Innehållsförteckning för September/October 2018 från Cigar Aficionado

Everything you know is wrong. About battery cars, that is. If you think they’re slow and stodgy, cramped, funny looking and boring to drive, well, you need to spend some time behind the wheel of the electrifying new Jaguar I-Pace. A trip to Portugal’s Algarve region during the height of cork harvesting season disproved the misconceptions. The British marque’s first battery-electric vehicle endured about every possible test—on road or off—including track time at the Formula One–rated Autodromo Internacional Algarve before wrapping things up with a steep hill climb, and a splash through a stream. An instant eye-opener as a 2016 concept car, the I-Pace changed little as a production model, and it borrows liberally from the classic Jaguar design book. The most obvious difference is its “cab forward” shape. The…

I had a revelation the first time I went scuba diving. Actually, it was the second time. My first time I panicked and shot to the surface (only a few feet above me) when I had a common reaction: breathing underwater is the most unnatural of acts. The second time, when I’d mastered that fear and dove 130 feet, circling an underwater pinnacle teeming with tropical fish and lobster off the Caribbean island of Saba, I had a greater insight. The revelation was this: scuba diving isn’t just a sport. It’s a sublime form of sightseeing. Instead of a culture of landmarks, you feast your eyes on forests of staghorn coral and undersea mountains and caves as crowded with life—from colorful parrot fish to massive, absurdly graceful manta rays and…

Alex Rodriguez was only 10 years old when his father walked out, leaving his mother Lourdes alone to support the family. The young Rodriguez watched his mother—who worked two jobs—struggle with the rent, and he became determined to use his budding athletic talents to give her a better life. He was a star in high school, and skipped college as he was drafted No. 1 by the Seattle Mariners in 1993 at the age of 17. In 22 seasons, he amassed statistics that are the stuff of legend: 696 home runs, 2,086 runs batted in, 14 times named an All Star. Only three men have hit more home runs in a career. No one has hit more grand slams. He was well rewarded for his efforts, signing record contracts with…

The gambler sits under glass. Out on the massive terrace of his villa, inside the air-conditioned solarium of Las Vegas’s most elite casino within a casino, reserved for the highest of high rollers, he asks me to not reveal where he is as he luxuriates in his posh surroundings. “They will offer you stuff like promo chips and private aviation and discounts based on loss,” he says nonchalantly. “Plus they have to treat you exceptionally well—which they all do.” They, of course, are casino personnel, and they hunger for high-stakes action from deep-pocketed customers like him. He has just eaten a superb lunch of Dover sole, and smiles as he recalls his all-time largest win on a single hand—$250,000. But last night was a hard one, and the losses piled…

Sometimes it pays to tread the familiar. The Montecristo No. 2 scored 92 points, and is one of the most recognizable cigars in the world of handmade smokes. It has also become a classic go-to for fans of not only Cuban cigars, but cigars in general. Every enthusiast should try a Monte 2 at least once—especially now. This particular sample came from a box dated December 2017. The La Flor Dominicana Air Bender Chisel scored 90 points and is named for its unique, chisel-shaped head. The unorthodox Chisel made its first appearance as part of La Flor’s Double Ligero line, but brand owner Litto Gomez thought it would be a good idea to make one in the Air Bender series as well.…

Though not exactly one of the most popular brands, the Cuban Vegas Robaina Famoso scored 93 points, one of the top performers of the entire issue. It’s named after the famous tobacco farm once owned by the late Alejandro Robaina and now in the hands of his grandson, Hirochi. The farm has become a tourist destination for cigar fans, but the brand symbolizes the Robaina farm in name only. Habanos makes no claim or assertion that the tobacco in the Vegas Robaina brand is from any specific farm, Robaina’s or otherwise. Regardless, this Famoso is everything a classic Cuban cigar should be: sweet in the right places, savory in the right places, and distinct enough to represent one of the finest tobacco appellations in the world. The Matilde Serena Robusto…

Slender and soft spoken, Heinrich Villiger may be one of the most formidable players in the cigar industry. He owns Villiger Söhne AG, a massive cigar operation based in Pfeffikon, Switzerland that produces more than a billion dry cured, European-style cigars every year. He is the exclusive importer and distributor of Cuban cigars to five countries in Europe. And he owns a growing portfolio of premium cigar brands sold in the United States, most notably Villiger La Flor de Ynclan, which was named the No. 10 Cigar of the Year in 2017 by this magazine. Active and sharp, the 88-year-old came to CIGAR AFICIONADO’S offices in New York City to have a smoke and share his stories of a career in tobacco that goes back to the 1950s, when he…

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 BESPOKE BEHEMOTH—MIL-SPEC AUTOMOTIVE The vision of Mil-Spec Automotive is the Hummer reenvisioned, and now, with the Truck #002, it adds a customer’s vision. Six of the 12 hand-built units in its Launch Edition series will be tailor-made for each customer. Customizations include a fully adjustable…

When a London street has a 230-year history of tailoring custom-fit clothing for well-heeled businessmen, statesmen and soldiers across the globe, you expect its reputation to be understated. But every once in a while Savile Row makes a higher profile splash that reminds the world of how exquisite its wares are and just how broad its possibilities. For instance, when Hollywood went shopping to dress the spies of the Kingsman: The Secret Service, it went straight to the source. Martin Nicholls, tailor for his own Savile Row house as well as Alfred Dunhill, made the memorable suits for the movie as well as its sequel, drawing on not only his fitting prowess, but his real-life experience in adding hidden pockets for the kind of lethal things you’d expect secret agents…

Back in my youth, I would sit down in front of a massive typewriter made of steel, a heavy and industrial beast so formidable it could have been smelted in a Soviet naval yard. My fingers would find the appointed keys and I’d be off to the races, pecking away as the keyboard sang back to me. The words would flow and the pages would fly. I never missed the look of that particular typewriter, but its keys were marvelous, tactile and sturdy. Over the years, I have found myself ever more disappointed in computer keyboards. They seemed to evolve in a way directly opposed to cellphones—while the latter have become ever larger (say, is that an iPhone pressed to your ear or a phone book?) the former have grown…

AFC EAST WINNER: New England Patriots Despite just missing their sixth Lombardi Trophy, the Patriots remain the NFL’s model franchise. Owned by the Kraft family and led by QB Tom Brady (who recently turned 41) they went 13-3, setting an NFL record of eight straight seasons with 12 or more wins. Brady led the league with 4,577 passing yards and threw 32 TDs. Rob Gronkowski, who will be an action figure in the movies one day, was his main target with 69 catches (1,084 yards), most of any TE. The Pats lost LT Nate Solder to the Giants, and receivers Danny Amendola (now in Miami) and Brandin Cooks (who was traded to the Rams). But genius grouch Bill Belichick hasn’t gone anywhere and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels changed his mind…

This tasting of Churchills turned up five outstanding examples of the classic size, three of which scored 92 points. The non-Cuban Ramon Allones brand is now in the hands of cigarmaker A.J. Fernandez. He makes and distributes the brand, although the trademark still belongs to General Cigar. It debuted this year. The Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 has been around for 16 years. As exciting as new releases can be, it would be a mistake to overlook this Honduran cigar. Not quite as old, the Villiger San’Doro Colorado is made in Nicaragua and represents Villiger’s commitment to making fine handmade cigars. The new Diesel Whiskey Row and bargain-priced Oliva Serie G scored 91 points.…

The once popular lonsdale size still struggles to find a large audience, but fans of tradition continue to smoke them, and why not? Even though it’s a niche size there are still plenty of great lonsdales produced today, and the tasting results prove it. Almost half of the lonsdales here scored at least 90 points. The most exceptional example came from Cuba in the form of a Cohiba Siglo V Tubo, which achieved 92 points. These samples came from those sturdy three-packs that Habanos produces in case you don’t want to carry around loose sticks. At 91 points, the Rocky Patel Decade Lonsdale is part of a line released in 2007 to celebrate Rocky Patel’s 10 years in the cigar business.…

98 PADRÓN SERIE 1926 40TH ANNIVERSARY (2004) This Padrón was the first Cigar of the Year ever bestowed by this magazine, and came from one of the original painted boxes. Fourteen years later, the cigar is still full of life, nuance and character. Every puff has subtle, yet delicious notes of nutmeg and chestnuts with hints of licorice. The wrapper is pristine and the cigar has maintained its box-pressed shape perfectly. A memorable smoke. —Marvin R. Shanken 98 PUNCH CHURCHILL (1991) Large Punch cigars age extremely well. Most that I’ve sampled have come from cabinets, but this has been resting in a dress box for 27 years. It’s rich and refined, still brimming with flavor and with plenty of power. Along with hearty notes of coffee bean and honeyed wood, there’s a…

Once George Clooney is no longer seen on his Indian motorcycle, braving hair-raising, roller-coaster roads on Lake Como’s wishbone-shaped shoreline, other “regulars” at this famed hideaway like Springsteen, John Legend and Madonna also disappear. But so do the crowds, making autumn a fine time to take in the emerald-green waters fed by trout-filled Alpine streams and enjoy the pervasive hedonism. This is especially true at Italy’s Villa d’Este, the palatial oasis located only one hour north of Milan. Blessed with views of the Alps, 25 acres of majestic, terraced gardens, and offering sumptuously furnished accommodations with Murano-glass chandeliers and antique sculptures, the Italian Renaissance–styled Villa has been enchanting guests since 1873. U.S. presidents, European royalty and movie icons come for a refuge promising pampering and indulgent, unabashed extravagance. But they…

Your senses are heightened,” was the enigmatic, but enthusiastic response I got from a friend, a past winner of the 24 Hours of Daytona, when I asked what was the allure of driving 140 mph around a racetrack in the dead of night. However well meaning, it wasn’t very helpful. Of course, your senses are heightened. That’s what happens when you’re afraid of dying. I was headed to Formula Experiences, a new racecar driving concept at Virginia International Speedway, home of the world’s first open-cockpit, night ride-along. Mingling the fragrance of the Virginia countryside with the smell of petrol, 2G downforces and hurricane-style winds, it is but one of the adventures. The brainchild of Peter Heffring, a software entrepreneur and amateur racecar competitor, it boasts a fleet of 2018 British…

NEARLY A CENTURY AGO SAMUEL RYDER, an English businessman smitten with the game of golf, was looking to put his name on something beyond the penny packets of seeds he sold through the mail. Ryder had the very 21st Century idea that he could market his Heath & Heather seed company by using golf as a poster board. He began by sponsoring some small competitions among professionals in the United Kingdom. Then the idea of a competition between British and American professionals fell within his purview. I’ll donate the trophy, Ryder said. I’ll pick up some expenses, Ryder said. My, has the game of golf reaped the bumper crop of what Ryder had sown. The Ryder Cup arrives on the outskirts of Paris at the end of September as a…

What is the most indelible cigar image from the movies? That depends on how you judge. Does it belong to the actor whose screen image is most closely associated with cigars? The obvious answer then is Groucho Marx, who made his cigar an almost inseparable part of his persona—first on film, then on television and in real life. Then again, it could belong to Clint Eastwood. Now an Oscar-winning filmmaker, he rode into cinematic history with a cheroot plugged into the corner of his mouth in the spaghetti westerns of Sergio Leone. Beginning with A Fistful of Dollars in 1964, he kept the cigar through most of the westerns that charted his career rise. It became as much a part of his image as his trademark squint and unshaven jaw.…

More than half of the corona gordas we tasted scored 90 points or higher—so many that the 90s have spilled over onto the next page. Two cigars had especially impressive scores of 93 points. The E.P. Carrillo Encore is the newest brand from Ernesto Perez-Carrillo. While this smoke is made in the Dominican Republic, it contains only Nicaraguan leaves, and it’s Perez-Carrillo’s first Nicaraguan puro. What started as a Cuban Edición Limitada is now a delicious staple in Habanos S.A.’s regular-production portfolio: The Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial. It’s one of the thicker cigars in the Epicure Series. Corona gordas, also known as toros, are among the cigar industry’s most popular shapes.…

Short, fat and stubby cigars tend to make up the miscellaneous category, but unusually long lanceros, twisted-up culebras and other oddities are just as welcome. The Illusione Cruzado Short Robusto from Nicaragua is the top smoke in this line-up of cigar misfits, as it scored 92 points. For a small cigar, it’s full of spice and sweetness, making it the perfect size when time is limited. Five cigars from various countries scored 90 points: two Cubans (Cohiba Medio Siglo, Romeo y Julieta Petit Churchill); two Dominicans (Ashton Virgin Sun Grown Trés Mystique, Nat Sherman Timeless Collection Super Lancero) and the La Palina LP Number 1 Petit Corona, which is made in Honduras.…