Zen & the Art of the Cigar

Paul Garmirian – PG cigars have been around for quite a while. Many don’t know of the brand at all.  Try one if you get an opportunity, they are great cigars!  Below is a brief history of the brand and the man behind the name (taken from the PG website):

Paul BK Garmirian earned his PhD cum laude in International Politics from the Catholic University of America in Washington DC in 1975. He lectured on Politics a

nd International Marketing and managed his real estate firm in McLean Virginia until 1990.

Paul Garmirian’s passion has always resulted in the enjoyment of fine cigars. This quest has led him around the world and journals of his travels are contained in his book The Gourmet Guide To Cigars.

Paul Garmirian’s interest in cigars led to his 7 years of researching and 2 years of writing the Gourmet Guide To Cigars originally published in 1990.

The publication of his book resulted in the opportunity to work with Hendrik Kelner, President of Tabacos Dominicanos and Eladio Diaz his chief blender in Santiago, the Dominican Republic.
What followed was experimentation and hard work by extremely skilled and talented Dominican artisans whose spirit and innovation fused the PG Cigar into existence.
The first PG cigars were officially released nationwide at a cigar dinner in Chicago on May 1st 1991.

• Paul Garmirian Artisan’s Selection – this value priced blend debuted in 1997 with Connecticut Shade wrapper in 9 sizes.

Artisan's Selection

• Paul Garmirian 15^th Anniversary – originally with an Ecuadorian wrapper in a one size limited edition in 2006 to celebrate 15 years in the industry of the PG brand, it was expanded in 2006 to 10 sizes with a Nicaraguan wrapper.

15th Anniversary

• Paul Garmirian Gourmet Series – available in 21 sizes with a Connecticut Shade wrapper.

PG Gourmet Series

• Paul Garmirian Gourmet Series II – debuting in 1999, this fuller-bodied smoke comes in 4 sizes with a Connecticut Shade wrapper.

PG Gourmet Series II

• PG Gourmet Series Maduro – this cigar debuted in 2000 with a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper in 8 sizes.

PG Gourmet Series Maduro

• Paul Garmirian Gourmet Series Soirée – this is the most recent addition and it features a Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper in 4 sizes.  Rumor has it that this was the original blend for the 15^th Anniversary.

Soiree

• PG Reserva Exclusiva – outfitted with an unusual Ecuadorian Corojo wrapper, this cigar is offered in 9 sizes.

Reserva Exclusiva

• PG Symphony 20 Limited Edition – to celebrate 20 years in the biz, PG has released a 20th Anniversary blend with a Ecuadorian grown Dominican wrapper in one size.

PG Symphony 20