I have, on more than one occasion, been the recipient of a very puzzled stare after referring to a Cuban cigar as a “Breakfast Cigar”. The mixture of incredulity and mild horror which is generated by the mere mention of cigars before noon and slapped across the face of the uninitiated among my social circle has come to be an equal source of both amusement and bemusement to me. While cigars may well be an acquired taste, and one which is sadly lacking amongst a disappointingly large number of my peers, it seems strange to me that people assume there is a specific time of day at which it is sensible, or acceptable, to enjoy them. I dread to think what their reaction would be if they saw me put whisky in my porridge.
To me, and I suspect to a great many readers of this blog, smoking a cigar is something akin to meditation. Smoking alone is a moment of contemplation, of absorbing ritual, which allows the mind to relax and reset before taking on the complex challenges of modern life. Millions of people take to yoga each morning to anchor their mind so the rest of the day can be tackled with a clear head – a peaceful breakfast cigar can have exactly the same effect. The natural affinity tobacco flavours have with coffee, that most popular of breakfast beverages, only serves to make the practice feel more logical; the sight of smoke curling through the air and illuminated by rays of morning sunlight is soothing in itself.
The early start may place a couple of limitations of the choice of stick – time before scheduled tasks may be more limited than after, and even the most hardened of smokers will probably baulk at the thought of a Partagas Lusitania on an empty stomach – but cigar options at breakfast are still plentiful. Here we present the EGM Cigars guide to the Top Five Cigars for Breakfast.
1. Cohiba Siglo I
The smallest Cohiba of them all is probably the most luxurious breakfast cigar of all, but didn’t we say it’s good for the soul to begin your day with the best? This little powerhouse can pack a surprising amount of strength, but the diminutive nature means it will not be around long enough to overwhelm your palette before the day really gets going. Only around 20 minutes of smoking are involved, but the pungent aromas of rich earth and sharp cedar will mingle beautifully with a strong black coffee, and the added strength will ensure you are truly woken up and energised. This is a short, sharp burst of cigar perfection – the perfect standard to set for the rest of your busy day.
2. Romeo y Julieta Petit Royales
Unique sizes are something of a rarity in Havana these days, as many brands share factory space and therefore vitolas, but the Caprichos shape used for the Romeo y Julieta Petit Royales is exactly that. No other Cuban cigar shares the 47 ring gauge by 3 ¾ inch dimensions of this stick, and the proportions make it ideal for those who love a chunky ring gauge but usually have busy mornings. The medium body and strength will perk you up without overwhelming, and the leather notes and gentle sweetness which are traditional of Romeo y Julieta will complement your cappuccino. This cigar is one for the dynamic early starter.
3. San Cristobal de La Habana El Principe
From one of the most famous brands around to one which is almost criminally undervalued: San Cristobal de La Habana. This marca was introduced at the turn of the 21st century as a way to pay homage to the 500 years of cigar history which had come before it, and El Principe was one of the original cigars used to launch it. Again measuring at 4 ⅜ inches long, the slimmer ring gauge of 42 mean this cigar will last around half as long as the Vigia, but the woody, leathery flavours will be no less appealing. With relative anonymity comes a price point which belies the quality of this brand, and will surely not last forever. Fill your mornings with them now, before the rest of the cigar world does the same and the cost begins to reflect the (justifiable) demand.
4. Romeo y Julieta Cedros de Luxe No. 2
The makeup of Romeo y Julieta cigars make them particularly suited to earlier in the day, which is why we have two on this list. At 5 ⅝ inches long, the Cedros de Luxe No. 2 is longer than any of the other cigars here, but still relatively slim at 42 ring gauge and so not so significant a smoke for the morning. The cedar sheath will impart an extra sharp tang to the flavour, and the scent is exceptionally well-suited to accompanying a jasmine tea on a warmer morning, but this cigar really can be enjoyed year-round.
5. Trinidad Vigia
The star of Trinidad continues to rise, as it climbs up to the tier of the most revered cigar brands in Cuba. The Vigia is another cigar suited to those who like heavy ring gauge – at an impressive 54 – but don’t quite have the time in the morning for something longer than 4 ⅜ inches. A forty-minute smoke to begin the day may not always be possible, but when it is the eucalyptus tang and honey sweetness of the Vigia make it worth postponing that first meeting. The freshness of the flavours will pair with breakfast tea, and invigorate the palette enough to give you a spark which will carry through the rest of the day. Sometimes it is good for the soul to begin the day with a touch of luxury.