The Great Habanos Factories Review

The Great Habanos Factories

by Adriano Martinez Rius

First published in Spanish in 2004, with the English translation arriving in 2005, "The Great Habanos Factories" stands as one of the most comprehensive explorations of Cuba's legendary cigar manufacturing heritage. This substantial hardcover volume spans 223 pages and is presented in an impressive large format measuring 290mm by 240mm, printed on quality paper with full-color reproduction throughout.

The author brings exceptional credentials to this work. Adriano Martinez Rius served as a consultant to the Cuban tobacco industry through both Cubatabaco and Habanos SA until his retirement, giving him unparalleled access to archival materials and institutional knowledge. His expertise was also tapped by Min Ron Nee, for whom Martinez Rius served as honorary consultant on the seminal work "An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Post-Revolutionary Havana Cigars."

What distinguishes this book from lesser references is the depth of research evident on every page. Martinez Rius undertook extensive investigative work to trace the ownership histories and physical locations of Cuba's most significant cigar factories. This scholarly approach transforms what could have been a simple picture book into a serious documentary resource.

The visual presentation is equally impressive. The book features an extensive collection of photographs and lithographic images that bring the factories and their history to life. While the primary focus remains on the great Habanos manufacturing facilities, Martinez Rius also devotes sections to the broader history of cigars and the development of regional cigar industries across Cuba's provinces.

This dual nature—serving as both a visually rich illustrated reference and a rigorously researched documentary record—makes the book particularly valuable. The author's insider perspective, combined with his methodical approach to historical research, ensures that readers gain both factual knowledge and contextual understanding.

For serious cigar enthusiasts and collectors of cigar literature, "The Great Habanos Factories" represents a worthwhile investment. It fills an important niche in cigar scholarship, documenting the physical and corporate history of Cuban cigar production in a way that few other works have attempted.