Which cigar magazine is worth the money?

[Sagellih]

I've seen comments on a couple of magazines, both good and bad. I want to hear from my fellow BOTL on which magazine you think is worth the $$ and why.

I subscribe to CA and while I agree that it is mostly advertising $$ for Mr. Shaken, I do find some of the reviews helpful when looking for something new to try, but I don't view the reviews as gospel. A few, and I mean few, of the stories are interesting to read. I'm getting tired of being forced to live vicariously through Marvin and all the golf events and big name shoulder rubbing that he does. Finally, most of the 'toys' that they show are WAY out of my price range, and I wonder why they bother to show them.

I was also getting Cigar City magazine, which is mostly about the cigar industry in Tampa, FL. I stopped getting it because I was having too many problems getting my issues.

[popNsmoke]

i used to get CA but over the yrs it did become more about the extra wealthy not even middle class but wicked crazy rich. So it stoped being worth the money

[themoneycollector]

I voted Cigar Magazine. CA just has too much ultra-wealthy crap and hardly anything about cigars at all.

[JohnnyFlake]

Unfortunately, your poll does not even list the two best Cigar Magazines out there!

My first choice of the ones you have listed would be Smoke.

The following is my listing, in order of preference, of the Cigar Magazines I am aware of:

1 - European Cigar Cult Journal - The very best Cigar Magazine, Period!!!
2 - Cigar Press
3 - Smoke
4 - Cigar
5 - Cigar Snob
6 - Cigar Aficionado

Photos are of my top two!

[Egis]

Originally Posted by JohnnyFlake

Unfortunately, your poll does not even list the two best Cigar Magazines out there!

My first choice of the ones you have listed would be Smoke.

The following is my listing, in order of preference, of the Cigar Magazines I am aware of:

1 - European Cigar Cult Journal - The very best Cigar Magazine, Period!!!
2 - Cigar Press
3 - Smoke
4 - Cigar
5 - Cigar Snob
6 - Cigar Aficionado

Photos are of my top two!

European cigar cult journal is best magazine for sure!
I like Cigar Aficionado too, just cool magazine!

[Sagellih]

Originally Posted by JohnnyFlake

Unfortunately, your poll does not even list the two best Cigar Magazines out there!

My first choice of the ones you have listed would be Smoke.

The following is my listing, in order of preference, of the Cigar Magazines I am aware of:

1 - European Cigar Cult Journal - The very best Cigar Magazine, Period!!!
2 - Cigar Press
3 - Smoke
4 - Cigar
5 - Cigar Snob
6 - Cigar Aficionado

Photos are of my top two!

Thanks for at least letting me know about the other cigar magazines. I have never heard of them and was hoping that this post would bring out those that I did not mention.

As far as the post from Lisa at Cigar City, (mind you, it took this to bring out her first post....and she came out firing!), but I digress, my mention of her magazine never stated anything about reviews, advertising, etc, nor did I mention the magazine in any negative way. (I did more so with CA than Cigar City). I think I was correct in stating that her magazine was about the CIGAR INDUSTRY in Tampa. (I also happen to vacation in Tampa every year and always stop at Ybor City. There are a tremendous amount of cigar shops on 7th St.) I wasn't trying to lump them in with CA or any other magazine. Which is why I mentioned Cigar City in a seperate paragraph, because yes, there are no comparisons!

This poll was meant to let others know about what cigar-related magazines are out there and hopefully to inform the rest of us about any magazines that I failed to mention. I, for one, would like to see what else is out there and maybe check those magazines out.

Since this site is suppose to be for advice, insight, fun, and OPINION that's what I was aiming for with the post. No disrespect to anyone. Sorry if you felt that was the goal here.

[JohnnyFlake]

Originally Posted by Sagellih

Thanks for at least letting me know about the other cigar magazines. I have never heard of them and was hoping that this post would bring out those that I did not mention.

As far as the post from Lisa at Cigar City, (mind you, it took this to bring out her first post....and she came out firing!), but I digress, my mention of her magazine never stated anything about reviews, advertising, etc, nor did I mention the magazine in any negative way. (I did more so with CA than Cigar City). I think I was correct in stating that her magazine was about the CIGAR INDUSTRY in Tampa. (I also happen to vacation in Tampa every year and always stop at Ybor City. There are a tremendous amount of cigar shops on 7th St.) I wasn't trying to lump them in with CA or any other magazine. Which is why I mentioned Cigar City in a seperate paragraph, because yes, there are no comparisons!

This poll was meant to let others know about what cigar-related magazines are out there and hopefully to inform the rest of us about any magazines that I failed to mention. I, for one, would like to see what else is out there and maybe check those magazines out.

Since this site is suppose to be for advice, insight, fun, and OPINION that's what I was aiming for with the post. No disrespect to anyone. Sorry if you felt that was the goal here.

Your absolutely correct, that's what this site is all about. It's a good poll/question. I don't believe anyone was upset with your poll. I'm not sure why you pointed out that you meant no disrespect to anyone, it certainly was not necessary.

BTW, I believe the only way you'll get the European Cigar Cult Journal is via an online subscription. I may be wrong, but I do not think it's available in any Book Shop or News Stand within the USA. It's a very unique magazine, as it's printed in two languages, German and English.

[Quisby]

European Cigar Cult Journal

[Frinkiac7]

I subscribe to CA, I usually find it an interesting read, if not authoritative. For 20 bucks/year it's worth it to me. Unfortunately the actual cigar content they have is pretty slim. But as it's so ubiquitous I find it useful to keep up with.

Free issues of Smoke I've gotten in shipments I've actually enjoyed because they always include a few articles about tobacco farming or interesting articles about the history of the U.S. cigar industry and the like.

I've heard good things about ECCJ, when I get paid perhaps I will subscribe and give it a try. I subscribe to a lot of magazines as I like to read...honestly anything that gives me a bit of pleasure and interesting information every issue is worth 20-30 bucks for an entire year.

Although I did let all of my subscriptions to "mens" magazines lapse...since they became overrun with pansy metrosexual tips and foppish articles about things that I would never sign off on as going in a "mens" magazine were I the editor. Also let FORTUNE lapse because they keep raising the subscription price while the magazine gets visibly thinner every week. I am in need of some new, worthwhile magazines!

[nuke999]

Originally Posted by JohnnyFlake

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BTW, I believe the only way you'll get the European Cigar Cult Journal is via an online subscription. I may be wrong, but I do not think it's available in any Book Shop or News Stand within the USA. It's a very unique magazine, as it's printed in two languages, German and English.

The only place I've seen it was at a Barnes and Noble in Libertyville, IL and I'm sorry that I didn't pick it up. I've looked in several other bookstores but no luck. I've been wanting to check it out to see if I would like to subscribe. I read Cigar Magazine and Smoke. What makes it different from these?

[JohnnyFlake]

Originally Posted by nuke999

The only place I've seen it was at a Barnes and Noble in Libertyville, IL and I'm sorry that I didn't pick it up. I've looked in several other bookstores but no luck. I've been wanting to check it out to see if I would like to subscribe. I read Cigar Magazine and Smoke. What makes it different from these?

It's kind of hard to explain, but the differences and the similarities are all good. The reviews in Cigar Magazine and primarily reviews on NC Cigars that JR's carries in stock. They most certainly are bias in that respect. They do have good articles. The reviews in Smoke are much more realistic and they review both CC & NC Cigars. They also have many good articles. Note: Both Smoke & Cigar are American Magazines, with purely Americanized perspectives.

ECCJ is a European Magazine and their articles and reviews have a European perspective to them, which I find refreshing! The reviews are well done and they review both CC & NC Cigars. The articles are very interesting and they offer information on many newly released cigars and products. They also devote several pages to Pipe Tobaccos and accessories. I usually get two subscriptions, but I believe a one year subscriptions goes for about $28 and very well worth it!

Note: This magazine come to you with all articles printed in both German and English!

[mrreindeer]

I've heard a lot of great things about ECCJ but haven't yet gotten my hands on a copy. I intend to.

The only cigar mag I read with any regularity is CA. Even though I have similar problems with it that have already been mentioned here, like Frinkiac7 & Sagilleh, I do like the pretty pictures and articles and do find some value in them despite the frothy reviews, questionable ratings and an occasional metro$exual wardrobe spread.

Originally Posted by CigarCityMag

If I saw an issue of Martha Stewart's Cooking Magazine in the pole, then I'd think you were just poling which magazines were worth $$$.

Wait, I take it back....Martha Stewart Living is my favorite cigar mag.

[rharris]

I have been able to occasionally find copies of E.C.C.J in one of our local Barnes & Noble bookstores.It is usually located in the cooking and wine section of the magazine racks. Someone may have requested that they start carrying it,so it might be worth asking one their sales associates about it.

[Cigar Man Andy]

I subscribe to Cigar Magazine. Much better than CA

[Hemingway in Havana]

Originally Posted by Quisby

European Cigar Cult Journal

Much more info to be found in this magazine than in the other ones combined!!!