Intro: A Moment Worth Lighting
There’s something about that first draw of a good cigar — the soft crackle, the burn of aged tobacco, and the quiet pride that comes with it. It’s not just smoke. It’s a statement.
At Bathrobe Patriot, we believe cigars are more than a pastime — they’re part of America’s character. But before that cigar ever met a glass of bourbon on a Florida porch, it had one hell of a journey.
Where It All Began
Long before men in suits puffed on victory cigars, the Maya and Taíno tribes were rolling and smoking tobacco in the Caribbean and Central America. When Columbus discovered the New World in 1492, his sailors brought tobacco back to Europe — and the world’s obsession began.
By the 1600s, smoking was more than a fad. It was a way of life. Spain and Portugal made tobacco a royal commodity, and later, the American colonies turned it into one of their first booming exports. The cigar had officially arrived.
Cuba: The Holy Land of Cigars
When you think cigars, you think Cuba — and for good reason. The soil, the sun, and the tradition all came together to create masterpieces like Cohiba, Montecristo, and Romeo y Julieta. By the 1800s, Havana wasn’t just making cigars — it was defining excellence.
But history took a turn. As cigar makers left Cuba during political upheaval, many landed right here in Florida, especially in Tampa’s Ybor City. They brought their craft with them, and soon Tampa earned the title of “Cigar Capital of the World.”
Cigars and the American Spirit
From Ulysses S. Grant to Winston Churchill, cigars have always been the mark of bold men who think for themselves. Lighting up meant confidence, victory, and defiance.
When the Cuban trade embargo hit in the 1960s, American cigar lovers didn’t quit — they adapted. New cigar regions like Nicaragua, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic rose to the challenge, carrying the flame (literally) forward.
Modern Revival: Smoke, Sip, and Freedom
These days, cigars are back — big time. From high-end lounges to backyard bourbon nights, cigars are the heartbeat of the Bathrobe Patriot lifestyle: unhurried, unapologetic, and absolutely American.
You don’t need a special occasion to light one. The cigar is the occasion. Pair it with your favorite bourbon (see our Bourbon Pairing Guide), drop into your chair, and let the world slow down for a while. Because that’s what it’s all about — quality, craftsmanship, and freedom in every puff.
Final Draw
Every cigar tells a story — of soil, sweat, time, and tradition. From the ancient tribes to the Havana masters to the modern-day patriot lighting one up under the Florida sunset — the cigar is a symbol that never burned out.
So next time you fire up that stogie, remember: you’re part of a legacy that’s been centuries in the making. And if you do it right — with bourbon in hand and a bit of attitude — you’re living the Bathrobe Patriot way.
