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The
year was 1492. Christopher Columbus not only discovered a New World,
but a wonderful new enjoyment that is delighting connoisseurs
throughout the entire world to this day: Tobacco.
From
tobacco, came the cigar, and with it the unprecedented popularity
that spread throughout Europe and the United States, attracting
presidents, kings, generals, gentlemen, and a fair number of women.
In fact, in 1900 an estimated four out of five men in the U.S. were
cigar smokers.
Cuba
led the way in the cigar industry. Early in the 16th century, Cuban
peasants became tobacco growers. Later, the cigar became the
country's national symbol and the Havana cigar became recognized as
the world's finest.
The
take-over by Fidel Castro and the subsequent U.S. embargo were the
start of events that began to challenge Havana's supremacy in the
world of cigars. Former Cuban cigar-makers took their skills and
seeds to the Caribbean, Dominican Republic, Honduras and Mexico and
began producing high-quality premium and super-premium cigars for
the American public.
Today,
the pure pleasures of the premium cigar are all the rage. Cigars
handmade by experts from a choice blend of top-quality tobaccos and
aged to perfection are referred to as premium cigars.
The
Dominican Republic alone produces almost half of the hand-made
cigars sold in the U.S.
Cigar
smoking has burgeoned. Celebrities, industry leaders, politicians,
sophisticated women and men are seen at dinners and at smoking clubs
enjoying luxury cigars. The cigar is alive and well, and here to
stay.
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