Mario Carbone • November/December 2016
Young chef Mario Carbone prepares to head the former site of the legendary Four Seasons restaurant in New York City, and it feels like playing Yankee Stadium. Read all about Carbone and the pantheon of famous chefs who share a love of fine cigars in December's Cigar Aficionado. Plus, a look at the world's best island destinations, Jim Furyk makes PGA Tour history and Mike Piazza develops a taste for cigars during an unlikely rise to glory. Our holiday gift guide displays top-tier cigar gifts tailored for men on the move, while the Cuba Report shows off must-have cigars for any connoisseur. Also, our panel of cigar-smoking editors rates 82 cigars from around the world, including a commemorative release that scored 94 points.
Features
The Season of Carbone
If you passed him on the street in any of Manhattan's envelope-pushing downtown neighborhoods where his restaurants are located, you might not give chef Mario Carbone a second …
Top Chefs Who Love Cigars
They are names any food lover will instantly recognize: José Andrés of Jaleo in Washington, D.C. Eric Ripert of Le Bernardin in New York City. Emeril Lagasse of Emeril's in New …
Mister 58
As Jim Furyk pounded ball after ball on the range Thursday night, his head was filled with disgust with the number he posted that day—73. It was August 4, and he was annoyed …
The World's Best Island Destinations
When it comes to real estate, location is everything, and waterfront property always commands a premium. Whether on a hot, tropical sandy beach or perched on cliffs atop rugged …
The Long Shot
Mike Piazza is storming. He is part owner of AC Regiana 1919, an Italian soccer team, now losing to Bissano Virtus 1-0. "It's the 53rd minute," he fumes, looking at the TV screen …
Cigars
Pairing With Big Peat
The smoky, peaty whiskies of Scotland invite cigar pairings.
A Conversation With Fernando Domínguez
Talking Cuban cigar trends with Imperial Group’s premium cigar director.
Cuba’s New Cigar Stars
Cigar Aficionado names the five Cuban cigars that have stood the test of time and are must-haves for lovers of fine Havana cigars.
Connoisseur’s Corner: A Davidoff Château Latour Reaches Perfection
Cuban Davidoffs are among the most prized of vintage cigars. Collectors wax poetic about the smokes, which were made in Cuba from the late 1960s up until 1991, when Davidoff …
Ratings from this Issue
Up Front
Editors' Note: Government Meddling at its Worst
The summer of 2016 will be remembered for many things. The first commercial flight between the United States and Cuba in 55 years. A combative presidential campaign between two …
Out of the Humidor
Dear Marvin, You provided an exceptional interview with Hall of Famer Ray Lewis. I was most impressed with his person and his view on the plight of inner-city youth growing up …
The Good Life
Badrutt’s Palace, St. Moritz, Switzerland
There are ski towns—and then there is St. Moritz, the birthplace of winter tourism, the spot where the ski vacation was invented. Bobsledding was created here. The town has …
Tactical Flashlights
I'm not a survivalist. In the occasion of a zombie apocalypse, I would likely be the first casualty. Without a steady infusion of Robusta, what's the point? So imagine me, avowed …
Top-Drawer Tequila
The nose has the unmistakable Tequila tang, but with so much more. And once it arrives in the mouth this tasty dram has none of the earmarks of the lick-the-salt-bite-the-lime …
Luxury Pool Cues
Get one thing straight. If you can't shoot pool, a custom-made cue won't help—even the Pechauer 2016 People's Choice cue—with its 910 inlays, including snakewood, two-carat …
Downsized Watches
As they say, what goes up, must come down. After decades of ever increasing dimensions, pushing past 50 mm in some cases, a few watch brands are exploring the under 40 mm realms …
The Joy of Maps
Who knew a continent could have a birth certificate? Well, "America's Birth Certificate" is the unofficial name of the 1507 Martin Waldseemüller Map, the first to depict America …
Beef Wellington
Sunday dinner was looming, and this was an important one, celebrating my lovely wife's birthday with a large contingent of family. I offered to prepare the feast. "What would you …
Genesis G90
What makes one brand of car more special than another? Is it 22-way leather seats, hand-crafted wood accents? A 420-horsepower V-8? Or perhaps its hood ornament. Plenty will pay …
The Cigar Shirt
Baron Enrico di Portanova (Ricky to friends) was a man of outsized appetites, a multimillionaire jet-setter who considered sun, sex and spaghetti the best things in life. The heir …
Punch Cutters
A trend for light and thin designs reflects that cigar-accessory makers have wised up to the idea that a lot of smoking is done on the go. But the ultimate in travel-friendly …
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 …