March/April 2020 | Cigar Aficionado

In this issue

Charles Barkley • March/April 2020

One of the best to ever play in the NBA and an unabashed cigar lover, Charles Barkley has continued his legacy with his witty commentary in the broadcast booth. We sit down with the basketball legend to talk about his humble upbringing, his love of golf and plans for the future. We also look at 25 years of the Golf Channel, pair 16 Bourbons with cigars and tell the story of one blackjack expert who's learned how to beat the casinos (and teaches others his tricks). Plus, we profile violin virtuoso Charlie Siem, analyze trends in all of our 2019 cigar ratings, take a peek inside Cuba's new state-of-the-art box factory and review 76 cigars in six size categories.

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Features

Sir Charles Holds Court

It’s his voice that you hear first, the warm, loud voice that has made him famous, and occasionally gotten him in trouble. “Hello everybody,” he says. Soon, you see him as he …

Golf's TV Heart

In a modest neighborhood in the southern part of Orlando, away from the manicured fairways of a golf mecca and the manic machinations of Disney World, sits the warren of offices …

Bonding with Bourbon

It’s no secret that brown leaves and brown liquids make excellent partners for smoking and sipping together. It’s harder to determine what cigar pairs best with what spirit. So …

Beating Blackjack in the 21st Century

Most every successful person has an ah-ha moment, an epiphany that alters the trajectory of what he does and changes his life for the better. Colin Jones, now 39, experienced his …

Cigars

Analysis: The Scores of 2019

An analysis of the 548 cigars that Cigar Aficionado tasters ranked in 2019 offers interesting insights into where the best are made and how to get the biggest bang for the buck.

Fiddler on the Loose

The violin vurtuoso Charlie Siem has mastered the classics, but isn't above cutting loose with Lady Gaga. And he always carries cigars in his fiddle case.

Inside Cuba's New Cigar Box Factory

Habanos S.A. unveils a state-of-the-art box factory that highlights solar s, improved production and an eye toward worker safety.

Connoisseur’s Corner: Punch Punch

How did the 29-year-old Cuban Punch stand the test of time in its majestic 50-count cabinet? Plus, a nearly perfect score along with more reviews of their Cuban counterparts.

Ratings from this Issue

points

Padrón Family Reserve No. 44 Maduro

Issue Date: April 1, 2020

points

Padrón Serie 1926 No. 1 Maduro

Issue Date: April 1, 2020

points

Cohiba Siglo I

Issue Date: April 1, 2020

points

Herrera Esteli Miami Short Corona Gorda

Issue Date: April 1, 2020

Up Front

The Good and the Bad

There have been two recent and major developments in the war on cigars, one of them quite good and the other mixed. Let’s begin with the good. On February 3, U.S. District Judge …