In the January/February 2012
Cigar Aficionado

100 Years of Fuente—Celebrating a Family Dynasty

A century ago, a young Cuban immigrant named Arturo Fuente first rolled cigars under that name. In the February issue of Cigar Aficionado, we look back at the phenomenal success of the Fuente brand and the family dynasty that carries on its legacy and commemorates its many triumphs today. Plus, we reveal our annual Top 25 Cigars of 2011, take a look at the next generation of golfers poised to occupy golf's leaderboards and tell you how to avoid sucker bets on NFL's Super Bowl. Also, we speak with cigar smoker and political commentator Sean Hannity, go under the tents to see how Connecticut Shade wrapper is grown and look back at Cuba's limited and regional edition cigars from the past year.

Up Front

Editors' Note : A Well-Deserved Honor

Letters : Out of the Humidor

Good Life Guide

Electronics : The guitar game that actually teaches.

Drink : The mighty whites of the northern Rhône.

Sport : Transcend ski goggles do just that.

Cigars : Couture cigar cases bring a touch of class.

Time : Racing watches get the pole position.

Wheels : Porsche 911: Redesigning the legend.

Places : Looking to the sea at the St. Regis Kauai.

Fun : Learn to make cheddar cheese.

Style : The return of textured fabric.

Gourmet : French bonbons are the fun chocolate.

Features

Cigars : The Year's Best of the Best - After intensively resmoking 2011’s stand-out sticks, we reveal the best of the crop. Our annual report on the top 25 cigars of the year yields some surprise up-and-comers as well as welcoming back some perennial favorites.

Cover : One Hundred Years of Fuente - It’s been a century since a young immigrant from Cuba named Arturo Fuente first rolled cigars under that name. The next 100 years would bring phenomenal success as well as stunning challenges to the company now piloted by his illustrious offspring, Carlos Fuente Sr. and Jr.

Golf : The Changing of the Guard - The game’s coterie of familiar star players—Woods, Mickelson, Els— is being dogged by a posse of young upstarts. New names, like Rory McIlroy, Charl Schwartzel and Keegan Bradley, now aim to occupy the golf firmament.

Gambling : America's Super Bets - With handles of $87.5 million bet legally and billions wagered off shore, the NFL’s Super Bowl represents the country’s single biggest day of gambling. We tell you how to avoid the sucker bets.

Cigars

Tasting : Ratings - We rate 76 cigars in six sizes: Churchills, coronas, corona gordas, figurados, lonsdales and robustos, plus Connoisseur’s Corner, our vintage cigar tasting.

Profile : Sean Hannity - The consummate conservative, Fox News’s political commentator Sean Hannity reveals his troublemaker side: he’s always enjoyed a good smoke.

Industry : Secrets of Connecticut Shade - How the elegant leaves grown under tents in the Connecticut River Valley are making a comeback as popular wrapper tobacco despite the trend for stronger smokes.

Cuba Report : Exclusive Habanos - A look at the H. Upmann Royal Robusto and other special editions from Casa del Habano; plus Cuba shuts down cigar-factory tours.