Reading the ratings, a novice example

[kevink868]

I read every rating I can get my hands on, and I suspect they factor into 1/3 to 1/2 of my purchase decisions. (The balance is based on knowing which manufacturers blend in a style that suits my palate. DPG, Luis Sanchez, etc.)

Though I hadn't thought about it much, I do more or less what you have done, Craig. If I see an interesting rating somewhere (that describes a flavor profile I like, for example), I'll head over to top25 to see what people's experiences have been with it. Review blogs are also pretty informative once you figure out who seems to share your tastes.

IMHO, your method has served you well already because it led you straight to the Bolivar Royal Corona! You could smoke a truckload of others without topping that one. BTW, if the Bolivar RC suits you, you will probably also like the Ramon Allones Specially Selected. They share a similarly refined power and complexity.

Enjoy the hunt!

[mrgatorman]

I have three categories...

What I like
What I dont Like
What Ill smoke if I have nothing else available.

[Cigar Jack-cl]

I used to have a numbered rating system on my site, but I scrapped it. Instead I try and give readers as much information about the cigar as possible without making their eyes glaze over.

I trying to give you what I feel the body/flavor is.
I also let you know the strength of the cigar.
I also try and touch on if I feel the cigar is a good bang for the buck.

On top of that I try to describe the predominate flavors of the cigar and what I think some similar cigars are.

I cigar that I rate a perfect 10 might be an 8 for you, while a 10 for you might be an 8 for me.

A good example of this is the Ashton VSG, it is a really good cigar, but the flavor profile just isn't something I really enjoy. When I rate it I'm going to describe the flavors and let you make up your own mind.

[Webmeister]

Originally Posted by Cigar Jack

I used to have a numbered rating system on my site, but I scrapped it.

I always wondered exactly how useful the numbered rating was. I mean, it's subjective and we all have different tastes. What is the "10" to which I am comparing everything else? I like the objective (here's what I taste, how it burn/smokes, construction etc) and comparative (similar to, if you like brand X...) approach much better. That gives me a baseline to which I can relate based on my own experience/likes/dislikes.

[cybervee-cl]

Originally Posted by Webmeister

I always wondered exactly how useful the numbered rating was. I mean, it's subjective and we all have different tastes. What is the "10" to which I am comparing everything else?

That's part of the problem. If you smoke something today, and it is the best stick you have ever had in your life, you would give it a '10'. Then next week, along comes another stick, and it is even better than the one you rated '10' last week. Now what? Do you downgrade last weeks '10' to a '9', and make the new stick a '10'? Is is a '10+'? And something one person would classify as a dr might be in someone else's rotation. Taste in cigars (like taste in women) is dependent upon each person's expectations, preferences, experiences, and more.

Originally Posted by Webmeister

I like the objective (here's what I taste, how it burn/smokes, construction etc) and comparative (similar to, if you like brand X...) approach much better. That gives me a baseline to which I can relate based on my own experience/likes/dislikes.

I also prefer this type of rating system for the reasons you mention. I know what "is in the same class as a HdM Dark Sumatra Media Noche" means. I don't know what "I give it a 8.5 overall means". Your 8.5 might be my 5.0 because of the differences in our taste and the brands we have tried.

[iloveclmore]

Thanks for the info!

[discdog-cl]

May I suggest something a little different than the ratings?

Try reading the different reviews done by members here. Smoke some of the cigars they've recommended to see if you agree with their evaluation of that particular stick. If you do, try another from the same reviewer, if you again agree with the review, you've found someone else who has similar tastes as you do. I know without a doubt that if certain members say they enjoy or didn't like a particular cigar, I'll feel the same way generally as we have the basic same taste.

Now, this is not a perfect system. But I find it a whole lot more accurate than trying any rating system.

[FN in MT-cl]

I think the rating system in CA and cigar are USEFUL but like others here I enjoy the write up on the cigar far more. WHO makes, it, WHAT are the contents, hows the construction, etc. Occasionally they have a little history of the brand or some other little interesting info, which I like.

TASTE is so personal.

There are smokes that I tried years ago and can't IMAGINE they are still on the market. Case in point; Anything from ACID. They are like smoking a stick of incense....at least to ME. But they are VERY popular!!

I find Macanudo's a smooth though light smoke, yet others reject them as having no flavor at all, like smoking air, or worse.

"One Mans Meat is Another Mans Poison"

A smoker truly wanting to sample it all should keep some notes, then see where the trends lead them. Thankfully we have singles and five packs.

FN in MT

[nativetexan_1]

I personally like a review with a rating. Top25cigar.com has a rating system I understand. I still have to pick and choose the areas rated do to my preferences, but it's a start. Even I would shy away from anything with an overall rating of < 7.0. And that says more than it should about me.

[Architeuthis]

Squid's Ratings Interpretations:

95 = Slightly above average

90 = Solidly in the middle of the pack

85 = A Thompson's House Brand

80 = Cremosa and/or Herfdog equivalent

Anybody rating from 10 to 1 take it to mean exactly what they type... <G>

[foolwithnohair]

This thread has served a purpose. :baffled:

[chinomalo]

Baldhead.. From one bald head to another, try the CT Exodus 1959 Torpedo.. It was one of my first boxes awhile back and they are still one of the best..

Take your time with it, it isn't a good cigar to rush..