Last time I checked, it still said “Cigar Aficionado” on the cover, even though the word “Cigar” has been softened somewhat over the years. I don’t subscribe anymore, but I do admit to picking it up now and then when I am traveling.

You may remember an article a few months ago called “Things I can’t taste” which went over all the unique things the editors can taste in their highly educated palates. As I went through the magazine this time, I realized how really little there is about cigars. Really, can they even call this Cigar Aficionado anymore? How about “Rich Guys Who Think They're Hot Stuff Aficionado”, or maybe “Watches, Travel, Sports Cars, and Ads Aficionado”, anything without the word “cigar” in it would work great.

I digress, as it isn’t fair to give a hard time to this beautifully produced 146 page magazine. (146 pages including the inside front and back cover.) What do you really get for your 146 pages? It is about cigars right…at least that is what you would think.

In reality, this issue has 70 pages of ads. That’s not a misprint; almost one half of this magazine is advertising. Starts making me feel they should pay me to look at it. If 48% of what I just paid for is ads, imagine what this thing would cost if they weren’t in there! That leaves us 76 pages reserved for cigars…right?

Not so fast, as there are 52 pages of non-cigar content. Don’t get me wrong, this can be some good stuff…this must be where they but the “aficionado” in Cigar Aficionado. Strike it rich hear cigar lovers…we have 4 pages on Poker (I like Poker), 4 pages on golf (I love golf), 4 pages of other people smoking cigars (who really cares), 1 page on cigar accessories (go figure, uber expensive lighter), and of course the main article on the HBO hit Entourage. A great show that has…well really nothing to do with cigars.