« Cigar Review: Rocky Patel Old World Reserve Corojo Robusto | Home | Cigar Review: Gurkha G5 Avenger Toro »
Does Cigar Aficionado Truly Represent Today’s Cigar Smoker?
By Jesse | August 1, 2008 |
Cigar Aficionado is the most recognized cigar magazine on the newsstand. If you asked 20 people on the street to name a magazine about cigars, even if they have no clue about cigars they could name Cigar Aficionado.
It bothers me because the Cigar Aficionado “image” is the cigar smoker stereotype. The picture Cigar Aficionado paints is one of expensive watches, private jets, PGA golf courses, and exclusive clubs. Cigar sales wouldn’t be steadily rising over the past few years if these were the only people smoking cigars.
Average Joe (and Jane) is today’s cigar smoker. It is a relatively cheap luxury/hobby. (As long as you don’t hand over your credit card to those Auction sites). It is a way to relax alone or to socialize. We like finding the cigar that is our best bang for the buck. We gather in backyards or local bars, instead of yacht clubs. Our cars are used, and McDonald’s is about as exclusive dining experience we get especially if you can get the kid’s into the play area so you can have 15 minutes of peace with your spouse before all hell breaks loose.
Alight I’m done rambling, I’d love to hear your thoughts and about who is today’s cigar smoker.
If you're new here, you may want to check out the Cigar Review Index or subscribe to get updates through RSS or Email. Thanks for visiting!
Tags: cigar aficionado, Cigars, Smoking, Stereotypes
Topics: Cigar Talk, Smoking Bans |
August 1st, 2008 at 11:38 am
As I said on Twitter, I agree with you. Reading anything other than the reviews in CA tends to frustrate me, because it doesn’t represent me at all.
I wish there was a cigar magazine that:
1. Devoted the majority of it’s pages to topics relating to cigars, rather than to expensive watches, cars, and other things that I’ll likely never be able to afford.
2. Has articles that are of interest to a more “average” readership, rather than to the country-club set. While I do find some of the sports articles in CA interesting, I can’t really relate to much else, other than the actual discussion of cigars (which seems to be occupying a smaller section of the magazine each month).
If there is such a magazine already, I’d love to know about it. I’d prefer a print magazine, rather than an online one, so I can sit on the porch and read it while smoking. (I tend to accidentally drop ash all over my keyboard if I smoke while I’m at the laptop).
August 1st, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Oh man I’ve got so much ash in my freaking keyboard it isn’t even funny.
August 1st, 2008 at 12:52 pm
I have a simple vanity website called the Cheapcigarreview on Blogger. I just got off on anything that crosses my heavy metal addled mind. My reviews are not pretentious. I usually can only offer whether or I not I find a cigar to be good. I have read CA and honestly find it to be hilarious. How anybody can write this stuff with a straight face is beyond me.
August 1st, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Sounds like Cigar Jack is filling the void?!
mp/m
August 1st, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Mike, I’m one of many filling that void, well trying anyway. For the most part the cigar bloggers and podcasters are middle class guys that just enjoy a good cigar. :)
August 1st, 2008 at 1:50 pm
The one thing I hate about cigar aficionado is that it lures yuppies to the game. Granted this can help in the growth of cigar smoking, but it does not relate to me.
There are tons of yuppies who would disagree with us though!
August 1st, 2008 at 2:11 pm
I can not believe that no one has mentioned Cigar Magazine. I picked up a copy of this quarterly publication at an airport and by the end of my flight I had resolved to become a subscriber.
Unlike CA, Cigar Magazine has a real sense of humor. It knows how to laugh at itself and make readers laugh right along. Furthermore, it is strong on reporting the news that cigar lovers need to know about. The content seems 100% tailored to the affore mentioned non-elite crowd cigar smoker.
Click on my name to be taken to their website.
August 1st, 2008 at 2:14 pm
I need to see if I can find a copy somewhere. I’ve been meaning to check it out. I don’t read these magazines as often as I really should.
August 1st, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Sounds interesting. Thanks for sharing the link, Kevin. Too bad the magazine is currently not available outside of the US. I guess I’ll have to stick to reading the website for now…except, it looks like they don’t put much content online.
August 1st, 2008 at 2:23 pm
I have to agree with you CJ, cA does not represent today’s, yesterday’s, or even tomorrow’s cigar smoker. They are a men’s lifestyle magazine with a niche title! I believe the guys like you and many others in the blogosphere are way better representatives of who today’s cigar smoker really is….
August 1st, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Yeah, it is likely that you will only find this mag at the more comprehensive newsstands.
August 1st, 2008 at 2:29 pm
I think the Cigar Blogs are offering the most relevant news and information as well as reviews. But lets be honest, taking your laptop to the John is just a little weird. That’s where some of the CA competition like Cigar Magazine comes in.
August 1st, 2008 at 2:36 pm
My cigar friends and I couln’t agree with you more. The magazine has become imho a forbes-like publication.
What once was a cigar focused publication has bceome a “lifestyle” magazine for the wealthy who “happen” to smoke cigars.
In addition, the prices quoted bear no relation to what is out there in the real world. Magazines like SMOKE and CIGAR speak to the REAL cigar consumer
August 1st, 2008 at 2:44 pm
I picked up a copy of Cigar Press a few months ago. it is a relatively new magazine, but every article was about cigars and people in the business. their reviews are very down to earth with descriptions that even the simplest people like myself can understand. i’ve recently just subscribed to it and will be receiving my summer issue soon.
August 1st, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Answer to the title question: Hell no!
I see today’s cigar smoker as middle class, family man/person, willing to do a day’s work for a day’s pay, doesn’t feel that anyone owes him anything-understands how to work for what he wants, longs for more time away from life’s stressors, smart with their money, willing to try new things, educated (if not through traditional schooling, through life experience), dependable, generous, friend worthy.
August 1st, 2008 at 2:56 pm
I have heard that the more a company advertizes in CA the higher their “rating” will be….
Maybe, maybe not.
Although I don’t mind paying a little extra for something nicer than average, I do mind paying to keep up their slick advertising.
Smoking a cigar is about having a good time, not checking ones watch anyway…presumably the fancy wheels will be parked in the driveway…it should be about cigars, friends and time forgotten.
end of rant.
August 1st, 2008 at 3:07 pm
It is way over the top,I’m A retired ironworker I have smoked hand made cigars for over 40 years and I find very little in CA that relates to me!
I guess if celebs. and the ultra rich smoke them then it gives credibility to cigars!?
August 1st, 2008 at 3:37 pm
I read CA and for the most part enjoy it. If the good Lord lets me live till Oct. I will be 53. I work as an engineer for a regional railroad (and don’t make anywhere near the amounts of $$$$ the big boys do) with 3 grown kids, 3 dogs at home and a truly loving and supportive wife. I believe CA is just like so many other magazines out there, be they Cigar related or not. They need to attract OTHER than the target audience for the casual off the rack sale. How do you do that? Make it shiny and full of names you recognize. I will continue to read because I find some good information in there, but also an extremely large amount of fluff. Loooong ashes……..
August 1st, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Hey - guys - I like to see that Cigar Press made it int the topic. We just released our fourth issue - and everything I publish is about cigars - and content everyone can relate to. If you think smoke and Cigar Mag are all about cigars - then I think you’ll love Cigar Press. Check it out.
August 1st, 2008 at 4:35 pm
As much as I see where you’re ALL coming from, I doubt anyone would say that Forbes isn’t a REAL business publication, despite the fact that most people who read it probably aren’t C-level executives.
All publications — magazines especially — have a demographic (people who read the publication) and a psychographic (what people who read the publication THINK they are, or what they aspire to become.)
If you read lifestyle magazines like GQ, Vogue, The New Yorker, etc., you’re looking at ads that are trying to reach the psychographic. This maintains brand relevance so you think, “Wow. When I get money, I’m going to get a Patek Philippe watch. They’re the best.”
But there’s the flip side. For instance, while Martha Stewart may be all about using the best ingredients, expensive products, its biggest advertisers probably include companies like Kraft and General Mills. I doubt anyone would say Kraft makes the highest-quality cheese.
Cigar Aficionado has staked its claim as the cigar reader’s aspirational read. If you don’t want to read it, if you don’t feel it represents you, just don’t read it. But I don’t think anyone would argue that it’s the one true cigar smoker’s source. You can still find some of the best cigar information from your local shop.
…or on Cigar Jack, of course.
@Thor - You’re based in Chicago? I’d love to have a smoke with you.
August 1st, 2008 at 4:57 pm
One thing about the CA cigar reviewers, though: They have extremely sophisticated palates. You can’t dispute that.
August 1st, 2008 at 6:09 pm
@Daniel: That’s true. I can’t pick out half of the flavours that they can. Then again, I’ve only been smoking cigars for about 1.5 years, so I my palette hasn’t really had time to become too refined yet.
August 1st, 2008 at 6:15 pm
I think the independent guys are representing todays smoker more than the CA is. When it first came out, it was a great magazine.
I noticed that I got a lot of positive feedback from people at the IPCPR. It is time for a more indpendent voice. Talk to me about cigars and smoking issues, not expensive watches, cars, vacations etc.
August 1st, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Great post Jesse. I think Cigar Aficionado is a wonderful publication which helps boost the image of a cigar smoker. However, it does seem to cater to the “upper crust” population. Cigar smokers in general are a much more diverse population. I think cigar lovers are united in our love of the leaf and this helps transend the class divide somewhat. I think CA should add a woman cigar reviewer and a minority reviewer for more diversity.
August 1st, 2008 at 9:54 pm
CA Hasn’t really done much for me lately except give me a lil info on some bills about smoking. Plus I can’t stand that James Suckling guy. His writing just bothers me.
August 2nd, 2008 at 11:59 am
I disagree with the whole premise that today’s cigar smoker is an “average Joe” middle class person. I can go into quite a number of cigar shops and see the place packed with very affluent men with their brand new Mercedes’ and BMWs parked out front. These type of people represent a good portion of the cigar community and always have (because cigar smoking is really not that cheap). There are plenty of shops that are also filled with the average Joe, but you cannot discount the number of wealthy people who smoke cigars.
The online community seems to be made up of the avergae Joe’s because we are seeking info from people just like us. I can relate to the people online far more than Gordon Mott or James Suckling. However, there certainly is a place for CA. The ratings are relevant because we continue to talk about them and they do influence cigar sales (for example Oliva V, Patel Decade, etc.). As for the high-end consumer content, Daniel stated it best; it is a cigar reader’s aspirational read. Afterall, we all look at beautiful women that are way out of our league so why is it different to look at watches or cars that are way out of our league?
August 2nd, 2008 at 4:42 pm
There is good and bad about CA. I find that most of their articles are for goods and services waaay above my salary range, but some of them are still interesting. I would point to recent articles on the future of diesel-powered cars and the dominance of Tiger Woods, as well as some interesting interviews with people like Tom Selleck and Kevin Costner. The cigar-related articles are not numerous enough, but they are usually very interesting.
The thing they really excel at is promoting the smoking of cigars and the gathering of cigar smokers through several regional “Big Smoke” events every year. I will be going in November to my second Las Vegas Big Smoke weekend along with a couple friends (one of whom has gone 8 times previously). Last year was very cool, each of returned home with about 90 stogies and we got to meet some of the “cigar stars” like Carlos and Carlito Fuente, Rocky Patel, Tim Ozgener, and Ernesto Perez-Carrillo. The Saturday and Sunday morning panel discussions were all fun and informative. It’s like having a big smoking party with a few thousand of your best friends.
As far as CA giving ratings based on advertising revenue, this is a charge that seems a bit specious. One of last year’s panels had to do with their “blind tasting” methods. They have a person in the office whose job it is to go out and buy all the cigars, remove the labels and attach generic number labels before placing one of each of the cigars in the personal humidors of the tasting panel. They smoke all the cigars individually and without knowing what the cigars are before coming back together to discuss their tasting notes. I believe it was Gordon Mott who pointed out that if they based their ratings on who spent the most money advertising in the magazine, there would be several very unhappy customers who would have pulled their advertising years ago. No specific names were mentioned, but I’m thinking Macanudo, a company that never gets good ratings in any cigar publication.
All in all, I believe CA serves a purpose and does it well. I don’t read every issue cover-to-cover because some of the stuff just bores me, but it’s definitely worth the highly discounted subscription price I paid at the Big Smoke last year.
August 3rd, 2008 at 5:51 pm
I had to quit reading “Cigar Aficionado” after their right wing conservative biases were too apparent for me to tolerate. I couldn’t deal with their kissing Rush Limbaugh’s ass any longer.
August 3rd, 2008 at 11:35 pm
I blogged out this a few years ago. My subscription was coming due and as I read through the magazine, nothing in the articles spoke to me. As others said, who can afford the watches, cars, vacations settings that they advertise. I found I was only going to the back of the magazine to read the reviews. And even the reviews I couldn’t relate to since half of them were from Cuba, but I could give that a pass since it is a international magazine. What really annoyed me was the Kurt Russell cover where he was promoting his new movie and halfway through the article he said he didn’t even smoke cigars…come on!
I found Smoke and Cigar magazine were more my style, articles relating to the B&M stores and stories about the cigar manufacturers.
If someone wants honest reviews about cigars and the lifestyle of cigar smokers, the online community has truly filled the void that CA has left behind.
As for right wing conservatism in the magazine, the right wing is the only establishment at times trying to save us from higher taxes. I’m all for anyone getting the word out regarding the people (mostly left wing) trying to tax us out of enjoying our hobby. They can kiss ass to who ever is promoting cigar smoking.
August 4th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
nickey187
I think the problem you have with CA is not with CA at all but rather the mindset of most cigar smokers. I am not sure if you are willing to accept the fact that liberals (not conservatives) are responsible for the smoking laws that are making it increasingly difficult and unnecessarily expensive to smoke cigars. The fact of the matter is that cigar smokers tend to be small government type people, Rush being an example of that. It is certainly not CA’s fault.
August 4th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
If you noticed over the years the thickness of CA has dwindled a bit as it’s ad rates have skyrocketed. I think is serves a distinct sect, but perhaps not your mainstream smoker. For the novice it’s a source catalog of what the “hip” people are smoking (Do we even use the word “hip” anymore?).
Cigar Press is a small, recent magazine that I came across at the IPCPR show. I think this may be the next “big” magazine as it is geared toward this and the next generation. It’s worth a read or perhaps a review here.
August 4th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
I’ve been hearing a lot about CIGARPRESS Magazine but have been unable to find it in my regular NYX cigar store haunts. If anyone has a copy they would like to part with I’d be happy to pay the postage and forward a tasty stick form my humidor
Thanks
mark
August 4th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
I think Cigar Aficionado serves a purpose by helping the “sell side” or the cigar industry. They give the companies a mainstream vehicle for them to sell their product. What has been missing from the equation was the “buy side” where store owners and customers can sort out the good from the not as good.
The thing is, Cigar Aficionado needs to sell as space. The cigar boom of the 90’s did many things and in respect to CA, it gave high-end products a new avenue. We are now, and have been for a few years, at a time when marketing budgets for cigar companies aren’t as they once were. So in order to fill the vaccuum in the magazine, ads are more focused on other items. Watches, automobiles, etc.
Bloggers and new media now are even greater stakeholders in the equation. They can be as influential as a high CA rating and they can serve as a cheaper advertising alternative (for those who sell their ad space).
August 5th, 2008 at 10:30 am
I’m not sure if cA “represent’s” today’s cigar smoker,but it sure as hell influences today’s cigar smoker. To many people take the cA reviews as gospel rather then a guide line. Working at a B&M I’ve seen it to many times. A cigar may be selling fairly well,and be nothing more then an average cigar, but if it gets a 95 in cA you can no longer keep it on the shelf. Now if one publication holds that kind of influence, you can’t tell me that the scores are all straight and fair. I’m just not buying it.
August 5th, 2008 at 10:50 am
I think concerns that CA’s reviews can be bought are unfounded. Selling good reviews to the highest bidder is simply not in CA’s best interest.
While it would provide them with a short-term financial gain, in the longer term it would only hurt them. Word would inevitably get out, and people would cease to trust CA reviews.
Lost trust equals lost sales, so ultimately, giving good reviews to companies who spend the most money on ads, or even outright buy a good review, would not be in the long-term best interests of CA.
Of course, I suppose anything is possible, so who knows what is and isn’t true.
August 5th, 2008 at 10:59 am
My comment on Social Cigar:
I canceled my subscription long ago. The ratings are suspect. For all the cigar smokers I have met over the years, cA does not represent them nor does it represent me.
I don’t begrudge people who can afford these expensive luxuries as long as they don’t flaunt it. I enjoy being a friend. Riches or lack thereof mean nothing to me.