Arnold Schwarzenegger • January/February 2017
Just when Arnold Schwarzenegger seemed to have done it all, the champion bodybuilder turned surprisingly versatile actor turned two-term governor of California is replacing Donald Trump on “The New Celebrity Apprentice.” In February's Cigar Aficionado, we catch up with Arnold in California where he smokes cigars and drives a tank. Plus, we announce our Top 25 Cigars of 2016 as well as a plethora of best cigar buys and new releases, take a look at what the PGA Tour would have been like without Tiger Woods, break down the new rules on Cuban cigars and explore new trends in large-ring-gauge cigars. Also, we rate 83 cigars across six sizes: Churchills, corona gordas, figurados, grandes, miscellaneous and robustos.
Features
"You’re Fired"
Arnold Schwarzenegger, a cigar clamped between his jaws like a punctuation mark for his broad smile, climbs aboard a tank on a warm November afternoon. This is no movie prop, and …
A World Without Tiger
On the 30th of December 1975, Eldrick Tont Woods was delivered into this world in Cypress, California. The son of a retired lieutenant Army officer and the Thai woman he met while …
The Baccarat Machine
I knew there would be shoes. No woman wins tens-of-millions-of-dollars from casinos without treating herself to a few nice rides. But I was unprepared for the sheer quantity, …
Cigars
Americans Can Now Bring Cuban Cigars Back Home
Again the regulations have changed, making it even easier to import Cuban cigars. But gray areas still lurk.
Supersize My Cigar
Anything but a fad, the fat cigar trend seems destined to stay.
Rye And Cigars
The revival of this spicy whiskey brings on perfect cigar pairings.
Connoisseur’s Corner: A Classic Partagás From 1993
From slim to fat, from short to extra long, this edition of Connoisseur's Corner covers the size extremes of the cigar world.
Ratings from this Issue
Up Front
Editors' Note: Arnold—He’s Back
There are plenty of celebrities around the world who love a great cigar. We challenge you to find one who enjoys them as much as Arnold Schwarzenegger. He began smoking cigars in …
Out Of The Humidor
Dear Marvin, It was sad for me to read your story about the passing of Carlos Fuente Sr. Back in the spring of 2011, my brother, my nephew and I took a mini trip to Tampa to …
The Good Life
Listening Clubs
It's often said that it's better to have a friend with a boat than to own one. The same may apply to truly amazing sound systems: it's best to let someone else pay, because a …
Yacht-Based Heli-Skiing
For avid skiers, heli-skiing is the sport's Holy Grail. It promises deep unbroken powder on every run, all day long as well as no crowds and no lift lines—in fact, no lifts. That …
The Truth About Jamon Iberico
If you've been underwhelmed after trying Spain's much-hyped Jamon Iberico, there's a reason: you probably weren't tasting the best. Banned by the U.S. Department of Agriculture …
Rolls-Royce Dawn
If it hasn't dawned on you yet, there've been some big changes at Rolls-Royce in recent years. And one of the most obvious signs is the arrival of the new Rolls Dawn convertible. …
The Swatch Revolution
The Swiss labeled it The Crisis. The Swiss mechanical watch industry was in a death spiral as cheap, highly accurate quartz watches from Asia had flooded the market during the …
The Camel Hair Jacket
It's easy to think of camel hair strictly as the fabric for dowdy jackets or overcoats worn by the polo set. But take another look. The breathable winter fabric is getting more …
Ritz-Carltons of Naples, Florida
For sand traps and sandy beaches, for scrumptious eats and opulent shopping, well-heeled northerners who would rather wear sandals in the winter have long gone to Naples, Florida. …
The Joy of Tawny Port
If your take on the classic combination of Port and a cigar includes only the thick, dark wine labeled as "vintage," you're not giving Port all the credit it deserves. It's time …
Fire Irons
Since the first time a caveman sharpened a stick and skewered his hunk of saber-toothed tiger because he wanted his meat dead-on medium rare—not bloody, but certainly not …
Made For You
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 …