Since 1762, cigars have played a significant role in American history—from the Founding Fathers and Civil War battlefields to the rise of major cigar factories and today’s boutique cigar revival.
Despite their deep cultural and economic impact, no single book has ever documented the full history of cigars in America—until now.
The American Cigar Co. is publishing America’s Cigar Story: A Legacy of Smoke, Craft & Culture from the Pre-Civil War Era to Modern Times, a 12” x 13” collector’s edition coffee table book by author and researcher Sebastian Saviano. Now available for pre-order exclusively on Kickstarter, this historically detailed and fully illustrated volume, featuring rare images, explores the evolution of cigars in the United States.
A Detailed Look at America’s Cigar Heritage
America’s Cigar Story examines the role of cigars throughout U.S. history, including:
• Cuban Cigars Arrive (1762) – How Israel Putnam introduced Cuban cigars and tobacco seeds to the American colonies, sparking a tradition that shaped U.S. cigar culture.
• Cigars in Wartime – How American soldiers encountered cigars during the War of 1812, leading to their rise in popularity, and how they became a staple of Civil War battlefields, providing morale, trade value, and even influencing military strategy.
• Prohibition & Cigar Lounges (1920–1933) – The rise of underground speakeasies and the cigar’s enduring presence in elite social circles.
• The Golden Age of Cigars (Early 1900s) – The rise of over 80,000 U.S. cigar factories, making cigars a staple of American life.
• The Cuban Embargo (1962) – How U.S. policy reshaped the cigar industry and forced the rise of new tobacco-growing regions.
• The Cigar Boom & Boutique Revival (1990s–Present) – The resurgence of cigar culture and the rise of modern artisanal cigar makers.