Min Ron Nee Encyclopedia

[habanohal]

In 2 days I have read the whole thing twice. The only thing is that there is not any mention of any cigars being "spicey".

Why is that?

[Chicago]

» In 2 days I have read the whole thing twice. The only thing is that there

» is not any mention of any cigars being "spicey".

»

» Why is that?

I also received book, or monster as you may call it. I noticed that certain cigars were said to be devoid of any "spice", but none mentioned as spicy. It may have something to do with the translation. As with other cigar compendiums, the author's native language is not English. But then I guess that may not make any sense. Oh well, I'll just go back to looking at those awesome pictures. Wowee!:-)

[Chicago]

» In 2 days I have read the whole thing twice. The only thing is that there

» is not any mention of any cigars being "spicey".

»

» Why is that?

ps. Did you notice that he called at least 2 cigars his "favorite?" Also, the aging he refers to is as long as 20 to 30 years on some cigars. Five years is like nothing.

[habanohal]

As the book says....the millenium ciars wont be ready to smoke for a few decades.

[xrundog]

» In 2 days I have read the whole thing twice. The only thing is that there

» is not any mention of any cigars being "spicey".

»

» Why is that?

Maybe because because the term "spicey" is kinda non-specific? Many of the terms he uses might be listed under spice.

What does "spicey" mean to you?

[habanohal]

Spicy- White and black pepper spice persay. The tingleing burn of spicey

[Chicago]

» » In 2 days I have read the whole thing twice. The only thing is that

» there

» » is not any mention of any cigars being "spicey".

» »

» » Why is that?

»

» Maybe because because the term "spicey" is kinda non-specific? Many of

» the terms he uses might be listed under spice.

»

» What does "spicey" mean to you?

not pepper but that aromatic, a little exotic, twinge you taste from a Bolivar or certain Montecristos.

[xrundog]

» Spicy- White and black pepper spice persay. The tingleing burn of spicey

Ah yeah, peppery. Seems reasonable to me. Min appears to think Partagas has "peppery" characteristics. So do I.:-)

[Van55]

» » Spicy- White and black pepper spice persay. The tingleing burn of

» spicey

»

» Ah yeah, peppery. Seems reasonable to me. Min appears to think Partagas

» has "peppery" characteristics. So do I.:-)

Here's what MRN says about the characteristics of Partagas cigars (which many people describe as "spicy"):

Very heavy, earthy and peppery flavours blended with robust tobacco taste used to be the hallmark of Partagas cigars. The style was unique and unmistakable.

Circa mid to late 1995, a change to a milder blend with less robust tobacco taste and fainter earthy and peppery flavours was observed in many models.

It has been reported that since around the end of 2001, many cigars are becomeing stronger again, thgough not as strong as they used to be before 1995.

Here are some other terms that he uses: "floral," "herbal" "cocoa," "coffee," "vanilla," "grassy," "exotic woods," "tropical nuts" etc. I think whoever said "spicy" is not specific enough for MRN is probably right.

[Ken Gargett]

» In 2 days I have read the whole thing twice.

i got mine a few years ago in cuba. lugged the thing home and didn't have a chance to look at it until a few weeks later when i was crook. sat in a chair, all wrapped up and a mess but once i started, i didn't stop until i finished it and i felt a whole lot better.

the age thing is a running joke that rob and i have had going and you might see the occasional reference in our tasting notes to it. either this bloke is going to live to 300 or he is never going to find a cigar that is ready.

but it is a great book.

[genevapics]

What really gives with the aging issue? I mean a cigar aged 3-5 years is one thing. But 10, 15, 20 years? Seems to me that you would lose alot of the character of the cigar by aging it this long.

[Ken Gargett]

» What really gives with the aging issue? I mean a cigar aged 3-5 years is

» one thing. But 10, 15, 20 years? Seems to me that you would lose alot of

» the character of the cigar by aging it this long.

wish i could comment but the oldest i have ever had have been pushing 7-8 years. and then only a few. would suspect that like wine, we move into a different spectrum of textures, flavours and characters that for some will be a step up and for others, do nothing. i'm certainly trying to put a few away so that in another fiveplus years i have more of an idea.

i will also say that at the 05 havana festival, the MC announced that he was not joining us in a P2 (that was the evening they were released) as a friend had kindly given him a cigar for the occasion. at first i thought, typical pommy tosser but then he announced that it was from 1883, so i suppose he can be forgiven. and he was impressed but unfortunately with 800 at the dinner, it was a bit difficult for him to pass around.

[harwellplant]

from what i and others have been told by persons there and who know, the hong kong brick and mortar market has a large component of seriously aged habanos. for me, 5-10 years is an aged smoke. evidently, that particular market has a ready supply of ultra expensive, aged stock, and which is readily available to those willing to pay for the experience.

you find a broad spectrum of opinion as to mrn's text. personally, and because i am sure my palate is that of a toad, i don't necessarily agree with all of mrn's profiles. i really enjoy the historical aspects of the work, and i do use mrn's personal opinions as guides - just as i would the opinions of any other experienced habanophile.

[stevejb]

I never really used the book much aside from matching up various singles in my humi to their pics. A very nice reference guide and he put a ton of work into it, so he deserves the praise he has received from it.

Tons of info in the book as well, but to rely on it for tasting notes made no sense to me. They are his opinions.

I also recall that most of his tasting notes are on pre 96 cigars.

I actually ended up giving the book to a friend after I looked through it.

[Ken Gargett]

like anything - cigars, wine etc - the tatsing notes can never be definitive but just one person's view. i always try and calibrate my tastes to those expressed as you'll usually find, provided they are consistent, that you can work out if they suit you or are useless. but the book does have a heap of useful and interesting info.

[Van55]

» like anything - cigars, wine etc - the tatsing notes can never be

» definitive but just one person's view. i always try and calibrate my

» tastes to those expressed as you'll usually find, provided they are

» consistent, that you can work out if they suit you or are useless. but the

» book does have a heap of useful and interesting info.

Min Ron NEE is the first to agree that his opinions as expressed in the Encyclopaedia. Indeed, in the Preface, he writes:

Please note that all opinions expressed are my personal opinions. When I state "by general consensus" or "all agree that..." they are just my own personal impressions or understandings and should be interpreted as such.

The beauty of this world is that everybody has different beliefs, opinions and preferences. It does not matter at all whether yours are the same or differnt to mine.

Personally, I find that my tastes correlate quite highly with those of MRN, though it is correct that his notes pertain primairly to cigars produced in the mid-90's and before (whareas I have practicaly NO experience smoking Cubans that old). He has told me that he has remarkably limited knowledge of the taste characteristics of cigars much younger than that. And he writes that he forms no conclusions about the characteristics and promise of cigars younger than 2 years of age in any event.

On the aging issue, however, he specifically acknowledges that there is no "ideal time" at which a cigar peaks in the aging process and that some people prefer the "punchy" flavors of very young cigars over the "ethereal" flavors of very old cigars.

The book is a remarkable feat if you take it for what it is -- an invaluable reference source on the histories of various marcas, the sizes, shapes and packagaing of Post-Revolution Havanas through the end of 2002, and a compendium of one man's opinions of the cigars' taste characteristics and potential for "improvement" with age. I look forward to a Second Edition, probably in 2008 or so.

[El Presidente]

Hat's off to MRN for what is the definitive work to date on Habanos. From those who know him he is regarded as both a likeable and knowledgeable bloke who is not particularly up himself (Yes...reach for book on Aussie Slang).

The problem with his 10-20-30 year cigar tasting notes/recommendations is that it places many reviews in the category of "unattainable" to the cigar loving public and raises questions as to relevance. This in no way diminishes his work as all great publications are contentious.

The greatest compliment I can give is that his work has stimulated ongoing discussion and many arguments. Well done

[spsurfin]

» Hat's off to MRN for what is the definitive work to date on Habanos. From

» those who know him he is regarded as both a likeable and knowledgeable

» bloke who is not particularly up himself (Yes...reach for book on Aussie

» Slang).

»

» The problem with his 10-20-30 year cigar tasting notes/recommendations is

» that it places many reviews in the category of "unattainable" to the cigar

» loving public and raises questions as to relevance. This in no way

» diminishes his work as all great publications are contentious.

»

» The greatest compliment I can give is that his work has stimulated ongoing

» discussion and many arguments. Well done

I could not agree more. Very well stated Rob.

[CIGARHead]

Ton of great info in Min Ron NEE's book. I look through it daily just to learn about the history and see cigars I probably will never see myself. Hell, I ripped out pages 95-113, rolled each one up, and have them resting in my humi. I may burn one tonight.

I personnally love Mr Nee's book. I use it as a pillow...and a dinner plate.

[Ginseng]

» The problem with his 10-20-30 year cigar tasting notes/recommendations is

» that it places many reviews in the category of "unattainable" to the cigar

» loving public and raises questions as to relevance. This in no way

» diminishes his work as all great publications are contentious.

»

» The greatest compliment I can give is that his work has stimulated ongoing

» discussion and many arguments. Well done

I concur. Sometimes while reading his book, a feeling of wistfulness comes over me because I know I don't have the means or the dedication to build up a cache that will afford me the sublime ecstasies MRN seems to regularly access. If one is so inclined, his book can become a source of great consternation and a stimulant to envy. When that happens, I spark up a fresh, $5 Cuban and enjoy the hell out of it.

Wilkey

[Belicoso_Fino]

» In 2 days I have read the whole thing twice. The only thing is that there

» is not any mention of any cigars being "spicey".

»

» Why is that?

I think you need the Official T-Shirt to go with it. Wearing the shirt whilst reading the book actually makes you absorb the information more quickly.

:-D

[guilow]

While I know that the tasting notes are "personal" opinions, I actually agree with a lot of his opinions. For example, he says that the partagas Aristocrats are "old school" partagas flavor and I think he's spot on with that.

What I do find funny about his book is the number for "favorites" he talks about. I'd like to see a tally of the number for "favorite" cigars he has.

[Mel]

Is this the same book that the Prez. has on the five box offer? What does it retail for?

[raney]

» Is this the same book that the Prez. has on the five box offer? What does

» it retail for?

Yes it is. Not sure what retail is - my copy was obtained for about $75 US through a very generous group buy. I think average is about $100US, though.

I can't comment very well on MRN's profiles - I've been smoking habanos for all of about a year, and as others have said, I doubt he'd touch most of what I smoke for another half decade or so.

I can say though that the book would be worth it to me for the pictures alone. Or for the marca breakdowns alone. Or for the wealth of information and history. I would recommend it very highly to anyone who likes habanos.

[Bunker1028]

» While I know that the tasting notes are "personal" opinions, I actually

» agree with a lot of his opinions. For example, he says that the partagas

» Aristocrats are "old school" partagas flavor and I think he's spot on with

» that.

»

» What I do find funny about his book is the number for "favorites" he talks

» about. I'd like to see a tally of the number for "favorite" cigars he has.

LOL! He's the same as us. He has his favorites. I must have at least 5 when I can choose more than one.

Book is the best one out there for all the reasons listed already.