THIS IS AN interview to be enjoyed with a fine cigar and a finer glass of whiskey.

Golf.com’s Alan Shipnuck sat down with the most interesting man in golf, Miguel Angel Jimenez, for a conversation that touched on life, love and, occasionally, sport.

For those unfamiliar with Jimenez he’s a 51-year-old Spaniard beloved of golf fans, mainly because he does what he wants and doesn’t give a fiddlers what anyone thinks.

Also, he has the best warm-up routine known to man:

From the opening lines, you know this is going to be a great read:

“Miguel, would you like some water?”"My friend, water is for fish.”

He pours himself a tall glass of 10-year-old Bushmills whiskey.

“Don’t forget—your tee time is in 18 hours.”

Jiménez, 51, arches an eyebrow but says nothing. He opens a small metal case and produces a Cuban cigar, which he fires up with gusto.

“I come from a different generation,” Jiménez says. “And I’m not a hypocrite. I don’t hide the way I am. If I want to have a drink, I have a drink. Why shouldn’t I? Is it illegal to drink alcohol? Is tobacco illegal? So why should I care if people see me smoking? I do what I do out in the open. If people have a problem with that they can stick their tongue up their ass and let the rest of us do what we want to do. You can quote me exactly the way I said that.” He cracks an impish smile. “And what else do you want me to tell you?”

Read Alan Shipnuck’s interview in full here at Golf.com >