Since time immemorial, the cigar has been known as more than just a rolled-up bundle of tobacco.
It is tradition. A symbol of pride and heritage, and a cultural touchstone. Within Afro-Caribbean and Afro-American communities, the cigar weaves a story that marries roots and culture with a personal style statement and a collective recognition of the finesse of such craftsmanship.
Cultural Heritage in Every Draw
The cigar has its roots firmly entrenched within the African exotic, the Caribbean, and South America. This is where the art of planting, growing, and blending of tobacco becomes a cultural trait in the genes. For men of color, lighting up a cigar is a subliminal sense of connectivity with these lush settings and customs. The Caribbean—Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica—have been highlights of the masterful craftsmanship of the leaf. There is more than a mere product emanating from this rich harvest. There exists a synergy and ability to appreciate a product born from tradition with a wealthy cultural heritage. To light up a cigar becomes a re-acquaintance with the past, and tangible evidence of race gone before who toiled and perfected this handiwork of cigar bliss.
A Conscious, Masculine Ritual
Cigars don’t lend themselves to a hurried lifestyle. When the time comes to light one up, you must be deliberate. And there is only one reason that you light one up at all: to celebrate, to meditate, or to connect. In Afro-Caribbean and Afro-American communities, from fathers and cousins puffing at family gatherings, to the business meetings in Havana, the passage of a boy into manhood or the bond of a soldier and his superior memorialized by the gift, the cigar is an object of recognition. Of the hard-earned: of success, of esteem, the respect for life, or the brotherly love that continues long after the men have left the battlefield. In a world where we seldom give ourselves permission to rest, the willful act of enjoying a cigar makes for conscious masculinity. It gives us the chance to slow down, to reflect, to appreciate.
Sophisticated Lifestyle: Connection Over Excess
True abundance isn’t found in an excess of wealth, but meaning. The cigar for many a man of color has always been just that. The connection to a lifestyle of sophistication that reflects who he is and his values. It’s knowing where the leaves in the binders and fillers come from. Understanding and respecting the agronomical genius of the blends. Knowing and honoring the heritage of the country of origin. A life well-lived is a life of consuming with intent; an environmental geniality that teaches curiosity and respect in taste.
As Mr Cigar Shop says:
“The cigar is a lifestyle; it is the legacy of elegance, perfection, and harmony. You could say it’s an “Elixir”. In the past, the cigar was smoked if you belonged to high society and at celebrations. Over time, it has become known as a lifestyle for those who appreciate the finest tobaccos, linked to an elegant lifestyle.”
Elegance and Respect for Time
Perhaps the greatest distinction between cigars and anything else is the time it requires. Unlike a quick drink or even a puff on a cigarette, you can’t rush through one of these. It demands the luxury of time. And thus, choosing to smoke a cigar is a literal choice to slow down. To push back, if only for a few moments. To be elegant, not in a showy but in an eternal way. To be where you are. Which is why only men who know they’re worth something smoke cigars. Because they’re the only ones who understand that time is your most valuable commodity—and offering it for someone else to share is the ultimate display of respect.
If you’re interested in experiencing such a ritual for yourself, for your heritage, for your father, for your grandfather, or simply for style, Mr Cigar Shop provides a portal to the right options. Each selection has been chosen because of its origin, its wrapper, and its history. Marry them with your own life, and create your story.
