Harris Tweed Cases
If you think that whisky is Scotland’s only contribution to the cigar world, consider these new Cuero y Tweed Harris Tweed cases by accessories manufacturer Andre Garcia. Each one is a colorful echo of Scottish tradition that manages to pull off the coveted contradiction of being both rustic and urbane.
The pride of Scotland’s archipelagos, Harris Tweed is not only a rugged woolen fabric, but a protected product of origin, as this material can only bear the official tag if it was woven within the isolated communities of the Outer Hebrides, the islands that trace the country’s northern border. Without the mark of the royal orb, it’s just a garden-variety tweed. Andre Garcia has secured sustainable quantities of this Gaelic cloth and plied it directly onto its sturdy cases such as the Pack & Go model which is finished on both ends with leather (right, $450, five cigars).
The cylindrical Torpedo case ($330, left) holds four cigars and is capped with polished bull horn, while the three-finger Sliding Case ($220, center) dons a flush, tightly-set mosaic on top, also cut from horn.
With their overlapping bands of color, the cases end up being as much statement as they are utility and can only enhance whatever ensemble you’re sporting. The blue, pink and green pattern also brings instant pop factor to any drab tabletop. But there’s a sense of history here too—Harris Tweed has been around for hundreds of years, and tartans speak of old clans and royal regiments. In this case, Andre Garcia chose a design belonging to no particular clan at all, so you can still have the unassailable air of authenticity without misappropriating anyone’s family heritage.
