There’s something special about early mornings, before the world wakes up, before the phone starts buzzing, before the day gets loud. That’s when I like to enjoy a cigar.
Read in the magazine (rotate your device for a better reading experience):
Francisco Arias
Certified Cigar Sommelier
Usually, it’s Sunday. I’m up around 6 or 7 a.m., I make myself a good cup of coffee, sometimes café de olla with cinnamon and brown sugar, sometimes just a strong espresso, and I step outside. The air is cool, the sky is soft, and everything feels… still. That’s when the cigar comes out. Something smooth. Maybe an H. Upmann, maybe a Montecristo White, or a Plasencia Reserva Original. Nothing heavy. Just something that lets the morning unfold slowly.
I know a lot of people think cigars are for nighttime, after a big dinner, at weddings, or with a glass of whiskey. And sure, those moments are great. But there’s something different about a morning cigar. It’s quieter. Calmer. More personal.
In the U.S. or the Caribbean, when I tell people I smoke cigars in the morning, they usually smile and nod, like they’ve done it too. But when I say that in Mexico, where I’m from, I usually get a shocked look.
“You smoke a cigar in the morning?” Yep. And it’s my favorite time. Cigars don’t always have to be about showing off or celebrating.
Sometimes they’re just about being present. Lighting up early lets me ease into the day. It helps me think. It slows everything down in the best way.
People have their morning routines, some jog, some meditate, some just scroll through their phones. Me? I light a cigar and listen to the birds. I sip my coffee and let the world stretch out a little before it starts moving.
It’s not about luxury. It’s about peace. And if you’ve never tried it, I highly recommend it.
Morning Pairing Tip
Try a Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure de Luxe Robusto with café de olla or a rich espresso. Smooth smoke, mellow spice, and a quiet start to a busy day.
