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The Ultimate Cigar Book: 4th Edition Hardcover – Illustrated, June 2, 2015

4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 2,179 ratings

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The Ultimate Cigar Book is a classic on the subject, covering everything from how cigars are made, to storage, etiquette, and accessories.

Richard Carleton Hacker’s category bestselling is often credited with helping to create a new generation of cigar aficionados. No other book contains as much detailed and factual information on virtually every facet of cigar making and cigar smoking. And now this trendsetting has been revised in this fourth edition for the aficionado of the future!

Forget 1492. This book starts out in B. C. (Before Columbus) and transports the cigar enthusiast on a fun and fact-filled adventure into virtually every realm of today’s popular and growing cigar smoking pastime. Written by one of the most knowledgeable and internationally-celebrated pipe and cigar authors of our time, Richard Carleton Hacker’s well-known wit and wisdom will keep the reader enthralled with every turn of the page, as he takes you on an information-packed would tour of cigars.

Starting off with a history of cigar smoking, the author then shows us how cigars are made today (handmade, handrolled, and machine made), divulges the secrets of finding the “perfect” cigar, and discusses the ritual of smoking and how to properly care for and store our cigars. From there the book lists a number of innovative cigar accessories, suggests which beers, wines, whiskeys, brandies, and cognacs go with what cigars, enlightens us with a chapter on cigar smoking celebrities, and concludes with the world’s first International Compendium of virtually every cigar brand known today, complete with histories and observations on taste, according to the author’s HPH (Highly Prejudiced Hacker-Scale) ratings. If that was not enough, there is even a dictionary of CigarSpeak!

The Ultimate Cigar Book is the most comprehensive, factual, and up-to-date book for the cigar smoker or for those who just want to learn more about the fascinating and popular world of cigar smoking.
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From the Publisher

The three distinct shades of the three tobaccos used in cigar constructions

The three distinct shades of the three basic tobaccos used in cigar construction: (l.) Seco, (r.) Ligero, and (bottom) Volado. The strength of their flavors corresponds to the depth of the color of the leaves.

The marble head, or rounded cap, is the traditional way of finishing a premium cigar

The marble head, or rounded cap, is the traditional way of finishing a premium cigar.

These early twentieth century boxed Cuban cigars bring top dollar on today's collector market

These early twentieth century boxed Cuban cigars bring top dollar on today's collector market.

Rare set of Austrian brass cigar shape gauges

This rare set of Austrian brass cigar shape gauges, which date from the late nineteenth century, were used by Vienna's cigar makers to insure quality control.

A smooth, oily, and blemish-free wrapper foretells of a flavorful smoke yet to come

A smooth, oily, and blemish-free wrapper foretells of a flavorful smoke yet to come. This is a hallmark of premium cigars such as the Ashton ESG (Estate Sun Grown).

Nicaraguan cigars have enjoyed increased popularity in recent years

Nicaraguan cigars have enjoyed increased popularity in recent years, primarily because of the rich, earthy taste of that country's tobaccos.

Consecutively numbered Padron Millennium cigars came out in 2000

Consecutively numbered Padron Millennium cigars (the 1964 Series) came out in 2000 and were only available in a limited edition of one thousand individually numbered humidors.

These whiskies are especially suitable for medium-full to full flavored cigars

These whiskies are especially suitable for medium-full to full flavored cigars. Dalmore even makes a special single malt especially for cigar smokers.

Cognac and cigars are a classic paring

Cognac and cigars are a classic paring.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Richard Carleton Hacker is one of the world’s foremost authorizes on the subjects of cigars and cigar smoking. Christened “The Cigar Czar” by the news media, he has written more than three hundred articles on the topic. Om 1994, he was knighted by the Internationales Tabakskoliegium in Germany for his numerous writings on the subject of tobacco. He lives in Sherman Oaks, California.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Skyhorse; Fourth edition (June 2, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 392 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1632206579
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1632206572
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.82 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1.2 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 2,179 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
2,179 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book informative and entertaining, providing great information about cigars and tobacco. They describe it as a great reference with colorful pictures and engaging content. Readers appreciate the book's value for money and consider it one of the best investments they have made. They enjoy learning about the history of tobacco and cigars from this book.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

123 customers mention "Readability"123 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and well-written. They describe it as a great reference for cigar enthusiasts and consider it a one-of-a-kind edition. The author is described as an engaging writer and the book is described as helpful.

"First readability is good. So much valuable information, but doesn't have a textbook feel at any point. It very refreshing to enjoy start to finish...." Read more

"Really good book if you like cigar's. A must grab" Read more

"This was an interesting read. It's full of information about cigars, from the history of them and the brands, to how they're made, how to purchase,..." Read more

"Well written very accurate for Cigar enthusiasts and Lots of cigar history a book every one should have!" Read more

57 customers mention "Information quality"53 positive4 negative

Customers find the book informative and entertaining. It provides great information on cigars and their history. They find it a useful reference with interesting facts and anecdotes. The book helps readers understand the various variables they never considered.

"First readability is good. So much valuable information, but doesn't have a textbook feel at any point. It very refreshing to enjoy start to finish...." Read more

"...n't gone through the whole book yet, however, what I have read is very informative and at times humerous." Read more

"...The short review: A really good reference and history book that a serious cigar hobbyist should have in their library, just ignore the author's..." Read more

"...'s first cigar companion book, I've found it enjoyable and full of expert info, from the basics to the more erudite facts...." Read more

23 customers mention "Enjoyment"23 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and informative. They appreciate the history of cigars and find it refreshing to read from start to finish. The book introduces a wonderful hobby in an entertaining way.

"...It very refreshing to enjoy start to finish. So much about the cigar world history, types, knowledge of brands...." Read more

"...book yet, however, what I have read is very informative and at times humerous." Read more

"This was an interesting read...." Read more

"...about sizing and make and the cigar manufacters.. it grabs you attention from the beginning. It reads like a book w knowledge of an encyclopedia" Read more

16 customers mention "Gift value"16 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's gift value.

"...My son is an avid cigar lover. This is a perfect gift to help a cigar lover learn more about what they are smoking, how they're made, where they..." Read more

"...Great quality. Collors. Information in the book. Makes a great gift for cigars smoker. If you are new to cigars like me its wery educational...." Read more

"Excellent book. . Great gift. Highly recommend. A must." Read more

"Great Christmas gift for a cigar connoisseur!" Read more

8 customers mention "Design"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's design. They find it visually appealing with thick, colorful pages and pictures. The 4th edition features color photos and updates.

"...With the world of cigars being such a richly visual field, it would make for a much meatier and enjoyable publication...." Read more

"...4th edition has color pictures and various updates. Also, FWIW, RCH recognized the worth of bourbon way before the current boom...." Read more

"...Everything cigar! Nice and thick colorful pages. Going to purchase a couple more for gifts." Read more

"Bought for bar in our home and it’s a great decor and conversation piece" Read more

8 customers mention "Smoke content"8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's content on smoking cigars properly. They find it informative about cigar companies, accessories for smoking, and the rich history of smoking.

"...and factories, knows all the major players and has smoked probably every cigar under the sun..." Read more

"MUST BUY! Nice quality book with quality content. Everything cigar! Nice and thick colorful pages. Going to purchase a couple more for gifts." Read more

"...how the cigars are made who the cigars are made by and accessories for cigar smoking." Read more

"...favorite stogie and take a journey through the rich and historical world of smoking." Read more

8 customers mention "Value for money"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's value for money. They say it's a great investment and a nice history read.

"Worth the money, good information." Read more

"Im surprised that this book cost so little. Great quality. Collors. Information in the book. Makes a great gift for cigars smoker...." Read more

"Excellent read. Very informative. Definitely worth purchasing...." Read more

"...It was priced perfectly for the amount I spend on Valentine's day and was a great resource for him. He loves it!..." Read more

6 customers mention "Interest in tobacco history"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book interesting with its tobacco history and useful information about cigars. They appreciate the thorough explanation of terms regarding cigars and their tobaccos.

"...Chapter 8 is interesting but not particularly helpful...." Read more

"Well written very accurate for Cigar enthusiasts and Lots of cigar history a book every one should have!" Read more

"The first chapter in, alone you will learn a very interesting story about tobacco and Christopher Columbus.. And how some drama played out when..." Read more

"love the history and thorough explanation of all the terms regarding cigar ingredients, sizes, etc." Read more

Ultimate Cigar Book Is incredible
5 out of 5 stars
Ultimate Cigar Book Is incredible
This book cover alone is so nice to see sitting on my table. The photos are exceptional throughout..The book is heavy and really bound nicely. They take you on a journey throughout the incredible history of cigars. You will read about sizing and make and the cigar manufacters.. it grabs you attention from the beginning. It reads like a book w knowledge of an encyclopedia
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2024
    First readability is good. So much valuable information, but doesn't have a textbook feel at any point. It very refreshing to enjoy start to finish. So much about the cigar world history, types, knowledge of brands. It's one that will stay on my shelf and no be donated or sold at a garage sale. One I would not hesitate lending to a friend that enjoyed cigars. I highly recommend.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2024
    Haven't gone through the whole book yet, however, what I have read is very informative and at times humerous.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2024
    Really good book if you like cigar's. A must grab
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2020
    This was an interesting read. It's full of information about cigars, from the history of them and the brands, to how they're made, how to purchase, store, and smoke them, and regional preferences and habits. However, the book doesn't read like a standard history and interest book but more like a conversation. One should read this book as if the author was talking to you in a smokeasy while you were each relaxing with your own cigar, thus hearing his point of view and experience in the hobby.

    The short review: A really good reference and history book that a serious cigar hobbyist should have in their library, just ignore the author's occasional hubris.

    My complaints:
    The author toots his own horn multiple times, for example "..so if you see it elsewhere, you'll know where it came from -- this book". For me, coming from the software engineering world, this sounds like something a marketing person would do and -- what do you know -- that's the world he came from. It's a turn-off for me. If I'm dying to know where it came from I'll look at the references or footnotes.

    Pictures are not great and several would be better (have more impact) if they were larger in size. Same for some of the illustrations, particularly the primary growing regions. The one picture that makes no sense in terms of visual information is the one of the five cigars showing the shading of five wrapper colors, from maduro to claro, and it's in black & white! I think having a professional photography editor would be very helpful in the overall aesthetic and visual information characteristics of the book.

    His self-branded HPH scale seems superfluous given many popular cigar outlets already give a scale of light/mild, medium, or full and thus smokers would adjust their tastes accordingly.

    While I like examples, some of the metaphors used aren't common enough for the larger "common [middle class] person" demographic and could turn off some readers. For example, in the way he describes the word "different" as "...the way Beef Wellington is different from Chateaubriand." I think far more people would get the meaning if "Mercedes" and "BMW" were used instead.

    Chapter 7 was boring and seemed more like an excuse to name names than pair the highly subjective tastes of spirits to cigar builds (binder, filler, wrapper combinations). Rums go great with cigars but that was given little press and barely a sip was given to coffee; not a spirit, agreed, but quite popular with cigars nonetheless! It might as well have been a chapter on pairing cigars with exotic cars, flowers, or sneakers.

    Chapter 8 is interesting but not particularly helpful. The history aspect of some of the brands is good but references to specific cigars I found immaterial.

    Given the wealth of information spattered throughout this book an index would be a very smart move for the next edition, especially for Chapter 8!

    Overall:
    A good source of information that I recommend getting for the cigar enthusiast. Being American I liked knowing about how other countries consume cigars; how the brands spread from Cuba, where they are popular, etc. There's so much information that I learned (e.g. "dry" cigars!) so I really do appreciate and understand the dedication and knowledge collection the author has but let's see just a little less of that self-marketing braggadocio in his next edition.
    37 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2024
    Well written very accurate for Cigar enthusiasts and Lots of cigar history a book every one should have!
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 29, 2024
    I recently started smoking cigars. A good friend took me to a Cigar lounge. The fellowship of the people at the lounge, and the relaxation I get from them has been priceless. I came across this book, and got an incredible history of Cigars for the last 500 years in the New World. Now I can understand the shapes, sizes, flavor ranges, and all the different families behind all the best brands. Highly recommend reading this book.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2024
    Gave this a part of a gift to my coworker that loves cigars. He loved it !
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2023
    This book cover alone is so nice to see sitting on my table. The photos are exceptional throughout..
    The book is heavy and really bound nicely. They take you on a journey throughout the incredible history of cigars. You will read about sizing and make and the cigar manufacters.. it grabs you attention from the beginning. It reads like a book w knowledge of an encyclopedia
    Customer image
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ultimate Cigar Book Is incredible
    Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2023
    This book cover alone is so nice to see sitting on my table. The photos are exceptional throughout..
    The book is heavy and really bound nicely. They take you on a journey throughout the incredible history of cigars. You will read about sizing and make and the cigar manufacters.. it grabs you attention from the beginning. It reads like a book w knowledge of an encyclopedia
    Images in this review
    Customer image Customer image
    Customer imageCustomer image
    2 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Mike Homsy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for Beginners and Aficionados
    Reviewed in Canada on December 28, 2024
    I picked this up when I was just getting into cigars, and it’s been amazing. The knowledge it provides is top-notch—I feel like a connoisseur now! On top of that, it’s a great coffee table book for the cigar lounge. Informative, classy, and a must-have for any cigar enthusiast.
  • Sparky F
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 31, 2024
    Love the layout and style of writing. Very informative
  • Quin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Para quem quer saber mais de charutos
    Reviewed in Brazil on March 21, 2021
    Excelente livro para quem quer aprender mais da história de charutos, além de dicas e uma lista com o nome de várias marcas. Excelente
  • NaleKing
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
    Reviewed in Germany on June 12, 2023
    Amazing book for any cigar lover, looks great, very informative and captivating content.
    Good seller, quick delivery!!
  • Marco Antonio Granados Contreras
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ok
    Reviewed in Mexico on March 3, 2020