Last Updated: Feb 25, 2026
Cigars have been around for thousands of years. What started as dried tobacco leaves rolled in palm husks by ancient civilizations eventually became one of the world's most enduring luxury goods. Kings smoked them, presidents stockpiled them, and entire economies were built around growing and rolling them.
This is the full story of how cigars went from ritual smoke to global industry.
Ancient Origins: Tobacco Before Columbus (Before 1492)
Tobacco cultivation goes back further than most people realize. Archaeological evidence suggests that indigenous peoples in the Americas were growing and using tobacco as early as 5000 BCE, though some estimates push that number closer to 7000 BCE. The plant was central to religious ceremonies, medicinal practices, and social gatherings across multiple civilizations.
The Maya are widely credited with creating the earliest form of what we would recognize as a cigar. They rolled dried tobacco leaves in palm or plantain leaves and smoked them during rituals and ceremonies. A ceramic pot discovered at a Mayan archaeological site depicts a figure smoking what appears to be a primitive cigar, making it one of the oldest visual records of cigar use in history.
The word cigar
itself is believed to come from the Mayan word sikar,
meaning to smoke.
As the Mayan civilization dispersed into smaller tribes and groups, they carried tobacco use with them across Central America, South America, and into the Caribbean islands. By the time European explorers arrived, tobacco smoking was a deeply rooted practice among indigenous populations throughout the region.
Columbus and the Introduction to Europe (1492 - 1600s)
Everything changed in 1492 when Christopher Columbus and his crew landed in the Caribbean. Columbus's expedition encountered the Taino people of Cuba, who were smoking twisted bundles of dried tobacco leaves. Two crew members, Rodrigo de Jerez and Luis de Torres, are often credited as the first Europeans to smoke tobacco after observing the local practice.
Columbus brought tobacco back to Spain and Portugal, but the reception was mixed at first. Some European authorities considered smoking a pagan ritual. Rodrigo de Jerez was reportedly imprisoned by the Spanish Inquisition for smoking in public. Despite the early resistance, curiosity won out. Within a few decades, tobacco use had spread across the Iberian Peninsula and into France.
The French ambassador to Portugal, Jean Nicot, played a key role in popularizing tobacco in France during the 1560s. He promoted it as a medicinal plant and sent tobacco seeds to the French court. His advocacy was so influential that the plant's active compound was eventually named nicotine
after him.
By the end of the 16th century, tobacco smoking had taken hold across much of Europe, and demand for tobacco from the Americas was growing rapidly.
The Rise of Commercial Tobacco (1600s - 1800s)
The 17th century marked the beginning of tobacco as a serious commercial crop. In 1612, English colonist John Rolfe successfully cultivated tobacco in Jamestown, Virginia, creating one of the first profitable exports from the American colonies. Tobacco quickly became the economic backbone of the colonial South.
Meanwhile, cigar production was taking shape in Europe. Small cigar factories appeared in Spain, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Spain held a dominant position in the cigar trade because of its control over Cuba, which was rapidly becoming recognized for producing exceptional tobacco.
Cuba's combination of fertile soil, tropical climate, and centuries of cultivation expertise made it the epicenter of premium cigar production. The Vuelta Abajo region in western Cuba became legendary for growing some of the finest tobacco leaves in the world. By the 18th century, Cuban cigars had established a reputation for quality that no other region could match.
The British Parliament passed the Act of 1821, establishing formal regulations for cigar production and importation. Import taxes made foreign cigars expensive, which only added to their status as luxury items. Cigar smoking became associated with wealth, power, and social standing throughout Europe.
To learn how tobacco from different growing regions creates distinct flavor profiles, check out our guide on how tobacco tastes from different countries.
The Golden Age of Cigars (1800s - Early 1900s)
The 19th century was a golden age for cigars. Smoking rooms were added to hotels, gentlemen's clubs, and railway cars across Europe and America. The smoking jacket
became a real piece of clothing, designed to keep cigar aroma off a gentleman's regular attire. Cigars were everywhere, and their cultural significance was growing.
Cigars in the United States
Cigar manufacturing in the U.S. took off in the late 18th century, with factories opening in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and New York. One Pennsylvania factory became famous for producing a long, thin cigar called a stogie,
a term that eventually became slang for any inexpensive cigar.
American cigar consumption exploded during and after the Civil War. Individual brands emerged, and cigars became a status symbol, partly because of high-profile enthusiasts. President Ulysses S. Grant was rarely seen without a cigar. Mark Twain famously wrote about his cigar habit in his essays and speeches. Vice President Thomas Riley Marshall delivered the now-famous quip, What this country needs is a really good five-cent cigar.
By 1907, American cigar consumption had reached a peak. Entire cities were built around the industry. Tampa, Florida became known as Cigar City
after thousands of Cuban cigar makers migrated there, bringing their expertise and establishing factories that supplied much of the domestic market.
Famous Cigar Smokers Who Shaped the Culture
Several historical figures helped cement the cigar as a symbol of sophistication and power:
- Winston Churchill was rarely photographed without a cigar. He favored Romeo y Julieta and La Aroma de Cuba brands and was said to keep 3,000 to 4,000 cigars at his residence at any given time. The Churchill cigar size (7 inches by 47 ring gauge) was named in his honor.
- King Edward VII of England openly defied his mother Queen Victoria's smoke-free policies with the famous declaration,
Gentlemen, you may smoke.
- President John F. Kennedy signed the Cuban embargo in 1962, but not before asking his press secretary, Pierre Salinger, to buy every Cuban cigar he could find. Salinger reportedly secured about 1,200 cigars before Kennedy put the embargo into effect the next morning.
To understand the cigar sizes these figures preferred, read our cigar sizes guide.
The Cuban Embargo and Its Lasting Impact (1962 - Present)
On February 7, 1962, President Kennedy signed a trade embargo against Cuba that made it illegal for American citizens to import Cuban goods, including cigars. This single act reshaped the global cigar industry.
Cuban cigar makers who had fled the revolution in 1959 had already begun setting up operations in other countries. With the embargo cutting off the largest cigar market in the world from Cuba's supply, these displaced artisans and the countries that welcomed them stepped into the spotlight.
The New Cigar Powerhouses
Three countries emerged as the primary alternatives to Cuban cigar production:
- Nicaragua became home to many former Cuban tobacco families who brought seeds and expertise with them. Today, Nicaragua produces some of the world's most acclaimed cigars from brands like Padron, My Father, Oliva, and Perdomo.
- Dominican Republic attracted major cigar manufacturers and became the largest cigar exporter to the United States. Iconic brands like Arturo Fuente, Ashton, and Davidoff produce their cigars there.
- Honduras developed a thriving cigar industry with brands like Rocky Patel, Camacho, and Alec Bradley operating factories in the country.
These regions did not simply replicate Cuban cigars. They developed their own tobacco varieties, blending techniques, and flavor profiles that gave cigar smokers entirely new options. You can browse cigars by brand on CigarFinder to explore what each country's top producers offer.
In 2014, President Obama loosened certain restrictions, allowing American travelers to Cuba to bring back limited quantities of Cuban cigars for personal use. However, the broader trade embargo remains in place, and Cuban cigars are still not commercially available in the United States.
The Cigar Boom of the 1990s
The early 1990s brought a massive resurgence in cigar popularity in the United States. Several factors drove this boom:
- The recession of the early 1990s left wealthy Americans wealthier than before, and spending on luxury goods increased. Premium cigars fit perfectly into that trend.
- A cultural shift made cigar smoking fashionable again. Celebrities, athletes, and business executives were photographed enjoying cigars, and magazines dedicated to cigar culture gained large readerships.
- Dominican cigar imports surged by 18% during this period, with roughly 55 million cigars entering the U.S. from the Dominican Republic alone.
The boom lasted until around 1997. During those years, new brands launched at a rapid pace, and existing manufacturers struggled to keep up with demand. Some popular sizes were backordered for weeks. The downside was that quality sometimes suffered as producers rushed cigars to market without adequate aging.
After the boom cooled, the industry settled into a more sustainable rhythm. Manufacturers refocused on quality, and the premium cigar market continued to grow steadily through the 2000s and beyond.
From Handmade to Machine Made: The Manufacturing Split
One of the most significant developments in cigar history was the introduction of cigar-making machines in the early 20th century. These machines could produce thousands of cigars per hour, making cigars affordable and accessible to everyday smokers.
This created a clear divide in the industry that exists to this day:
Handmade (premium) cigars are rolled by skilled torcedores using long filler tobacco, natural binder leaves, and carefully selected wrapper leaves. Every step is done by hand. A single roller might produce 100 to 200 cigars per day. These cigars offer complex flavors, slow burn times, and a smoking experience that changes from the first third to the last.
Machine-made cigars use short filler (chopped tobacco) and often incorporate homogenized tobacco leaf for the binder and wrapper. Machines can produce thousands per hour, keeping costs low and quality consistent from stick to stick.
For a detailed breakdown of these differences and when each type makes sense, read our guide on handmade cigars vs machine-made cigars. You can also browse premium handmade cigars or explore machine-made options on CigarFinder.
The Modern Cigar Industry (2000s - Today)
The cigar industry today is a global business generating tens of billions of dollars in annual revenue. The United States is the world's largest market for premium cigars, and the industry continues to grow despite regulatory challenges.
Key Trends Shaping Today's Cigar Culture
Boutique and small-batch producers have gained significant followings. Brands like Crowned Heads, Warped, Foundation, and Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust have built loyal communities around limited production runs and creative blending.
Online cigar retail has transformed how smokers buy cigars. Instead of being limited to a local shop's selection, smokers can now compare prices across 17+ online retailers and find the best deals on virtually any cigar in production. Sites like CigarFinder make it easy to search by brand, size, price, or strength and check for coupon codes before purchasing.
Cigar lounges and events remain a cornerstone of cigar culture. Modern lounges offer comfortable seating, curated selections, and a social atmosphere for enthusiasts to share their passion. Virtual cigar events have also grown in popularity, making it easier for smokers to connect across distances.
Flavor exploration has become a major draw for new and experienced smokers alike. Today's premium cigars offer an enormous range of flavors, from creamy and sweet to bold and peppery, depending on the tobacco's origin, the curing process, and the blending decisions made by the manufacturer. Our guide on developing a taste for cigars can help you learn to identify and appreciate these differences.
Accessories and storage have improved dramatically. Quality humidors, precision cutters, and reliable lighters are more accessible and affordable than ever, making it easier for new smokers to properly store and enjoy their cigars. Check out cigar accessories to find what you need.
Regulations and Challenges
The cigar industry faces ongoing regulatory pressure, particularly in the United States. The FDA has sought to regulate premium cigars similarly to cigarettes, though industry organizations have successfully pushed back on certain proposals. State-level flavor bans have also impacted sales in several markets.
Despite these challenges, the premium cigar segment continues to grow. New smokers are entering the hobby every year, drawn by the craftsmanship, variety, and social aspects of cigar culture.
A Quick Timeline of Cigar History
- 5000+ BCE - Indigenous peoples in the Americas begin cultivating and using tobacco
- 10th Century - Maya develop the practice of rolling tobacco in leaves and smoking them
- 1492 - Columbus encounters tobacco use in Cuba and brings it back to Europe
- 1560s - Jean Nicot popularizes tobacco in France; nicotine is named after him
- 1612 - John Rolfe cultivates tobacco commercially in Jamestown, Virginia
- 1821 - British Parliament passes regulations governing cigar production
- Late 1800s - Cuba produces over 80% of the world's premium cigars
- 1907 - U.S. cigar consumption reaches its historical peak
- 1962 - President Kennedy signs the Cuban trade embargo
- 1990s - The
Cigar Boom
drives massive growth in premium cigar sales - 2014 - President Obama loosens some Cuban cigar restrictions for travelers
- Today - Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, and Honduras lead global premium cigar production
Frequently Asked Questions
When were cigars invented? The exact date is unknown, but the Maya were rolling and smoking dried tobacco leaves as early as the 10th century. Some evidence suggests tobacco use dates back to 5000 BCE or earlier, though those earlier forms may not have resembled the rolled cigars we know today.
Who brought cigars to Europe? Christopher Columbus and his crew encountered tobacco smoking in Cuba in 1492 and brought the practice back to Spain and Portugal. French ambassador Jean Nicot later helped popularize tobacco across France in the 1560s.
Why are Cuban cigars considered the best? Cuba's Vuelta Abajo region has soil and climate conditions that produce uniquely flavorful tobacco. Combined with centuries of cultivation expertise and rolling traditions, Cuban cigars earned a reputation for quality that persists today. However, many modern cigars from Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and Honduras are considered equal or superior by experienced smokers.
What caused the 1990s cigar boom? A combination of economic prosperity, celebrity endorsement, and a cultural shift toward luxury goods drove a massive increase in cigar sales during the early 1990s. Dominican cigar imports alone jumped 18% during this period.
Are handmade cigars better than machine-made? They serve different purposes. Handmade cigars offer more complex flavors and longer smoking times, while machine-made cigars are affordable, consistent, and convenient for shorter smokes. Read our full comparison in handmade vs machine-made cigars.
What countries produce the most cigars today? The Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Honduras are the top three producers of premium handmade cigars. The United States remains the world's largest consumer market. Cuba still produces cigars, but the U.S. trade embargo limits their availability in the American market.
Explore More on CigarFinder
- A Glossary of Cigar Terms
- Understanding Cigar Wrappers
- What Is Considered a Premium Cigar?
- The Growing List of Cigar Brands
- Medio Tiempo Tobacco Explained
- How to Choose a Cigar
- Best Cigars for Beginners
- Cigar Sizes Guide
- Browse All Cigars
- Compare Prices on CigarFinder
- Coupon Codes & Deals
