The Complete Guide For Habanos' Enthusiasts

ActionAndy · 01-03-2009, 09:18 PM

Hey guys. My father got a copy of The Complete Guide For Habanos' Enthusiasts from someone he works with. He had to return it, but we liked it enough to grab our own copy from eBay. There are a few up right now if you search it out.

The book is relatively thin, about the size of a few magazines stacked atop one another. It has a very attractive cover of black, with a pattern of all the marcas' logos in gold. There is no author listed, nor is any publications information available inside.

The table of contents is organized in a very unorthodox manner. While you might expect marcas to be arranged alphabetically, this guide has chosen to arrange the smokes by how widely available they are. Brands like Cohiba and Montecristo appear in the first section, "brands that you can find all over the world." Bolivar is listed as a brand you can find "in most countries," so on and so forth.

While each marca is given a short blurb at the beginning of its dedicated section (including information such as the year founded, number of vitolas and blends, and their relative strengths) the real beauty of this book is in its pictures.

Each stick is depicted at actual size in full color. They are separated by color codings which indicate Heavy, Standard, and Slender ring guages. You will also learn which sticks are completely made by hand, machine assisted, or "mecanizado"--machine mades. There's a handy glossary towards the center, as well as a section for you to write in your personal notes at the back.

Personally I really enjoy having this book. Having the stogies all lined up at actual size can really help you decide what you want to pursue. Of course there are websites and review databases which can do this, but if you're not right next to a computer it's nice to have a handheld field guide. I've already made good use of this book once: I didn't know what stick I was holding, and instead of measuring it with a ruler and gauge, I simply found the Punch section and compared my stick to the pictures.

As far as I know this can be acquired without damaging your wallet. If you like habanos and cigar pics, definitely grab one.

Edit: I did some further research, and I think I should add that this does not include regional or special editions.

Agent11br · 01-04-2009, 09:03 AM

Good to know man, thanks!

01-04-2009, 09:07 AM

linky??

01-04-2009, 05:35 PM

I have the MRN... How does it compare?

groogs · 01-04-2009, 05:59 PM

Thanks for the heads up, it sounds like a useful book.

ActionAndy · 01-04-2009, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyclone

I have the MRN... How does it compare?

I'm sorry to say that I haven't checked that one out. I'd say the MRN is probably more of a complete history, from what I know of it. I like this Guide for the pictures and easy identification. I guess that makes it good for the novice habanos fan.

RichardW · 01-04-2009, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyclone

I have the MRN... How does it compare?

The first came with an order from JR earlier in 2008. I don't recall where the second one came from (or where it went), but it was also a freebie. Good photos though.

Texan in Mexico · 01-04-2009, 07:30 PM

Here is a link:

http://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/rev...lete_guide.htm

They have this book at the LCDH down here. It is a nice manual for sure.

IMHO it serves a distinct purpose than MRN.

ucla695 · 01-05-2009, 09:47 AM

Looks like a cool book. Thanks for the review!

01-03-2009, 09:18 PM	#1
ActionAndy Dayman, Master of Karate Join Date: Dec 2008 First Name: Andy Location: Saratoga Springs, NY Posts: 671 Trading: (7)	The Complete Guide For Habanos' Enthusiasts Hey guys. My father got a copy of The Complete Guide For Habanos' Enthusiasts from someone he works with. He had to return it, but we liked it enough to grab our own copy from eBay. There are a few up right now if you search it out. The book is relatively thin, about the size of a few magazines stacked atop one another. It has a very attractive cover of black, with a pattern of all the marcas' logos in gold. There is no author listed, nor is any publications information available inside. The table of contents is organized in a very unorthodox manner. While you might expect marcas to be arranged alphabetically, this guide has chosen to arrange the smokes by how widely available they are. Brands like Cohiba and Montecristo appear in the first section, "brands that you can find all over the world." Bolivar is listed as a brand you can find "in most countries," so on and so forth. While each marca is given a short blurb at the beginning of its dedicated section (including information such as the year founded, number of vitolas and blends, and their relative strengths) the real beauty of this book is in its pictures. Each stick is depicted at actual size in full color. They are separated by color codings which indicate Heavy, Standard, and Slender ring guages. You will also learn which sticks are completely made by hand, machine assisted, or "mecanizado"--machine mades. There's a handy glossary towards the center, as well as a section for you to write in your personal notes at the back. Personally I really enjoy having this book. Having the stogies all lined up at actual size can really help you decide what you want to pursue. Of course there are websites and review databases which can do this, but if you're not right next to a computer it's nice to have a handheld field guide. I've already made good use of this book once: I didn't know what stick I was holding, and instead of measuring it with a ruler and gauge, I simply found the Punch section and compared my stick to the pictures. As far as I know this can be acquired without damaging your wallet. If you like habanos and cigar pics, definitely grab one. Edit: I did some further research, and I think I should add that this does not include regional or special editions.

01-04-2009, 09:03 AM	#2
Agent11br Smokin @ Got Rocks Join Date: Dec 2008 First Name: Brandon Location: Michigan Posts: 134 Trading: (2)	Re: The Complete Guide For Habanos' Enthusiasts Good to know man, thanks! __________________ "Aerodynamics are for people who can't build engines." -Enzo Ferrari

01-04-2009, 09:07 AM	#3
havana_lover Guest Posts: n/a	Re: The Complete Guide For Habanos' Enthusiasts linky??

01-04-2009, 05:35 PM	#4
Cyclone Guest Posts: n/a	Re: The Complete Guide For Habanos' Enthusiasts I have the MRN... How does it compare?

01-04-2009, 05:59 PM	#5
groogs Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Grant Posts: 1,945 Trading: (62)	Re: The Complete Guide For Habanos' Enthusiasts Thanks for the heads up, it sounds like a useful book.

01-04-2009, 07:30 PM	#8
Texan in Mexico Feeling at Home Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Travis Location: Puerto Morelos, Mexico Posts: 958 Trading: (0)	Re: The Complete Guide For Habanos' Enthusiasts Here is a link: http://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/rev...lete_guide.htm They have this book at the LCDH down here. It is a nice manual for sure. IMHO it serves a distinct purpose than MRN.

01-05-2009, 09:47 AM	#9
ucla695 Neither here, nor there Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Pool Posts: 3,696 Trading: (5)	Re: The Complete Guide For Habanos' Enthusiasts Looks like a cool book. Thanks for the review!