Thirty years ago there were still an ample number of cigar shops around the country where you could buy fresh rolled cigars; really fresh rolled, created as you watched. Often the bulk of their holiday business, for gift giving, was creating unique looking cigars. I'm quite certain that more than one torcedor created cigars for a client that he hoped would never be smoked.
I was in a shop in San Francisco. The roller, surprisingly, was a German immigrant. (I expected Cuban) As I was shmoozing in the shop, a fellow came in and asked for five of the strongest cigars this fellow was capable of making. The proprietor explained that he could use some unconventional filler, typically used for some pipe tobacco, like latakia, and create a monster, but it would hardly be smokeable. The customer said he had a client that was always complaining about weak cigars and "gone were the days when a guy could get a real a$$ kicker." The cigar man made up 6 Presidents...I guessed 8.5 x 48, as we watched. The customer said he'd only wanted five, so I was curious about #6. After the fellow left with his cigars, I asked the proprietor about #6. Unceremoniously, he cut it into two rothchilds, stuck one in his mouth and handed me the other.
I will never forget that cigar. I made the mistake of attempting to inhale a bit to get the full flavor. I felt like a college boy who has attempted to take a nip of Everclear 190 proof grain alcohol. I, literally, had to sit down. It was, without question, the strongest cigar I have ever attempted or will attempt to smoke.
