Cigar Science with Rob XIV: Are Blind Reviews the Best Method for Evaluating Cigars?

[Doc Stogie Fresh]

Originally Posted by bobbyg29

In the review panel there were people that had smoked the Miami 8/11 before and enjoyed it enough to call it one of their favorites yet when they smoked it blind they gave it a low score. Doesn't that tell you that blind reviews are not really useful? Should the people that really enjoyed this cigar before and chose it as a favorite suddenly now stop smoking it because they gave it a bad blind rating score? No, because when they smoke in the normal, non-blind way again they will presumably enjoy it again.

An excellent point Rob and a great illustration of how blind tasting doesn't pan out in real-world conditions.

[Daver3283]

I suppose if a blind review was used on a cigar that had never appeared on the market befoer, then it wouldn't matter if you knew what it was or not. Anytime you approach a well known label, you automatically have expectations. I agree that price and reputation should play a role in the review though. If I rated two cigars 90 on a blind test, and then found out one was half the price, it may get bumped up a notch, or the other would lose some points. I know when I buy a smoke that has received a good review, I tend to get more excited aout smoking it and therefore enjoy it more. I guess I am a bit of a "label whore" in that sense. If I paid a lot for it and it's got a big shiny label I am going to make myself enjoy it!

[baboruger]

I don;t know if you guys noticed, but on the DogWatch cigar radio they talk about this issue. It is about the 1 hour make. They make some interesting points, and bring up some interesting stats. I suggest you check this out.

[Poisenwood]

I think a blind review can show that some cheap cigars can be just as enjoyable as expensive cigars in an overall sense. However, I would argue that if you are trying to refine your palate or pick out the subtle flavors in a cigar, blind reviews are not the way to go. As a new smoker, I like to know what flavors, aromas, textures, and draws to look for so I can learn to better recognize them when I smoke.

[ylo2na-cl]

First, I appreciate your thinking, whether for or against blind reviews. The most important thing in all of this "reviewing" really has to do with the individual's own taste regarding a particular smoke. The most difficult of all to measure are the variables that certainly play a part in one's selection, and, sometimes we are not privvy to these variables...i.e. what time of day did they smoke the cigar? what did they have for dinner, breakfast, lunch? what kind of mood were they in (stress vs non-stress)? and, did they know the cost before going in? etc. etc. etc. ad nauseum. If you are interested, I will write you some results I obtained when I did my master's thesis regarding perceptual and behavioral responses as measured by one's performance. Some interesting findings that led me to further research into the unknown of perception and its influence upon one's behavioral response!
Best,
Ylo2na

[Cigary]

Interesting thread and I am led to believe my own palate instead of others. What I do glean from others whether it is a blind or non blind test is how it burned,,,the construction,,,etc. etc. Everyone has a different sensitivity to taste,,their tongue is not exactly alike when it comes to salt, sweet, bitter tastes in the mouth. Last of all, if you are a 'noob' and have not experienced a wide variety of cigars your experience might betray your tastes when it comes to cigars in general. Being exposed to all sorts of flavors will increase your knowledge and memory of those tastes thus making you more experienced about cigars. The hype for more expensive cigars will always be around because of marketing techniques but the "real" deal cigars will stay because they are good quality and great tasting cigars. An Opus X is a great cigar even though some palates do not or can not appreciate the tobacco taste and yes, they are expensive and we all know that but why does this cigar continue to stay at the top of the list? When it comes to cheaper cigars and why we call them "dog rockets" is pretty much self explanatory. What our challenge is in regards to what we call good quality cigars is to expand our knowledge and our exposure to them,,,,it's all about the journey. If we can find a great cigar for $3,,,,then we buy boxes of that cigar. If we find a great cigar for $20 then we obviously buy them in singles unless we have tons of disposable income. To me, cigars are a journey of pleasure, taste, and good memories and you can't put a price tag on that. Sorry for the length of this reply,,,,my mind just wouldnt turn off til I got it all out.

[baba]

I think the blind reviews are helpful, but not the final judgment on a cigar. I look at the reviews, and then buy a five pack. I think it takes a fiver to really give the cigar a chance. I:E I bought some Cabaguans Guapos (5). Smoke 2 and was totally unimpressed. I let the other 3 sit in my box for three months, and tried them again. The cigar was totally different. I really loved the cigar and am planning to purchase a box to put away.
I guess my point is, one cigar is not enough for a fair rating.

[kenstogie-cl]

I personally love blind taste tests. It's great to judge cigars on their merits, not the label. JMHO of course.