JFK Hoarded 1,200 Cuban Cigars Before Banning Them

On the evening of February 6, 1962, President John F. Kennedy called his press secretary Pierre Salinger into the Oval Office with an urgent request. "Pierre, I need some cigars," Kennedy said. "About 1,000 Petit Upmanns. By tomorrow morning."

Salinger spent that evening scrambling around Washington, hitting every tobacconist and cigar shop he could find. By the next morning, he returned to the Oval Office with good news: he'd managed to secure 1,200 H. Upmann Petit Coronas, Kennedy's favorite Cuban cigar.

Kennedy smiled, opened his desk drawer, and pulled out a long document. He signed it immediately. It was the proclamation of the trade embargo against Cuba, effectively banning all Cuban products—including cigars—from entering the United States.

The Ultimate Presidential Privilege

The irony wasn't lost on anyone involved. Here was the President of the United States, about to cut off America's access to the world's finest cigars, making absolutely sure he had his personal supply locked down first. It's the kind of move that makes you wonder: Do as I say, not as I smoke?

To be fair to JFK, this wasn't exactly illegal. He hadn't signed the embargo yet, so technically everything was above board. But the optics? Well, let's just say it's a good thing this story didn't come out until decades later.

Why Cuban Cigars?

Cuban cigars were—and according to aficionados, still are—considered the gold standard of premium cigars. The combination of Cuba's climate, soil, and centuries of tobacco-growing expertise created a product that became synonymous with luxury and refinement.

Kennedy, like many cigar enthusiasts of his era, appreciated the craftsmanship. The H. Upmann Petit Corona was a relatively modest size, perfect for a busy president who might not have time for a two-hour smoke. But quality? Top tier.

The Source of the Story

We know about Kennedy's cigar run because Salinger himself wrote about it in a 1992 article for Cigar Aficionado magazine. It became one of the most famous anecdotes in the magazine's history, cementing the image of JFK as a president who enjoyed the finer things in life—and wasn't afraid to secure them before making them contraband.

The timing was tight. Salinger had roughly 12 hours to source more than a thousand premium cigars in 1962 Washington. No internet shopping, no overnight delivery from specialty retailers. Just shoe leather, phone calls, and probably a few favors called in.

The Embargo That Changed Everything

Kennedy's embargo was a response to escalating tensions with Cuba following the failed Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis. The trade restrictions were comprehensive, covering everything from sugar to cigars to rum. The embargo remains in effect today, though it's been modified over the decades.

For American cigar lovers, February 7, 1962, marked the beginning of a long drought. Cuban cigars became contraband, available only through illegal smuggling or trips abroad. A black market flourished, and the forbidden status only enhanced the cigars' mystique.

Meanwhile, Kennedy had his 1,200 Upmanns safely stashed away. How long they lasted is anyone's guess, though given his health issues and the stress of the presidency, it's likely they provided some comfort during the Cold War's tensest moments.

The Bigger Picture

This story endures because it captures something essential about power and human nature. Even presidents, when faced with scarcity they're about to create, look out for themselves first. It's not corruption exactly—more like self-interested pragmatism with a healthy dose of hypocrisy.

And honestly? It's hard to blame him. If you knew your favorite luxury item was about to become illegal, wouldn't you stock up too? The only difference is Kennedy had the advance notice and the power to time his personal shopping spree perfectly.