5 STAR: 1
4 STAR: 0
3 STAR: 0
2 STAR: 0
1 STAR: 0
Following in the traditions of middle-age guilds, brotherhoods, fraternities, and gentlemen's clubs (such as Freemasons, Odd Fellows, and Foresters) evolved as forerunners of trade unions and friendly societies. Brotherhoods and fraternities such as these can still be found today, with the tradition of cigar smoking being incorporated as a bonding mechanism being traced back to such groups as far as the 1800s.
Keeping this tradition alive, Hiram & Solomon Cigars has introduced the Masonic Cigars brand, honoring the Brotherhood of Freemasons across the world; as founders WB Fouad Kashouty and George Dakrat are both practicing members. The company incorporates fundamental aspects of Freemason teachings, donating a portion of proceeds to various charities, as well as inspiring brotherhood between Masonic and non-Masonic communities alike.
Fellow Craft is named for the second tier of the medieval craft guilds (as the Masonic Cigars series ranges from Apprentice (mild body), to Fellow Craft (medium body), and finishes with Master Mason (full body)). Fellow Craft is based primarily on Nicaraguan tobaccos, using Habano seed leaves from Jalapa, Ometepe, and Estelí throughout the cigar's filler. This fiery recipe is bound in an Indonesian Sumatra leaf and finalized with a Habano Oscuro wrapper. The resulting smoking experience ranks as medium to medium-plus in body, showing flavors of milk chocolate, black pepper, stone fruit sweetness, mineral, and raw earth.