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Hometown Hero: Pennsylvania 41 Tobacco

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By: Lindsay Heller

The Amish are known for their jams and jellies, pies, and, of course, their piety, but did you know that Lancaster County produces cigar tobacco? Dubbed 'Pennsylvania 41' by the US Dept of Agriculture, this thick, gummy broadleaf is different from its Connecticut cousin. Seeing as the growing season has just ended, it seemed apropos to highlight premium tobacco grown approximately 90 minutes from the CIGAR.com offices. 

A CASH CROP SINCE 1840

There's no denying the role tobacco has played in the building and supporting of this country, but Pennsylvania's contribution has an even more intriguing story than the southern cigarette tobacco often highlighted in textbooks. For the Amish, however, growing these leaves has been what's referred to as a "mortgage lifter," allowing families to earn stronger income than their food-farming efforts, and not impeding on their devoutly religious lifestyle.

During the Revolutionary War, Virginia tobacco farmers booted British firms, and turned their sights on Philadelphia. While initially grown in smaller parcels, the demand began escalating around 1840, and then exploded just before the Civil War. Encouraged by the heavy soil and humid growing season, the Amish are cited in the 1839 Census—the first-ever to cite tobacco crops—as having produced 48,860 lbs. To put into perspective how much continues to be grown and its importance to the state economy, parts of the late 1990s through 2000s have Lancaster County on record as yielding upwards of nearly 20 million pounds per year. Not bad for an area whose tobacco acreage had shrunk considerably during the 1950s—1980s, and only began expansion again during the last 15 years.

THE ORIGINAL STOGIE

A common slang term for a cigar, 'stogie' is synonymous with inexpensive brands, but where did that term originate? Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Conestoga Township. Home to the famed 'Conestoga Wagon'—a mainstay of freight transport and westward expansion from the 1700s through the end of the 19th Century—the term 'stogie' was born from the wagon masters. The wheels used had long spokes, and during their journeys, these men would smoke long, crudely-wrapped cigars they thought resembled said spokes. The first official, self-described stogie debuted in 1840 by Marsh Wheeling; still made today, this brand—and this stogie—is one of the oldest in American production.

IT'S STILL BROADLEAF, BUT IT'S NOT CONNECTICUT

Pennsylvania 41 under the right conditions produces plants up to 8' in height, and with leaves that almost feel like those rubber bounce balls you might've played with. While the name 'broadleaf' is somewhat self-explanatory, these plants are always stalk-cut instead of being primed, and they transform into Maduro-colored leaves quite well. Aside from those two similarities, however, both PA and CT varietals are more different than they're alike. PA Broadleaf is more difficult to work with than its CT cousin, and is more rusting look meant it was primarily used for filler blends through the mid-1970s. It's actually more versatile, too, as Pennsylvania 41 can function as a wrapper, binder, or long-filler, as well as being used for snuff and chewing tobacco. The biggest difference for you, the cigar enthusiast, is how PA 41 presents itself on the palate: there's a boldness that's spicy-sweet, reminiscent of Mexican hot chocolate.

STEPPING INTO THE SPOTLIGHT

As the cigar industry and its clientele began to change, so did the philosophy on the use of Pennsylvania 41. No longer were smokers seeking out the stogie so much as they wanted a premium cigar. Amish farmers realized what once sold as $2 per pound filler, could also be cured to sell as $4-$5.50 per pound wrapper. Numerous brands in the last 12+ years have shone a spotlight on Pennsylvania Broadleaf, such as Diesel, Southern Draw, Graycliff, H. Upmann, Camacho, Rocky Patel, and even we here at CIGAR.com with our House Blend American Label. Drew Estate has an entire salute to PA 41 in the Barn Smoker Even Series, which takes place in late July when the crops are nearly ready to harvest.

To quote Thomas Jefferson, "Agriculture is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals, and happiness." Sounds like the recipe for a good cigar, doesn't it?

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