Innehållsförteckning för March/April 2017 från Cigar Aficionado

8highlightsMany believe that there is no better time than now to be a cigar lover, and with 30 cigars scoring 90 points or higher in our most recent taste test, it’s hard to argue against this sentiment. One smoke, though, stood out: Cuba’s Cohiba Esplendido, which rated a whopping 95 points in our blind review—a classic score for a classic brand. If you can’t get your hands on the famous Churchill, plenty of smokes from other countries scored well in this tasting. Two 93-pointers from Nicaragua topped the figurado and corona gorda categories, while three cigars, one Honduran and two Cubans, tied at 92 points to lead the robustos. Meanwhile, six cigars in the panetela group scored 91 points. If you enjoy data, check out our story that breaks down…

What do you do when your team converts a come-from-behind victory in one of the greatest games ever played? If you’re Patriots’ owner Robert Kraft, you hand out great cigars. Super Bowl LI certainly qualified for such a cigar moment. Tom Brady cemented his standing among the NFL’s greatest with a stunning second-half comeback and a game-winning drive in overtime to claim his fifth Super Bowl ring and fourth MVP accolade. Records abounded. It was the first Super Bowl to go to overtime, the greatest comeback ever staged in the NFL’s biggest game, a record for most rings by a starting Super Bowl quarterback (Brady earned one for the thumb) as well as for head coach Bill Belichick, New England’s fearless leader. Kraft has more than his share of Super…

It’s called the trucker jacket, but it might just as well have been dubbed the biker, the rebel, the protester, the hippie, the rocker or any other name that says counterculture chic. The Levi’s denim jacket was born as work wear, but found its true niche when worn by such brooding antiheroes as James Dean, Steve McQueen and the Marlboro Man. They made it a permanent part of the American wardrobe by exuding cool (not chores) and hinting at danger (not drudgery). The first Levi’s jacket evolved from denim work shirts manufactured by the San Francisco company that made rugged jeans popular in the Old West. In 1905, Levi’s debuted a boxy jacket, with one breast pocket and a belt in the small of the back to cinch it. Minor…

Fidel Castro and a New York insurance lawyer named James Donovan stood together on the tarmac of San Antonio de los Baños Airfield in Cuba and watched as hundreds of just-released prisoners of war boarded a caravan of planes bound for Miami. It was December 23, 1962. Only the night before, Castro had given Donovan an ornate humidor filled to the brim with 200 cigars—a gift to celebrate the successful culmination of a long, contentious set of negotiations to gain the freedom of the CIA-led exile invasion force defeated and captured at the Bay of Pigs in April 1961. Donovan was the most famous international negotiator in the United States, if not the world. In early 1962, he had arranged a prisoner exchange with the Kremlin—the release of Francis Gary…

It’s doubtful you managed to keep your eye on the ball during your entire 18 holes—South Africa is one of the most visually stunning countries you’re likely to ever visit. After your round, you may want to take in some of that beauty at a different 19th hole, say a winery. South Africa’s wine industry dates back to the 17th century colonization of the Cape by European settlers—mainly Dutch and French. They came with a hodgepodge of grapevines, and eventually built a good little business until phylloxera ravaged the vineyards in the 19th century. When they rebuilt, Cape wine growers tended to focus on quantity rather than quality, making jug wines and brandy. When apartheid ended, opening South Africa to the rest of the world, the wine industry realized it…

It’s the Churchill that all Churchills aspire to be, and the cigar that all enthusiasts hope to smoke at least once in their lives: The Cuban Cohiba Esplendido. It scored 95 points, which is classic on Cigar afiCionado’s 100-point scale, and is by far the most complex, sophisticated cigar of the entire issue. These particular Esplendidos didn’t come from wooden boxes, but from the handy three-packs made of heavy card-stock paper. Some say that Habanos puts inferior cigars in the smaller packages because the consumer can’t inspect them for quality. This test soundly debunks that rumor. There’s excellent aging potential for a cigar such as this one, but with a score of 95 points, who can wait?…

As often as we bemoan the lonsdale’s decrease in popularity, we appreciate the companies that still produce these elegant smokes and commend the cigarmakers who make them well. The Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Lonsdale scored 91 points achieving top marks in the category. This cigar teaches the smoker some important lessons in preconceived notions. By appearances, one might think this is a tepid cigar—it isn’t. The wrapper may not be dark, but the cigar is loaded with complex flavors that unfold with each puff. Another thing to remember: large cigar companies can make great cigars. In the case of the Romeo y Julieta, the largest cigar company outscored the smaller producers. However, calling Norteño a small producer would be a misnomer. The Lonsdale scored 90 points. Norteño is a…

Cuban cigars evoke vivid images. Upon lighting a Partagás Lusitania, a Montecristo No. 2, a Cohiba Esplendido or something more obscure, one might imagine waving fields of green tobacco, hear the click-clack of chavetas in a rolling factory or have visions of a Havana nightclub. Few, however, will think of a panel of specially chosen tasters evaluating and discussing cigars in a conference room. That decidedly unromantic picture is nevertheless a vital part of the process that leads to the creation of new Cuban cigar expressions and ensures continuity of flavor in your favorite brands. Behind the legendary cigars of the Caribbean’s largest island is Habanos S.A., the monopoly that oversees the process from seed to store shelf. “We sit around the room, all 25 to 30 of us, talking…

In a world of fast food and one-size-fits-all sensibilities, how often does something feel made especially for you? The “Made for You” section celebrates those items that are created with such high quality of hand workmanship and degree of customization that they become individual to you. In each issue, our editors will endeavor to bring you special things from anywhere on the globe, choosing them solely on the basis of outstanding quality. Our goal is to give you guidance on the best of everything. 1 SPIRITED LAYOVER—BOOK & BOURBON Only going to be in Kentucky for a layover at Louisville International Airport, but you want to make it seem like you took a trip on the state’s illustrious Bourbon Trail? The next best thing is Book & Bourbon, the terminal’s…

Long gone are the days where all men traveled in style. Some may have ditched their sport coats and loafers to jet-set in sweatshirts and flip-flops, but that doesn’t mean cigars should have to slum it. These are handmade indulgences—crafted with excruciating attention to detail—so why would you choose to encase them in a travel humidor that has the aesthetic appeal of a Tupperware container? That’s why humidor crafters like Germany’s Adorini create scaled-down versions of larger designs. Its Travel Humidor Cedro ($121) is made especially for on-the-go use. Adorini’s Cedro collection strays from the lacquered finishes found on most humidors, instead using a natural Spanish cedar veneer. Most cigar smokers know Spanish cedar for its appealing aroma and ability to hold moisture, which make it a popular choice for…

As with so much men’s wear (and as the name suggests) the NATO-style watch strap traces its casual yet utilitarian roots to military use. Its cold-war debut came in 1973 as the standard-issue strap of the British Ministry of Defence (MoD). Soldiers first dubbed it the G10 after the form used to requisition it. However, the more popular term NATO, referencing the strap’s NATO Stocking Number (NSN), stuck. The original 20-mm-wide woven nylon straps were rather sober, coming only in Admiralty grey. They evolved with stripes as soldiers adopted their regimental colors. The common element was that rather than attaching to the case with spring bars between the lugs, NATO straps passed through the spring bars and under the case, so if one bar failed the watch stayed on the…

It's ALMOST 4 P.M. ON A mid-January Wednesday in Chicago—which means Steve Harvey has been up and working for about 12 hours. So far. • “My goal is to be done by 6:30 p.m.—instead of 8,” he says, picking at a plate of nachos on the conference table in front of him. “Then at least I might get to go home for 10 hours.” • Even as he takes his lunch break, he’s working, having discussions with various members of the staff of “Steve Harvey,” his daily talk show, about taping his second show of the day and budget issues with one of his other TV shows that he hosts in Atlanta and Los Angeles. Tall and husky, with the build of a onetime athlete, Harvey chats easily, even as…

LEGEND GOLF As the helicopter climbs sharply, you see Africa spread out below you, literally and figuratively. Giraffe are tall enough to stand out, even from this height, and the landscape is a tapestry consisting of thick stands of forest, open grass-lands, and the manicured fairways and greens of Legend Golf & Safari Resort. But most of all, you see the world’s most unusual par-3, its huge green shaped as a perfect outline of the African Continent. Today, the pin placement is benign, right around the centrally located spot where you’d find Victoria Falls, one of the modern Seven Wonders of the World. “That’s one of the easier placements,” remarks Pete Richardson, Legend’s director of golf, his voice crackling through our headphones. “You don’t want to play it when the…

Blink and you’re likely to miss it. Pumping out a jaw-dropping 1,000 horsepower, the new FF91 is not only one of the world’s most powerful automobiles, but it’s also the fastest. Launching from 0 to 60 in a blistering 2.39 seconds, it will leave even the Ferrari 488 GTB eating its dust. That’s all the more impressive when you realize the first production model from the California-based, Chinese-funded Faraday Future is powered by two electric motors. If your idea of a battery-electric vehicle is a slow, boring econobox that can barely get you to work and back without running out of juice, you better think twice. Products like the Faraday Future FF91, Tesla Model S P90d, Porsche Mission E, Karma Revero and BMW i8 are among a growing list of…

Joya de Nicaragua may not be the trendiest of so-called “boutique” rolling salons found in Nicaragua. But it has a few things that these edgy, hip factories do not—history, experience and a lot of aged tobacco. All three came together almost poetically with the Joya de Nicaragua Black Nocturno, which scored 93 points, the best score in this category. At $5.95 per cigar it seems priced from a decade ago. Traditionalists will love the 46 ring gauge. That’s not to say you can’t have a great smoke in a thicker size. The Cohiba Nicaragua N54 and Espinosa Habano No. 5 both scored 91 points and both exceed 50 ring gauge. All three cigars showcase fine Nicaraguan tobaccos.…

No other section in this issue turned up as many 90-plus scores as the panetela category. Almost half of the cigars we rated scored 91 points, while 10 out of the 13 cigars here achieved scores of at least 90. Compare that with other categories within our tasting pages and you’ll see that’s an unusually high percentage of outstanding performers. And notice the prices. With a few exceptions, most hover in the $10 range, either a bit over or a bit under. It’s too early to declare a panetela renaissance, but it’s safe to say that there are great slim cigars on the market. Half of the cigars that scored 91 points were made in Nicaragua. Both the L’Atelier and My Father Lanceros are made at the My Father Cigars…

In 1959, a box of diminutive Montecristo No. 4 cigars left Havana, bound for the short journey to the United States. When the cigars were rolled at the factory owned by Alonso Menendez and Pepe Garcia, they were one of many, with little to set them apart. But one year later, the factory was nationalized by Fidel Castro, and in 1961 President John F. Kennedy signed an embargo banning the cigars and other Cuban goods from U.S. soil. Today, that box of cigars has aged into masterful smokes, petit coronas with a sweet, spicy character that scored 98 points in this special tasting. The little Monty was one of two smokes to achieve “classic” status on our 100-point scale, joining a much larger and far younger Punch Churchill presented in…

Few automotive brands have taken a harder fall than Lincoln. Once a force to be reckoned with, Ford’s high-line marque has been little more than an asterisk on the sales charts in recent decades. The arrival of the compact MKC crossover, a couple years back, showed there’s still some life left, but the real test is about to begin with the rebirth of the brand’s flagship, the once venerated Lincoln Continental. The 2017 model-year marks the first time the Continental nameplate has been seen in a Lincoln showroom since 2002. It also marks a shift away from forgettable alphanumeric designations like MKX, MKT and MKS (with the new Continental replacing the latter model). The 2017 sedan is more than just an MKS update—it’s a complete makeover. True, it shares the…

Fewer and fewer places truly put out the welcome mat for those of us who love cigars. Thankfully there is Rome, where the sight of a cigar coming from its case brings more smiles than frowns. And when in Rome, it’s hard to find a more cigar-friendly place than the Rome Cavalieri, a gorgeous hotel with stunning views, superior service and a three-star restaurant complete with its own cigar lounge. The Cavalieri, which is part of the Waldorf-Astoria group of hotels, has a Rome address, but is located outside the ancient walls that defined the city back in the days of the empire. Its location—near the peak of Monte Mario, the tallest hill in the Italian capital—affords a jaw-dropping view of the city’s many sights. Ask for a room with…

It’s 5:15 p.m. on a dark and freezing Friday in January, and Bret Baier is standing by his desk in the fifth floor offices of Fox News in Washington, D.C., a 10-minute walk from the United States Capitol. He’s typing on his computer keyboard as he watches four TV screens simultaneously, preparing for his hour-long “Special Report,” which will air live in just 45 minutes. The screens are busy with what’s happening right now on CNN, Fox Business, MSNBC and his own top-rated cable news channel. Just like Fox, Baier is king—an average 2.4 million regularly tune in to his show, the most popular cable news program in its time slot, weekdays from 6 to 7 p.m. It’s consistently one of the top five shows in cable news. At age…

Any cigar that scores 93 points yet retails for less than $10 belongs in your humidor. Consider that simple cigar calculus. Now consider the Padrón 6000 Maduro, which scored 93 points and has a suggested retail price of $8.10. True, Padrón’s core line is sometimes overlooked for the fancier 1964 Anniversary Series or the Serie 1926, but Padrón has never been one to punish their loyal customers just because they don’t want to spend $20 on a cigar. In the case of this 93-point Padrón 6000, the reward couldn’t have been better. Between its cocoa powder qualities, the warm, toasty undertones and the sprinklings of sweetness, this cigar, structurally speaking, is like any other Padrón—rich and delicious. Made by the Fuentes in the Dominican Republic, the Ashton Virgin Sun Grown…

The ever-popular robusto category continues to deliver exemplary smokes. Three cigars scored 92 points. When the CAO brand was first sold to Henri Wintermans Cigars, and then to General Cigar, fans were afraid that quality would decline. The fear can be put to rest, at least with the CAO Italia Ciao. At 92 points, it’s the highest score that the size ever achieved. The Ramon Allones Specially Selected has traditionally been a go-to cigar for smokers of stronger Cuban tobacco. While the Specially Selected wasn’t a powerhouse, it was balanced and tasty. The Cuban Trinidad Topes Edición Limitada 2016 is another example of how the thick cigar trend has reached Havana.…

Arguing taste is usually a pointless exercise. Making your case with numbers, on the other hand, can be far more convincing. With that in mind, we at Cigar afiCionado took a long, hard look at our numbers from 2016 to answer major questions concerning the premium cigar industry: which countries delivered the best cigars of 2016? What sizes outperformed the others? Who gave the best value for your dollar? We were as curious about the answer as you, and to get to the root of the issue we stripped away the subjective elements to bring you some objective answers—and we have both the qualitative and quantitative data to support it. The answer is in the scores. And there were a considerable number of scores, 665 of them, all the cigars…

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