The English Influence

Britain has recently had more than its fair share of World News, some positive, some negative,
depending on whether you want to be connected or not.

This conflict of interest regarding Britain is not new.

In February 2003 we looked at the influence of Britain on Cuba, especially the Cuban cigar industry, when Britain occupied Cuba for just one year 1762-1763.
This was the last year of the seven year war waged between England, Spain and France, ending with the 1763 Treaty of Paris.  By this Treaty England ceded Cuba back to Spain, in return for the state of Florida; and Spain gave Louisiana to France.
It seems that Colonies were traded like commodities, without any real concern for the people involved.

During its strategic one-year occupation, Britain’s influence on the cigar industry was significant, and continued intermittently for the following few centuries.
Not only did this influence introduce the Havana taste to Britain and other parts of Europe, it was the start of the long road to respectability for the cigar.
This was finally achieved in England in the 19th Century – from 1823 to 1840 the importation of Cuban cigars rose from 15 000 per annum to 13 million per annum. Because they were expensive they were seen as a symbol of success. If you smoked a cigar you had either made it, or were confident you were on your way, and in the right way.
In 20th Century in America, the cry of “Give that man a Cigar” was an acclamation of success.

Back to 1762-1763 and thereafter.

• The demand was for a rich reddish–brown Colorado wrapper. This colour became known as “English Market Selection” or EMS, a colour which normally indicates a well matured cigar, now popular worldwide.
• Etiquette: The English etiquette was to remove the band from the cigar, before lighting up. “It was not done” to advertise the brand of cigar you were smoking. Today special bands are used to identify Limited Edition and other “special” cigars, usually combined with the brand name.
• Shape/size origination: In the 1880s Leopold Rothschild, a London Banker requested the Hoyo de Monterrey factory in Cuba to produce a short, thick cigar (4½ inches x 52 ringsize). This size was so popular that it has been repeated by most brands; available as the generic name of Rothschild (or Robusto) for this size.
• In 1936 the brand Rafael Gonzales was commissioned by the Earl of Lonsdale to make for him a long, slim “Lonsdale” cigar (6½ inches x 42 ringsize).

Today this Vitola is also known as a Royal Corona (or Corona grande or Cervantes), and is made by several brands in and out of Cuba. The Rafael Gonzales brand is now often used for new Edicion Limitada as in 2013/2016/2017.

• Brand establishment: In 1935 the London firm of Cuban cigar importers, Hunters, was asked to import H.Upmann cigars. They agreed to take on only the newly created Montecristo marque. The livery for the brand was designed by Hunters, based on the story of “The Count of Monte Cristo”. Innovative in its day, the plain crossed swords in a red triangle on a bright yellow background is easily recognised today as a top brand from Cuba. Montecristo No.4 is still the largest selling single cigar from Cuba.
• Restricted Brands. In 1940 from the BM factory a special brand "”Saint Luis Rey” was produced solely for the UK market. Not to be confused with “San Luis Rey”
• Revival of the original Cuban shape “Perfectos”. In 1966 the Cuaba brand, consisting of only perfectos shapes was launched in London. I remember the scramble to get these unique cigars when they were opened to the rest of the world. The shape was so difficult to make that an 80 year old, retired roller had to train specially chosen, gifted young rollers to make them. They are still in short supply.
• Cigar vocabulary. Some great names in the cigar vocabulary originated in England: Churchill, Rothschild, Lonsdale, Romeo y Julieta, Prince of Wales (a 1998 Romeo y Julieta Churchill).  Outside of Cuba the American brand King Edward V is probably the best known “Royal” cigar in the world.

During the one year that Britain began its influence in the Cuban cigar industry, the overall economic situation in Cuba benefited from the resultant exposure to the whole vast British Empire.
This advantage was lost when Cuba was ceded back to Spain, much to the disappointment of Spain.

Cigars were not the only items influenced by the English, naturally cigar accessories followed.
Alfred Dunhill Ltd, with the trademark “The White Spot”, set a high standard and created a range of top quality Cigar Accessories. The standard is summarised as:
It must be useful.
It must work dependably.
It must be beautiful.
It must last.
It must be the best of its kind.”

In recognition of the English influence in the world of cigar smoking, we offer:

The “White Spot” is universally recognised as a symbol of perfection.
Start off the 2019 calendar year with a step up in the right direction for your cigar enjoyment.
Choose from the finest range of cigar accessories available, and at bargain prices.
Savour your choice in the years to come.

No.444 January 10-30, 2019

You can read previous articles from “Across the Counter” in The Library.

TRAVELLING TIME – (CAR, PLANE, TRAIN, BUS)
Many places where normal smoking is not allowed also restrict the use of e-cigs.

“Snus” is the answer

The question is - What is Snus?

Note:
By law, no South African citizen, living in South Africa can buy a tobacco product via the internet or postal system.  In fact, you may not receive a tobacco product through the post.
In addition we may not receive payment through the internet for tobacco products.
We may only supply tobacco products within the trade – not to private individuals. The fine is substantial
Contact us for help in getting tobacco to your area.

PS If you can’t visit a Wesley’s Bricks and Mortar, remember that
if you’re not completely happy with your mailsale choice, you can always return it for a full refund.