The ideal reference for the novice cigar fancier, with guidelines for selecting a cigar, cutting, lighting, and ashing. Also includes cigar brands, styles, history, and humidor selection and usage.

This primer includes information on tobacco production, cigar etiquette, humidor maintenance, and which drinks best complement a fine smoke. Plus, a list of major premium cigar brands, comparative strength ratings, a glossary of cigar terms, full-colour photographs, maps and a pull-out ring gauge and ruler.

Tours the world's finest private collection of humidors, exploring the history of cigar accoutrements from cutters to ashtrays, in a sumptuously photographed edition by the editor and publisher of Cigar Aficionado.

First published in 1993, The Ultimate Cigar Book has become a classic in its field, and is generally credited with having helped launch the current cigar smoking craze. It has been reprinted numerous times in the United States, and is now sold worldwide. No other book contains as much detailed and factual information on virtually every facet of cigar making and cigar smoking. And now this trendsetting been has been revised in this fourth edition for the aficionado of the future! Forget 1492. This book starts out in B. C. (Before Columbus) and transports the cigar enthusiast on a fun and fact-filled adventure into virtually every realm of today’s popular and growing cigar smoking pastime. Written by one of the most knowledgeable and internationally-celebrated pipe and cigar authors of our time, Richard Carleton Hacker’s well-known wit and wisdom will keep the reader enthralled with every turn of the page, as he takes you on an information-packed would tour of cigars. Starting off with a history of cigar smoking, the author then shows us how cigars are made today (handmade, handrolled, and machine made), divulges the secrets of finding the “perfect” cigar, and discusses the ritual of smoking and how to properly care for and store our cigars. From there the book lists a number of innovative cigar accessories, suggests which beers, wines, whiskeys, brandies, and cognacs go with what cigars, enlightens us with a chapter on cigar smoking celebrities, and concludes with the world’s first International Compendium of virtually every cigar brand known today, complete with histories and observations on taste, according to the author’s HPH (Highly Prejudiced Hacker-Scale) ratings. If that was not enough, there is even a dictionary of CigarSpeak! The Ultimate Cigar Book is the most comprehensive, factual, and up-to-date book for the cigar smoker or for those who just want to learn more about the fascinating and popular world of cigar smoking.

Cigar Aficionado magazine, known worldwide for its celebration of the good things in life, revolutionized the art and enjoyment of cigar smoking. More than one million readers turn to the magazine to learn about the world's most enjoyable cigars, spirits, wines, beers, restaurants, resorts, collectibles, and more. In each issue, the editors evaluate a wide variety of cigars in a blind tasting format and rate them on a 100-point scale. Our previous Cigar Aficionado titles have sold a combined total of nearly half a million copies. Now Cigar Aficionado presents the ultimate resource, an easy-to-use, full-color guide with ratings and tasting notes for more than 200 fine cigars, organized by brand. For less than the price of 3 good cigars, it also explores the history and production of cigars, with expert advice on buying, storage, preparation, and smoking etiquette. With a wealth of useful information, this is an essential reference for both connoisseurs and those just beginning to appreciate the pleasures of cigars.

This guide has been created especially for cigar connoisseurs. Here are ratings and tasting notes for every major Cuban brand, plus a listing of Havana's cigar stores.

This complete listing of more than 1200 cigars reviewed in CIGAR AFICIONADO magazine is an ultimate resource for cigar lovers. Each cigar is rated on a 100-point scale and listed along with its price, country of origin, type of tobacco, and description of strength and flavor. Also includes a directory of over 3200 retail tobacconists in the U.S. and some abroad.