigar from seed to stick. 1997 was the year this market came crashing down, a time when supply caught up and out-paced demand and millions of cigars began to sit in warehouses. Many manufacturers would not survive this downward spiral and there were only a handful left standing in the aftermath. The companies that did survive are those that began the wave of innovation that sweeps the industry to this day.
This small history lesson was an introduction to what we are seeing today, what many call the “Mini-Boom” or what I refer to as the cigar renaissance. Manufacturers are turning to new and innovative ideas to keep their product fresh and introduce a new generation to the enjoyment of the leaf.. Companies like Drew Estate and Studio Tobac are leading the charge into new cigar territory while others, such as Padron and Arturo Fuente, use tradition as their innovation. Drew Estate is known for their infused product like Acid and Tabak Especial while Studio Tobac took the cigar world by storm with their Nub and Cain lines. Padron and Fuente have stayed closer to the historical traditions of cigars but continue to make a premium product that many cigar enthusiasts love. Within all of this are small companies, what many refer to as boutique lines, such as Tatuaje and Illusione, that make a great product that is different in many ways and offer a nice alternative to some of the more traditional lines of cigars. All of this makes for a great period in cigar history and allows each and every cigar smoker to find something they love.
While cigar smoking is not as widespread as it was in the mid-90′s, many people are turning to cigars as a great form of stress release and relaxation. The respite one enjoys from spending just an hour with their cigar, whether alone or with friends, for many people has become a ritual to end their day. German novelist Thoman Mann once said “I never can understand how anyone can not smoke, it deprives a man of the best part of life. With a good cigar in his mouth a man is perfectly safe, nothing can touch him, literally.” This quote rings so true to many men and women who enjoy this hobby for what it is, a moment of solitude in today’s fast paced life. This of course doesn’t make cigar smoking healthier but it should change the way we are unfairly added to the cigarette class. Unlike cigarettes, it is quite hard to enjoy a cigar while trimming trees, cleaning your pool, mowing the lawn or generally working around the house. A cigar forces you to sit down, escape from the rigors of your day and take a moment to reflect on what is important to you, even if that reflection is simply a blank stare. We all need those moments to ourselves and cigars help add to that moment in a way that many people just do not understand.
What many non-cigar smokers don’t realize is that cigar smoking is not a habit, it truly is a hobby. While cigars unfairly get lumped in with cigarettes and other tobacco products, we as cigar smokers recognize the vast difference. We are treated no different when it comes to the legislature we are seeing and smoking bans are becoming more common by the day. Regardless of the treatment we as cigar smokers receive, many people are joining the Brotherhood of the Leaf everyday. Cigar stores are expanding to include smoke friendly lounges, a place for the men and women who enjoy the leaf to gather, socialize, and escape from the everyday stresses of life. Cigar lounges are a great way to make new friends, some that will become lifelong, and enjoy people’s company that you may have never met otherwise. Lounges now-a-days are a lot like barbershops of yesteryear, a gathering point where people from all walks of life come together to enjoy a common bond, that of the cigar. In a cigar lounge, the color of your collar makes no difference and everyone is a friend. Not often do you go to a club, bar, or restaurant and hold a conversation with whomever you might see there, but it happens everyday at cigar lounges around the world. The common denominator of that conversation is simple, the rolled stick of tobacco between your pursed lips. I have met and became great friends with many people because of the work I do and that is something that I wouldn’t trade for anything. And I truly don’t think the FDA or any other government agency or anti-tobacco zealot should make that decision for me either.
So now the question becomes how do we continue on this path of the resurrection of the leaf? Having the passion of the manufacturers, retailers, and consumers leads the growth. Passion from the manufacturers in the desire to raise the bar and bring new and exciting product to fruition. Passion from the retailers to build bonds with both the consumer and the manufacturer to continue the need for innovation and growth in this business. And passion from the consumer to continue doing what they love and supporting those that love this hobby. Without each leg of this business continuing to push the next, what we love will go up in smoke. (Yes, the bad pun was intended!) What’s next from this business is in the hands of all of us and the next chapter has yet to be written. However I think we are on a great upswing that hopefully won’t end anytime soon. I truly believe now is one of the best times to be a part of this Brotherhood of the Leaf.
