If you’ve spent more than five minutes in the world of Reformed theology, you’ve heard the quote. A young, somewhat uptight American visitor once asked Charles Haddon Spurgeon how a man of God could possibly justify smoking a cigar. Spurgeon, with the casual authority that made him the "Prince of Preachers," replied that he intended to "smoke a cigar to the glory of God" before he went to bed that night.
It’s a great line. It’s the kind of bold, unapologetic stance we live for here at 1689 Cigar Co. But while everyone loves the quote, few people actually ask the technical question: What was he actually smoking?
When Spurgeon reached for a stick after a long Sunday at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, he wasn't settling for some gas-station-tier tobacco or a mass-produced "affordable" bundle. He was a man of refined taste and historical conviction. He smoked Havanas. Specifically, he smoked a brand that has largely been lost to the sands of time but represented the pinnacle of 19th-century craftsmanship.
The Brand: La Legitimidad
The cigars in Spurgeon’s humidor didn't come from a local London corner shop's bargain bin. They came from the heart of Cuba. Research into surviving cigar boxes owned by the Spurgeon family reveals that his preferred brand was La Legitimidad.
The maker was F.P. Del Rio y Ca. (Francisco Perez del Rio), a prestigious Havana-based manufacturer during the mid-to-late 1800s. To give you an idea of the quality we’re talking about, these boxes were often marked with the phrase “Proveedor de la Real Casa”: Purveyor to the Royal House. This means the same factory supplying the Prince of Preachers was also a royal warrant holder for the Spanish monarchy.
Spurgeon wasn't just "having a smoke." He was engaging in a ritual of quality. La Legitimidad was known for its elegance, premium construction, and the kind of flavor profile that only 19th-century Havana soil could produce. These were sophisticated, full-bodied cigars that demanded a certain level of respect.
Why It Matters: Craftsmanship Over Convenience
Why does it matter that Spurgeon smoked a high-end Havana brand? Because it tells us something about his worldview. Spurgeon didn’t view the world through the lens of a "pious killjoy" who thought everything pleasurable was a sin. He understood that God created the tobacco leaf and gave men the wisdom to ferment, age, and roll it into something extraordinary.
In the Victorian era, as today, there was plenty of cheap, subpar tobacco available. But Spurgeon chose the "legitimate" stuff. He chose the handcrafted, small-batch excellence of F.P. Del Rio. This is the same spirit we channel at 1689 Cigar Co. We aren't interested in the mass-market garbage that’s flooded the industry. We care about the "meat" of the cigar: the blend, the construction, and the history behind the leaf.
When Spurgeon talked about smoking to the glory of God, he wasn't making an excuse for a vice. He was acknowledging that a well-crafted cigar is a gift. It requires patience to grow, skill to roll, and time to enjoy. You can't rush a La Legitimidad, and you certainly can't rush one of our signature blends like the London or the Savoy.
The 1689 Connection: Heritage in a New Age
While the original La Legitimidad brand faded into history as the Cuban cigar industry was consolidated and nationalized, the ethos remains. At 1689 Cigar Co., we don't just sell tobacco; we sell a connection to a heritage that values deep thought and deep flavor.
We’re a boutique company. That means we don't do "big box" mediocrity. When we developed our signature 1689 lines: the London, the Westminster, and the Savoy: we did it with the ghost of Spurgeon’s Havana sticks in mind. We wanted blends that offered that same sense of historical weight and premium construction.
- The London: Think of this as our nod to the fog-heavy streets of Spurgeon's city. It’s balanced, authoritative, and perfectly suited for a long conversation about theology or business.
- The Savoy: This is for those who want that rich, deep complexity. It’s the kind of cigar that makes you sit still and think, which is exactly what a good cigar should do.
- The Westminster: A classic, steadfast blend that doesn't apologize for its strength.
While many people find us through our "Reformed Cigars" line: featuring labels of Knox, Calvin, and yes, Spurgeon himself: it’s important to understand that the "meat" of our brand is in the 1689 signature blends. We aren't just putting a famous face on a mediocre stick. We are building a brand that stands on its own merit, just as F.P. Del Rio did in Havana over a century ago.
The Myth of the Pipe
There’s a common misconception that all the "Old Greats" were pipe smokers. And sure, plenty of them were. But Spurgeon was famously a cigar man. He once noted that he found the pipe too much of a distraction: too much tamping, relighting, and fussing. A cigar, on the other hand, was a steady, consistent companion for his reflections.
He didn't want to work for his relaxation; he wanted the relaxation to work for him. There is a certain "matter-of-fact" delivery in smoking a cigar. You light it, you enjoy it, and you let the flavor lead the way. It’s direct. It’s honest. It’s the same way we approach our business. No fluff, no filler, just quality handcrafted tobacco.
Smoking to the Glory of God in 2026
Does it make you a better Christian to smoke a cigar? No. Does it make you more like Spurgeon? Probably not. But there is something to be said for slowing down in a world that is obsessed with speed and superficiality.
When you light up a 1689 Savoy or a Westminster, you’re participating in a tradition that spans centuries. You’re pushing back against a culture that wants everything to be "lite," "healthy," and "offense-free." We don't do "lite." We do full-flavored, high-quality tobacco for people who aren't afraid of a little smoke and a lot of truth.
Our No King But Christ series and our custom bundles are built for the community: for the pastors, the church members, and the enthusiasts who know that some of the best fellowships happen when the air is thick with the scent of a good Maduro.
Final Thoughts: Finding Your "Legitimidad"
You can’t buy a box of F.P. Del Rio’s La Legitimidad today. You can’t walk into a shop and ask for the exact stick that Spurgeon smoked while preparing his sermons. But you can still find that level of dedication.
We invite you to look past the mass-produced brands that dominate the magazines. Look for the boutique makers who are doing things the hard way. At 1689 Cigar Co., we’re committed to that small-batch precision. We ship on Mondays and Fridays because we’re a lean operation focused on quality over quantity.
Next time you’re looking to "refresh your spirit" after a hard week, grab a 1689. Sit on your porch, open a heavy book, and enjoy a smoke to the glory of God. Just like the Prince of Preachers would have done.
Ready to try the Prince's style? Check out our 1689 Sampler Packs to find your own signature blend.
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