A REFERENCE book on the CULTURE and appreciation of CIGARS

A handsome object, noble and harmonious with its discreetly suave colouring, the cigar appeals to the senses with restraint and elegance. But what, really, is a cigar?

First of all, it is a product of the very ancient civilizations of South and Central America and the Caribbean, transmitted via Europe to the entire world.

Secondly, it is the result of a long and complex agricultural and hand-crafting process that requires knowledge and skill amounting to artistic creation from all those involved.

Lastly, it is a refined and serene pleasure, in which the mastery of the craftspeople is echoed in the emotions of connoisseurs devoting their capacity for artistic appreciation to the cigar.

Around these three themes, this book invites the reader to a subtle tasting and unlocks some of the cigar’s mysteries.

The author takes the standpoint of technical expert, enthusiast and humanist to depict the life of the cigar, from the first tobacco seed to the last moment of tasting.

Along the nearly 320 pages of the manuscript, around 100 illustrations from 6 talented artists explicitly clarify certain concepts, illustrate many contents or just beautifully embellish the pages of the book.

The book is presented in 11 chapters and in 2 volumes:

VOLUME I

Chapter I – A Brief History
Chapter II – The Terroir, the Man and the Plant
Chapter III – From Seeds to Green Leaves
Chapter IV – From Green Leaves to Brown
Chapter V – From Brown Leaves to Cigars
Chapter VI – Leaves and Blending, Behind the Scenes

VOLUME II

Chapter VII – Mechanisms of Cigar Tasting
Chapter VIII – Cigar Appreciation and Enjoyment
Chapter IX – Cigar Conservation and Ageing
Chapter X – Misfortunes That May Befall Cigars
Chapter XI – Sensory Analysis and Judging