What is Darkest Hour about?
Darkest Hour (2017) is a biopic war drama film that recounts four weeks in May 1940. This was a time when Great Britain's Prime Minister Winston Churchill was faced with a decision that would shape history.
While political pressure to negotiate with and appease the rampant Nazis intensified, Britain’s wartime leader resolved to fight on, knowing it could spell the end of the British Empire.
It heightens Churchill’s (played by Gary Oldman) image as a fearless leader, but also humanizes this eminent public figure by exploring his solemn moments of self-doubt and fits of depression.
The film’s title is taken from one of Churchill’s most famous speeches, where he described the fall of France to Germany as the “darkest hour in French history.” It marks a pivotal time when Britain was the dim light in a darkening world. This is why the lights in most scenes are dimmed — a stylistic cinematic choice by director Joe Wright.
Darkest Hour also features many colorful and lighthearted Churchill-isms that captivated the public — his love of champagne, long baths, and cigars. Our first look at him in the film is particularly memorable.
Shrouded in darkness, Churchill lights a cigar to briefly illuminate himself sitting in bed. Sporting pajamas and a breakfast tray with the not-so-classic combination of brandy and bacon, it’s a reminder that Churchill appreciated the finer things in life.
What cigars are smoked in Darkest Hour?
Churchill’s love for stogies certainly upped the film’s budget, with Oldman revealing he smoked 400 cigars over a 48-day shoot. Over $19,000 of the film’s budget went into cigars alone.
For the scenes, Oldman lit up Romeo y Julieta Cubans (the original Churchill cigars) — an iconic Cuban cigar brand stretching back to 1875. His towering lead performance resulted in an Oscar nomination, although he reportedly ended up with nicotine poisoning for his unwavering commitment to Churchill’s beloved pastime.
However, as Director Wright correctly pointed out, it was a price worth paying, adding, “It’s Winston Churchill. You can’t have Winston Churchill without a cigar.” Cigars symbolized Churchill’s larger-than-life personality, and he even went on to have a vitola named after him.
Cigars to smoke while watching Darkest Hour
It seems only fitting you smoke Churchill-sized cigars when watching the man, largely remembered as a hero, battle inner turmoil amid a backdrop of deadly conflict and treacherous political weather.
Running for just over two hours, Darkest Hour is still amusing, enlightening, gripping, and touching. With a Churchill cigar comfortably giving you 60 to 90 minutes of palate pleasure, let’s check out three Churchill-sized smokes to get you through your darkest hour.
Romeo y Julieta 1875 Churchill
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Indonesia
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Length: 7
Ring: 50
Strength: Medium
Smoke Time: 120 minutes
Starting our selection with the brand that seduced Churchill, this cigar pays homage to the year Romeo y Julieta Cigars was founded. This smooth and flavorful medium-bodied cigar has an aromatic Indonesian shade-grown wrapper that drapes a Dominican binder and aged Dominican long-fillers.
It has a classic flavor profile that comes close to the Original Cubans, with a warm tapestry of earth, rich tobacco, spice, and toasted almonds.
Complemented by a subtle, woody finish, the Romeo y Julieta 1875 Churchill is an absolute pleasure to smoke when you can dedicate the time to relax and enjoy it. If time isn’t on your side, other sizes of this much-loved stogie are available.
Davidoff Winston Churchill Churchill
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Rijoza
Binder: Mexican San Andrés
Filler: Dominican Republic (piloto mejorado seco, piloto seco & hybrid olor/piloto seco) & Nicaragua Seco (Condega & Estelí )
Length: 6.87
Ring: 47
Strength: Medium
Smoke Time: 90 minutes
Davidoff Cigars unveiled the Winston Churchill line in 2007, solely dedicated to the famous British PM. It was transformed in 2015 with a new logo, look, and brand-new blend. The Davidoff Winston Churchill Churchill is a decadent, complex smoke for the true connoisseur.
Dressed in an oily, chestnut brown Rojiza wrapper from Ecuador, the famous silhouette of Churchill reigns over a glossy white band with gold foil. Harmonizing the tobaccos of the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, and Nicaragua, the five filler leaves spend a minimum of four years aging.
Once lit, lap up the creamy notes with their slightly nutty twist. There’s an abundance of cedar, subtle pepper, and sweet cream, while some delectable vanilla bean sweetness seeps through on the retrohale and finish.
Ashton Churchill
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Connecticut Shade
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Length: 7.50
Ring: 52
Strength: Mellow
Smoke Time: 80-100 minutes
A mellow marvel, the Ashton Churchill is a delicious smoke that weighs in at an impressive 71/2” x 52. You can’t help but be drawn to its stunning, golden Connecticut Shade wrapper that encases a Dominican binder and the finest of aged Dominican fillers.
It goes great with a cup of coffee in the morning but is equally indulgent in the evening. Like Churchill battling his fears and obsessive drive for victory, the cigar builds in complexity and intensity.
This slow-burner delivers an explosion of cedar, cinnamon, creamy mocha, roasted nuts, and sweet spice, perfect for those looking for taste without the kick. Some peppery heat appears during the final draws. Undoubtedly, it would have been a welcome addition to Sir Winston’s humidor.
All three of these premium smokes are available now at cigars.com, along with many other top-notch Churchill-sized stogies. That way, you can abide by the philosophy of Sir Winston himself — “I drink a great deal. I sleep a little, and I smoke cigar after cigar. That is why I am in the two-hundred-percent form”.
