The Cigar Story

“The focus is on impeccable quality and the principle is that one size does not fit all,” Roy says. “Some may prefer smoking short cigars while others may like the longer variety like Churchill,so our cases are made to suit each one.” The manufacturing unit is set in Kolkata and the leather is imported from Germany. “No other company offers the ‘custom-design your cigar case’ option. Smokers can design their case based on the length and ring gauge of the cigar and capacity they wish it to hold. We also score points on the Zippered and Buffalo Horn cases which no one else has made till date,” he says.

In its most recent collection,Andre Garcia has made cases using carbon fibre. “It’s stronger than steel but light-weight,” he explains.

It was in 2006 that Roy started making cigars too. “Most people don’t know how to light,cut or smoke a cigar. It’s not rocket science and can be easily picked up. I personally like the longer cigars as they make for a more fulfilling smoke. The smaller ones are very strong,” he says. The Andre Garcia Cigars are grown in the Dominican Republic. “A cigar is like wine,” he describes,“But it is more alive than wine. A cigar can age indefinitely. You can have half,cut it and have the rest later. The more it ages,the better the smoke.”

His only concern is that the market is still in its nascent stage in India. “The price is a major hindrance. A cigar can cost one thousands though I describe our products as affordable luxury,” he says. It is Roy’s desire to educate more people about cigars and improve the market. “Cigar appreciation events work towards that. A cigar is an acquired taste. You just have to realise what you like and then you’ll relish that smoke after a hard day’s work,” he concludes.