JR's has a deal on their website that with any purchase you can buy a new book they put out, "The Complete Guide for Habanos' Enthusiasts" for $9.99. I stopped into a BM today (Paramus) and they sold me one for $9.99 without a purchase.
Now, about the book. It's 137 pages showing images actual size of every Vitola that comes out of Cuba. There isn't a tremendous amount of text, but it even has brands that I've never heard of (in my short but illustrious career) such as: Cabanas, La Flor De Cano, Los Statos De Luxe and Troya. It's current up through say the Siglo VI, but does not list any of the EL's.
It also shows boxes and with the Cohiba line, the three different bands that have been used so far.
All in all it's well worth the ten bucks, especially for the other locals out there.
Posts: 205 | Location: New Jersey | Registered: January 14, 2007
I have the book, but it was not proofread enough. On page 77 it says Jose Piedra is short fill handmade, but on page 78 and 79 it shows pictures of each size of Jose Piedra and they are listed as long fill handmade.
Page 65 says Guantanamera is machine made, but doesn't say if they are long or short fill. On the next page it listes the sizes as long fill handmade. I know the Cristales are short fill.
on page 72 they forgot to put a comma in the sentence and i couldn't believe they would just let that sentence run on forever and the pictures were quite nice and it is a pretty enjoyab;e read.
Just Kidding, but I do want to check out the book.
******************* "If I had taken my doctor's advice and quit smoking when he advised me to, I wouldn't have lived to go to his funeral." -George burns at age 98
My favorite has always been "Cultivating A Tradition of Perfection"...
Unfortunately, with all the new sizes that have been added recently, and the pending deletion of over a dozen others, some of the information has been superceded.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Extensioncord,
Originally posted by Extensioncord: My favorite has always been "Cultivating A Tradition of Perfection"... Unfortunately, with all the new sizes that have been added recently, and the pending deletion of over a dozen others, some of the information has been superceded.
be careful posting links to sites that sell cigars
Yeah, "Cultivating a Tradition of Perfection" is a good book for information about the habanos process, but doesn't really go into individual cigars. If you have Min Ron Nee's book along with this, you're set.
Posts: 301 | Location: Toronto | Registered: February 02, 2007
Originally posted by kwijibo: Yeah, "Cultivating a Tradition of Perfection" is a good book for information about the habanos process, but doesn't really go into individual cigars. If you have Min Ron Nee's book along with this, you're set.
True, but it does come with a great fold-out poster with examples of every vitola that was in production at the time. I agree, a lot of people who have Min Ron Nee's book should have this one as well as a companion piece, even though it essentially a marketing piece. The photos and presentation are great.
******************* "If I had taken my doctor's advice and quit smoking when he advised me to, I wouldn't have lived to go to his funeral." -George burns at age 98
True, but it does come with a great fold-out poster with examples of every vitola that was in production at the time.
Ahh, I don't think the copy I looked through had this.
Mine came packed in a semi-transulcent sleeve with the main book, the size-chart poster (entitled "The Guide to Habanos Sizes") and a ring-gauge guide with cut-outs for the various sizes. The website for the B&M store Cigars Unlimited in London has photos of the complete package. Other sites do as well but I can't post those.
This is the book that looks like JRs book. It says it has the "Cultivating a Tradition of Perfection" book included.
The Complete Guide - for Habanos Enthusiasts Ref: 0230
A superb compendium featuring every cigar currently available in the World. Comes complete with the informative booklet "Cultivating a Tradition of Perfection" - effectively presenting two books for the price of one ! Also a ring gauge chart and giant poster of all the sizes of cigars currently in production. A definitive publication for any self respecting aficionado.
Originally posted by cohibacristo: This is the book that looks like JRs book. It says it has the "Cultivating a Tradition of Perfection" book included.
The Complete Guide - for Habanos Enthusiasts Ref: 0230
A superb compendium featuring every cigar currently available in the World. Comes complete with the informative booklet "Cultivating a Tradition of Perfection" - effectively presenting two books for the price of one ! Also a ring gauge chart and giant poster of all the sizes of cigars currently in production. A definitive publication for any self respecting aficionado.
I see that. Interesting. Beyond the Cultivating a Tradition piece, is the rest of The Complete Guide - for Habanos Enthusiasts content the same as the JR Book? Did JRs copy the cover or did Altadis produce the book for multiple markets?
When I bought Cultivating a Tradition, it was separate. I didn't see it as part of the larger book.
B.A.S.E. Secretary and #0013 <(0)> R.O.C.A #14 Foreign Affairs Minister - BS
Jason from the same New Jersey that Lew Rothman is based out of? Sorry, I used to be Lew's biggest fan, I found him witty, incorrigible and a great kick in the balls to the anti-smoking lobby. Then his magazine published that article about how we were all ordering cuban cigars online and it pissed me off and I lost all respect for him. Haven't been to the store in Statesville or St. Louis since. And I used to spend many thousands a year in those stores. Don't crap where you eat, I always say.
Posts: 657 | Location: New Orleans, LA | Registered: July 01, 2002
The one and only state. Other than the book, I haven't bought anything in JR's in a while. There's something about their email deals that seem a bit to circus for me.
However, about the book. I'm fairly new to the CC side of things, and have found the book to be of great help. Off hand, I don't know how sizes of certain cigars relate to what I like, so when I see something that's say 5-1/2 X 44, then I can look at the picture and see how it compares to a Partagas Serie D #4. Or something like that.
I have found a few mistakes in it though. The book shows that the Partagas - Serie du Connaisseur No.1 is the same size as the Lusi (which is incorrect). But it prompted me to research the brand some, because I could not figure out why there would be two different names for the same size cigar.
Anyway, all in good fun.
Posts: 205 | Location: New Jersey | Registered: January 14, 2007
I have a UK edition of the Guide. Back in 2003, I won this version in a Hunters & Frankau (H&F) contest for their online cigar club. At the time, H&F was producing these guides for resale through the UK specialist cigar shops. I've seen many cigar shops throughout London with these for sale.
Not sure if the JR version is an exact copy of the H&F UK version, but it looks similar. I've uploaded photos of the edition I received from H&F.
For me, I'd like that vitola chart, or what I would really like is one of those long Habanos posters of the vitolas de galera. If anyone has a spare one of those, we might could barter.
Posts: 657 | Location: New Orleans, LA | Registered: July 01, 2002
