Cigar Insider does Vertical Brand Rating on NUB Habano

[maduromojo-cl]

358 - 89 Points
464 - 87 Points
460 - 86 Points
466 - 85 Points

[baboruger]

So what other cigars from insider rate at that level, or what is the scale that is being used?

[maduromojo-cl]

Since "Cigar Insider" is "Cigar Aficionado"'s online bi-weekly industry newsletter (just cigar info no watches, celebs, or shoes) I think the rating system is the same:
"95-100: Classic 90-94: Outstanding 80-89: Very good to excellent 70-79: Average to good commercial quality Below 70: Don’t waste your money N/A: Not Available"

My favorite newsletter or magazine and then you have access to all ratings from CA or CI plus being able to put you own sticks in database format.

From their review database here's a good example:

Don Pepin Garcia Cuban Classic 1979 Source: Cigar Insider; Score: 92; Issue: May, 2007

Don Pepin Garcia Cuban Classic 1979 Source: Cigar Aficionado; Score: 92; Issue: Dec, 2007

[leafandale]

Although they use the same scale, it always seems to me that the ratings are a little more liberal in CI than they are when the same cigars are rated for CA. There seems to be a lot more 90+ ratings handed out in CI than CA. JMHO, but that's what I see. Anyone else notice that??

[maduromojo-cl]

I do notice one thing, when you have access to the database of reviews it opens your eyes to a few things. One is that the same stick reviewed twice within the same year may have completely different taste descriptions. (Fickle tastebuds or two different reviewers?) Also, when an online cigar company says "90 rated", for example, it could have gotten a 90 rating 5 years ago. Recreating that same blend from year to year with new tobacco leaves doesn't mean it still rates a 90. That's why if I read a review, try that stick from that crop or shipment, and like it, I try to get a box from the reviewed crop. Problem is not many date their boxes. Illusione does.