Perelman's Pocket Cyclopaedia of Havana Cigars
Author: Richard B. Perelman | Publisher: Perelman, Pioneer & Company
For the serious cigar aficionado seeking a portable reference guide, Richard B. Perelman's compact encyclopaedia represents a noteworthy contribution to cigar literature. Published across three editions spanning nearly a decade, this series offers a methodical documentation of Havana's cigar offerings through the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Publication History
The series debuted with its first edition in 1996, though it carried a 1997 date on the cover. This initial release comprised 108 pages. A substantially expanded second edition arrived in 1998, growing to 164 pages. The third and final edition appeared in 2005, reaching 186 pages. A companion volume focusing on non-Cuban cigars supplemented this series, published annually from 1995 through 2011.
Format and Design
True to its "pocket" designation, each edition measures approximately 153mm by 106mm—comparable to A6 paper size. The soft-cover booklets include select colour illustrations, making them practical companions for travel or shop visits.
Content Structure
All three editions follow an identical organizational framework, beginning with an introduction followed by six dedicated sections:
- Cuba, Cohiba and Tobacco — Background on the island nation and its iconic leaf
- From Farm to Factory — The production journey from cultivation to rolling
- Havana Brands and Sizes — Comprehensive cigar listings
- Havana Brand History — The stories behind celebrated marques
- Smoking & Storing — Practical guidance for enthusiasts
- References — Source documentation
What This Book Does (and Doesn't Do)
Readers should understand that Perelman's work functions purely as a reference resource. The author does not evaluate or score individual cigars; instead, he catalogs factual data for research purposes. This approach makes the guide valuable for collectors tracking production details rather than consumers seeking smoking recommendations.
Cigar Listings and Classification
The brand and size sections organize cigars into four distinct categories:
- Current production handmade cigars
- Discontinued handmade cigars
- Current production machine-made cigars
- Discontinued machine-made cigars
Both active and retired brands receive coverage, with special release information incorporated within each brand's entry. The first two editions identified cigars using both their commercial market names and factory vitola designations (including corresponding numbers). The 2005 third edition modified this approach, listing cigars by commercial name and shape only—omitting the factory nomenclature.
Value for the Modern Reader
The general information sections deliver concise, helpful summaries that remain relevant for understanding Cuban cigar fundamentals. However, the specific cigar catalogs have aged considerably. The Habanos S.A. portfolio underwent substantial transformations after 2005, rendering the product lists largely outdated for contemporary reference.
That said, each edition captures a distinct moment in Cuban cigar history. For researchers, collectors, and historians, these volumes serve as valuable time capsules—preserving the state of Havana's cigar offerings at three specific points across a transformative decade in the industry.