The Cigar Companion: A Connoisseur's Guide

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A politically incorrect subject in these smokeless times, cigars nonetheless receive the royal treatment from journalist Bati. His inside look at this segment of the tobacco industry encompasses history, manufacture, brand names, purchase, and storage. More specifically, aided by old and recent photographs (including a visit to the Cuban state tobacco monopoly), Bati investigates all aspects of the trade and reveals some surprising facts--e.g., cigars were originally sold in bundles covered with pigs' bladders, and Spain imports more cigars than any other European country. The middle (and largest) section is a directory; over 65 companies, from Arturo Fuente to Zino, are featured, each with brand names, labels, and ratings for flavor and quality. Excellent research notes for the curious. Barbara Jacobs


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Now revised for the third time, and including the very latest brands, The Cigar Companion remains the definitive guide to the world's finest handmade cigars, with notes on each brand's origins, smoking qualities, flavor, and aroma. A Cigar Directory with full-size, full-color photographs of the most popular cigars describes all the major Havana, Dominican, and Honduran brands, plus many less-known but equally interesting brands. Information on the cigars featured in the second edition has been updated, and there are now a further eight new brands to consider. The Cigar Companion also explores the process of cigar-making, from cultivation of tobacco leaves to final fermentation, rolling, packing, and shipping. Additional features highlight Cuba's premier growing areas, and go behind the scenes to show how Havana's world-famous cigar factories operate.


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