Paul BK Garmirian earned his PhD
cum laude in International Politics from the Catholic University of America
in Washington DC in 1975. He lectured on Politics and International Marketing
and managed his real estate firm in McLean Virginia until 1990.
Paul Garmirian's passion has always resulted in the enjoyment of fine
cigars. This quest has led him around the world and journals of his travels
are contained in his book The Gourmet Guide To Cigars.
Paul Garmirian's interest in cigars led to his 7 years of researching
and 2 years of writing the Gourmet Guide To Cigars originally published
in 1990.
The Gourmet Guide has been re-printed nine times including the Spanish
version Guia Gourmet del Cigarro which was published in 1993.
The publication of his book resulted in the opportunity to work with Hendrik
Kelner, President of Tabacos Dominicanos and Eladio Diaz his chief blender
in Santiago, the Dominican Republic.
What followed was experimentation and hard work by extremely skilled and
talented Dominican artisans whose spirit and innovation fused the PG Cigar
into existence.
The initial release of the PG line consisted of the traditional Cuban
sizes which were introduced at Georgetown Tobacco in Washington DC in
November of 1990.
The first PG cigars were officially released nationwide at a cigar dinner
in Chicago on May 1st 1991.
The initial 6 sizes were all classic Cuban sizes:
Churchill
Belicoso (First time the shape appeared in the US)
NO. 2 (Rothschild)
Corona
Corona Grande
Lonsdale
Following the great success of PG Cigars nationwide in 1991 the line has
grown to 21 sizes from the largest 9 X 50 Celebration to the smallest
Joyita 4 ½ by 26.
The PG Gourmet Series II was launched in 1999 in two shapes, Torpedo and
Robusto. In late 2001 the Connoisseur and Belicoso Fino were added.
The Reserva Exclusiva, an exceptional cigar from 10-year old tobaccos, also arrived in late 2001 in Corona Extra and Belicoso. Churchill, Robusto and No. 5 joined the PG R.E. family in early 2002.
2005 was the 15th Anniversary for PG and a special full bodied blend was created. A Belicoso Extra was made in 1000 boxes of 15 and quickly sold out. In 2006, the blend became a line of 9 sizes, called 15th Anniversary.
During the blending of the 15th Anniversary PG came across a tantalizing full bodied blend which, after further blending, was released in 2007 in three sizes as the PG Soiree. A full bodied, tantalizing cigar, the Soiree is the perfect after dinner cigar.
In one size (6 x 52) the Symphony 20 is a Limited Edition cigar that is currently available to the top 25 PG Authorized Dealers. It is a rich cigar covered in a dark and oily wrapper.
Stories of Garmirian's travels
and experiences will be continued in his follow up publication to the
Gourmet Guide currently under development.
Interview with Paul Garmirian
-First cigar book written and published in the United States in 1990
-First US branded limited edition S.T. Dupont lighter 1996-1997
-First independently branded Elie Bleu humidor
-First super premium cigar grown purely on its merit without any marketing or advertising
-First Belicoso in the U.S. (1990)
-Cigars are not available from catalogues or discounters to protect the interest of the retailers
-Creator of the PG Sheffield Super Cutter
