Around the World in 80 Cigars: Travels of an Epicure by Nick Hammond

Nick Hammond’s Around the World in 80 Cigars: Travels of an Epicure is far more than a niche guide for aficionados. It is a richly textured travelogue that uses the cigar as a passport, a cultural artifact, and a narrative thread to weave together a globe-trotting journey of taste, tradition, and human connection.

At its heart, the book is an act of joyful connoisseurship. Hammond, a seasoned journalist and self-professed epicure, rejects the stuffy elitism often associated with cigar culture. Instead, he approaches his subject with the curiosity of an anthropologist and the enthusiasm of a lifelong learner. The “80 cigars” are not merely rated or reviewed in a vacuum; each serves as a gateway into a specific place and its people. From the hallowed vegas of Cuba’s Pinar del Río and the historic factories of the Dominican Republic to the unexpected cigar scenes in Germany and the Netherlands, Hammond demonstrates that tobacco’s story is inextricably linked to the soil, climate, history, and hands that cultivate and craft it.

The greatest strength of Hammond’s work lies in his vivid, sensory prose. He doesn’t just describe flavors—he evokes the entire experience. Readers can almost feel the humid Caribbean air, smell the rich aroma of aged wrappers in a Havana fábrica, and hear the quiet snip of a cutter and the gentle toast of a foot. His descriptions of flavor profiles—notes of cedar, leather, espresso, or dark cherry—are poetic yet accessible, inviting both novices and experts to appreciate the complexity in each puff.

However, the cigar is ultimately the vehicle, not the sole destination. The true soul of the book resides in the characters Hammond meets: the multi-generational torcedores (rollers) whose hands move with unconscious artistry, the passionate shop owners preserving rituals of hospitality, and the fellow enthusiasts from all walks of life who gather in lounges and on terraces worldwide. Through these encounters, Hammond explores the cigar’s unique social role as a catalyst for conversation, contemplation, and camaraderie. It becomes a symbol of slowing down in a frenetic world, a ritual that demands presence and patience.

Structurally, the book is an engaging episodic journey. Chapters are organized geographically, each a self-contained vignette that builds toward a fuller understanding of a global passion. This makes it perfect for leisurely, intermittent reading—much like enjoying a cigar itself. Hammond also deftly sprinkles in necessary historical context and practical knowledge, from the science of fermentation to the etiquette of cutting and lighting, without ever letting the narrative become a textbook.

A potential criticism might be that the book orbits a luxury pursuit, one with inherent health implications that the author, while not promotional, does not deeply interrogate. Yet, Hammond’s project is not a debate about vice but a celebration of craft and culture. He writes from a place of genuine respect for the traditions and livelihoods tied to this ancient art.

In conclusion, Around the World in 80 Cigars is a triumph of specialized travel writing. Nick Hammond has crafted a book that will undoubtedly delight cigar enthusiasts, but its appeal is broader. It is for anyone interested in the stories behind artisanal crafts, the subtle textures of different cultures, and the simple, profound pleasures of a journey taken with all five senses engaged. It is a warmly written, intelligent, and immersive testament to the idea that sometimes, to truly understand a place, you need to sit down, light up, and listen.