This Week In Cigar History June 16 - 20

Considered one of the greatest achievements of his life, General Israel Putnam led the Revolutionary forces to victory at the decisive Battle of Bunker Hill, this week on June 17, 1775. Cigar lovers, however, better remember him as the man who introduced stogies to the as-yet-to-be-united United States.

"Old Put" built like a 5'6 tall tough bulldog -- was a military legend prior to his agricultural experiments with tobacco seeds. His fearless reputation for fighting Indians and the French included many near-death moments, most notably a daring last second rescue by a French officer while trussed at a burning stake stoked by Caughnawaga Indians.

In 1762, Putnam survived a Caribbean shipwreck against warring Spain and managed to make it to Cuba with the British. No doubt, Putnam smoked quite a few Havanas while stationed in there. Upon his return home to Hartford, Connecticut he planted the Cuban tobacco seeds he carried with him.

The tobacco and cigars Putnam introduced, thrived...as did his reputation as a General, reportedly uttering the cliché, "Don't fire till you see the whites of their eyes." And to this day the Connecticut tobacco wrapper is considered one of the premium agricultural products used in hand rolled cigars.

This Week in Cigar History

6/16/08

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