A BOUTIQUE BRAND THAT’S MASTERED THE PAIRING BETWEEN FREEMASONS AND CIGARS

Photos: h&s

Diferentes líneas de los cigarros HIRAM & SOLOMON. La Marca tiene una profunda raíz dentro de la cultura masónica y las filosofías y enseñanzas de los masones; cada nombre recuerda algunos hechos que afectan la vida de uno como masón o no masón.

CIGARRO DOMINICANO has discovered a unique brand. Initially created for the Freemasons but now enjoyed worldwide by ladies and men of all cultures and backgrounds who wish to experience an exquisite cigar, unlike any other Brand, we’re talking about HIRAM & SOLOMON CIGARS.

Special releases like THE TREATY, CU RAMUS, CHÂBAL, REVIVAL, THE SUBLI ME PRINCE are part of the current HIRAM & SOLOMON cigar portfolio. Romy and Fouad Kashouty Owners of the Brand tell us that they started for charity.

We can say Fouad is the result of the Ameri can Dream, who has been enjoying fine cigars for the last 40 years. About his beginning, he said, “After fleeing the civil war in Lebanon in 1988, I started a new life in the USA and it was a rough and hard journey, starting as a gas station attendant and building myself up from there with lots of sweat, pain, and tears, but I made it and became an entrepreneur in the gas station and convenience store sector”.

Curious about the cigar brand concept, we asked Fouad about its origin, and he replied, “In 2014 we rolled our first 1000 cigars geared towards a charity in a Masonic lodge, it took us about six months to realize that we are about to create a cigar brand unlike any other brand in the market, a brand with a unique concept of having great cigars that carry our Freemasons symbol with pride and donate back to charities. The reception and welcoming of the idea and the concept were huge and widely unexpected. We started the cigar brand as a hobby that turned into a short-lived part time, whereby Romy (my wife) and I continued with the company and the cigar took over our lives and now we breath, dream, and live around cigars”.

THE TREATY. Exclusivamente elaborado en la República Dominicana por la fábrica de cigarros PDR de Abe Flores. Disponible en cajas de 10, tamaño Toro 6X52, con capa Royal Corojo // Exclusively Crafted in the Dominican Republic at the PDR cigar factory by Abe Flores. Available in Box of 10, Toro size 6X52 with Royal Corojo Wrapper.

Romy has an extensive worldwide connection thru her previous dealings in the financial world and she’s involved in every aspect of the company and as she likes to say “we are the CEO and the janitors” of Hiram & Solomon Cigars. They both met thru the cigar world and started elevating the brand to a worldwide position.

// HIRAM & SOLOMON Cigars portfolio. The Brand has a deep root within the Masonic culture and Freemasons philosophies and teachings; each name recalls some memories that affect one’s life as a Mason or non-Mason.

What about the name? Why Hiram & Solomon?

“Hiram & Solomon name was adopted from stories in the Old Testament whereby king Solomon David who “as ordered by God” wanted to build the temple. Asking help from King Hiram the powerful and rich Phoenician King of Tyre who responded by sending him the materials and the men power needed along with the chief architect whose name also was Hiram also known as “Hiram Abiff” who according to legend, opted to be killed than giving up a secret that was only supposed to be divulged if the three of them are together. That story was adopted by Freemasonry as a basis of our teachings and values”, say Fouad.

Hiram & Solomon Cigars are hand made in the Dominican Republic by Abe Flores, owner of PDR Cigars, a PROCIGAR Association member. Fouad explains, “The Brand has a deep root within the Masonic culture and Freemasons philosophies and teachings, “we wanted each name to recall some memories that effected one’s life as a Mason or non-Mason and, as such, to evoke an emotional response while smoking a specific cigar. Each name is carefully chosen to reflect the purpose, strength, and the idea behind it”.

Hiram & Solomon Cigars are premium quality handmade cigars that match the caliber of the brethren and the spirit they embody for all to enjoy. For men and women alike, who take their commitments to tradition and good taste seriously, try a Hiram & Solomon cigar.

Hiram & Solomon Cigars were awarded the #1 boutique cigar company in 2021 by cigar and spirits magazine, but as Romy tells us, “As much as we are proud of that accomplishment, we know that there is a much work to be done to improve”.