The story of cigars in America doesn’t begin with factories in the 1800s or the iconic brands of the 20th century. It begins in the smoke-filled taverns of the Revolution, with a general’s pouch of seeds, warehouses set ablaze along the James River, and soldiers finding comfort in scarce Havanas.
This podcast episode dives into the surprising way the American Revolution shaped cigar culture — from Israel Putnam’s Cuban seeds to the fires of the Tobacco War, and how those sparks grew into a tradition that still defines cigar smoking today.
Episode Highlights
🌱 The Revolutionary general who planted the first Connecticut wrapper seeds.
🔥 How British troops tried to crush rebellion by destroying Virginia’s tobacco.
🍂 Why cigars became symbols of resilience and defiance during wartime scarcity.
🇺🇸 How cigar culture evolved from campfires to Congress in the new republic.
Closing Thoughts
Every cigar lit today carries a trace of the Revolution — the smoke of independence, the resilience of a nation, and the seeds that still grow in Connecticut soil.
👉 If you enjoyed this episode, check out the full written story on Smoke Signals and subscribe for more tales where cigars, whiskey, and history intertwine.
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