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16 CIGAR HIGHLIGHTS

19 EDITORS’ NOTE

23 OUT OF THE HUMIDOR

31 THE GOOD LIFE GUIDE

33 E LECTRO N ICS Fossil connects yc<;f watch and phone.

36 STYLE Sharp shirts dress up a tuxedo.

39 PLACES Eco travel meets luxury at Cancel Bay.

41 TOO LS Bar gear is die key to perfect drinks.

44 TIME Parmigiani Fleurer celebrates a milestone.

46 WHEELS Jaguar XKR revisits the lust-mobile.

49 DRINK Think pink in Champagne diis year.

JI S PO RT Ecco shoes pair golf and comfort.

53 GOURMET Bonbons go gourmet.

54 FUN Buzzing the Grand Canyon.

features

58 THE BEST OF THE BEST

In our third annual Top 25 cigar tasting, we name a Havana Cigar of

the Year for the first time and unveil a number of surprises such as a

top-scorer that costs only $3.15.

86 CARUSO SINGS

The star of televisions “CS1: Miami” talks about his remarkable come-

back story after a questionable career move—leaving “NYPD Blue” for

a feature film role—and the decade of anonimity that followed it.

golf 108 CONFESSIONS OF A WEEKEND GOLFER,

PART IV

Marvin R. Shanken, CIGAR AFICIONADO editor and

publisher, returns to Scotland for the Alfred Dunhill

Links Championship, played on three classic courses.

golf Il6 MAKING THE BREAK

You know Tiger, V. ]., Ernie, Phil and Padraig, now

meet the upcoming stars of professional golf who are

still toiling on the minor-league circuits for a chance

at the big time. Plus, take a closer look at Jesse

Gawlik, whom ClGAR AFICIONADO is sponsoring.

gambling 124 the talent pool

The International Pool Tour seeks to take billiards

out of seedy halls and into your living room via tele'

vision—just like poker. Now rhe hustlers are seeing

the wisdom of joining the legitimate circuit.

sports 132 BETTING THE SUPER BOWL

From office pools to Vegas sports books to offshore

gambling, more money is wagered on the Super Bowl

than any other event in sports. Our expert relk you

how to handicap the big game.

cars 136 a little luxury

Cherried-out small cars are finding their way onto

showroom floors as greener and more fuel-cost-

conscious drivers decide to downsize, but are reluctant

to lose their creature features.

tech I44 THE NEW WINDOWS

Vista, Microsoft’s latest version of its Windows oper-

ating system, is hitting the market and you need to

know whether to rush to get it for your computer or

play a game of wait-and-see.

travel 154 destination paradise

Destination clubs are enticing travelers with their

offer of a choice of stays at vacation homes across the

globe. But are they just a new spin on time-shares?

cigars

tasting 168 We rate 74 cigars in six sizes: Churchills (168), coro- nas (170), corona gordas (172), figurados (174), petit coronas (176) and robustos (178), plus Connoisseur’s Comer, our vintage cigar tasting (182).

q&a 185 NESTOR MIRANDA The founder of the Don Lino cigar brand, Nestor Miranda, was enjoying huge success in lhe 1990s until his manufacturer cut him off. Miranda discusses how he struggled to stay afloat without a market pres- ence, his successful lawsuit and his plans to return to the top.

profile 190 JOE BASTIANICH Growing up in the New York restaurant world, Joe Bastianich developed a Midas touch for restaurants. Among his dining hot spots are Babbo, Del Pesto, Esc r and Otto. Wine and cigars are among his passions.

cigar diary 194 TRAVELING WITH JAMES SUCKLING Our man in Havana is all smiles about the improve- ments in Cuban cigars and factory security on the island.

196 BIG SMOKE PICTURES Get a look at the festivity and frivolity at the New York and Las Vegas Big Smokes.

200 MOMENTS TO REMEMBER Photos from our readers as they enjoy themselves and their cigars.

204 MADE FOR YOU Items from around the world that become personal to the user: bulletproof cars, the perfect frame-up, a wine and poker package, a hotel with a fresh idea, insurance for the truly wealthy and a splatter-proof cookbook...