Winston Churchill is a name we all recognize. The former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and one of the most important figures in history, Churchill is described as a man of high power and a hero of the Great War.

Although Winston was born into a life of privilege, he dedicated himself to public service as a soldier, politician, public speaker, and defender of democracy.

Winston had a zest for the finer things in life, and the sight of him smoking a cigar became a defining symbol of his character. Let’s delve deeper into this legendary part of his life.  

Churchill wasn’t always a man of high power, having first trained as a soldier at Sandhurst Royal Military College. During his time there, he passed the top of his class before going on to join the 4th Hussars cavalry regiment as an officer in 1895. Churchill’s training and experience with the 4th Hussars led him to participate in campaigns such asThe Battle of Omdurman in 1898 and The River War of 1899.

Later, Churchill also participated in The Second Boer War (1899-1902) in South Africa. He worked as a war correspondent for newspapers and was captured by the Boers while traveling on a train that was ambushed by the enemy. After escaping from a prisoner of war camp and returning to Britain, he gained fame for his incredibly daring escape.

By the First World War, Winston held high-ranking political and military positions. Initially serving as First Lord of the Admiralty, he oversaw the British Navy before resigning after the disaster of the Gallipoli Campaign.

After this setback, Churchill volunteered for active service, which provided him with a deep understanding of the difficult challenges faced by soldiers along the Western Front. He then became commander of a battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers.

Between the two world wars, Churchill left active military service and made a return to the world of politics, serving in various government positions throughout the years. He remained heavily associated with the military within his political roles, particularly during his time as Chancellor of the Exchequer and later as First Lord of the Admiralty again.

Churchill then returned to the military as First Lord of the Admiralty during World War II. In 1940, just as the war began to escalate, Winston Churchill became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He carried exceptional leadership skills during this critical time,with quick–thinking resolve and inspiring speeches that would become legendary. It was his military knowledge that informed his strategic thinking, allowing him to make crucial decisions regarding the defense of Britain.

Throughout his military career, Churchill received many Honorary Ranks and Decorations for his service. He was awarded medals for his military participation,including the India General Service Medal, the Queen’s Sudan Medal, and the Queen’s South Africa Medal.

Years of military experience gave Churchill with a unique perspective on leadership, strategy, and the challenges of warfare. His adventurous spirit and coupled with his ability to learn from both successes and failures all contributed to his role in shaping the course of world history.

Churchill’s political career began in the late 19th Century, initially elected as a Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) for Oldham in 1900. He later switched to the Liberal Party and won the seat of Manchester in 1906.

In his early political career, he was known for his progressive views. Winston raised many important points, such as improved working conditions, social welfare, and education. He helped pass The People’s Budget of 1909, which introduced reforms likeold-age pensions.

In the 1920s, Churchill switched back to the Conservative Party and continued to hold various positions, including Chancellor of the Exchequer (1924-1929), Home Secretary (1910-1911), and Minister of War and Air (1919-1921).

In May 1940, when Britain faced the threat of a Nazi Germany invasion, Winston became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Churchill delivered a notable speech called ‘We shall fight on the Beaches’  on June 4th, 1940. This was a significant speech that encouraged the British public and soldiers fighting overseas and would go down in history as one of the most famous speeches.

The Dunkirk evacuation defined Churchill’s first month serving as Prime Minister. Over 300,000 Allied soldiers were evacuated from Dunkirk beaches in a sensational rescue mission.

In the weeks that followed the Dunkirk evacuation, Churchill delivered a 36-minute-long speech in the House of Commons that became known as the ‘Finest Hour.’

His phenomenal leadership skills and inspirational speeches rallied the British people and solidified the nation’s resolve to resist the Axis powers.

Churchill worked closely with other Allied leaders, including U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin, to formulate strategies and ensure victory.

After World War II, Churchill’s Conservative Party lost the general election in 1945, and he became the Leader of the Opposition. However, he returned to power as Prime Minister in 1951, serving a second term until 1955. During this period, he focused on domestic issues, including housing and healthcare.

Churchill also played a role in advocating for European unity to prevent further conflicts on the continent. He delivered speeches and wrote about the need for cooperation and a “United States of Europe.” Churchill retired from active politics in the mid-1950s but remained a respected figure and statesman.

Winston Churchill passed away in 1965, but his legacy for his roles in British politics andimpeccable leadership skills during World War II still lives on.

Churchill famously loved smoking cigars. He discovered his first cigar when serving in Cuba in 1895, and since then would light a stogie daily. His cigar fame was so legendary that a large cigar size (the Churchill) was named after him, which is a particularly popular size across many premium brands. 

Cuban cigars won the heart of Churchill. He enjoyed puffing on a cigar around ten times a day, and had a particular liking for the La Aroma de Cuba and Romeo y Julieta 1875lines. These brands still manufacture the Churchill-sized cigar in his honor, and both carry an oily brown wrapper and medium-bodied flavor profiles. 

Davidoff Cigars are a premium smoke inspired by Winston and are loved worldwide for their top-notch construction and distinctively delicious flavor profiles. They choose strengths, sizes, and shapes to suit many smoker flavor profiles.

Davidoff manufactures a special stogie that pays homage to Mr. Winston — the Davidoff Winston Churchill The Late Hour. This delightful stogie is perfect for the ‘late hours’ of the evening, a time when Sir Winston gathered his thoughts and inspired important decisions, many of which changed the course of history. 

Churchill would be incredibly proud of this medium-full-bodied smoke, which provides rich, buttery flavors of black pepper, cinnamon, oak, spice, and espresso. 

No matter what cigar he chose to smoke, cigars always symbolized his incredible determination and success, showing us there is always time to enjoy a stogie — even if you’re a leader of War.