For Che Guevara, one of the leading figures of the Cuban Revolution, smoking cigars was not a luxury but an essential part of his revolutionary journey. “Smoking tobacco in leisure is a true companion for the lonely fighter,” he once said. This habit was shared by other world leaders such as Fidel Castro and his rival John F. Kennedy, as well as statesmen like Winston Churchill.
It wasn’t just politicians; iconic figures such as the mafia boss Don Corleone, Hollywood stars Bill Cosby, Tom Selleck, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jack Nicholson, and Al Pacino, as well as operatic singer Luciano Pavarotti, were all known cigar aficionados. Even actress Demi Moore is famously associated with cigars.
Cigars are more than just rolled tobacco; they embody an image and prestige. Enjoying a cigar can be akin to appreciating a fine wine, cognac, liquor, champagne, or similar luxury items. As pop culture theorist David Chaney once noted, lifestyle products like Porsche cars, jeans, and cigars are material cultural artifacts representing the social identity of their users.
The Prestige of Jember Cigars
While premium cigars are often associated with Cuba or former Caribbean nations like the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Brazil, Nicaragua, and Honduras, few people know that Indonesia is also a notable producer of cigars. Specifically, cigars from Jember have gained international recognition.
Indonesian cigars, particularly from Jember, are handcrafted using select tobacco leaves, undergoing a meticulous process that includes drying and fermentation, which can take three weeks to a month. Boss Image Nusantara (BIN) Cigar in Jember stands out as a prominent producer, ranking just below the major brand Djarum in Kudus. According to Febri Ananta Kahar, CEO of BIN Cigar, “All our products are for export,” he shared during a visit to the factory with about 25 journalists from the Himpunan Anak Media (HAM) organization.
Febri Ananta Kahar, CEO of BIN Cigar
