So for those of you that don’t know there is a brand new cigar book available to cigar newbies, enthusiasts and connoisseurs at James J Fox, it’s called El Habano Modern: A Collector’s Guide to Cuban Cigars and it’s written by Aussie author Alexander Groom.
Some of you may already be familiar with his name, as he is the guy that took over the running of the Cuban Cigar Website at cubancigarwebsite.com from founder Trevor Leask – together they have created ‘the world’s best Cuban Cigar information website’ 🚀 and it’s been running since 2006.
The book is the physical embodiment of the website – essentially a modern day encyclopedia dedicated to Cuban cigars.
And yes if you are a cigar connoisseur you may well be familiar with Min Ron Nee’s renowned contributions to the world of Cuban Cigars, by the publication of his magnificent and very rare, hard to find book An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Post-Revolution Havana Cigars.
Alexander and Trevor collaborated with Min, drawing upon his guidance, insights, and overall wisdom, which were integrated into the website and presumably influenced this recent publication. There is also a dedication to him at the start of the book.
My experience
I initially learned about the Cuban cigar website from a fellow cigar enthusiast – a big shout out to Paul if you’re reading this 🙌. Upon discovering it for the first time, I was astonished by the extensive resource it provided for Cuban cigars – a go-to destination.
In 2022, I heard about the Kickstarter campaign announcing the publication of the physical book capturing the essence of the website’s database. This made its way into the hands of the first original backers of the book in July 2023.
Check out this great little interview with Alexander Groom here:
I had to buy a copy for myself. I ordered it in September 2023 from the publisher Helios House Press, and this is by far the most expensive book I’ve ever purchased at £155 (this included postage and shipping fees) 😲🤯.
Once it arrived, I didn’t want to open it, as I wanted it to be a special occasion when I did.
In February 2024, that special occasion occurred just after I spotted a post on James J Fox’s Instagram account stating that Alex was in the UK and would be making an appearance in the store the next day!
This was the perfect chance to 1) check out JJ Fox’s new humidor, 2) open the book for the first time and 3) meet the guy behind the book!
What an excellent buy! This book is ideal for unwinding with a cigar. With over 700 pages, it’s definitely a substantial read – and you get your money’s worth. As I delved into it, I was pleasantly surprised to discover mentions of 32 Cuban cigar brands, five more than I was aware of previously. Among them, brands like Belinda were unfamiliar to me. The book provided fascinating insights into different formats, limited editions, and regional cigars, leaving me thoroughly impressed!
It is is divided into two distinct sections…
The first section embarks on a captivating journey through the history of the Cuban cigar industry, culminating in the present-day market. Offering intricate insights into the complex processes underpinning cigar production, this section also provides readers with in-depth analyses of the techniques and methodologies required for dating and authenticating Cuban cigars.
The second section delves deep into the realm of contemporary Cuban cigar production, commencing from the early 2000s and extending through to mid-2022 when the book was finalised. With over 1,000 Havana cigars showcased within its pages, each accompanied by high-quality imagery, this section offers a wealth of information pertaining to dimensions, packaging, release dates, production quantities, and a plethora of captivating trivia.
Now that I had a peek at the book, I went to James J Fox in St James London, the world’s oldest cigar merchant. You can read more from a previous visit here.
The new walk-in humidor looked fantastic! Massimo of DeArt made it – a total refresh from what was there before.
What cigar would I purchase and take up to the sampling lounge for this occasion? I chose, of course, the new Fox House Blend – the Piramides cigar. A cigar I have yet to try – the Canonazo, Robusto, and Churchill were all excellent – so I was looking forward to sampling this newer release.
You can find more details about that particular cigar below:
Fox House Blend Piramide
From £26.00
- Strength : 3
- Length : 6”
- Ring Gauge : 52
- Origin : Honduras
- Vitola : Piramide
I was fully armed and went up to the cigar sampling lounge and spotted some familiar faces. After cutting and lighting my cigar, I chatted with folk in the lounge, and Alex appeared. He was a down-to-earth guy from Australia on his way to the 24th Habano Festival in Cuba, which starts next week on the 26th February. Alex talked about the book in more detail and answered tons of questions from everyone. He was also happy to sign everyone’s books. Unfortunately, I didn’t bring mine with me as it was too heavy, which I regret now.
There are plans to release future inserts for the book to keep it up to date, and during his trip here in the UK, he was photographing some of the cigars he has yet to have access to in some of the stores he visited during his trip.
Alex also stopped by some of the city’s main cigar shops, including Davidoff of London, Cgars Ltd, and No 6 Cavendish.
If you share a passion for the art of cigar collecting and appreciation, El Habano Moderno promises to be a treasure trove of knowledge and a source of inspiration. Whether as an addition to your personal collection or a gift for someone special, this book undoubtedly serves as a testament to the enduring allure of Cuban cigars and the dedication of those who celebrate them.
Order your copy now at James J Fox for the UK retail price £175.
Keep an eye out for Alex at the Habanos Festival, as that is his next stop and hopefully we will get to see him return to the UK again in the near future! 🙏
Also make sure you pop in to see the new walk in humidor at James J Fox
You can visit James J Fox at:
19 St James’s Street,
London, SW1A 1ES.
Contact: 020 7930 3787 or freddie@jjfox.co.uk
https://www.jjfox.co.uk/
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