Innehållsförteckning för May/June 2023 från Cigar Aficionado

TOP GRANDE PADRÓN SERIE 1926 NO. 48 MADURO It’s one of the fattest Padrón cigars you’re ever going to encounter, but it also just might be the richest. With layers of opulent flavor, this hefty Nicaraguan not only led the grande category, but the entire issue. $22.90 NICARAGUA 96 TOP FIGURADO OLIVA SERIE V MELANIO FIGURADO A former Cigar of the Year proves that it still has all of its star power, even many years later. With its Sumatra-seed wrapper, this Oliva Serie V Melanio tied with the Honduran Alec Bradley Prensado for top-scoring figurado. NICARAGUA $18.00 95 TOP ROBUSTO LA AROMA DE CUBA MI AMOR DUQUE Mexican wrapper and Nicaraguan tobacco find uncommon synergy in the La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor Duque. At 95 points, it’s a Classic…

All humidors, no matter how well made, suffer from the same problem: at some point, they become too small. Despite what your significant other may think, you can never have too many cigars. Nevertheless, as your collection swells, your humidor will suffer from overcrowding. While the first humidor purchase for most cigar lovers is a desktop humidor, even the largest can hold only a few hundred smokes. When it’s full, you may be accused of having too many cigars, while in fact your only problem is that you don’t have enough space to store them in. Our advice? It’s time to invest in a cabinet humidor, many of which can hold more than 1,000 cigars. Cabinet humidors come in a host of sizes, but most are like furniture—too large for…

Golf shoes have come a long way since the 19th century. In the game’s formative years, Scots who sought to achieve the all-important grip on the sod pounded nails into their boots. Nails first gave way to metal spikes, which in turn evolved into circular plastic cleats. Then, a dozen years ago, some footwear makers did away with spikes altogether in favor of a sole patterned with raised nodules. Today, improvements in tread technology allow spikeless shoes to deliver all the traction a golfer needs. The shoes pay off not only on the links, but in the clubhouse. They can pass for street shoes and won’t gouge floors, so you can easily move from course to restaurant or bar. Eccos have long provided some of the most comfortable golf shoes…

What films do the stars enjoy? We reached out to a host of familiar faces (many who have appeared in the pages of Cigar Aficionado), an eclectic mix of actors, sports stars, producers, cigarmakers, chefs and others to find out their favorites. For those who work in film, we asked them to chose a movie that they did not perform in or work on. For some, the question was impossible to answer. “It’s a little bit like asking me who my favorite child is: I love them all,” said legendary director Francis Ford Coppola. “As for my favorite movie, I probably have 100 of them I like equally.” Comedian Dan Aykroyd also couldn’t narrow it down to one. “This is a killer of a question. It’s hard for me to…

You may know him best for his 25-year career at ESPN, for which he cohosted “Mike & Mike,” or for his current Draftkings podcast, “Golic & Smetty,” but it was during his nine seasons as a pro football player that he first smoked. “I got into cigars when I started going to these charity golf events back when I was in the NFL,” says Golic, who primarily smokes on the course. “I have a beer in one hand, a cigar in the other hand. And occasionally I have to pick up a club and swing.” For the former gridiron bruiser, the highlight of his career has been the opportunity he’s had to work with his son, Mike Jr., at both ESPN and Draftkings. “There’s nothing like being able to work…

HONDURAS RING GAUGE: 52 LENGTH: 6 1/8" FILLER: HONDURAS, NICARAGUA BINDER: NICARAGUA WRAPPER: HONDURAS ALEC BRADLEY PRENSADO TORPEDO Upfront earthiness and nutty intonations set the tone for this box-pressed torpedo, which gains power with every puff. Notes of oolong tea and cocoa also come through before the earth swings back around to the bold finish. U.S.: $14.15 U.K.: N/A STRENGTH: Medium-Full 95 NICARAGUA RING GAUGE: 52 LENGTH: 6 1/2" FILLER: NICARAGUA BINDER: NICARAGUA WRAPPER: ECUADOR OLIVA SERIE V MELANIO FIGURADO Impressive in its opulence and complexity, this box-pressed figurado leaves clearly-pronounced impressions of nutmeg, walnut and leather on the palate. A rich, earthy undertone brings all the elements to a decadent level. U.S.: $18.00 U.K.: N/A STRENGTH: Medium 95 CUBA RING GAUGE: 54 LENGTH: 6 1/4" FILLER: CUBA BINDER: CUBA…

When it’s time to relax, nothing beats a great movie. Both of us have fond memories of watching films from our earliest days, whether it was taking in a feature preceded by four cartoons at the Rivoli for only a dime (Marvin) or walking to the State Theater to watch Rocky (David). Give us a tub of buttered popcorn, a cold drink and a great film and we’re about as happy as we can be. Movies have only been around since the late 1800s, born humbly as short, silent depictions of images in motion. Rudimentary color came around the turn of the 20th century followed by sound in the 1920s. Modern-day movies are huge endeavors, spectacles of vision and sound, with hundreds of people working on each project (have you…

There was no one on a movie set who was more excited to be there than director John Landis. Dressed in his trademark sportscoat and tie (with jeans), the man behind such lauded films as Animal House, Trading Places and The Blues Brothers was the picture of enthusiasm when he roamed the soundstages or locations during production, cheering actors on after a good take—or booing after a bad one. Landis was inspired to make movies as an eight year old after seeing The 7th Voyage of Sinbad. He still sounds nearly giddy talking about how much he enjoys working behind the camera. “Making movies is a privilege and a pleasure,” says the 72-year-old. “I’ve worked on over 100 films and done every job there is on a film except hair.…

Emeril Lagasse still slams the garlic into the pot, though more gently and without his trademark “BAM!” Sixteen years after he finished “kicking it up a notch” on the Food Network—and with many TV shows in between—a calmer Emeril is back to his roots preparing the dishes of his beloved New Orleans for special guests on Roku’s “Emeril Cooks” with a more culinary focus: “It’s all about building layers of flavor.” Emeril, 63, still enjoys cigars though he remains busy with a second show on Roku, his eight restaurants, as culinary director for a major cruise line and his charitable foundation. His current favorite smoke is the Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story, a cigar he calls “elegant.” “It’s smooth, toasty and full of nutty, creamy flavors,” Emeril shared. “Although it’s…

NICARAGUA RING GAUGE: 60 LENGTH: 5 1/2" FILLER: NICARAGUA BINDER: NICARAGUA WRAPPER: NICARAGUA PADRÓN SERIE 1926 NO. 48 MADURO Opulent notes of cocoa and almond make for a rich foundation, finely detailed with accents of honey and cinnamon. Roasted peanut on the finish harmonizes the smoke. The draw and burn are consistently even. U.S.: $22.90 U.K.: N/A STRENGTH: Medium 96 HONDURAS RING GAUGE: 60 LENGTH: 4 7/8" FILLER: HONDURAS BINDER: HONDURAS WRAPPER: HONDURAS PLASENCIA COSECHA 149 SANTA FE Dark and slightly pressed with an oily wrapper. Strong underpinnings of dark chocolate and espresso are balanced by notes of anise, caramel and nuts. Bold and tasty with an even draw and burn. U.S.: $12.00 U.K.: N/A STRENGTH: Medium-Full 91 NICARAGUA RING GAUGE: 60 LENGTH: 6" FILLER: NICARAGUA BINDER: NICARAGUA WRAPPER: ECUADOR…

TOP SCORES 96 Padrón Serie 1926 No. 48 Maduro Nicaragua • $22.90 • Grande • Medium 95 Alec Bradley Prensado Torpedo Honduras • $14.15 • Figurado • Medium-Full 95 La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor Duque Nicaragua • $8.90 • Robusto • Medium 95 Oliva Serie V Melanio Figurado Nicaragua • $18.00 • Figurado • Medium 94 Cohiba Pirámides Extra Cuba • £97.50 • Figurado • Medium-Full 94 Fuente Fuente OpusX Reserva d’Chateau Dominican Republic • $19.15 • Churchill • Medium-Full 94 Long Live the Queen Ace of Hearts Dominican Republic • $18.00 • Toro • Medium-Full 93 Montecristo Petit No. 2 Cuba • £29.20 • Figurado • Medium-Full 93 My Father No. 5 Nicaragua • $12.90 • Toro • Medium 93 Olmec Maduro Double Corona Nicaragua • $16.00 • Churchill • Medium-Full TOP VALUES 90 Vegas Cubanas Delicias Nicaragua •…

Dear Marvin, I’ve been a Metallica fan since 2004 and a big Hetfield fan. [“Master of Metal,” March/April 2023]. I never knew he smoked cigars. Nikhil Jade Auckland, New Zealand Dear Marvin, The [Hetfield] interview was awesome and I am smoking my first M81 right now with Eagle Rare. His cigar is amazing! I will definitely be buying more. I hardly ever comment, but he is such a humble dude I had to share. Dominic Petrucci Via Instagram Dear Marvin, Hetfield and Gretzky in the same issue—can’t beat that. Kelly Zak Piégut-Pluviers, France Dear Marvin, It’s not often I can relate to the tasters in Connoisseur’s Corner, as most of the cigars are out of reach, but I was thrilled when the March/April edition included a review of the Casa…

What’s your favorite movie? I’ve asked a number of my friends over the past few weeks. Except for the occasional Godfather, their responses were all over the map. No logical patterns. Hence, the “movie issue.” For most of us, sports and entertainment consume our leisure time. For me it’s golf and football, and lately I’ve been watching all kinds of great programs streaming on Netflix, Paramount and Peacock. All of the teams I loyally root for have sucked in recent years. I’m hoping this fall my teams, the Giants, Jets and Miami Hurricanes will return to being competitive! It was very exciting that Miami made it into the NCAA’s men’s basketball Final Four for the first time in our history. When I think about the movies I enjoyed while growing…

There was an outpouring of outrage and indignation last year when Cuban cigar distributor Habanos S.A. announced a major price hike. Cohibas and Trinidads, it was declared, were to be fixed to the Hong Kong dollar in every market around the world, which meant that the prices for these flagship brands were instantly doubled, and, in some cases, tripled, with many Cohibas approaching $100 per cigar. But just when it seemed that Cohibas couldn’t get more expensive, Habanos did it again. In January, many Cohiba fans were shocked to see that prices for the Cohiba Behike series had increased yet again, this time by another 45 to 57 percent, depending on the size. The largest Cohiba Behikes are now priced at around $300 each, comparable in price to many complete…

Patrick Mavros is a man of adventure, and he gets a taste of it on his vast compound in Zimbabwe on most days. “We had a python catch and eat a duck in our lake,” he mentions during a chat. (A small one, as pythons go, only about a 10-footer.) The wild world that surrounds his home and studio is where the 69-year-old Mavros, a jewelry designer, draws his inspiration. For example, Patrick Mavros cufflinks may come in the shape of lions, crocodiles or rhinos. Typically working in silver, he creates accessories for both men and women, even making ashtrays. Smoking is another of his adventures. “I’ll smoke two cigars a day—if I’m on holiday, I’ll smoke three,” he says. He begins with a Bolivar Royal Corona, perhaps a Belicoso…

NICARAGUA RING GAUGE: 55 LENGTH: 7 1/2" FILLER: NICARAGUA BINDER: NICARAGUA WRAPPER: NICARAGUA NEW WORLD OSCURO DOUBLE CORONA First puffs of this tall, dark cigar are sweet with chocolate and vanilla character before the smoke amps up to show stronger notes of espresso, toast and earth. The finish is nutty with hints of mocha. U.S.: $9.00 U.K.: N/A STRENGTH: Medium-Full 92 CUBA RING GAUGE: 49 LENGTH: 7 5/8" FILLER: CUBA BINDER: CUBA WRAPPER: CUBA BOX DATE: MAY 2021 RAMON ALLONES GIGANTES Long and softly box-pressed, this double corona shows a wheaty quality that picks up more pronounced notes of vanilla and almond. The draw is a bit firm, but the combustion is even and slow. U.S.: N/A U.K.: £42.40 STRENGTH: Medium 92 NICARAGUA RING GAUGE: 50 LENGTH: 7 1/2" FILLER:…

NICARAGUA RING GAUGE: 56 LENGTH: 5 1/4" FILLER: NICARAGUA BINDER: NICARAGUA WRAPPER: MEXICO LA AROMA DE CUBA MI AMOR DUQUE Softly pressed with round edges, this robusto draws and burns evenly with a solid backbone of toasted coconut, honey and cinnamon. Touches of cocoa and sea salt add polish and complexity to the sweet-and-savory finish. U.S.: $8.90 U.K.: N/A STRENGTH: Medium 95 CUBA RING GAUGE: 50 LENGTH: 4 7/8" FILLER: CUBA BINDER: CUBA WRAPPER: CUBA BOX DATE: JULY 2022 HOYO DE MONTERREY EPICURE NO. 2 There’s a delightful nut-and-honey sweetness to this smoke, which burns evenly but has a slightly firm draw. A spicy hint of ground nutmeg really livens things up before the warm, toasty finish. U.S.: N/A U.K.: £29.10 STRENGTH: Medium 93 NICARAGUA RING GAUGE: 52 LENGTH: 5"…