The Tobacconist Handbook: An Essential Guide to Cigars & Pipes

First and foremost, I recommend reading through the Tobacconist University website entirely before you consider purchasing the book. The TU Handbook provides a slightly different experience than the company's website, but will not be necessary for most readers. It is nice to have a hard copy of a book so you can highlight, annotate, etc. However, aside from that, there's no real benefit to shelling out for the book. Information is the same, with only some changes in phrasing.As far as content is concerned, the TU Handbook is an acceptable introduction for consumers, but should not be the main source of learning for a retail, sales, or master tobacconist. The largest section, which I still found a bit anemic, is dedicated to cigar tobacco.The pipe section is severely lacking, much of the book's content seems a little subjective, and it hasn't been updated since 2009. Most people will learn more by joining an online forum or spending some time at their local cigar shop.My greatest issue was the editorialized stance that TU takes on the benefits of cigars, as well as the common hatred of tobacco products. The industry would be better off with a stiff upper lip, instead of quivering and complaining.All in all, you would be better served by purchasing a copy of the Ultimate Cigar Book, or simply dredging the innumerable internet articles and forums that are available.

I was excited for the revised edition, but was quickly disappointed. It includes incorrect information, out-of-date information, and a lot of opinions where facts would be beneficial instead. It may be somewhat acceptable for a beginner, but even then I’d suggest other sources of information instead. There’s too much editorializing and not enough good information.

I bought this because a friend of mine was taking his test as a employee of a cigar shop and said it had a few interesting facts that even he didn't know. I'm a 35+ year cigar smoker and I keep this in my cigar room to stimulate conversation amongst my friends as we smoke cigars and talk. We each read a bit as we pass it around from chair to chair and it brings up topics & explainations that most cigar smokers don't know. I learned quite a few things from this book myself and those that say it's amateurish are totally off base. Every level of cigar smoker can learn a thing or two from this well written book that is easy to read and is just the thing to impress your cigar buddies with your new found expertise next time you meet up to burn a few! If you are serious about cigars, why not own the handbook that pretty much sums up all the nuts & bolts of growing, selecting the leaves, storing the tobacco, rolling, aging, and smoking cigars?

This one disappointed me. It does cover the tobacco field (that's a pun), but rather superficially. For example in a chapter on different rolling techniques, the book lists the main variations, but does not describe them at all! The whole book is like that. Good broad coverage. No detail.

This is one of the best books on tobacco ever. It’s full of detailed information, printed on excellent paper, full of color prints, and bound together with smyth-sewn pages. It’s heirloom quality.

This book is a great read for the beginner and veteran alike. I recently started smoking cigars about a year ago and was looking to educate myself. This book provides a great foundation for cigar smokers and a tiny bit about pipe tobacco and pipes. This is a very easy read and I had read it cover to cover within a few days of it arriving at my doorstep. It is a good book for reference, a reread, coffee table, and a great gift for those that have a love for Lady Tobacum. If you're looking for a well rounded base for the knowledge of cigars, then buy this book in tandem with "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Cigars - by Tad Gage."Further, if you're looking to be a certified tobacconist (http://www.tobacconistuniversity.org), then this is the suggested handbook for that certification. I've not taken the test(s), but I'd have to imagine that you should have some experience beyond just reading this book. In addition, you may want to read the aforementioned book, and purchase a book that targets pipes and pipe tobaccos.If you're looking for a pipe smoking or pipe tobacco book, this isn't for you if that is your main interest. I'm not versed in pipes or associated tobacco, but it did provide a simple introduction to this world and I did learn things I never knew.

This is a must for retailers or anyone interested in the hobby, and is the most comprehensive and accurate coverage of basic premium cigar and pipe knowledge available.

Dear Jorge L. ArmenterosI previewed the book at my local tobacconist-smoking club, and realized that I knew little technical information. I recommend the book for any serious cigar smoker. I have been smoking cigars for 64 years. I especially liked the author's discussion about the "flavors " of cigars. On a recent trip to Cuba in March, 2013 we were hosted by an official of one of the world's most famous cigar makers. I asked him about the "flavors" of cigars-hints of coffee, chocolate, citrus, etc. etc. His reply ,"Larry, our cigars taste like tobacco." The book supports that same notion. I now feel no guilt when a good cigar yields me "just tobacco."I plan to take the consumer certification course soon.Thank you for the opportunity to learn more and to make my cigar smoking experience even more enjoyable.Sincerely,Larry M. Strickland

The only book you need to read about cigars!