Good books about Cuban Cigars

[ChrisSwanson]

I have read the book "The Cigar Companion: A Connoisseur's Guide" by Anwer Bati & Simon Chase at least three or four times. The book was an easy read, yet some of the information pertaining to the brands that were covered, seemed dated. The book was published in 1995 during the height of the Cigar Boom and also covered more NC's than CC's. Could anyone recommend any "must reads" that pertain to Cuban Cigars?

[ColKurtz]

Min Ron Nee

[MontrealRon]

Min Ron Nee

An absolute must!

It is also somewhat dated, having been published in 2003.

Out of print, so not easy to find, nor cheap if you do.

There is presently one copy available at abe.com

for US$250 plus shipping.

Since it cost around $150 when still in print, this is not terribly unreasonable.

If it is in your budget, go for it!

[Colt45]

If you are interested in the MRN book, Mark (n2advnture) shows the 2005 reprint available at cigarmony.com.

[Stalebread]

The Havana Cigar by Charles Del Todesco (English language translation published in 1997)

The Great Habano Factories by Adriano Martinez Rius (first edition in English: 2005)

Both of these books, IMHO, have good, solid information. Del Todesco's has some of the best information on growing, curing, rolling, etc. with very generalized tasting notes (not necessarily a bad thing). Many other books on Cuban Cigars seem to me to be mostly pictures of famous, or not so famous, people smoking.

[laficion]

I agree that MIN RON NEE's book is an absolute must for every Habano smoker.

There is another book that complements MRN's great work and that book is,

"The Great HABANO Factories " by Adriano Martinez Rius, a great writter and

knowledgeable historian on the cuban cigar.

This book is full of stories and photos about the beginings of the cigar Industry in

Cuba and on all of the great brands that still exist today but also and maybe

more interesting, those that no longer exist and that are part of the history

that created the reputation of the Havana cigar.

I'm sure that you'll be able to find it on some book sites or else if you contact

the UK importers. hopefully someone here can inform you where you can search

Here are some pics. of the book.

[finecigar]

Although the Min Ron Nee book is somewhat of an investment for a book at $100-200, I would surely get it and recommend it.

It is the equivalent to "Cohiba" in a cuban cigar range. A must have...

[Trevor2118]

I have read the book "The Cigar Companion: A Connoisseur's Guide" by Anwer Bati & Simon Chase at least three or four times. The book was an easy read, yet some of the information pertaining to the brands that were covered, seemed dated. The book was published in 1995 during the height of the Cigar Boom and also covered more NC's than CC's. Could anyone recommend any "must reads" that pertain to Cuban Cigars?

Some cigar book reviews here: http://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/0-about.htm#Acknowledgement Just scroll down from here and click on book links to open reviews.

[ChrisSwanson]

Thank you for the suggestions. I will start tracking down the three books that have been suggested.

[PADDYWHACK121272]

I have recently read 'Holy Smoke' by G. Cabrera Infante (Faber and Faber 1986) - It is supposed to be a history of the cigar and while it does contain some genuinely interesting stuff I find his style smart-arsed and 'clever' rather than entertaining...should be able to pick it up easily enough on Abebooks / e-bay etc. if i haven't put you off enough already....

[MontrealRon]

If you are interested in the MRN book, Mark (n2advnture) shows the 2005 reprint available at cigarmony.com.

Not only does our brother Mark have the book in stock, it is currently on sale at $129.99!

I paid $150 when it was still in print, and consider it money very well spent.

[Van55]

The del Todesco and NEE books are good references, though both are quite dated by now.

"Perelman's Pocket Cyclopedia of Havana Cigars," Third Edition is another good reference, published January, 2005. The last page of the book lists a bunch of reference books.

Another excellent book is Cultivating a Tradition of Perfection -- a joing venture of Habanos s.a. and Hunter & Frankau's Simon Chase. It's available for puchace here: http://cigars.co.uk/product/cultivating-tr...ection?accept=1

[jfury76]

Not only does our brother Mark have the book in stock, it is currently on sale at $129.99!

I paid $150 when it was still in print, and consider it money very well spent.

Mark, How many do you have currently in stock, and is there perhaps a discount for FOH members???

[thechenman]

Just hopped over to Mark's website and purchased a copy. I've been wanting this book on and off for sometime now, and after seeing Colt's post and than MR's saying the book was on sale, I decided now was the time to pull the trigger.

[Ken Gargett]

have or read most of these but agree that the king of them all is MRN's book. superb. true, now a touch out of date but to me, it is one of the great reference book in any subject. a must. forgo a few cigars to get it but every habanos lover should have a copy.

[Buch0]

MRN for $129 is quite reasonable as amazon has used copies for no less than $189.. Very interested in getting a copy of this, let me know if anyone would like to sell me their print ._.

[ChrisSwanson]

Just purchased a used copy of the Del Todesco book and ordered the Min Ron Nee book from Cigarmony. Still on the look-out for the Rius book. Thanks to all for the information!

[Kangaroo495]

Funnily enough, I got gifted a CC book the other day! It's actually a two-book pack, with very simple information and large pictures. One of the books is about the art of cigar making/tasting/etc., the other is about particular brands and vitolas. Quite an easy, decent read. Though I was a bit disappointed by the high rating it gives Cuaba and San Cristobal, while ignoring some other classic cigars. But that's just my opinion. It's written by the owner of Gerard Pere cigar shop in Switzerland. The name of the book is "The finest cigars in the world". I think it's worth a look.

[thechenman]

Another two set volume on cigars that I think is fantastic is "Cigars: Revised and Updated" written by Vahe Gerard and Matthieu Prier. It is obviously a revised edition or the original they published. It is very up to date as the revised edition was published in 2009. I've seen it at certain Barnes & Noble stores and I believe Amazon still carries both editions...

[semery74]

The most informative books I have found thus far have been

• An illustrated encyclopaedia of post-revolution Havana cigars By Min Ron Nee - Great side notes and special packaging pictures. 75% of it is still current. When's the 2nd Edition coming out?
  
• The connoisseur's book of the cigar By Zino Davidoff, Gilles Lambert - Great first hand knowledge by a leader of the industry. Several mentions of petuning that you find no where else.
  
• Culture of Tobacco by George Odlum, B.S. 1905 - A composition of research performed in the last decade in the 1800s
  
• Wine & philosophy: a symposium on thinking and drinking By Fritz Allhoff - A compilation of contributed articles devoted around the description of taste. Good arguments over Subjectivity and Objectivity, Van55 you would love it
  
• The Story of Havana Cigars by Gaspar J. Garcia Gallo & Wilfredo Correa Garcia - A recommendation by Australia's Premier Cigar Merchant that I have yet to find, but still interested
  

[Van55]

Funnily enough, I got gifted a CC book the other day! It's actually a two-book pack, with very simple information and large pictures. One of the books is about the art of cigar making/tasting/etc., the other is about particular brands and vitolas. Quite an easy, decent read. Though I was a bit disappointed by the high rating it gives Cuaba and San Cristobal, while ignoring some other classic cigars. But that's just my opinion. It's written by the owner of Gerard Pere cigar shop in Switzerland. The name of the book is "The finest cigars in the world". I think it's worth a look.

The book is entitled, Cigars: The World's Finest Cigars. It was published in 2002

[Kangaroo495]

The book is entitled, Cigars: The World's Finest Cigars. It was published in 2002

Yes, thanks! I checked last night. I have an "updated edition" from 2009.