Is It Still Common to Smoke a Premium Cigar as a Victory Cigar?

The NCAA Elite 8 is wrapping up, setting up the Final Four. It seems like a good time to discuss the topic of the victory cigar. Last week we ran an article from the PCA Magazine, this week we have an article from the PCA Governmental Affairs team. It was written by Antoine Reed. Enjoy!

There’s something unmistakable about the aroma of a fine cigar—it’s the smell of success, of battles won, of challenges overcome. Whether it’s a championship locker room, a long-awaited business deal, or a major personal milestone (birth of a child, marriage, etc.), cigars have long been the mark of victory. This is a tradition rooted in history, one that spans sports, business, and life itself.

For generations, premium cigars have symbolized status, accomplishment, and the rewards of perseverance. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, they were a staple of high society, gifted among peers to commemorate major moments. Captains of industry and political leaders alike would mark their triumphs with a premium cigar, reinforcing its place as a time-honored custom.

History’s greatest figures understood this well. Winston Churchill, one of the most formidable leaders of the 20th century, rarely appeared without a premium cigar in hand. He saw them as more than just indulgences—they were tools for focus, moments of solace amid global turmoil.

In modern times, few traditions in sports are as iconic as the victory cigar. Legendary Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach would famously light one up when he knew victory was secure. His tradition became part of basketball history, a mark of dominance that players and fans alike recognized.

College football also embraces this ritual. Each October, after the historic Alabama-Tennessee rivalry game, the winning team enjoys premium cigars in the locker room—a celebration that has become as much a part of the event as the game itself.

Icons like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Joe Burrow have carried the torch for this tradition, often seen with premium cigars in hand after their biggest wins. More recently, the Philadelphia Eagles 2024 Super Bowl championship celebration saw premium cigars take center stage, a testament to their enduring place in sports culture.

The power of the victory cigar extends well beyond sports. In the business world, it’s a sign of achievement, a way for executives to mark the close of a major deal, a well-earned promotion, or the end of a long and successful career. It’s a way to reflect on the journey, to acknowledge the hard work it took to reach the top.

Even in personal life, premium cigars play a role in marking life’s milestones. The age-old tradition of passing out cigars to celebrate a wedding, the birth of a child, or commemorating a loved one at a funeral speaks to their deeper meaning — they are not just for personal enjoyment, but for sharing moments of triumph with those closest to us.

What makes the premium cigar the ultimate symbol of victory? It’s about patience, craftsmanship, and the experience itself.

Unlike other indulgences, premium cigars are meant to be savored. A premium cigar is handcrafted with care, using aged tobacco leaves that produce rich, complex flavors. Each draw is a reminder of the journey — the perseverance, discipline, and effort it took to succeed.

More than that, premium cigars foster camaraderie. Whether it’s teammates in a locker room, business partners in a boardroom, or friends gathered in celebration, the ritual of lighting a premium cigar brings people together, turning personal victories into shared experiences.

Despite changing times, the victory cigar remains as meaningful as ever. From historic battlefields to championship arenas, from corporate offices to quiet moments of reflection, lighting a premium cigar continues to represent success, resilience, and well-earned triumph. Whether it’s an athlete celebrating a championship, a business leader marking a career milestone, or a new parent welcoming his child into the world . . . this tradition endures.

So, the next time you see a champion light up, remember — it’s not just about the smoke. It’s about the journey, the struggle, and the well-earned moment of celebration.