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It’s true that cigars are often paired with whiskey. But it’s also true that it’s not mandatory. If you frequent this space for tips on cigars, you’ll recall that yours truly prefers pairing cigars with coffee and Coca-Cola or Dr Pepper over whiskey and Scotch. That’s just a personal preference. There’s truly no right or wrong way to pair your cigars. Recently, I was offered the chance to pair a cigar with Isle of Skye Whisky’s new Cigar Reserve. I was initially skeptical because whiskey often overpowers my palate. For that tasting, I opted for Altura’s Third Harvest Lancero, and the experience was mind-altering, for the better.

Tequila can offer a similar experience. I had the pleasure of visiting the Cazcanes distillery earlier this year in Amatitán, an hour outside of Guadalajara, Jalisco. I rarely pair cigars with tequila, but when the folks at Cazcanes reached out about their cigar pairing experience, I was intrigued because their tequila lineup is outstanding. Earlier this year, for example, Cazcanes’ Nuestras Raíces earned a perfect 100 score from Wine Enthusiast. It marked the first time the influential drinks magazine awarded a spirit a perfect score in its 46-year history. I was reminded of the exquisite taste late last month after visiting Cazcanes’ booth at the 11th annual Barra México in Mexico City, the biggest cocktail event in Latin America.

Men have been thought leaders since the beginning of time. Aristotle’s logic and ethics, Confucius’s social harmony and duty, Machiavelli’s statecraft and political power, Gandhi’s nonviolent resistance and civil rights, Newton’s physics and mathematics- men have been at the forefront of thought at every turn. So why don’t men read more? Sometimes it feels like we have abandoned our place in society’s thought processes. When I ask men around me how much they have read or what they have read recently, I am almost always met with a sheepish look, saying they don’t read, or they mostly read sports columns. Now, there is nothing wrong with reading a sports column. Hell, I love arguing with a baseball writer year-round. But, sometimes, when you read something, you should be staring thoughtfully upward or outward while reflecting inward, wondering how to apply it to your life. That is why I started thinking about what books I would recommend to my friends. Many of them have no idea what the best improvement books are for men. Where they should start. What is worth reading and what is a bunch of bullsh*t.

So I put together a list of books that will change your life, as long as you stare outwardly or upwardly while reflecting inwardly.

There are no shortages of cigar lounges in Miami. There’s a particular cigar lounge I’ve frequented in Miami where I constantly run into NFL legend and Hall of Famer Ed Reed. But then I found Cigar Club Miami. It’s the place you want to be if you’re looking for an elevated experience. For my money, it’s also your best option in downtown Miami. Elad Smadja opened the joint in January 2023. The objective was simple: give the downtown area a modern cigar lounge offering a premium cigar selection and craft cocktails. He more than delivered.

From the onset, the moody exterior prepares you for what you’re about to walk into. You’re immediately greeted with warm lighting and modern luxury throughout, from the leather barstools and Carrara marble bar top to comfortable suede chairs. The lounge features a wall humidor stocked with some of the finest cigars. The bar is also fully stocked. If you find yourself there during happy hour, peruse the healthy selection of aged whiskeys.