literature recommendations
Book Recommendations
Thomas Brunnschweiler: Raucherfreuden. Das Hohe C der Cigarre
Kontrast Verlag, Zürich 2006
136 pages, EUR 22,-
In this lovingly illustrated volume, Swiss journalist and author Thomas Brunnschweiler, known for his columns and essays in the Neue Zürcher Zeitung and the magazine Cigar, explores the phenomenon of smoking from a cultural perspective.
Richard Carleton Hacker: Die Welt der Zigarre
Heyne Verlag, Munich 2001
319 pages, EUR 28.-
An informative and entertaining book with many interesting stories to tell. Less suitable as a guide for taste preferences.
Anwer Bati: Zigarren. Der Guide für Kenner und Genießer
Heyne Verlag, Munich 2003
224 pages, EUR 26.-
A brief and concise description of the most important brands, along with useful tips, providing aficionados with guidance in the world of cigars.
Gérard Père et Fils: Havanna. Die Königin der Zigarren
Hallwag Verlag, Bern/Stuttgart 1996
143 pages, out of print but available second-hand
This opulent volume, filled with numerous photographs, is entirely dedicated to the Havanna, the Cuban cigar. Particularly informative are the detailed descriptions of each cigar.
Charles del Todesco: Havanna. Hommage an eine Zigarre.
Heyne Verlag, Munich 1997
227 pages, EUR 52.-
An elaborately designed book that is also a declaration of love for Cuba's "brown gold". The extensive appendix offers a wealth of information and illustrations of cigars in their actual size.
Magazine Recommendations
Pipe & Cigar (now discontinued)
This quarterly publication was the best magazine for cigars, events, and addresses in Germany, as other magazines often covered events outside of the Alps, making them less relevant in practice.
Cigar Journal (Austria)
EUR 6.-
Also published quarterly, it primarily focuses on the Austrian market. However, the numerous tastings are useful for German readers as well, as they go beyond merely assigning a rating, attempting to describe the taste in detail. You can order the Cigar Journal here.
Cigar (Switzerland)
EUR 9,-
Also published four times a year, Cigar mainly provides information on the Swiss market. With its beautiful layout and thoughtful approach, this magazine focuses less on practical advice and more on the pleasurable and reflective aspects of cigar smoking.
Cigar Aficionado (USA)
This magazine, published quarterly, with Marvin R. Shanken as editor-in-chief and publisher, launched and continues to lead the "Cigar Craze" in the United States. Shanken, by the way, is the one who purchased John F. Kennedy's humidor for nearly half a million dollars. For German aficionados, this glossy magazine is of little practical use, as many brands featured are not available in Europe, such as the substitute brands for Cuban cigars. The tests are not particularly relevant, as they provide metric evaluations with only a few words on flavor. However, the magazine is excellent for inspiration and casual reading, with some issues exceeding 500 pages!
Smoke (USA)
Also published quarterly, this magazine may initially appear to be a copy of Cigar Aficionado. However, its cigar evaluations are much more detailed. Nonetheless, most of the cigars featured are not available in Europe. Interesting is Smoke's inclusion of a pipe supplement, suggesting that the pipe may regain popularity in the shadow of the cigar—with the usual transatlantic time lag of two to four years.
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