An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Post-Revolution Havana Cigars Review

An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Post-Revolution Havana Cigars

By Min Ron Nee – First Edition

For the serious student of Cuban tobacco, few publications command as much respect as this comprehensive reference work. First published in English during January 2003, with a second printing issued in July 2005, this substantial volume has earned its reputation as perhaps the definitive resource on Havana cigars produced after the Cuban Revolution.

The book spans 492 pages in a generous large-format hardcover presentation, measuring 305mm by 235mm. Printed in full colour on quality paper stock, it serves as both an authoritative reference and a visually appealing addition to any cigar library. The July 2005 reprint addressed minor errors from the initial printing, though it contained no new content.

International Editions

The work's significance extended beyond English-speaking audiences. A Spanish translation, rendered by José Ilario—the publisher of Spain's Epicur Magazine—reached readers in December 2003. The German edition followed in January 2005, translated by Christoph Wolters and published by Rolf Schallowetz through AWM-Verlag. Notably, the German version expanded to 520 pages, incorporating supplementary details on subsequent cigar releases.

Structure and Approach

What distinguishes this encyclopaedia is its thoughtful organisation. The author employed a dictionary-style format, allowing readers to locate information efficiently. A clever colour-coding system distinguishes between primary text, the author's personal observations, commentary from Honorary Consultant Adriano Martinez Rius, and production status details. This visual hierarchy makes the substantial content far more navigable than a conventional narrative format would allow.

Particularly valuable are the author's insights regarding tasting notes, with special attention given to how cigars develop and transform with age. For collectors and enthusiasts who cellar their cigars, this guidance proves indispensable.

Historical Snapshot

Readers should understand that this first edition captures the Habanos portfolio as it existed on 31 December 2002. Naturally, production statuses have shifted, many cigars have been discontinued, and releases after 2003 find no mention here—except in the expanded German edition. Yet this temporal limitation hardly diminishes the book's worth. For understanding the heritage, evolution, and historical context of post-revolutionary Cuban cigars, this reference remains unmatched.

The author, writing under the pen name "Min Ron Nee," has acknowledged that the original publication represented something of a compromise. Space constraints forced the exclusion of certain information to maintain a manageable page count near 500 pages. Additionally, the production timeline was compressed to meet a promised deadline for the February 2003 Habanos Festival.

The Unfulfilled Second Edition

Plans existed for a substantially revised and expanded second edition, originally scheduled to debut at the Frankfurt Book Fair in October 2014. This ambitious project was conceived as a deluxe limited edition of merely 2,000 sets. Each set would have comprised six large folio volumes totalling approximately 2,400 pages, accompanied by a specially crafted bamboo display stand. Regrettably, this magnificent undertaking has been postponed indefinitely, leaving the first edition as the primary resource for serious cigar scholars.

Verdict

This encyclopaedia stands as an essential acquisition for anyone genuinely interested in Cuban cigars. Its scholarship, presentation, and depth of information justify its reputation as arguably the ultimate book on post-revolutionary Havana cigars. Both informative and authoritative, it belongs on the shelf of every serious aficionado.