I'm looking for some cigar history here. Sir Winston was very often photographed with the big cigar that came to bear his name. Did he really smoke so many that he was so often seen with one or was he just showing off for the cameras?

And second, what was that size cigar called before it was called a Churchill?

Yes, he really smoked that many. There are soooo many sites that provide specific Churchill history. I recommend using Google Seach Engine and type in Winston Churchill & cigars with a wildcard. It will return plentiful results.

Regards,


B

It was Sir Winston Churchill, who said, "I drink a great deal. I sleep a little, and I smoke cigar after cigar. That is why I am in two-hundred-percent form."

I did a 'Google' search ... and came up with this ...

http://www.cuban-cigar-lifestyle.com/sir-winston-churchill.html 

... and this ...

http://www.cigaraficionado.com/Cigar/CA_Profiles/People_Profile/0,2540,5,00.html 

I searched, but could not find, an article in CA that made a note in passing that the size was refered to simply as a "Clemenceau".

Barry

The Vitola de Galera name for the size which has come to be known as the "Churchill" is :
JULIETA No. 2 ......... it is a 7inch by 47 Ring Tripa Larga cigar -- It is documented in several established sources that Sir Winston's brand preference in this vitola was Romeo y Julieta. The factory at that time (early 1900s) was owned and run by Jose Rodriguez Fernandez and it records that the Rodriguez, Argueles y Cia factory produced over 2000 different cigar bands, many personalized for their "best" customers...
It was reported that Mr. Churchill had over 21,000 cigars in his storage humidors at the time of his passing in SW England.

My history could be a little off (and it frequently is), but didnt RyJ create the churchill size? As BMW said, it was called "Clemenceau" (after George Clemenceau...some French dude). They later renamed it Churchill in honor of Winston.

Also, my present knowledge could be a little off (and it frequently is), but I think RyJ still has some cigars in the Clemenceau size. Its a little smaller than the churchill if I remember correctly.

British lore claims that when Prime Minister Churchill would meet with foreign heads of state, he would insert a straightened paperclip through the length of his cigar. As his cigar ash would grow longer and longer but not fall, it is said that Churchill would unnerve his often-hostile guests, allowing him to gain an upper hand during delicate negotiations.

Churchills habit was very expensive, was said he spent $400 per week, his personal assistant was pissed, cause Churchill spent more money on cigars, then he was paid