The History & My Father 1922 Le Bijou 1922 Cigar Review

We’ll start out the My Father Le Bijou 1922 cigar review with the Origins of the Brand

The story starts with José “Don Pepín” García, a master cigar maker from Cuba. He grew up rolling and blending tobacco in Pinar del Río, where Cuban tobacco culture is practically a religion. After leaving Cuba in 2001, Pepín eventually settled in Miami, then Nicaragua, where he built My Father Cigars with his son, Jaime García.

The company quickly developed a reputation for bold, full-bodied Nicaraguan blends. They became known for top-notch construction and Pepín’s signature peppery style.

Why “Le Bijou 1922”?

“Le Bijou” means the jewel in French. Pepín chose the name to honor his father, who was born in 1922. So the cigar is literally his father’s “jewel” — a tribute wrapped in smoke.

It wasn’t just about making another blend; it was about making something worthy of his father’s memory. That’s why the Le Bijou line is darker, stronger, and bolder than many of the company’s other smokes — it was built to feel important.

The Blend

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano Oscuro (dark, oily, almost jet-black)
Binder/Filler: 100% Nicaraguan tobaccos, grown by the García family
Strength: Full-bodied

This oscuro wrapper is what gives it that rich espresso-and-chocolate personality, while the García-grown fillers deliver spice, leather, and power.

Awards & Recognition

Le Bijou 1922 gained instant respect when it hit the market. But its biggest moment came in 2015, when Cigar Aficionado crowned the Torpedo Box Pressed as the #1 Cigar of the Year with a 97 rating.

That award shot it into cigar stardom — suddenly, every humidor wanted it, and the brand’s reputation was cemented as one of the best in the world.

Legacy Today

More than a decade later, Le Bijou 1922 still holds its place as one of My Father’s crown jewels. It isn’t just a cigar; it’s a family story rolled into tobacco:

A Cuban heritage
A father honoring his father
A Nicaraguan rebirth of old-world cigar craftsmanship

My Father Le Bijou 1922 Sizes and Ratings

My Father Le Bijou 1922 Petit Robusto 4.5″ × 50 – Rating 8.8 / 10

Small and compact, but packs a punch. Pepper hits early, with chocolate, espresso, and leather flavors concentrated in a short session.

My Father Le Bijou 1922 Grand Robusto 5.6″ × 55 Rating 9.1 / 10

Classic Robusto shape. Balanced strength and flavor; chocolate, coffee, and pepper develop nicely over a medium-length smoke.

My Father Le Bijou 1922 Toro 6″ × 52 Rating 9.2 / 10

Longer, thicker smoke that lets flavors shine. First third is spicy espresso, middle adds creamy chocolate and leather. Bold but balanced.

My Father Le Bijou 1922 Torpedo 6 1/8″ × 52 Rating 9.3 / 10

Tapered head focuses the smoke. Early spice gives way to rich chocolate and leather; strong but never overwhelming.

My Father Le Bijou 1922 Churchill 7″ × 50 Rating 8.9 / 10

Long, elegant stick. Dominated by leather, wood, espresso, with subtle cocoa and cream. Needs patience but rewards with complexity.

Pros

Rich, complex flavors – Espresso, dark chocolate, leather, cedar, and subtle creaminess.
Bold and memorable – You know you’re smoking a Garcia family cigar.
Well-balanced in larger sizes – Toro and Torpedo let flavors evolve nicely.
Beautiful presentation – Dark oily wrapper, triple-cap, elegant band.
Good pairing versatility – Works well with coffee, bourbon, dark beer, or aged spirits.

⚠️ Cons

Not beginner-friendly – Full-bodied, pepper-forward, can overwhelm light smokers.
Construction variability – Some sticks may burn unevenly or require touch-ups.
Smaller sizes pack intensity – Shorter vitolas can feel compressed and hot.
Wrapper delicacy – Prone to cracking or flaking if handled roughly.
Longer vitolas require commitment – Churchill can take 90+ minutes; must be smoked patiently.