El Habano Moderno Launch Party - Melbourne Saturday July 30th, 2023

[JohnS]

I'd like to thank @ATGroom for hosting a wonderful launch event this weekend for his wonderfully-written magnum opus, El Habano Moderno. As can be seen from the photos below, and to quote a well-known phrase, "a splendid time was guaranteed for all!" On behalf of our community, we can't thank Alex enough for the dedication and perseverance that has gone into the publishing of this book.

Montecristo Especiales No.2s were generously gifted to invitees. The personal secondary band was indeed 'a nice touch!'

The celebrations kicked onto Sunday with a few nice cigars...a late-2013 Cohiba Piramides Extra, early-2023 La Gloria Cubana Turquinos and an early-2023 Ramon Allones No.3. These were nicely paired with some Maison Gautier Cognac - Pinar del Rio Exclusive Cigar Blend XO, Cuvee Louis Alexandre and Cuvee de Cent Cinquantenaire Grand Marnier.

[JohnS]

And how about the books themselves? You've probably heard that they're big and heavy and you are right. The Kickstarter and Retail Editions are Hardcover, 9.2 × 11.8 inches (233 × 300 mm) and 4.5 kgs or 10lbs in weight each. The Collector's Edition is even bigger. That's split into two: Hardcover, 9.2 × 11.8 inches (233 × 300 mm) [two volumes] Pages: 700: Vol. I: 124; Vol. II: 576 and weighing 6 kgs or 13.2 lbs. Please kindly make space for these in your bookshelves as you will need them!

[joeypots]

This is great! I’m sure I’ll devour the book as soon as it gets here. Thanks very much, Alexander. Your work will be treasured by many.

[jakebarnes]

Even more excited about the book after seeing this! Looking forward to it!

[BoliDan]

Great pics John, thanks for sharing. Wow, those really are some tomes. 

[Duxnutz]

Looking good John! Good to see people out and about in Melbourne town.

[LigSecVol]

Amazing! Thanks for sharing.

@JohnS Are the Kickstarter and Retail Editions the same? Content, number of pages. etc? Also and out of curiosity, why is the Collector Edition in two volumes?

[ATGroom]

Thanks @JohnS and everybody else who attended, it was a great afternoon and evening. Such a relief to finally have these out in the world. Non-Australians I am assured your copies will be shipping this week.

7 hours ago, LigSecVol said:

@JohnS Are the Kickstarter and Retail Editions the same? Content, number of pages. etc? Also and out of curiosity, why is the Collector Edition in two volumes?

Retail and Kickstarter exactly the same under the covers.

Collector's is also the same content. The first 150ish pages of the Retail book (Vol I of the Collector's) are general information about production etc. It's something you might read once cover to cover, but then probably will never look at again.

The next 550 (Vol II) are a catalogue of cigars. You would pull it out to use as a reference, or sit with it and browse. You wouldn't read it cover to cover.

The books are very heavy, so having them split makes it a bit easier to handle.

But all that said, I don't think the two volumes is really something you'd pay the extra for. The real benefit of the Collector's is the much nicer presentation with the gold edging and the box, the fact that they are signed and numbered and limited edition. If you just want a book about cigars, buy the Retail. If you are a collector of fine books then buy the Collector's.

[El Presidente]

Great work Alex. 

If I was in Oz I would have been there in a flash. 

[LigSecVol]

@ATGroom

1 hour ago, ATGroom said:

Thanks @JohnS and everybody else who attended, it was a great afternoon and evening. Such a relief to finally have these out in the world. Non-Australians I am assured your copies will be shipping this week.

Retail and Kickstarter exactly the same under the covers.

Collector's is also the same content. The first 150ish pages of the Retail book (Vol I of the Collector's) are general information about production etc. It's something you might read once cover to cover, but then probably will never look at again.

The next 550 (Vol II) are a catalogue of cigars. You would pull it out to use as a reference, or sit with it and browse. You wouldn't read it cover to cover.

The books are very heavy, so having them split makes it a bit easier to handle.

But all that said, I don't think the two volumes is really something you'd pay the extra for. The real benefit of the Collector's is the much nicer presentation with the gold edging and the box, the fact that they are signed and numbered and limited edition. If you just want a book about cigars, buy the Retail. If you are a collector of fine books then buy the Collector's.

 

Thank you for the clarification Alex. I am looking forward to it.

[Stevieboy]

Dead excited to get mine. Can't wait for them to arrive in Bonny Scotland

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[Bill Hayes]

Fantastic @JohnS Is the first venue Siglo, the second restaurant in the casino and the rooftop bar in the casino? Haven't been into the city for a while for a cigar post-covid. Looks great and so does the book. Cheers.

[JohnS]

12 hours ago, Bill Hayes said:

Fantastic @JohnS Is the first venue Siglo, the second restaurant in the casino and the rooftop bar in the casino? Haven't been into the city for a while for a cigar post-covid. Looks great and so does the book. Cheers.

The event took place at one venue...a private establishment, I believe. I think Siglo and Crown are nearby

[benfica_77]

Me waiting for my copy to arrive.....

[Fuzz]

I should go open the box. It's been sitting in my billiards room for a week now.

[PuffDaddie]

Still waiting 🤔

[benfica_77]

Anyone begin receiving their copies? Nothing on my end so far in Canada....

[ha_banos]

8 hours ago, benfica_77 said:

Anyone begin receiving their copies? Nothing on my end so far in Canada....

Should land any day now, London....

[Stevieboy]

Should land any day now, London....

Hey Banos.... Have you received shipping info? Tracking Info?
Steve

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[ha_banos]

2 hours ago, Stevieboy said:

Hey Banos.... Have you received shipping info? Tracking Info?
Steve

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Yes! ETA 17th... 

[Stevieboy]

Yes! ETA 17th... 

I'll check my spam folder in case I've missed it.
Cheers pal

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[Sir Diggamus]

Anyone begin receiving their copies? Nothing on my end so far in Canada....

I am in the US and have not received any tracking info or update after the 8/5 post on Kickstarter. I ordered one of the signed copies, so I don’t know if that is affecting where I am in line.


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[mtapia3]

My brother in law received his book last Friday here in California. I live in the same area and still haven't received my copy or shipping updates. 

[ha_banos]

Have cigars taught us nothing?

Patience. (Says he who has his shipping tracking number ☺️)

[ATGroom]

They have been going out in batches daily since the first week of August, so are starting to arrive in numbers this week. The estimate is that all the pre-orders will have gone out at latest by the 25th.

I don't know how the despatch order is determined - order number would be my guess. They are shipping from a warehouse in the US so proximity to that would have some effect on your transit time. All via UPS as far as I know, so shouldn't take too long anywhere in the world.

If you are interested in one but haven't ordered, I encourage you to do so soon. There are only a few hundred left. The publisher is telling me 3-6 months for a reprinting, which from them historically means 12-18 months so my advice is get on it now. https://www.helios.house/shop/p/el-habano-moderno