Shanken's Cigar Handbook

Cigar aficionados experience a premium cigar the way wine lovers cherish a bottle from a great vintage. Just as the pleasures of a fine wine extend beyond the moment you drink it, a good cigar can be enjoyed well before the moment it is smoked. Each element offers an opportunity for appreciation— from the aroma of the tobacco, the color of the wrapper, and the firmness of the roll to the cleanness of the cut, the quality of the burn, and, of course, the taste of the smoke.
Here, from the editor and publisher of Cigar Aficionado magazine, is a complete guide to the cigar-smoking experience. Drawing on the expertise compiled in dozens of issues of his magazine, Marvin R. Shanken shows you how to navigate a market in which premium cigars are more and more in demand—and less and less available. With his guidance, you'll learn how to find a knowledgeable tobacconist, how to identify; develop, and expand your tastes, and how to select cigars you'll enjoy. You'll also learn the proper way to cut. light, hold, and smoke a cigar, important tips on cigar-store and smoking etiquette, and how best to store your cigars for long-term enjoyment.