Which came first, the torpedo weapon or the Torpedo cigar?

Wednesday, December 22 2010

Q: I have a question about the sizes and shapes of cigars and the names of shapes of cigars. Was the torpedo cigar named after the torpedo weapon, or did the weapon predate the cigar? I know the torpedo weapon has been around since the civil war. But which came first?
- Don McGee in Texas

A: For the answer to this question I went to two experts on the subject: Jorge Armenteros of Tobacconist University and Tony Hyman of The National Cigar Museum.

"As for the torpedo, I believe the cigar was named after the weapon. But if I were you, I would ask Mr. Tony Hyman from The National Cigar Museum. I think this question is right up his alley."
- Jorge L. Armenteros, CMT (Tobacconist U.)

"I'd bet on torpedo the underwater bomb. No sign or other indication the name was used on cigars before the CW. Of course, you must remember that pre-civil war info is very difficult to come by. I've got some pretty extensive lists of pre 19110 Cuban frontmarks and it isn't listed among more than 1,000."
- Tony Hyman (National Cigar Museum)

If you think you know the answer, please leave a comment.