TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents April 2008 Guide to London: It has been said many times, by many people, that London is a man’s city — and a truer declaration has never been uttered. All That Glittered: ...when you’re a one-man band, and you don’t have the people behind you, it all starts to unravel. The Robusto Report: Taste testing at Club Macanudo. Robustos: How we rated them.

Laura's Little Self-Embargo
| Page 11
Americans can slap down cold, hard cash for any premium cigar rolled in the Dominican Republic. . . . except this one. > read more

Five Degrees Of Separation
| Page 12
Five people have owned the world’s most valuable and pedigreed cigar: a statesman, an auteur, a star. . . and two schmucks. > read more

Well-Bilt
| Page 12
One Arizona resort maintains a fine-cigars tradition. > read more

Watch In A Box II
| Page 13
It’s a rare joy for the more fashion-minded cigar connoisseur to walk out the door in an attire that matches, color-wise, the morning smoke in his hand — especially since the modern man’s closet tends to lack earth tones (unless you’re Al Gore). > read more

10 + 2
| Page 13
It’s an auspicious achievement for any company to reach its 10-year anniversary — much less a cigar company, where today’s hot smoke can be tomorrow’s clearance-sale item. > read more

Cigar Fi
| Page 14
Ever since Ulysses S. Grant chomped down on a stogie, cigars have been an icon of American military brawn and bravado. But U.S. forces engaged in Iraq and Afghanistan have found another use for premium stogies — as diplomatic tools. > read more

Chopping Block

When it comes to securing that rare box of pre-embargo Cubans, your options have traditionally been few... > read more

The Golden Draught
| Page 18
It’s become a habit around here to pair the cigar of the day with a warming dram of The Macallan 18-year-old single-malt scotch — there’s nothing quite like following your cigar with something only slightly younger than your second wife. > read more

Vapor Friendly
| Page 18
For all those sick of being exiled outside whenever they try to light a cigarillo, a nifty piece of new tech by former stockbroker and investment banker Ron MacDonald may present a way for you to puff in peace while offering a middle-finger salute to draconian anti-smoking measures. > read more

Smells Like Tobacco Spirit II
| Page 18
Etymologically speaking — and this we rarely do so as to avoid sounding like the smug, Charlton Heston look-alike everyone avoids at dinner parties — Tabarome Millesime is the quintessence of tobacco-infused cologne: its name literally means “tobacco aroma.” > read more

Prometheus Unleashed
| Page 20
Anyone who spends even a little bit of time in the cigar business can’t help but start comparing it to that other exclusive select industry, wine making. > read more

High-Rolling Accessories
| Page 19
Even the biggest whales in Vegas have the occasional bad night, the kind that leaves you wondering whether you’ll have to sell one of your kidneys to afford a plane ticket out of America’s Playground. > read more

Made in China
| Page 20
Although chefs at frou-frou Asian-fusion restaurants might take exception, the ultimate confluence of China and the West may exist in the perfectly hand-rolled cigar. > read more

A Light Cruise
| Page 21
To the die-hardest of smoke connoisseurs, Cunard’s newly launched Queen Victoria is more than just a 90,000-ton cruise liner, or an opportunity to gain 22 pounds... > read more

Hava Tequila
By Richard Carlton Hacker | Page 23
Your favorite south-of-the-border spirit grows up . . . in time to be paired with your favorite smoke > read more

Selective Smoke
By Michael Herklots | Page 27
I’m fortunate in that I get to enjoy cigars more frequently than many others. That’s just one of the perks of working in the cigar business... > read more

The Trouble With Brands
| Page 26
Remember when there was just Coca-Cola? Then came Coca-Cola Classic, Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero, Cherry Coke, Coca-Cola BlaK, Black Cherry Vanilla Coke, Coca-Cola with Lime, Coca-Cola Citra and more. Same with cigars. > read more

Just One Leaf
By Shawn Burnette | Page 28
Every night, my favorite customers engage in cigar rituals. We share knowledge, trade sticks and divulge our newest discoveries... > read more

Table Manners
| Page 30
Cooking and cigars have a lot in common,” proclaims Rocco DiSpirito. “Both involve fire, friends and the celebration of something handmade. It’s all about pleasure and satisfaction.” And the one-time NBC reality-series chef and cookbook king indeed believes in the pursuit of happiness — whether it’s fine food, libation or cigars. > read more

The Q & A
| Page 32
Joe Bastianich abandoned Wall Street for Italy’s vineyards and restaurants, before pairing with Chef Mario Batali to open Babbo Ristorante Enoteca — the beginning of a restaurant streak that’s included Lupa, Esca, and Del Posto. > read more

A Cigar Smoker's Guide To London
| Page 39
It has been said many times, by many people, that London is a man’s city — and a truer declaration has never been uttered. > read more

The Cigar Queen
| Page 44
Centuries-old British importer Hunters & Frankan puts their freshest face forward. > read more

Chunnel Execursion: Paris
| Page 46
“The report of my death was an exaggeration” – Samuel Clemens > read more

Coming Through Fire
By Nick Kolakowski | Page 48
The long and winding road snaking from Managua to Esteli would be perfect for breaking in a shiny vehicle with some major-league horsepower under the hood. > read more

All That Glittered
By Nick Kolakowski | Page 54
> read more

The Cigar Runner
| Page 60
Over a decade ago, Richard “Mick” Connors was stopped crossing the Ambassador Bridge from Windsor, Ontario into Detroit. After confiscating the few thousand cigars on his person, U.S. Customs assumed they had seen the last of him. They were wrong. At last, Connors breaks his silence. > read more

A Worthy Case
| Page 64
Every luxury atelier seems duty-bound to produce a cigar case that, in materials and workmanship, more resembles a piece of high-end luggage (albeit in miniature) than a container for your smoking-sticks. > read more

Smoke Screen
| Page 68
Cliché? Perhaps. But thanks to Eastwood, Pacino and the rest, your lit cigar is now officially equated with having a pair of epic cojones — a message burned even further into the collective memory by the following films. > read more

The Robusto Report
| Page 74
For the first test, we assemble a panel of new and experienced palates together at a venue (in this issue’s case, Club Macanudo, a veritable Versailles of cigars) and over a big dinner and drinks, have them smoke five cigars each. > read more

The Cigar Life Guide: Humidors
By Nick Kolakowski , Ken York | Page 80
Whether you’re a neophyte stepping into the cigar game with virgin tastebuds and a nearly empty wallet, or the ultra-experienced bon vivant willing to spend the equivalent of a secondhand Porsche on a place to keep their smokes, we detail which storage space is likely best for you. > read more

Cigar Smoker's Map of London

> read more

Previously » Premiere Issue