Cigar Aficionado Magazine (1992 – Present)

Intro

Without a doubt the most circulated magazine globally for cigar smokers is that of Cigar Aficionado. Since its first publication in late 1992, Cigar Aficionado’s covers have hosted many famous celebrities and sports personalities, all cigar connoisseurs in their own right. Over the years as its reputation grew the magazine became a trusted source for good information pertaining to cigars. Blind taste tests, interviews with industry insiders and the coveted “Cigar Of The Year” awards are but a few of the points of interest that have earned the adoration of its readers.

Marvin R. Shanken

Marvin R. Shanken was born in the coastal city of New Haven in Connecticut. As a young man he got his undergraduate degree in business studies from the University of Miami before going on to get an MBA from the University of America in Washington. His career would first begin real estate and investments but quickly he moved into the world of publishing upon purchasing a wine and spirits industry newsletter by the name of Impact in 1973.

Over the following six years he would distribute various other publications before his purchasing of Wine Spectator in 1979. For over a decade Wine Spectator would be his sole focus, but, upon noticing a gap in the market for a cigar magazine in the same vein of Wine Spectator, Marvin started to formulate plans for what would eventually become Cigar Aficionado.

Throughout the 1980s Marvin had written a series of articles in Wine Spectator focussed on cigars. The editors of the magazine initially spoke out saying that they felt the articles were out of place as cigar smoking was not a socially popular activity then.

Over the next few years this public opinion started to change. In a meeting in 1991 Marvin was trying to get new cover ideas from his editors, it was in this meeting that they would insist upon, much to his surprise, a cover focused on cigars. A trip to Cuba was organised and the issue was released with the cover title “The Allure of Cuban Cigars”. This was the final prompt that spurred Marvin into creating what became Cigar Aficionado.

Cigar Aficionado

September 1992 saw the launch of Cigar Aficionado issue No.1. The cover of the premier issue teased articles on “Cuba’s Best Cigar, Tasting Robustos, Salinger On JFK” and more. Marvin was anxious, waiting to see whether he would meet his goal of shipping 20,000 copies.

Everyone of his executives had seriously warned him against this venture. Their belief was that there was no demand for such a magazine. Doubts had started to creep into his mind. Much to his relief the first issue when released far surpassed his expectations, shipping over 100,000 copies.

It was fair to say that his executives had been wrong and that Cigar Aficionado was off to a flying start. Marvin recalls “The magazine actually turned a profit in the first year, which is unheard of in publishing”. 

Over the next year the issues kept selling and in 1994 Cigar Aficionado scored its first celebrity cover, Fidel Castro. Marvin travelled to Cuba to interview Castro.

For two hours El Presidente would expound information on a multitude of tobacco related issues. He would also touch upon diplomatic issues pertaining to Cuba and the USA. Following this issue celebrities would regularly be interviewed and displayed on the cover such as: George Burns, Jack Nicholson, Tom Selleck, Arnold Shwarzenegger, Demi Moore, Danny DeVito and many more.

Cigar Aficionado would release a digital copy of the magazine before many of its competitors and continues to be available online, on newsstands or via subscription. Despite the social changes for smokers post 2000, Cigar Aficionado has had no problem in still receiving support from celebrity aficionados, releasing interviews in print

as well as on the magazines website. The Michael Jordan 2020 interview has currently amassed over 2 million views on the Cigar Aficionado Youtube channel.

Cigar Of The Year

In 2004 Cigar Aficionado started a top 25 list and crowned one cigar the Cigar Of The Year. To be selected for this honour is not a simple feat with a wide range of fierce competition to contend with. A select group of expert taste testers evaluate each cigar thoroughly in a blind taste test. Contributing factors include shape, taste, construction, burn and more. This process ensures a fair rating, not 

influenced by brand bias or any other external factors. As a result some years have had unexpected winners and the award of Cigar Aficionado Cigar Of The Year undoubtedly contributes to higher demand for these cigars. Below is a list of all the winners of this prestigious award:

• 2004: Padrón Serie 1926 40th Anniversary
• 2005: Fuente Fuente OpusX Double Corona
• 2006: Bolivar Royal Corona
• 2007: Padrón Serie 1926 No. 9
• 2008: Casa Magna Colorado Robusto
• 2009: Padrón Family Reserve No. 45 Maduro
• 2010: Cohiba Behike BHK 52
• 2011: Alec Bradley Prensado Churchill
• 2012: Flor de Las Antillas Toro
• 2013: Montecristo No. 2
• 2014: Oliva Serie V Melanio Figurado
• 2015: My Father Le Bijou 1922 Torpedo Box Pressed
• 2016: La Flor Dominicana Andalusian Bull
• 2017: Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Eye of the Shark
• 2018: E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic
• 2019: Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Maestro
• 2020: E.P. Carrillo Pledge Prequel

2016 Cigar Of The Year 

La Flor Dominicana Andalusian Bull

Conclusion

With over 25 years of experience in delivering top quality reviews, interviews and important information as well as tips and tricks for cigar smokers it is no surprise that the vision Marvin had for a cigar lifestyle magazine has become a success story.

 Cigar Aficionado has been stocked monthly by The Pipe Shop Ltd. for decades and is highly anticipated each time it is delivered. The magazine is ingrained into cigar culture and is a great fount of knowledge for beginners and weathered enthusiasts alike. See the current issue and back issues in stock today!

In this issue:

Dan Aykroyd is a man of many facets. A comic with a flair for the dramatic, he also is a walking compendium of knowledge. We spoke with the comedic actor about his many business ventures, the perfect meal and his long-time love of great cigars. Plus, we look at three great father-son teams for Father’s Day, aficionados remember Rush Limbaugh, and much, much more.

In this issue:

When he hits a golf ball, it goes a country mile. When she posts a photo on Instagram, the whole world seems to notice. Dustin Johnson and Paulina Gretzky are one of the world’s most famous power couples. The two, complete with cigars, appear on the March/April cover of Cigar Aficionado. Johnson is the world’s No. 1 golfer.

In this issue:

The Godfather, Once Upon A Time in America and Goodfellas make for fascinating viewing… But there’s an even better story out there. The tales of real-life mobsters. From Al Capone to Charles “Lucky” Luciano. We look at the lives of these men who made their living by gun and knife. T.J. English tells the story of the Italian-Cuban Mob war of New York. We also talk to Tiger Woods about his new golf course Then we taste an array of cask-strength whiskeys. We chat with a bold entrepreneur who just put up the luxurious, $1 billion Circa Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

In this issue:

Alex Rodriguez is one of the most talented men ever to play baseball. We sit down with him and editor and publisher Marvin R. Shanken in a wide-ranging interview. The pair talk about Rodriguez’s years as a pro athlete. Also, what drove him to build a vast real estate empire and how he dealt with his father abandoning. Then we talk the fallout from his yearlong suspension from the game. He also reveals his views of former teammate Derek Jeterand talks about his high-profile relationship with superstar Jennifer Lopez.

In this issue:

Joe Manganiello. At six-foot-five and hard as a rock he may seem built to play tough guys. An artistic side and a comedic flair has shown he is not so one dimensional. Not to mention his love of great cigars. In this issue we sit down with the actor to discuss his dreams of succeeding on the other side of the camera. Plus, we rate the top 10 best prospects for the 2018 Masters. Take a look at the 12 fastest cars money can buy. We survey the highest-rated cigars of 2017, and tell you why we’re wild for Irish whiskey.

In this issue:

Hugh Jackman can do it all. Play a superhero. Sing. Host the Oscars. In this issue Jackman discusses his motivation and his love of a great cigar. Also, we look at what it would take to normalise relations with Cuba. Retired golfing legend Jack Nicklaus talks about his course designs. A look at businessmen involved in high-stakes poker. Also, we interview sportscaster Joe Buck and crunch all the data from our previous year’s cigar tastings.

In this issue:

Jeremy Irons doesn’t care what you think about his cigar smoking. He’s going to puff away regardless. The April issue of Cigar Aficionado goes into detail about the actor’s craft and his love for fine smokes. Also, find out why so many cigar companies are releasing small batch brands and what small batch actually means. Plus, a look at the greatest moments in sport from the last 20 years, the best luxury cars of the year and we talk with PGA pro Tommy “Two Gloves” Gainey.

In this issue:

Actor and longtime cigar smoker Joe Mantegna tells us about growing up in Chicago. Also, we discuss how he aims to stay in Hollywood’s Major Leagues. Plus, the story behind sports championship rings. Then we have a profile on legendary golfer Miquel Angel Jimenez. The Grucci family tell us about their love of cigars and fireworks. Not to mention a feature on how high rollers enjoy the Bellagio. Finally, the head of General Cigar, Dan Carr, discusses business.