What Cigar Did Che Guevara Smoke?

Che Guevara

Che Guevara was an Argentinean Marxist revolutionary who simultaneously held positions as a doctor, writer, guerrilla commander, diplomat, and military philosopher. The world has accepted Guevara’s distinctive image as a symbol of counterculture resistance since the time of the Cuban Revolution, in which, according to his biography, he played a crucial part in.

Che Guevara smoking

Upon his murder at the hands of the Bolivian army, generations of leftists throughout the world hailed him as a martyred hero, and his image rose to become a representation of leftist radicalism and anti-imperialism.

As per Cigar Aficionado, Guevara did not view smoking cigars as a luxury; rather, he saw it as a vital part of his revolutionary mission and a method to deal spiritually with the difficulties of a life full of danger.

In a separate report by Holts, Guevara stated that smoking cigars relieved his asthma. However, another rebel doctor, Oscar Fernandez, refuted this claim and disclosed that Guevara was aware that it was false because he had himself participated in cutting-edge research on allergens while he was a medical student.

Since he was indeed a cigar enthusiast, he would smoke everything that was offered and available. A prime example is the fact that Fidel Castro would constantly buy him Cuban cigars. While Guevara was with Marxist insurgents in Bolivia, he even delivered him the final cigar he would ever smoke.

Based on the 1997 article by Jesus Arboleya and Roberto F. Campos in Cigar Aficionado, the Marxist revolutionary “received a box of Churchills from the Cuban leader [in 1967] and consumed his share while dividing the rest among his troops. The gift, sent via sophisticated clandestine channels, included three bottles of Havana Club, prompting Che, who was not prone to drinking hard liquor, to make a rare exception and accompany his luscious cigar with a sip of the choice Cuban rum.”

Even after he was captured by the Bolivian military during a battle and later executed by them, they granted his final wish to smoke some tobacco, giving him one more smoke before killing him.

Numerous images exist of Guevara smoking in practically every part of his life, and it is clear that he smoked both Cuban and non-Cuban cigars. He wasn’t an exception when it came to cigar enthusiasts who were interested in what cigars he was enjoying when he was still alive.

Montecristo No. 4 cigar

One of the cigars Che Guevara allegedly smoked at one point was the Montecristo No. 4. Despite lacking the complexity that other cigars offer, the Montecristo No. 4 is a favorite of many. In terms of flavor, it has a mild tobacco taste and notes of coffee, chocolate, and vanilla that are all perfectly complemented by one another. 

The cigar also has a faint cedar flavor, and the last third is when the spice will be at its most. It did undoubtedly provide deep, rich tastes throughout.

The Montecristo No. 4 cigar has a good look and is unquestionably tightly packed. Small veins run all over the silky, oily Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. The smoke has mild, creamy undertones owing to its velvety wrapper. It will surely be a quick smoke considering its small size, and it gives a steady draw and burn throughout.

You can buy Cuban Montecristo cigars here.

H. Upmann cigars

H. Upmann cigar is another one on the list of what Che Guevara has smoked. Although it wasn’t made clear which particular cigar of the brand he smoked, the H. Upmann cigar is among the oldest cigar brands in existence.

The majority of the brand’s cigars are rich, medium-bodied, and flavorful, with notes of nuts, spices, cedar, coffee, and leather. Their H. Upmann Connoisseur No. 1 has almost no veins, no complicated or soft places, and beautiful construction. The wrapper was about a half-tone lighter than the average Cuban cigar.

The cigar had a smooth, creamy, spicy, and nutty flavor to the smoke. Contrary to previous cigars in the line, this one wasn’t very strong. But it had a ton of taste and was smoked to perfection.

You can buy Cuban H. Upmann cigars here.

Partagas cigars

The final on the list is a brand of cigars called Partagas, which Don Jaime launched in 1845 when he established his Partagas factory, which later became the most recognized cigar-making facility in the whole world. Rich tobacco blends were employed to create the cigars’ trademark deep, powerful, earthy taste.

The Classic Partagas cigar, which is a potent combination of tobaccos from Mexico and the Dominican Republic, is one of the most well-known products under this brand. Sweet tobacco, earth, and cedar notes are present along with rich, peppery, and deep undertones.

The strength ranges from mild to medium. Cameroon wrapper, Mexican San Andrés binder, and Mexican and Dominican Piloto Cubano filler make up the cigar.

You can buy Cuban Partagas cigars here.

For more information about the best cigars and other ways to relax make sure to come back to Scotch & Cigars here.

Maria Morales

Maria Morales