The bells jingled to announce my arrival as I entered through the front door. A familiar face greeted me, no words exchanged, he opened the walk-in humidor for me and beckoned me in.

I browsed the collection. As I often do, I decided today was one of the days fate would decide my cigar.

I asked a particular sommelier - a man whose judgement I have come to trust - for a recommendation.

San Cristobal de la Habana La Punta, which had been aged for over three years. Sold.

It was unlike any other cigar I have come across.

A distinct taste - smoked tree bark (don’t ask me how I know what that tastes like…) and leather - in a good way - raw, honest nature.

From the first third till the final draw, the cigar continually settled into itself. There was no progression in terms of diversity of experience in the smoke. Rather it became more of itself, reaffirming the strong woody leather notes, which were ever present.

This cigar demands a whiskey of its smoker. Precede that with a steak dinner and I think you are in for a wholly decadent and glorious evening of hedonism. Which - in moderation of frequency - can be a powerful and satisfactory reset.

My father had a carpeted garage which housed amongst many things, a leather football, hand stitched, it looked like leather, smelt like leather, was rock solid, and had no brand logo on it.

Somehow, the San Cristobal de la Habana transported me to that time and place. This was a truly raw cigar, in the best sense. In a blind taste test anyone could tell this was no gimmick, this was the real deal, no brand affiliation needed to certify the quality.

Cigars mimic life. For every experience, every mood, every memory; there is a corresponding cigar.

In a world that often sacrifices beauty for efficiency, cigars go against that grain. Is it efficient to let a product age for years and years? no… Is it beautiful? Certainly.

There is a level of authenticity, experience and beauty, that can only be established from real lived experience; and this requires the passing of time.

From The Archive

San Cristóbal de la Habana was introduced in 1999 to commemorate the long-form name of Havana - San Cristóbal de la Habana, given to the city at its founding in 1519.

Unlike many older Cuban marcas, it remains one of the few relatively modern additions to the Habanos portfolio.

The Question

Until next time.

Yours truly,
The Cigar Love

Don’t forget to forward this to a fellow Cigar Lover.

Cigar Letters
^{No. 19}